The Batch Drips

[setsuled]

Wednesday also brought an exceptionally bland episode of The Bad Batch. It had kind of an interesting concept but it never got off the ground.



The episode begins with Phee Genoa (Wanda Sykes) once again referencing Indiana Jones, in this case the opening of Temple of Doom. But Phee is able to spot the poisoned drink and several other traps. That makes us like her more, right? I seriously think some writers think of these things as a kind of competition, forgetting viewers aren't necessarily more attracted to prowess than they are to vulnerability.



Sykes' delivery is still weirdly slow, like she's reading a book to two year olds. And maybe that's on purpose, maybe she thinks that's her audience. It doesn't stop other voice actors from speaking at a normal pace, though.

From the Indiana Jones scene, the episode moves to another kind of blandness, imitating Star Trek: The Next Generation.



I'm a fan of TNG but one of the problems that show had, stemming from a low budget, was a constant series of "alien" planets and peoples that looked like Earth and humans. We get one of those with Pabu, where the people wear the same kinds of generic tunics and trousers that humanoid civilisations tended always to wear on TNG.

We're a long way from the cantina scene now.

The people of Pabu exhibit a bland friendliness that complements their wardrobe. Things start to get interesting when there's a sea surge and there's a sudden need to evacuate to higher ground. But no-one's killed or injured. So, gentle viewer, you may yawn and blissfully drop into slumber.

The Bad Batch is available on Disney+.