After their ship was pilfered by a planetary native, clearly the Dangerous Batch was going to get their house again from the thieves. But, in doing so, they freed a group of individuals from a tyrannical chief, making this the second “employee revolution” story in Star Wars up to now six months.
Within the exceptional Andor collection, a tonal shift for Star Wars storytelling, probably the most talked-about moments was the prisoner revolt the titular character helped orchestrate. On the Rogue One prequel collection, set about 15 or so years after The Dangerous Batch, the oppressive menace is, principally, the Empire. Nevertheless, “Retrieval” offers the Dangerous Batch a non-Imperial enemy to take out for a change. Mokko is only a man who runs a mine, dishonest his individuals and almost letting them starve. Clone Pressure 99 simply needs their ship again, however in doing so that they reveal Mokko’s corruption. The episode ends with the employees proudly owning the mine and splitting the earnings equally.
There are hints of “evil” capitalists within the authentic Star Wars trilogy, from Jabba to Lando’s introduction as a Tibanna fuel baron. But, in these movies, the Empire ultimately trumps all different evils within the galaxy. The third act of The Rise of Skywalker included the assemblage of a fleet of “simply individuals” combating the Empire. George Lucas was a narrative advisor on that movie, and this looks like his thematic word. A easy ideological viewpoint that freedom is healthier than tyranny is simple for any viewers to latch onto. But, the politics of Star Wars solely get extra advanced.
The Dangerous Batch is nearer on the timeline to the prequels than Episodes IV via IX. As an alternative of baddies versus goodies, audiences received a six-hour Romantic fantasy about how concern and anger enable democracy to tumble into autocracy. It is a political allegory nonetheless painfully related right now, and The Dangerous Batch will get to focus on the speedy aftermath of the Emperor’s long-con coup. Nonetheless, Mokko represents a form of opportunist that all the time existed in Star Wars or any galaxy with capitalism. Whether or not the Empire is served by Clones or Stormtroopers does not matter to Benni and his fellows. They’re compelled to kill themselves to stay in squalor, and the individual reaping all of the earnings expects them to be grateful to him for the chance.
Nonetheless, this is not Star Trek. Cash is persistently an issue within the Star Wars universe. The episode ends with the employees actually proudly owning the technique of manufacturing, however it does not imply that is the reply for the complete galaxy, just like the Federation. Somewhat, the heroes perceive and even settle for the transactional world Benni lives in. Omega noticed the form of meals insecurity the mine employees expertise, and she or he nonetheless solely gave him rations as “cost” for serving to them. Nothing’s free in Star Wars.
From the format of the mine to the dearth of any escape for the employees, it could appear to be Benni’s state of affairs compares to the Andor prisoner revolt. But, it is extra just like the Ferrix revolution that ended the collection. Benni and the remainder work within the mines as a result of that is the place they stay. They do not wish to depart just like the prisoners compelled into indentured servitude on phony prices. Benni’s individuals want the mine to outlive as a result of it is their solely useful resource for earnings. The parallel can be even nearer if that ultimate revolution on Ferrix wasn’t in opposition to the Empire however moderately the Prelax Morlana company.
The primary episodes of Andor confirmed that whereas not an amazing group, the company that employed everybody on Ferrix was a greater grasp than the Empire. That corrupt group would probably be the very best final result for Benni and his neighbors, particularly if they do not know how Mokko bought the ipsium they mined. Given how merciless Mokko was, the Empire may’ve swept into that mine and appeared like benevolent liberators.
Regardless that the miners on The Dangerous Batch might have found out the socialist utopia, if Andor is any indication, it will not final. The Empire will come for the mine when it needs it or simply after it trains a couple of million new Stormtroopers. Nonetheless, the political subtext in regards to the “pleased ending” of this episode is perhaps probably the most direct political Star Wars message since George Lucas’ cartoon in regards to the Conflict on Terror.
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