The Racing Batch

Wednesday brought another good episode of The Bad Batch, this one written by script editor Matt Michnovetz, the best writer from the first season.

A variant on pod racing called "riot racing" is the focus of the episode. With the various aliens among the spectators and the paraphernalia around the stands, it's one of those things that helps the Star Wars universe feel complex. The characters race through tunnels instead of through open environments, though, which I suspect was due to budget constraints.

Ernie Hudson guest stars as Millegi, a gang boss and rival for Cid (Rhea Perlman). Both have pilots in the race.

This was a really good role for Hudson and he makes the character menacing and intriguing. I really hope we see him again. Comedian Ben Schwartz also guest stars as a droid, Cid's pilot, TAY-O. He's funny.

I also really liked how Disney Star Wars has loosened up on showing people dying. Someone even gets killed in the crowd and everyone just carries on, just like the patrons at the cantina bar in A New Hope.

The Bad Batch is available on Disney+.