Why Long-Time CW Fans Have to Re-evaluate EVERYTHING They Know About Inhibitor Chips [This is Huge]

[@tristankawatsuma8962]

In my head canon, the chips are wearing off. Some clones may notice this change, while others don’t. Most clones like Cody and Gregor may have had doubts about Order 66 and questioned why they followed the order without question, but otherwise stayed loyal because it seemed in that first year that things were still the same even after Palpatine’s speech. To them it was just the Republic without their compassionate leaders. So even when the chips wear off, it’s business as usual until the differences become clear. The Empire phasing them out, executing surrendered enemies, turning on former allies, and so on. But while most clones felt uneasy with some even defecting, there will always be a few like Crosshair who are loyal to a fault to the Empire. Even by the Original Trilogy, there were still a few clones training stormtroopers and in the field. But the rest of their kind as we see is just really incompatible with the Empire. Some clones saw this and left while the rest got tossed out by the Empire which had realized this early on. Even a clone trooper fan like me used to think the clones were perfect for the Empire. Before Geonosis, they were. But then they experienced the galaxy alongside the Jedi who taught them many things. And Palpatine probably saw this happening even when the clones were being made. I mean, why add the growth acceleration? Why not just push back the Clone Wars by a decade? Nope, the clones were meant by Palpatine to be used for the short term. They really weren’t meant to be around for long. And that just makes me hate the Sith Lord more.

[@haroldcruz8550]

Gregor never executed order 66 though and he may have never been under it's influence in the first place.

[@tsarzamancorpdna]

Clones and droids deserved so much better than they got

[@lolroflroflcakes]

I don’t think the clones were ever a suitable choice for the empire. Palpy doesn’t want people, he wants battle droids but I guess he can’t get some sort of sadist power-tripping pleasure from making a droid miserable. Also he kind of built his empire using a droids bad platform. Ultimately though we have seen on many occasions across all age groups that the clones tend to diverge from the factory default, just like ordinary people, they have always been individuals. Now stormtroopers are also individuals who are just as capable of realizing Tarkins weekly puppy BBQs are bad, there are probably just as many defections from them as clones. The key difference is they are much cheaper, the empires other personnel may be freebirth scum but the empire doesn’t have to pay to raise them to adulthood and then pay for the Kaminoans meticulous devotion to perfection. Also Gregor never had a Jedi and then either removed his chip on his own or had Rex remove it. He’s Rex’s fishing buddy from Rebels, remember?

[@tristankawatsuma8962]

@@lolroflroflcakes That’s always one thing the Galactic Republic Military will have over the Separatist and Imperial Militaries. All three design their forces to be uniform and follow orders without objection. All three of course succeed. Yet for the Republic Military it gets a wrench thrown into the works by the Jedi. It’s really no wonder military officers always hate the Jedi, at least those in the three militaries stated earlier. It just runs counter to their ideology.

[@zexalbrony4799]

I pretty much 100% agree with all of this. These are very good points.

[@floridaman4577]

When I watched the scene with Cody speaking with the governor, all I could think was that he had spent to much time with Kenobi and now he was "the negotiator."

[@uhmuh...5131]

*mechanical coughing*

[@fa11endawn16]

@@uhmuh...5131 Ahhh yes...The negotiator! General Kenobi.

[@TimeCircleBlue]

Not only negotiating, but he believed every word he said in that scene. That’s why the rightful gov. Surrendered. But then Cody is countermanded by literally everyone else in the room, and is shocked. Ames really doesn’t even seem angry at Cody right before she dies. Just sad. Idk, it really hit me weird and made ME sad.

[@merafirewing6591]

​@@TimeCircleBlue I just feel very sad for Cody, like he almost achieved what he was supposed to do.

[@exoticbutters4212]

This episode was definitely my favorite in the entire series. It gives a look into the empire and feels a little more mature than the fanatics of the rest of the bad batch

[@dogloversrule8476]

Agreed, especially when it’s compared to episodes 1 and 2

[@cappuccinocappy]

Tbh I wouldn’t mind if we would get a series with only clones as the main character, seeing what they think when they fight , what they’re doing in their free time and their day to day life and struggles.

[@charliehodges8825]

Nice profile picture bro, I am also a fan of Fortnite.

[@exoticbutters4212]

@@charliehodges8825 nice bait bro

[@dancingvalkyrie]

Only barely because the imperial officers still feel like the typical filoni villain. Andor explains how Imperials work 100 times better than this schlock.

[@nyedred9612]

I really love the differences between Rex and Cody and their characterizations when faced with the evil of the empire. From the very beginning of Order 66 Rex was guns out resisting and then fighting with Ahsoka to escape in a very physical confrontation. Meanwhile with Cody you can see he tried to make it work by remaining in service, following orders, and still attempting to bring about peace which he's slowly coming to learn just isn't possible under a truly evil regime. Even when he starts questioning due to his own lingering guilt, he's much more subtle about it - probing Crosshair with leading questions to try to find a like-minded brother, and very obviously being quietly disappointed at the lack of "private traitorous thoughts". Then the episode ends with a very quick, quiet, and efficient going AWOL that no one saw coming. Really makes you appreciate that Cody, a Commander, was the brains contrasting to Rex's strength and bravery.

[@korpen4444]

Just like their Jedi counterparts.

[@rideboards]

Let's not forget rex whole heartedley tried to kill Asoka. The only reason he didn't go down with the ship along with Jessie is because Asoka saved his life.

[@alexmartinez5859]

@@rideboards Because he saw her as more than a Jedi, but a true friend. He also knew that something was wrong when he was being ordered to kill her, and directed her to “Find Fives.” so to speak, because he knew she would do what she could to save him, and possibly so many other clones.

[@namelessrv8771]

I think he convinced Crosshair to some degree too. Crosshair seems to be acting a little 'sadder' by the end of the episode when he's back at base. The way he's awake before the alarm and looks at his helmet before moving on, I think it's worth to say he is thinking about what Cody told him. His reaction to Cody going rogue is also interesting - although subtle, it definitively might make him start questioning things if not his own actions. I doubt Crosshair is gonna fully turn on the Empire, not in the slightest, but I don't believe he's gonna be as blindly loyal as he has been before, at least not in his head.

[@aaronaukema1284]

@@rideboards he fought at first. His first impulse was to resist.

[@stealthSGMB]

“Did we have any doubts? Any private traitorous thoughts? Perhaps but no one said a word.” - 501st Journal, basically becoming reality for many clones, including Cody.

[@merafirewing6591]

I guess in a way, the 501st Journal did predicted some things in the Bad Batch in regards to how clones think things over.

[@caelumvaldovinos5318]

Seeing Cody talk to the governor, you can see the years of service with Obi-Wan flowing through Cody. Every word, every action, and sense of honor was Kenobi to an 'i'. And maybe those skills is Cody's way of honoring his former CO and friend, who he realizes *he* betrayed and regrets doing so

[@Hello-eq4db]

I think what hurts the most is the idea that Jesse and other 332nd troopers would definitely have deserted if they had just survived a few more months.

[@markr3730]

Way to put the hurt on.

[@andreaswong8829]

If Fives had told both Jesse and Kix about Order 66, Jesse would also be space pirate now

[@jimmyneutron5679]

nice profile, a member of a squad id like to see in action in the bad batch forsure

[@LucLightWolf121]

First they came for the Jedi, and the galaxy applauded. Then they came for the Droids, and the galaxy applauded. Now they're coming for the Clone Troopers. If history is any indication, the result will be the same as before.

[@markr3730]

I can literally see it happen.

[@ryeguy7941]

Then the Empire came for the galaxy itself and there was no applause.

[@TommyTombstone]

"Now they're coming for us, and nobody is left to oppose them."

[@gwhite20]

I was always led to believe that Cody ended up training new recruits. That’s what I have read everywhere. But seeing him defect made me the happiest man ever because you can tell he’s struggled for a while with his actions. I always found it sad how Cody ended up, but this gives me hope and maybe his story changes from what I was originally led to believe.

[@MeThinks995]

That’s was in the original expanded universe aka legends…I prefer that.

[@theevildrummingsithlord1492]

@@MeThinks995 Same. Not everyone deserves redemption.

[@klaykid117]

In Legends he was the quintessential good soldier able to be joking and friendly with his general Obi-Wan but according to the revenge of the sith novel when the order was given the only thing he regretted was giving him his lightsaber back a minute ago. And of course before the clone wars cartoon the clones never had inhibitor chips they were soldiers and they followed orders

[@rainstriderstreamflower5645]

Cody only trained new recruits in legends.

[@KaisTheFireWarrior]

@@klaykid117 exactly, I'm tired of them undermining the movie

[@silmarlfan1]

I think it's amazing that the first time we see Cody he's not wearing 212th gold but grey, grey like 104th; Mandalorian grey; mourning grey. I think they were trying to tell us that in his heart, Cody had already reevaluated what he had done and was mourning. Cody had fought and bled beside the Jedi for nearly four years, and realistically he would have come to care for them, maybe even love them, like family. "in war, strangers in a foxhole become closer to you than your brother." Cody was The Marshal Commander, he spent a lot of time a round the top brass, as they say, he would have seen more than most. he would have seen what the Jedi were really like and seen a side of Kenobi no one else did. there was real regret there, and he showed it the only way he could: by changing his colors to grey. Even in legends the 501st still kept their iconic blue. Cody chose to don grey, he chose to show to anyone who knew and cared, that he was mourning. this was just the last leg of his journey, he mourned, he evaluated, he made his decision, and he acted. logical, and calculated. men like Cody don't become the head of command without being able to think things through even under emotional stress. Cody had a lot of time to think, and I believe he'd finally had enough, and did the only thing that felt right: he left.

[@bassmantjox1299]

I’ve enjoyed this episode. I loved Cody being back.

[@kingnamor777]

Same here

[@Re-Hong]

Still reinforces why i like this particular era of star wars. The clones are unique.

[@alexissandoval1284]

Unique in that every named one behaves the same way now. Soon as they get a name, it's "Empire bad me good."

[@ksrebelbuck7936]

Facts, the TV series really fleshed out the clones so much to the point to where they're alike yet different and it honestly makes me want to watch them more and more, it's so interesting and enticing to me, by far the prequel era and the clones are my favorite in Star Wars, I'll always love the original but other than the main 3 movies if I want more filler and fleshing out content prequels era are my go to

[@Shakiahjprod]

@@alexissandoval1284 It's almost like an empire that thinks their soldiers will inhumanly obey and do obviously evil things will suffer from those soldiers bailing out forcing them to need willing soldiers 🤔

[@sofia7816]

I hope that we get a reunion of Cody and Rex I think we deserve that. I just know it’s gonna be heart reaching, sad, sweet, and everything in between but I don’t think I’m ready

[@jeremiahjones4443]

My theory is that the chips were single use. The chances of more than one of the imbedded orders needing to be carried out, let alone needing the influence of the chips to ensure they were carried out, is astronomical. I feel that once the chips were activated they slowly began deteriorating resulting in the clones reverting back to pre-order 66 states.

[@thatboyred4042]

I also think that even with Star Wars’ technology, it’s extremely difficult to hardwire a human brain to do something it really doesn’t want to do. The human mind is incredible, you can see this in how individualistic the clones are even though they’re all made from the same exact genetic blueprint. It was only a matter of time before the clones’ minds would return to reason, and I think Palpatine knew this since he began drafting stormtroopers so quickly.

[@harrambou9468]

That wouldn’t make sense

[@princeimrahil6557]

This was my view as well. They worked very well, but only once. They weren't built to surpress the clones over the long, awful years of Imperial rule. Clones are too honorable

[@neofulcrum5013]

Man these three episodes have been bangers so far for this season. We are seeing how the clones are being phased out fast: they’re being used as canon fodder in more dangerous missions. Giving their blood sweat and tears like this one while the new conscripts reap their rewards without so much as a thank you. Imperial arrogance has been portrayed so well in Bad Batch and Andor. Sooner or later Crosshair will realize the empire doesn’t value him no matter how much he gives.

[@supersaiyanjin2199]

I feel like stormtroopers are way worse than droids at this point because of their uselessness...they are just there just to hammer the authority of the empire's sake and nothing else

[@JJumper8888]

You could already see his resentment at the end of the episode. Also him asking to be under the command of Cody speaks more than a million words. He is a soldier with all his heart. But you can see small and subtle cracks in his resolve when you look closely. He will go AWOL. You could see it in his face when he walked out of the officers office. He just doesn't know it yet.

[@SilentSpringz]

@@JJumper8888 my problem is that he says he removed hes chip. But in S1 they checked him for a chip and found it. Then made its effects stronger for obedience. But later says he removed it with no proof really. I can’t tell hes under influence or not because he changed really hard after that. ( also seemed he had an headache in the cell for a moment holding hes head) I mean right after the order he went full solder must follow orders and thats a quote regs say to when it works. While normally they used to disobey orders like hunter said since when do you follow orders? So seems more he just bluffed to hurt hunter that its him or whatever. Maybe im missing something here?

[@JJumper8888]

@@SilentSpringz Actual good point regarding the removal of the chip, but also might have removed it. Would need to double check it. But yet you can see that Crosshair is conflicted. Sooner or later his true self will burst out again. At some points I could feel how he just talked to the others just prove it that he is still loyal to the empire, in his eyes tho and small subtle gesture you can see that on the inside he is conflicted

[@namelessrv8771]

@@SilentSpringz It is possible that Crosshair is fully aware (mentally) of the chip's influence etc., but told Hunter and others he had it removed to simply spare them the trouble. For Crosshair at the time it did not matter - he was pretty much loyal with or without the chip, and maybe the little good he had left in him wanted to crush Hunter's hopes. Not to mention he must've felt bitter after being simply left behind, so why would he let Hunter linger on the possibility of him being saved anyway? This way their paths were seperate for good. He most likely still has the chip, but given its effects are wearing off, it doesn't really matter. Crosshair's loyalty doesn't come from the chip, it's probably a combination of his personality and the betrayal he feels. He lacks purpose and comfort, but knows the Empire will provide for him. So why should he not be blindly loyal? But as Cody pointed out, things are different. When it comes to Crosshair I believe what matters most are his subtle thoughts than actions. The way he reacts such as when he learned about Cody's AWOL status is what gives him away. However, before he fully goes rogue he will most likely still follow orders, whether out of false hopes of things getting better or simply desperation of holding onto purpose.

[@dogloversrule8476]

I think the inhibitor chips worked off of the release of certain chemicals, once they ran out of chemicals and/or the clone’s bodies started to grow their tolerance for them they lost their effectiveness.

[@honkhonk8009]

Nah our brain runs on electricity doesnt it? I dont think the chip can exert THAT level of controll by simply rewarding behaviour. Look at captain rex. The inhibitor chip litterally takes over their brains and warps their perception of reality, and makes it so they dont even realize their being tricked. The control goes that deep, which isnt surprising since its star wars and its some sci fi stuff lol. They probably felt that they had full controll of their actions even though it was the opposite. Kinda like the 2014 robocop.

[@dogloversrule8476]

@@honkhonk8009 good point, all it has to do is trigger the release of dopamine. It could maybe also run off of the electrical signals in the brain

[@briggs4884]

Hormones chronicles and electricity. It can be more than just an influence. We are the product of all these things

[@luisaguilar7997]

That's actually extremely clever! It would make sense as a working theory given the fact that in the CW series it is mentioned that the chips represent essentially, a bypass to the "self-reflective systems of the brain" once activated, thus making the lcones extremely compliant and impervious to self doubt or self- control in regards to the order they comply with

[@masteroftheassassins]

Of all the Clones to go AWOL, I never would’ve thought that it would be Cody.

[@dogloversrule8476]

Agreed, but then again, he did go through Alpha-17’s ARC Trooper program

[@CAPTAIN-REX]

​@@dogloversrule8476 like almost all captains/commanders

[@James-gw9kl]

Dang :/ i was hoping they'd stay closer to the legends version of cody but oh well.

[@yaang9258]

Did he go AWOL? Or did the Vice Admiral handle the situation?

[@zachduperron8543]

Cody was by the books and had orthodox strategies so it took me by surprise.

[@noahorakwue2653]

I REALLY hope that Filoni changed Cody’s ending because he deserves much better even if it’s death.

[@ultimatepunster5850]

If he goes out, at least give us a Fives situation where it's something that mattered. Or at least was heartfelt and respectful. I think Cody's too big of a character to just go out without some kind of sendoff.

[@noahorakwue2653]

@@ultimatepunster5850 you’re not wrong I just don’t want him to get dissected for the dark trooper program.

[@AlexiosLair]

It is most definitely going to be a death where he tries to earn redemption.

[@kingnamor777]

@@ultimatepunster5850 I agree Cody needs a proper send-off. Instead of a imperial saying that he gone AWOL. We don't know if he gotten himself killed by the Empire, imprisoned or just left the Empire without saying a word.

[@moderndemon84]

@@ultimatepunster5850 Cad Bane *cough*

[@LilDonutV2]

It looked like crosshairs slowly starting to regret what's happening cause when the office told him Cody went AWOL he looked a bit unsettled

[@oliverkromann1902]

Another reason i could see Crosshair defect is at the end of the episode when we see him wake up differently compared to the start of the episode We see that is already awake, perhaps because he has been thinking all night and had a hard time about the words commander Cody spoke to him

[@Jane_8319]

This episode was powerful, and masterfully written and animated. The backgrounds are gorgeous, the colors are striking, the score is perfect, the writing is intricate. I loved it.

[@shiby1860]

it was over 20 minutes of pure enjoyment, everything was perfect. better then andor or kenobi in my eyes

[@CKC_Productions]

CC-2224: “Tell me something, Crosshair. This new Empire… Are we making the Galaxy better?” CT-9904: “We’re soldiers. We do what needs to be done.” CC-2224: “Well, you know what makes us different from battle droids? We make our own decisions. Our own choices… And we have to live with them too…”

[@leoking7160]

Isn’t he quoting Rex too?!

[@CKC_Productions]

@@leoking7160 I was thinking of both Rex and Fives as soon as Cody said that during the episode.

[@Shakiahjprod]

@@leoking7160 I think it's a perfect callback to when he brought up Rex at that spot on the other day. At first he said Rex would never betray the empire it was fabricated but now he realizes what Rex truly saw and understood why, hence why he told Crosshair

[@simpleclonetrooper2740]

Pour one out for Nova and Wyler.

[@dogloversrule8476]

May they rest peacefully in Manda

[@Darren_Xero]

At least Cody called them by their names, instead of some Imperial officers calling them by numbers

[@dogloversrule8476]

@@Darren_Xero agreed

[@cydra671]

I was cheering for Wyler since he was the last regular Clone with Cody and Crosshair he was a badass for a random Clone

[@moderndemon84]

@@cydra671 That was Nova,not Wyler.

[@rikuvakevainen6157]

If the desertion of the clones was expected, it's no wonder why the clones were replaced by stormtroopers. The clones would sooner or later realize their empire was no better than separatist which would cause unrest among them.

[@kingorange7739]

Well they were worse than the Separatists. Much worse. As mentioned by the leader of the Separatist holdout. The clones were often blind that the Republic before the Empire wasn’t much better either. As most separatists believed the Republic’s corruption and tyranny would eventually convert into a force even worse. Which in that sense they were right.

[@moderndemon84]

Exactly.

[@UGNAvalon]

Ironically, Geetsly did a video a few months back about how the late-war (or even mid-war?) Republic was basically no different than the Empire that followed, making it easy for clone troopers to transition to stormtroopers.

[@moderndemon84]

@@UGNAvalon IKR. But that was before this episode showed us otherwise.

[@UGNAvalon]

@@moderndemon84 that was before the *3D Clone Wars series (& Bad Batch that followed). -These series made the Clone War child-friendly, and the troopers themselves very humanized/sympathetic. These troopers could never commit Order 66 with the same cold detachment as the pre-3D-series troopers did, so the writers used the chips as a justification/cop-out

[@zachduperron8543]

My speculation is the chips had a built in kill switch that would activate after a certain contingency order was executed such as order 66. Once the chips served their intended purpose the clones would go back to “normal” behaviour after the chips deactivated.

[@wetwillyis_1881]

Because of Cody’s thoughts on his an other’s actions, expressed in the episode, I wonder if we’ll ever see him regret committing order 66 on Kenobi. I still have my fingers crossed for Cody, Rex, Boil (I think he’s still alive), and Echo back together, one last time.

[@dogloversrule8476]

As friends, a fight to the death, or a mix of both?

[@Watson2108]

@@dogloversrule8476 If he refused to kill this random seperatist leader Cody definitely won‘t kill his old friends...

[@dogloversrule8476]

@@Watson2108 true, but they might get into an Umbara type blue on blue situation

[@whorror_punx]

I doubt we'll see him in this series, but I would LOVE Kenobi seeing Cody after his defection.

[@dogloversrule8476]

@@whorror_punx now that would be hard to watch😢

[@gavynsmith5252]

Maybe I'm just looking into this too hard, but that scene towards the end: where you saw the remains of the clone squad getting into the shuttle only to see more stormtroopers being dropped to replace them reminded me of a similar scene in IRobot. Where the older models, who served faithfully and without question, were replaced with newer more compliant models. And it's heartbreaking.

[@leoking7160]

I loved the scene before he got on the ship and looked around at the city and new troopers. He realized that the republic he dedicated his life to no longer existed.

[@dylanrivera2244]

Everyone is excited about the coming reunion of Rex and Cody, myself included. But you know what else I’m just as if not more excited for, Omega and Palpatine being in the same room.

[@moderndemon84]

Huh.

[@BURN447]

The “are we the baddies” type line coming from Cody really shows the conflict. I hope we see more of him

[@indianajones4321]

I loved seeing Cody back and his squad take down a CIS holdout where battle droids high five

[@corbinibroc]

Definitely my favorite animated star wars episode, loved it from beginning to end

[@minicle426]

We need more of the CIS remnants.

[@ShizaruBloodrayne]

There are a lotttt of planets, listed and unlisted, in the expanded universe lore. The possibilities are endless. Fortunately, we still get quality episodes like this one when they could just spit out the same story on a new planet that all looks the same as the rest over and over again to fill a checklist lol. Many of the unlisted CIS planets get decimated or reformed. There could be a variety of stories about migration or some last stands..maybe more splits between the CIS remnant factions to either give into the Empire for the safety of the whole or factions to keep fighting or hide or join the rebellion.

[@3000deaths1]

Maybe instead of brain rewiring, it's more like brain hijacking. Similar to what happens to the winter soldier except every clone is a sleeper agent instead of just 1. Tup could've had a faulty chip that would've had a different trigger for different protocols other than 66 and the other one in the 30s. Like, it puts them in a trance they're aware of. Tup definitely seemed out of it while he was acting out order 66. Then again, faulty trigger.

[@greggjennings8729]

From known experiments by the Germans of wwII the KGB and CIA on mind control we've learned that you can't program someone to do something that goes against every fiber of their being. i.e. while mind control can make you climb to the top of a tall building and stand on the edge, it can't make you jump. The same applies to murder, it very difficult to mind control an assassin. Clone Troopers are a little easier because as soldiers they have less inhibition about killing. Rex resisting long enough for Asoka to remove his chip was a result of Rex being closer to Asoka as a friend than most clones. While the rest of clones knew her, they did not have as much close contact with her as Rex. Just look at our society today. No matter where you sit politically the other side believes things you do not and vis versa. A chip could get you to do something you bleieve to be true or at least to plausibly fit in with your worldview. The clones were programmed to be loyal to and obey the Chancellor/Emperor. This was part of the Chip, order 66 is a direct order from Palpatine. For the average clone like Cody, The empire and Palpatine are the good guys. I'd say most clones truly believed the Jedi were traitors and it was only events like we saw in s2 EP of bad batch that changed a few minds. Finally Crosshair seems to be staying loyal to the Empire based solely on the fact he has no where else to go. This is very likely true for most of the clone Regs. As the bad batch pointed out in S1 the Empire provides clones with everything they need, food, shelter ect and clones were not exactly welcome on the civilian worlds.

[@lut1231]

The theory that came to my mind is that when it seemed the empire was going to cancel the cloning process, the Kaminoans activated some sort of contingency plan and remotely disabled all clone inhibitor chips.

[@PuppetMasteronVHS]

I always thought the chips put them in an immediate trance like state that stayed active until they killed the Jedi they were assigned to. After that the trance would ware off and the clone was left thinking the actions they took were there own, hence why they stayed loyal to the Empire for as long as they did until they weren’t.

[@vjredline9242]

Crosshair episodes have quickly become my absolute favorite, depicting the dichotomy of a growing empire and waning, weary clone force struggling to fit in. They are insanely well written and resonate with us as fans, especially as we follow crosshair, watching with a small sense of hope that he too will recognize what his respected and seasoned superiors have recognized about how the galaxy is changing. Seeing characters like Cody so broken down by this new reality actually hurts to watch, I just want to give cody a hug and smack crosshair where his chip is until he realizes he needs to be by his brothers' side!

[@rabbitknight87]

My thought is the chip is a little subtle, it makes the clones follow orders, but uses their normal thought processes to do so. The clones in the moment rationalized the decision to follow orders and as they have the opportunity to self examine that rationalization falls apart. In the early aftermath there's a lot of pressure, keep doing what you're doing you need to clean up at the end of the war, it's during the "peaceful" time after that they can start to pick apart the logic, and that makes it harder for the chip to enforce itself.

[@Flynn01979]

I have to agree. I feel that the inhibitor chip had one purpose. Carry out order 66, once that was done. The chips basically died.

[@alexhorn218]

I started off this episode not wanting to like it, which is strange because I’ve loved almost every episode of the Bad Batch so far, but absolutely loved how it ended and how the story followed crosshair. Fantastic episode and I hope they continue to explore the individuality of the clones in future episodes. I think it’s part of what made the clone wars so great

[@nickvinsable3798]

Based on all available information, there might be an option 3: the chips are technically still active, but only for one specific reason: to kill Jedi. While still sticking to your original two, as long as there are no Jedi, as far as they knew & understood, they’re back to their old selves; they’re acclimating to the chips’ reprogramming &, while still following the Order 66 protocol, they’re regaining their senses. Sure, they’re questioning the Galactic Empire, but where in that episode did they question Order 66?

[@marshalllatta2073]

I love this episode it's now one of my favorites bad batch season 2

[@Thunder_219]

I always thought the chip sort of was like a “seeing red” moment in which they aren’t given time to think all they can see is their target. After the bloodshed, those who has Jedi may have come to regret it after order 66 versus those who may have been only a clone liaison like Howzer was shown to be which could explain why he and wilco never flipped since they never needed to kill their Jedi but would remain loyal to their empire until they couldn’t.

[@CloneScavengerVulpin8389]

I have been waiting for cody to get more time to shine.

[@brokenbridge6316]

I was greatly surprised that Commander Cody defected from the Empire. A lot different from the legends one where he stays with the Empire.

[@lucagerulat307]

In legends the clones were less independent from the beginning. And all clones followed order 66 without question and without the inhibitor chip. So considering the changes to the order 66 lore his changed response makes sense.

[@KaisTheFireWarrior]

@@lucagerulat307 to me it ruins what the movie had set out. The chip is just a scape goat in my opinion.

[@lucagerulat307]

@@KaisTheFireWarrior I completely agree I preferred the way order 66 was before the chips came into Canon. Also may the greater good be with you.

[@toastedjawa3620]

​@@lucagerulat307 without the chips, certain characters and stories that have been fan favorites would've been either impossible to pull off or at least extremely difficult. Rex and the final two episodes of TCW S7, for example. People aren't machines, and no amount of genetic engineering can change that. Especially with such a unique and independent host as Jango Fett. The way I see it, the chips are necessary if clones are meant to still be human enough to outperform a droid in things like situational awareness and independent/creative thought on the battlefield and yet still being subservient enough to execute men and women they've served with for years depending on the clone with no better reason than one claim of treason.

[@RyanTheDark]

​@@toastedjawa3620 In the EU, the ARC Troopers had a heavy defection rate. ARCs like Rex would have frequently disobeyed or rebelled later. If they didn't add the Chips, Clones could have still rebelled, and if anything it being a choice would have been more impactful.

[@handir6771]

I loved the episode because it felt like a a typical Clone Wars episode and hit that fan nostalgia around midway through. The clones are outmatched and surrounded by droids, make a big and daring comeback and end up winning the day when they finally nail the commander and finish off the confused battle droids to secure the city. Then the imperial orders the governors execution and fans are pulled out of that cozy nostalgia and straight back into the bad batch narrative with stormtroopers and oppressive world building. You're sat there cheering for the clones again and then the creators pull you back and point to all the things the empire is doing again.

[@etazeta674]

I’m thinking Cody was allowed to have his chip removed because, let’s face it, NO ONE would expect a by the book commander like Cody to be disloyal. As for Howzer and Wilco’s units, it’s very probable that they weren’t around Jedi when Order 66 was activated (the Jedi were spread to thin to be on EVERY battlefield) so their chips were never activated

[@blaynriley7804]

I predicted a while ago that the clone Kamino uprising would be replaced in cannon by an imperial clone uprising which would be suppressed by project war mantel.

[@KipC-Sway]

I really really enjoyed this episode. It's nice seeing the former "bad guy's" and the current "bad guy's" face off and not simply be cartoonishly evil but both have their own thoughts and reasons behind their actions. Lots of conflicting ideologies and feelings surrounding the wars and governing of different society's that each side has had a role in to various degrees.

[@adr2567]

It’s def good to know the clones finally were able to question the order and take a decision on starting with the army or defecting. Even if the counter who defected were guilt ridden, atleast they weren’t forced to carry on enforcing orders they weren’t onboard with.

[@myleswelnetz6700]

“I used to believe that being a good soldier meant doing everything they told you. That’s how they engineered us. But we’re not droids. We’re not programmed. You have to learn to make your own decisions.”

[@darktrooper7591]

Looks like the clone rebellion is possibly going to be cannon! Gotta say the latest episode is fantastic and loved it. Fantastic to see the battle droids make a return, especially the Commando droids.

[@KaisTheFireWarrior]

The thing is, the clone rebellion were new clones, not vets. It's different

[@ksrebelbuck7936]

Me personally I'm so happy that Cody has the potential of a redemption arc here, it's not a secret that he was fiercely loyal to the Republic and to Obi-Wan and seeing him turn the way he did in ROTS hurt like hell after watching the two on TCW but seeing him go from "blast him" to this is extremely powerful and shows that even though they were forced to obey order 66 they lived to possibly regret their actions and want to redeem themselves in some way, I know it's a long stretch but I'd love to see Cody get his inhibitor chip removed and maybe, just maybe run into Obi-Wan while he's in hiding and try to make things right with him, I doubt we'll see anything like that where he does meet Obi-Wan but a guy can dream though

[@KaisTheFireWarrior]

It erodes Cody as a character, such 180°s are considered to be bad story telling for the sake of plot. Cody should have had a WAY better reason to go awol, not some dumb thing about peace.

[@ksrebelbuck7936]

@@KaisTheFireWarrior Cody was never one to be like Crosshair, he was much like Rex, loyal to both his general and to the republic, yet just like Rex once his inhibitor chip took control he was no longer himself, he only wanted to complete his objective in the order he was given, so if this shows that the chip has either died out or shut off this can be a great way to show how most clones like Cody felt about their actions after turning on their generals that they were so loyal to for so long. That 180 argument can be said either way, they fought under the jedi for years through countless battles but they turned completely just because of the inhibitor chips, eroding away at the history the clones shared with their generals, just because someone has a change of heart doesn't make for bad story telling

[@KaisTheFireWarrior]

@@ksrebelbuck7936 Cody meeting obi wan and they become buddies again destroys the scene of order 66. It removes the emotional and sad effect of 66 if Cody and Kenobi just simply become pals as if nothing happened.

[@KaisTheFireWarrior]

@@ksrebelbuck7936 also the chip wasn't cannon to begin with, it's simply a retcon. The original Cody is from Episode 3 RoTS, trying to change that in anyway is disrespectful to the movie and character.

[@TisDansk]

@@KaisTheFireWarriorno one cares nerd

[@HadamacikTheProphet]

I really liked when Cody started negotiating with the senator. You could have easily replaced him with Kenobi at that point and the scene would be the same. It felt perfect that Commander under ''General Negotiator'' learned something from him or at least was influenced to a certain degree and even throughout order 66 it stayed with him.

[@fuelinjectedmaniac]

I think the shock of what order 66 was, hits the clones hard in varying ways. As previously stated the chip was meant for order 66, and as Cody said they have to live with it. They are dealing with PTSD and most were unaware that they had no choice in the matter. I never thought Cody would defect, but I'm glad he's on that path now.

[@michaelplaczek9385]

Order 66 was a temporary signal to follow any order without question. Including killing Jedi. This episode helps prove that some Clones are starting to regret what they have done

[@rexlumontad5644]

I hope we get to see more Cody in future episodes of Bad Batch Season 2.

[@Chan.711]

It's so interesting to see, the downfall of the empire wasn't vader killing emperor but the ground level attribute of ladder climbers. How the chipping away allowed things to go unnoticed or unreported, allowing a rebellion to generate. Had clones been put in commanding positions , outcome may not have been so easy

[@CTheMagnificiant]

It really changes the context of “did you find a body?” in rots

[@johnj.spurgin7037]

There's also the fact that many jedi (Ki-Adi-Mundi being a shining example) were terrible generals, disliked clones in a way that easily became mutual, or were outright sociopaths. The Inhibitor Chips to me were just a failsafe.

[@Enigma75614]

I wish all of the episodes were like this.

[@josephlim8941]

One more thing to add. At the end when Crosshair is summoned to get his next assignment. The captain told Crosshair that he’s gone AWOL. Then commented clone loyalty was not was it used to be. The way he voiced his personal opinion on the status of clones was like it happens more and more so it’s no surprise and he’s personally learn to just live with the insubordination. I’m assuming Commander Cody is not the first nor the last to defect from the Empire.

[@James-gw9kl]

I'm going to be real here. Just my opinion. But I've always preferred the darker version where the clones literally are different after words. It makes more sense to me. Also it's darker, & is more sad &intense. Idk. I always wanted to see clones fight along side Vader aggressively against the jedi. They were the best fit for hunting jedi, also it makes revenge of the sith a lot more impactful. I love the clones but I do not like that in cinema they have to make every character "a good guy" .

[@haroldcruz8550]

Soldiers loyalty most of the time is stronger for their Generals than their own government, remember Julius Ceasar? Also most coup are led by Generals. So without the chip, it makes no sense for the clones who served under the Jedis to stay loyal to the Empire specially if they see how much it is different from the Republic that they have served loyally.

[@thankskanye1521]

YES! Perfectly said

[@KaisTheFireWarrior]

100% behind you on this

[@emmanuelgarza7756]

I remember reading that Cody didn’t need the chip to execute the order. And has wished he got the order before he gave Kenobi his saber back. And that he stayed loyal and served the empire till he couldn’t by training new recruits. I’m glad they changed his previous perception of the order.

[@christopherhanton6611]

THAT WAS SUCH A GOOD EPISODE I HOPE WE SEE MORE OF CODY LATTER ON

[@coltondodd3086]

Just want to take a moment to show love to those strings in the background of this episode… very moving

[@IrishMcScottish]

I've loved the whole clone wars thing ever since I was a kid, watching the tartakovsky clone wars and playing the OG battlefront games, plus the films and other sh*t. But I liked it better when the clones weren't so....good. Like, no chips making them do order 66, it was them "Following Orders" as some Germans did in the 1940's, say. It spoke to the darkness in beings. Plus, yea, they're brainwashed and whatnot during the decade of training on Kamino, but these are still GMO Jangos, they're ruthless. They'd kill the Jedi if ordered by their supreme leader without hesitation because of GMO JANGO DNA, lol no need for brain chips. These "heroes", are human. Humans are imperfect, and I kinda appreciated that fact on a deep level cuz it's an adult theme hidden within this kid story of space wizards and laser guns lol

[@lerneanlion]

Dave Filoni's best decision is the fact that Commander Cody was originally going to appear in Star Wars Rebels but did not. And here we are, seeing him thinking of defect from the Empire after seeing that the Empire is not something he should be fighting for. If he did appear in Rebels, we will never see him here in such a situation.

[@DueRag]

obi-wan was known as the negotiator and seeing Cody negotiating.. its surreal

[@deanofett]

I feel like the chips kinda were like a big rush of adrenaline or a drug. It was a super effective, un-resistable thing at first that pretty much altered the individual to do the task it needed done. But given time the individual gains more resistance/the effect of the chip is less effective as they adapt to it.

[@AngelDust6969]

This is very interesting. And to use Commander Cody as opposed to other clones who would be more likely expected to challenge the Empire really seals the deal. ^^ As for my thoughts on the revelation, it definitely clears up why some clones in both legends and canon defected from the Empire following Order 66. ^^

[@orckingi1208]

I think a lot of this makes sense. The incident with Tup and Order 66 kicking in early was probably a defect that the Kaminoans didn't catch until it was to late. When Palpatine heard of this, he easily covered his tracks by framing Fives and using the Corusant Guard to track him down on Corusant and instead of stunning Fives, Commander Fox shot and killed him. That could also be a reason why clones started defecting left and right because after Order 66, they started thinking back to Tup and Fives and started connecting the dots.

[@Otterdisappointment]

In canon a long time ago when an order was given the clones really just became Crosshair staring off into space like “good soldiers follow orders” and mentally focused on the order permanently unless given a new order. Battlefront 3/Elite Squadron’s story shows this well especially the way the clones act in the demo animations. Totally focused and dry.

[@jacoblansman8147]

I just want to mention one thing. In Rebels, Commander Wolffe may have regretted his actions but I do want to mention Rex's specific wording regarding Kanan and Ezra: "they're not the ones who betrayed us" which would suggest to me that, regret or not, Wolffe fully believed that the Jedi were traitors due to Order 66, even after his chip was removed. Also - I wouldn't be surprised if Crosshair defects eventually as well. Maybe he did fully believe in the Empire during S1, but between waiting 32 days to get rescued, having a private discussion with a close ally who is questioning the regime and isn't being subtle about it and then finding out that said ally is no longer with the Empire and having your loyalty questioned by your CO; Crosshair has to be aware that he is just a number to the Empire and that, as much an asset he might be, one day they will just cast him aside without so much as a thanks - hell, they already tried to get rid of him on Kamino.

[@CJ_1406]

Nova literally was the MVP. My guy had a backpack full of explosives and was able to take down many droids along with droidekas.

[@moderndemon84]

This episode showed that most Clones have internal conflicts with themselves and that they understand the Republic is slowly coming to a end,realizing they were simply used as pawns and getting slowly phased out in favor of recruits.

[@ImmaLittlePip]

I really do hope they're building up to a clone rebellion Like the one we saw in Battlefront 2 and legends. Though with rebels as an indicator I have a feeling it'll end in tragedy but it'll be one heck of a fight against the empire

[@OutcastsRedeemer]

My theory is that the inhibitor chip remains dormant unless activated by orders. Its located near the hearing sector of the brain. When those orders are sent through it, it depending on who is giving them and what those orders are, makes the clone unable to resist the order. Meaning that for any clone that defects they still have the risk of falling to the chip. Considering that a few orders on the inhibitor chip involve self termination it can then be speculated that the reason why we don't see 2-3 million clones joining the rebellion is that the vast majority of those who defected either were killed off by due to the self termination orders or were forced to stay underground or remove their chips. Which also explains why so many clones were combined into the 501st as Vader would have no issue killing anyone.

[@owenjolley351]

So after nearly 18 years Cody finally gets a redemption arc? I definitely did not see this coming.

[@S1rEmber]

We actually did also see this in the first season with Howzer. He disobeyed orders as well.

[@zexalbrony4799]

I've always seen the chips as wearing off over time. We saw even back in Season 1 f The Bad Batch with Howzeier and some of his men, and later Gregor, that Clones could still disobey orders and break away from the Empire. The chips were designed to force Clones to follow Order 66, since some like we saw with Rex, would never follow the order because of their relationship with the Jedi and their brothers, so the chips force them to obey, and as we saw in the early episodes of the Bad Batch the effects seem to last for a while, like maybe a few months, but then they wear off and the Clones can realize what they have done, even if some of them were forced to do it, they still no doubt feel guilty over having played a role in all this. Then there faced with a choice either stay with the Empire because you're cold-hearted like Neyo, Faie, or kind of like Crosshiar here or defect because you know the Jedi weren't traitors and that what this new Empire is doing is wrong like Rex, Gregor, The Bad Batch, and now Cody. Like Cody said in this episode, "We make our own decisions" and Rex said in Rebels, "We all have a choice." The chips have worn off, the Clones have realized what has happened, and now they have the freedom to choose what they want to do, and luckily many of them seem to be choosing the right thing to do, like Cody in this episode, proving that many of them are the still the heroes I looked up to all those years ago when Clone Wars was first airing. Also, in a way, this now gives us the best of both worlds(Canon and Legends), the chips forced many of the Clones we know and love to follow Order 66 even if they normally wouldn't, but now with the chips wearing off, we now have Clones processing what they've done and making their own decisions on whether or not to leave or stay with the Empire, deciding for themselves whether or not killing the Jedi and now serving this new evil Empire is right. This should make a lot of people happy, including hopefully my friend King Orange, he loves the Legends version of Order 66 and how it was the Clones choice, I personally prefer Canon to explain why so many Clones would do it when they should know better, but now with this like I said we have the best of both worlds, now that Clones have their free will back will get to see Clones like Crosshair who think Order 66 was justified and Clones like Cody who doesn't think it was, and will get to see their own choices they make going forward to show why they do what they do. I can't wait to see more of what's to come.

[@kingorange7739]

As noted the probable sadistic part of the whole thing as highlighted by Cody is he and most clones probably believed it was their own free will to obey the order. I reckon the only reason the chip had to completely override Rex and Wrecker was the fact they were aware of the chips and as such knew any thoughts pertaining to Order 66 wasn’t their own. When you aren’t aware of any conflicting force, then you are going to believe the voice in your head is your own. Also happy to be mentioned. While my preference will only leans towards Legends for the reasons we’ve discussed before, and because of that would never be completely accepting of the chips. I am happy that they are seeming to meet in the middle of things a bit more. The fact that by this point it’s pretty much confirmed the clones have regained their free will has been a pleasing development and how they behave like their old selves again. As such it is good to see they are developing as characters again. However I do hope the other point of the criticism is addressed with showing more of the pov of loyal clones who remain with the Empire. Maybe this new clone squad Crosshair is assigned to can do that. As I feel more coverage of varying Imperial Clone perspectives should be taken. However I can at least happily say this is a step in the right direction. I hope this did help give better insight on why I found the notion of Imperial Clones having free will to be so important. Because now the story has become much more intriguing with the clones having to make the choices themselves and as Cody says, live with those choices.

[@zexalbrony4799]

​@@kingorange7739 "However I can at least happily say this is a step in the right direction." -Agreed. "Because now the story has become much more intriguing with the clones having to make the choices themselves and as Cody says, live with those choices." -Also Agreed. The possibilities for story potential are pretty good right now and I can't wait to see what happens next in Season 2. I hope they can keep up the good work laid by the first three episodes.

[@kingorange7739]

@@zexalbrony4799 I hope so too. I’m also glad they are covering a bit on the CIS holdouts and hope that continues. I can only hope that more Imperial Clones will be covered and see how their ideologies clash with the more individualistic clones who defected, deserted, or went awol.

[@zexalbrony4799]

@@kingorange7739 "I’m also glad they are covering a bit on the CIS holdouts and hope that continues." -Oh yeah, that was a good part of the episode too. And another interesting part of Star Wars lore and history to explore during the start of the Empire, just like exploring the different Clone ideologies.

[@kingorange7739]

@@zexalbrony4799 it definitely is interesting. I am wondering what team Crosshair will be paired with. Maybe a commando unit of some kind

[@Paleo-Geo-Sports2454]

My head Canon and what I think the Bad Batch is also implying too is that the inhibitor chips wear off over time. I agree with your first idea that the chip's effects weren't meant to last forever since the clones weren't supposed to either. Whether this was an oversight by Palpatine or maybe a hidden intention by the Kaminoans, remains to be seen I think it would be really cool if the Bad Batch (and Rex) somehow link up with Nala Se on Mount Tantis and she spills some more info about the chips and then that will drive the clone rebellion

[@cartho1103]

Man, I really can't wait to see Rex and Cody reuniting. It's definitely gonna be really emotional

[@arnowisp6244]

I love how this perfectly explains why the Empire Stopped Using clones. Not only couldn't they trust the Kaminoans, there was no Guarantee the Clones wouldn't rebel. So it's just cheaper to just use Recruits.

[@leegofilms]

I think it’s pretty easy: the chips were designed to kill the Jedi, they were not designed to make them loyal to an empire. However the chip does that, I think it’s fitting that palatine’s hubris is that he wanted the jedi dead more then anything.

[@BFCrusader]

The inhibitor chip wearing off seems like the most plausible scenario. But being organic in nature, there is also an explanation to the varied rates of degradation. At least in my mind, this explains why some clones seem more rigid in their stance on matters still while others slowly but surely fully regain their original personality and loyalty to that which they served originally: The Republic, and by association, the Jedi.

[@OvSpP]

It’s almost like Cody was still a Clone Trooper and Crosshair is already a Stormtrooper. Only difference is he doesn’t miss.

[@josesoria2072]

If we take Tup's case as a prologue to inhibitor chips, it makes sense that they would decline over time; with Tup it happened too early and with the defectors perhaps too late.

[@andrewmeyer3599]

I think the Clones we had seen take out their chips in prior content had done so closer to when Order 66 happened and now the chips influence is wearing

[@apexwarriorryan1479]

Someone needs to draw a connection to something kanan said in rebels "later they said they had chips in their heads that made them do it"

[@kingorange7739]

I’m sure some clones found out the truth of the chips especially through Rex.

[@michakasprzak7528]

This episode was just absolutely amazing Just like the Clone Wars, right? Just like the simulations! But something was different and we all knew it It was so... quiet And it was amazing

[@benbroxterman336]

It might be that the chips were designed specifically just against the Jedi. Which is why we see wolf still have some issues in rebels when he first meets kanen

[@gadget3948]

We could possibly see a similar event to the clone rebellion on kamino where awol clones regrouped to fight but lost and scattered which leads why Rex, Wolf and Gregor were alone

[@aliciaaltair]

The body will always try to reject matter it perceives as foreign. The chips were organic, inert, and implanted before the clones were 'born', allowing time for adaptation and giving the Kaminoans a window of time to sort out and scrap or correct any rejects. Once the chip is activated, it's no longer what it was but it's still made from organic material, meaning once the adult body perceives the chip as foreign material (due to change of state from inert to active) it can and will break it down. The brain will always reassert itself; Bucky Barnes having to be wiped and reset over and over is a good example of this.

[@AnonD38]

Another theory as to why more and more clones started defecting could be that the Kaminoans engineered the chips so they could deactivate them if necessary, like a dead man‘s switch. They knew they were dealing with shady people after all, especially once the Empire showed it’s true colors.

[@playtime_foxy]

I can imagine an episode of a star wars show giving us rex after rebels but before return of the Jedi and another clone that still has his chip, or perhaps it's rex at a time he's with the ghost crew and possibly even before kainan died, either way it shows him and this clone and seeing that he's not attacking the Jedi rex tells his brother "you must've removed your chip" but then the clone replies "nope, one thing I was afraid of was the chip making me shoot the Jedi, guess it must've reached its expiration date" making Rex re-evaluate what he knows about the chips just as we must re-evaluate what we know about them

[@randomasgray]

I've been enjoying not just the view of the true separatists but how the clones are starting to actually see and understand who each side is. They finally have the full picture in view a little too late.

[@jasonbourneistreadstone]

I've seen other recent videos and you got this right vs. some others. When the clones are referring to "the order", they are not talking about Rampart and Wilco and the order to falsify a report. They are referring to Order 66. Other clones wouldn't even know that Rampart killed Captain Wilco. No one was around when he did it or overheard the conversation between the two. The ending was a surprise twist and tells me that Crosshair will never rejoin his brothers. Even with his chip removed, he's fully loyal to the Empire. However, what Hunter told Crosshair is clearly coming to pass: He's not being given command of a squad, despite having enhanced abilities. He's just a number to the Empire and will be disposed of eventually, either dying on some mission or rapidly aging out because of his engineered genetics. But despite all of that, he'll be loyal to the Empire to the end.

[@TheRevanchrist]

I personally think the chips were designed to only enforce the execution of a preprogrammed set of orders. In legends, there was even an order for the clone to carry out if given the order to execute which included forcefully removing the chancellor. But with the Jedi gone and no clones exposed in violating, order 66 was likely considered and fulfilled and the chips function to enforce the order was deactivated until an event the order is issued again. So, that's my theory: the inhibitor chips only compel obedience and suppress the clones' natural behavior in the event one of their preprogrammed orders were given the execution command.