Analyzing The Musical Storytelling Of Crosshair - The Bad Batch

My analysis of Crosshair's music throughout The Bad Batch TV Series

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

I would like to make a small amendment to something I said in this video - around 11 minutes in I say that Crosshair's music wasn't used in S2 E3 until the end of the episode. This is incorrect, after rewatching the show I noticed that his theme can be heard at the beginning of the episode during Crosshair's briefing with Rampart - you can find it at around 0:28 in this clip: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3PUm2ysn8x5adk The reason I missed this is probably because I was mostly using the OST for reference while making this video, and this variation of the theme isn't included in the official soundtrack.

[@metroidnerd9001]

One of my favorite things about the Inhibitor Chip and Crosshair's themes is that they start with the same two notes, usually a D going up to a C, but always an upwards minor 7th. In one sense, they are both Crosshair's theme, but one is more mechanical and incomplete, while the other flows like the person Crosshair really is underneath the chip.

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

Great observation! I noticed that as well when playing the themes on piano.

[@hikton7293]

I LOVE movie music, and art like "the sacrifice", "burying the dead" and such, along with the classical Inception theme and such, and so glad I found this channel that shares a lot of my common music interests for this franchise!

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

Thank you! I'm glad you've found that my channel shares many of your interests.

[@hikton7293]

@@hobbricks_lego_man yeah, probably wouldn't have found it if it wasn't for Screencrush

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

@@hikton7293that’s awesome, I still can’t get over how cool it is that they mentioned me in their videos. It’s been so beneficial for my channel, so I really can’t thank them enough.

[@EndHall]

Came from the new screen crush video! Great work!

[@BirdNerdFilms]

Same here!

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@merky6004]

Et Tu?

[@thunderfreeze1544]

I love how you caught the use of the sith theme in that first episode. I feel like a lot of people missed it bc of how subtle it was. You should break down more Star Wars themes like the evolution of the dark side theme used for Anakin in clone wars (like the scene where he shakes hands with Tarkin)

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

Thanks! I definitely want to make more videos like this, especially once season 3 of Bad Batch wraps up.

[@teary-eyedstew]

FYI Kevin Kiner works with his son AND daughter, Sean and Deana

[@teary-eyedstew]

Appreciate your input on the music of the show, made me realize connections I never made before :)

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

Thank you! And you're absolutely correct - I recorded this video before the announcement that Deana was trans, so please excuse the outdated information. In videos since I've addressed her by her proper pronouns.

[@bairdduvessa]

Had to google this since Screencrush didn't actually link it

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

Glad you were able to find the video!

[@dgthunderer]

Same. Glad to find the video.

[@hydrakn]

looks like they linked it this week

[@alexandermineev2111]

Great analysis! And it is very clear now that Crosshair's theme music changes reflect the changes and growth of Crosshair as a personality! Thank you a lot! Could you please make the same analysis of Dr.Hemlock's theme music?

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

Thank you for the comment! I have a bit of a busy schedule at the moment, but I've been keeping up my coverage for this show and definitely plan on making a part 2 to this video once the final season is finished to see how Crosshair's theme has continued to develop - but I'd love to to a video analyzing Hemlock's theme since it's another one of my favourites from the show. Depending on how things pan out I might make it a separate video or combine with the Crosshair one!

[@HarryThomasPictures]

Awesome analysis on the soundtrack for Crosshair man, love the themes of The Clone Wars and Bad Batch they sound darker than that of other Star Wars shows!

[@titicopalpatine9576]

AMAZING VIDEO. crosshair is becoming one of the most interessant animated characters i ever seen

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

Thank you! I couldn’t agree more, Crosshair is one of the most well written fictional characters I’ve seen in some time.

[@captainrex6484]

Amazing analysis! When I did my rewatch of S1 prior to season 3's release, I realized that Crosshair's theme (I call it the "Mayday" theme bc they're so similar) was *everywhere*. The heroic leitmotif of Crosshair's theme was always there, but it was buried by the Inhibitor chip theme (or Crosshair's imperial theme as I call it). Seeing him now and how far he's come as a character and through music is just incredible

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

Agreed, the music is such a crucial part of Crosshair's story. As you pointed out, the Inhibitor chip theme almost always obscured Crosshair's leitmotif in the past - which makes it fascinating that in season 3 almost any trace of the inhibitor chip theme is completely gone, possibly symbolizing that he's fully broken free of the Empire's brainwashing.

[@captainrex6484]

@@hobbricks_lego_man yeah! I love hearing his theme in full force in S3 without the Inhibitor chip theme getting in the way. "Reunion" uses it beautifully at the end. I remember watching S1E15 and hearing his theme's main melody and was blown away by realizing it was always there lol.

[@Himmiefan]

I love the music when Omega is reunited with Hunter and Wrecker, and Crosshair then steps off the ship.

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

So do I! "Reunion" is arguably one of the best tracks composed for the show.

[@Drsissue60]

@@hobbricks_lego_man 100% agree. I downloaded the soundtrack for the Final season Vol. 2 because of this track. Love it!

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

@@Drsissue60 I've had the whole season 3 soundtrack on loop since the entirety of it released, absolutely phenomenal stuff. Definitely a top contender for my favourite score of this year.

[@Drsissue60]

@@hobbricks_lego_man I will do the same!

[@bloynik2353]

Great analysis! You should definitely consider making a part 2 to this now that season 3 is done

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

Thank you, and a part 2 is currently in the works!

[@jackychan92]

Will there be an update for analysis for Crosshair with the release of Season 3?

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

I'm definitely planning on making a part 2!

[@stinkycheese1173]

tears almost swell when you played the crosshair theme, its SO emotional and cathartic

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

One of the most underrated AND understated themes in Star Wars. Simplistic, yet incredibly powerful.

[@istofulegal3420]

At about 3 minutes and 47 seconds into the track "Mayday" you can hear 2 very low notes (I am not sure which instrument) played when 1. the vulture flies over and 2. Maydays body is on screen. I believe that these notes sort of show that crosshair is disillusioned with the empire and he realizes 1. what he has to do (the vulture symbolizing death like when we see it previously in the episode before the raid on the outpost and before Maydays death) and 2. why he has to do it (because of Maydays death). I really like the thought that went behind just these 2 sounds. I could obviously have the wrong Idea on what these 2 sounds mean.

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

I think you're definitely onto something there, to me those sounds feel like a subdued version of the inhibitor chip leitmotif - as if that part of Crosshair is finally dying before his theme swells and overpowers it. There's a lot to appreciate about the visual and musical storytelling in the show, and how it lends itself to different interpretations of what the intended meaning is.

[@kevinharo8389]

I know it’s an old video but I hope you read. I’ve always enjoyed the music in movies and shows especially in Star Wars and I love the music makes scene extremely better and I’m glad I found this channel from Screen Crush. Without the music the scene is just banal and boring but the music adds more it and in Star Wars I’ve always noticed the music changes based on the emotion of the characters and I’m just happy to have found this channel.

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I'm very appreciative of ScreenCrush for drawing attention to this video and by extension my channel. I dedicate a lot of time and thought into putting these videos together, so I can't tell you how rewarding it is to read comments like yours.

[@milenamesa2045]

WHY DOESN'T THIS HAVE SUBTITLES? I'M FROM ARGENTINA AND THERE ARE LITERALLY NO VIDEOS IN SPANISH THAT TALK ABOUT THE TOPICS OF THE BAD BATCH. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT SAYS AND BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING. P.S.: I'm using translator to write this, so I want Spanish subtitles to watch this video. THANKYUU

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

@@milenamesa2045 I had no idea that subtitles weren’t working for this video! I’ll see what I can do to fix that for you.

[@milenamesa2045]

@@hobbricks_lego_man YES, THANK YOU SO MUCH, I really appreciate your effort

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

@@milenamesa2045 Of course! I've tried changing the subtitles to Spanish in KZbin studio - let me know if that changes anything for you. If not, I'm not sure what to do. It's not common for KZbin to automatically switch off closed captions for my videos, so I might need to do a bit more in-depth sleuthing work.

[@milenamesa2045]

​@@hobbricks_lego_manUnfortunately the video doesn't let me have subtitles., So I appreciate you taking the time and space to try to change it. thank you very much

[@leathertownguitarstudio]

excellent analysis!

[@jabberdouche]

9:31 So ... I don't 100% buy that Crosshairs inhibitor chip was removed. He says it, but can we believe a character that was also trying to capture and / or kill his friends!? Remember when Crosshair first turned on the BB. They put him in that MRI looking thing and turned up the grumpyness to 11. We were never shown him getting it removed, or having any other character even speak to his chip. I wouldn't be surprised if we find out his chip is still firmly wedged in his head, and it gets used sometime this season.

[@hobbricks_lego_man]

Interesting theory, I think it's likely that he got the chip removed after being burned by the engine of a venator on Bracca midway through season 1, because his actions after that point seem far less outwardly malicious (like in episode 12 when he essentially lets them escape). There is a moment in the 3rd episode where we see him undergoing an undisclosed procedure which could be the moment when the chip was removed, but as you say it doesn't fully make sense that he'd be gunning for the rest of his squad following that. There's definitely much that still remains a mystery about Crosshair, and I we'll just have to wait and see where his story goes by the end of the series!