Star Wars: The Bad Batch has made Omega integral to Palpatine’s cloning plans. The Bad Batch season 2, episode 11 “Metamorphosis” references a surprising, yet important episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Clone Force 99 is sent out on another mission, where they encounter a deadly Zillo Beast similar to the one Palpatine captured after it was killed in The Clone Wars for genetic modification and cloning research. The Bad Batch already acts as a direct sequel to The Clone Wars, so perhaps the continuation of this storyline isn’t all that shocking, but its implications for the Star Wars sequel trilogy are tremendous, and Omega has now become a vital player in this narrative thread.
One of the most important storylines in The Bad Batch so far has been the discontinuation of the clone trooper program and how the Empire wiped out the Kaminoan’s facilities to ensure production would grind to a halt. It’s interesting, then, that the Empire is intent on continuing its own research, and the newly captured Zillo Beast is a prime example. If clone soldiers were no longer necessary for the Empire, why continue cloning research at all? The answer lies not only in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, but in The Mandalorian, as well – and The Bad Batch has made Omega an essential part of Palpatine’s overarching Star Wars story.
The Empire Needed Omega To Force Nala Se's Compliance
Nala Se was one of the chief scientists of the cloning program on Kamino, and Omega was, essentially, her assistant – but could also be considered her pet project. Omega is unlike any of the other clones, and Nala Se held her in high esteem, keeping a close eye on her. Whether this is just because Omega’s genetic code is more valuable or Nala Se also genuinely felt something for her remains to be seen, but it is Omega’s presence, and, presumably the threat to her life that will force Nala Se to comply with the Empire’s new experiments. As such, Omega has become a vital part of Palpatine’s plans.
Indeed, it’s already known that Nala Se will likely end up working with the Empire – though how exactly Omega plays into that remains to be seen in the last few episodes of The Bad Batch season 2. In The Mandalorian, clone engineer Dr. Pershing is seen wearing a striking logo on the sleeve of his shirt, identical to the one the scientists and Imperials wear at Mount Tantiss in The Bad Batch. As the cloning efforts continue until well after Emperor Palpatine is presumed dead following the events of Return of the Jedi, it seems that Nala Se provided them with her expert knowledge, or surely the program would have faltered much sooner.
The Empire's Cloning Ultimately Led To Snoke... And The Resurrected Palpatine
In the end, as is now known, Palpatine returned. First, though, he created Snoke as a way of keeping his presence hidden while still influencing the events of the galaxy at large. Snoke was the strandcast result of cloning, just as Palpatine’s resurrection in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was attributed to cloning, as well. This shouldn’t have been surprising – Palpatine’s only true desire was more power, infinite and unending, and though his body may have died, his legacy could easily live on. Cloning as Palpatine used it was the ultimate way to stay alive and hold onto power until he could take possession of someone else’s body – namely his “granddaughter,” Rey’s.
Palpatine had his hand in cloning research long before The Rise of Skywalker released, and so despite the initial bewilderment at his return, the method does align with his acts. Sidious altered the clone troopers for Order 66, he captured a dangerous beast to bolster his attempts at genetic modification, and he made multiple clones of himself and Snoke just to hold on to the power that he had so cunningly mustered to cheat death. Clone Force 99, and Omega specifically, now play a larger role in the Star Wars story than could have been anticipated. Star Wars: The Bad Batch is more than an examination of the Empire’s rise – it serves as a foundation for Palpatine’s entire master plan.