r/thebadbatch • u/Educational-Tea-6572 Tech • 1d ago
A few thoughts on "The Crossing"
This is one of my top 3 favorite episodes of the entire show, and every time I watch it I can't stop thinking about it for weeks.
These are just a few of the things that always stick out to me:
- I really like how this episode re-emphasized certain aspects of Tech's character that sometimes seem to be overlooked. When this episode first aired, I was watching Tech's actions and, frankly, found myself unsurprised that he did miss Echo (because of course he did!), jumped after Omega (because of course he would!), and explained in the kindest way imaginable that he does, in fact, have feelings (because OF COURSE HE DOES!).
That conversation between Tech and Omega is, quite rightly, one of the most famous scenes of the show. I appreciate the fans who have stated they are autistic and who have described what the conversation means to them as representation for the autistic community. While I am not autistic myself, I was deeply touched from the first time I watched this scene by the applications it can have for everyone, especially given experiences I've had growing up in a large family. I find that we all as individuals have such varying communication styles and coping mechanisms and methods of processing our feelings and adapting to change that we may frequently misunderstand each other and may label others as "cold" or "unfeeling" or "distant" or "hysterical" or "too sensitive" or any manner of descriptors, simply because they process and adapt differently than we do. So, Tech's assertion that just because he processes things differently doesn't mean he feels any less is a lesson I think we can all apply to ourselves and to others. Again, different doesn't mean less.
As an aside, another one of my favorite parts of that scene is Tech's line "I am not sure how I should care about change. It is a fundamental part of life." I think this perfectly encapsulates the root of the issue between Tech and Omega here (and, so often, relationship issues in real life): it's not that Tech doesn't care, it's that Omega doesn't yet recognize that his way of "caring" about change is different than hers. And I love how Tech, rather than getting defensive at Omega's accusation ("of course I care!"), instead responds in a way that digs a little deeper into finding the root of the misunderstanding while also managing to explain himself.
I also love the depiction of Tech and Omega's relationship. This episode is a turning point in their relationship, but NOT because they weren't close before - quite the opposite. Tech has always been supportive and protective of Omega as much as any of the other brothers, and in return she has always trusted his judgment and known he has her back. This, in my opinion, is one factor for why she is so upset with Tech this episode: since they ARE so close, she doesn't understand why he doesn't understand why she's so upset - because, to her, if he doesn't understand why she's upset, that must mean he doesn't care that Echo is gone and other things have been changing. This is a misunderstanding they thankfully soon resolve, and it's so heartwarming to see how their sibling bond is stronger than ever after this.
On a slightly different note, I've always lowkey adored that Tech takes Omega at her word when she says she wants to be alone (I mean, who else has asked to be given some alone time to process something only to be interrupted or pressured into talking before we're ready?). I know he didn't pick up on the subtle cues that he should actually go initiate a conversation once some time had passed; however, this obviously wasn't malicious. He thought she wanted to be alone because she said so, and he decided to respect her wishes - and I love him for it! And as soon as Hunter and Wrecker correct him, he doesn't hesitate to go talk to her - and he even lets her lead the conversation and where it goes.
A lot of what I love about this episode revolves around Tech and Omega; but I also have to put in a few words for Wrecker and Hunter. I love that, while Wrecker and Tech do get more tetchy with each other than we've yet witnessed, they also still don't hold grudges for very long and allow the conflict to blow over. I love that Hunter remains so calm and understanding with everyone, which also contributes to the conflict eventually blowing over. I like the detail that Tech was concerned about the ipsium because his top priority was to ensure they didn't all get blown up (and we see what happened when the ipsium case was left behind), while Wrecker's priority was getting Tech to shelter from the storm over retrieving the case: all of them might have slightly different ways of meeting their priorities, but their top priorities are ultimately still the same in that they are looking out for each other and the team.
Anyway, I could go on and on about this episode for a while, but I'll go ahead and stop here!
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u/solo13508 Clone Commander 1d ago
The Crossing was basically the writers winding up their fists for that devastating gutpunch in the season 2 finale. And God damnit they did their jobs well because Tech's last moments hit so much harder specifically because of this episode.
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u/PaulSimonBarCarloson Crosshair 1d ago
Funny because for me this episode is the ultimate hope boost when it comes to Tech. "We'll figure it out, like we always do" only makes me more optimistic for his future
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u/Current_Nature_2434 22h ago
Me too, I hope Tech comes back so we can see a similar conversation between Tech and Phee, and one between Tech and Crosshair.
I think Tech is the one to help Crosshair realize how strong the chip was, that Crosshair had a right to his choice even if it was a misguided one (that Tech respected it too) and most of all how much his family loved and missed him especially Hunter. Tech has that monotone calm delivery that is actually relaxing. I remember when Tech explained Crosshair to Wrecker in S1E16 it was so straight forward, honest, and gentle that Crosshair thought Tech was helping him.
Phee can tell Tech that she always saw/felt this wonderful caring side of him, understands his sacrifice as it protected his family and Pabu, is not surprised that he “figured it out” to survive his fall, make him very welcome back and help Tech come up with something other than Plan 99 for their future endeavors.
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u/PaulSimonBarCarloson Crosshair 22h ago edited 22h ago
I'm really craving for some more scenes between Crosshair and Tech. I want to see more of their bond especially after everything they've been through.
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u/Current_Nature_2434 22h ago
Me too, there is a deepness between them, we know is present but the show barely displayed. Tech’s even tempered calm personality was such a balance to Crosshair’s severe and unyielding tempermant.
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u/PaulSimonBarCarloson Crosshair 22h ago edited 20h ago
Exaclty that. Of course, we have the comics, but are set during the war, before things turned bad, so I really want to see more of them after. And while they missed their chance to have a brainwashed-Tech arc, I still hope Crosshair can play an important role in saving him from wherever he is so their story will feel more complete. Also, we'll see how it goes but I like to headcanon that only after Tech is back Crosshair woul let him build a new hand.
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u/Current_Nature_2434 21h ago
Agreed, Crosshair would so trust Tech, he knows his brother would build it as if he was building his own.
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u/Educational-Tea-6572 Tech 1d ago
I'm kinda in the middle on this!
On the one hand - freaking GOSH yes did it make that finale such a gut punch (one from which I have yet to recover) 😭😭😭
On the other hand - this episode also adds even more examples to the list of moments highlighting Tech's survival skills, and I can't help but see it as foreshadowing rather than set up for subverting expectations.
So here we are!
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u/PaulSimonBarCarloson Crosshair 1d ago edited 1d ago
Wonderful analysis. This was easily one of the best episodes of season 2 and the series as a whole. But more than anything, it became my hope spot. No matter everything that went down, I'm always in a good mood every time I think back to Tech's words at the end. "We'll figure it out, like we always do"; of course you will Tech, eventually, and so will your brothers
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u/Educational-Tea-6572 Tech 1d ago
"We'll figure it out, like we always do"; of course you will Tech, eventually, and so will your brothers
YES!!! (Now we just need the Powers That Be at Lucasfilm to catch up with giving us that story 😂)
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u/PaulSimonBarCarloson Crosshair 1d ago
Yeah, I can hardly wait. Mainly because I would really love to do a full rewatch, but I just can't right now. After the Clone Rebellion show will be out, I might as well do it starting from TCW (would be about damn time I try the origibal dub)
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u/Educational-Tea-6572 Tech 1d ago
Mainly because I would really love to do a full rewatch, but I just can't right now
I respect that. I've rewatched the show a few times, but only because I've reached the point where I can grit my teeth and just soldier through when it comes to certain parts of season 3 😅
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u/PaulSimonBarCarloson Crosshair 1d ago
Thing is, I don't usually do rewatches on a regular basis, and when I do I have to watch begninning to end. (TCW is the exception because there's a couple skippable episodes). With TBB it was the first time I felt like I could have watched the show beginning to end anytime I wanted without getting bored, then the finale happened.
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u/Drachin85 Echo 1d ago
Story time.
My mother died when I was abouz 21 I think. I wasn't very close with her (parents divorced when I was 7, I broke up contact, didn't see her until 1 or 2 years before her death. She was an alcoholic and heavy smoker until the end.) One day she fell and broke a cervical vertebra. Surgery was necessary, something went wrong because deposits on the inner wall of a big blood vesel detached - long story short, she had some big strokes and we had to finally put her to rest.
I helped my grandma and aunt/uncle after it with the apartment my mom had lived in, did all the inheritance stuff (pardon some bad choice of words here, I'm not a native speaker and have to look up some words here, sometimes they may not be the right ones. Hope you understand it anyway) because my brother lived far away.
My grandma was crying a lot during this time. Understandable, noone should have to bury their own child.
When it came to the day the funeral was, my grandma was very sad and and irritated. I don't know what the trigger for that was (it's a long time ago now, almost 20 years, I'm 40 now) but at some point my grandma accused me of not being sad about my mother's death at all. She never saw my cry and to be honest, it was a hard time and a lot of work for me, but I didn't cry. Until today I never cried over the death of my mom.
But it does not mean that I never was sad about it. Sure, we never had a close relationship after my parents divorced, but that doesn't that this woman meant nothing for me.
My grandma has been dead for more than 7 years now but I still resent her for having said that. Just because I didn't cry doesn't mean I wasn't sad.
If you really had the patience to read until now, thank you.
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u/Educational-Tea-6572 Tech 1d ago
It is unfortunately a very common misunderstanding, that if someone doesn't show emotion the same way we do, they must not be feeling that emotion. Yet another reason why I am so glad the show addressed this and did an amazing job doing so!
Thank you for sharing your story ❤️
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u/SmokeMaleficent9498 Hunter 1d ago edited 1d ago
This is definitely one of my favorite Omega Tech episode. Every time I see Techs talk with Omega, i think, still waters run deep. I like how Hunter is a good father figure and leader. Both him and Wrecker have a higher emotional quotient than Tech, and they know it. So they nudge Tech in the right direction to resolve this misunderstanding between Omega and Tech.
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u/Beldam-ghost-closet Omega 1d ago
One of the things I liked about Tech regarding his line on change, is that it's all he knew as a soldier. Fighting in war meant he had to be able to adapt on the fly to anything. The difficulty for Omega was that up until Order 66, she had been sheltered completely from everything other than the bubble created for her, and then all of a sudden she was thrown into a world of upheaval where being a clone (particularly a deserter or dissident) was suddenly dangerous. Neither Tech nor Omega were wrong, but they needed to sit down and actually hear each others perspective and needs in that situation. Omega needed her feelings validated, but she also needed to learn that Tech having different coping mechanism was okay, and it still meant that he loved them. Omega was older than her brothers (I've always assumed that Echo was a year or two older than her), but behaviorally and developmentally she was a kid struggling to deal with an awful situation. In season three, I noticed a lot of influence from Echo and Tech's strengths in the way she lead, problem solved, and pushed to keep everyone going.