Tensions rise as our heroes navigate new dynamics on a dangerous mission.
Tropes:
- Abandoned Area: The outpost on Barton IV was abandoned not long after Crosshair was last in it.
- Actually Pretty Funny: Crosshair gets a chuckle out of Omega calling him "little brother".
- Arc Words: In a bitter lament, Crosshair admits that he thought in joining the Empire, he was being "a good soldier".
- Artistic License – Gun Safety: Crosshair uses fruit for target practice while AZI is holding it. The risk of a stray shot hitting the droid (a very real possibility given Crosshair's nerve damage) isn't even brought up.
- Big Little Brother: When Crosshair points out to Omega that Hunter feels naturally protective toward her because she's a kid, she's quick to remind her "little brother" that she's actually older than he is (or Hunter, for that matter).
- The Bus Came Back: AZI-3 returns for the first time this season.
- Call-Back: Crosshair directs the team to the snowy base from "The Outpost", which the Empire has since abandoned. The image of Crosshair, Hunter, and Batcher returning harkens back to the previous sight of the wounded Crosshair and Mayday dragging themselves back to base, only this time, Crosshair and his fellow clone return to a welcoming and caring family, not cold Imperial indifference (one of whom is now likely wasting away with Mayday’s remains).
- Double-Meaning Title: The title can either refer to Crosshair’s return to the team, or Crosshair’s return to Barton IV, a place filled with not-so-good memories.
- Due to the Dead: Finding a pile of abandoned Clone Trooper helmets, including Mayday's, Crosshair takes a moment to pick them up and put them on display in a silent memorial to his dead brothers.
- Easily Forgiven: Crosshair is welcomed back to the squad since he and Omega escaped together. However, Hunter has reservations about his sudden change of heart since he wasn't controlled by Order 66 during his betrayal, and Echo was only initially interested if Crosshair has good intel. Their encounter with the snow wyrm allows them to patch things up afterwards.
- Foreshadowing:
- The perimeter sensors emit a high-frequency tone that agitates Batcher. After the sensors were turned off, it became clear the frequency of the sensors kept the wildlife away, including the snow wyrms.
- Crosshair attributes the sensors to perimeter defense against raiders, but is also pretty confident they're all dead. As the sensors are not only still in place but were left active even as the base was shuttered, it implies they serve a different purpose than Crosshair assumes.
- Good Costume Switch: After so long, Crosshair is back to wearing his old Bad Batch armor again, and he gets his rifle back.
- Internal Reveal:
- Crosshair has been made aware of Tech's death, though when he was informed is unclear.
- Omega informs Hunter, Wrecker, and Echo about Emerie's existence and that she is a clone.
- At Hunter's insistence, Crosshair reveals, without going into detail, why he turned on the Empire.
- Jerkass Has a Point: Crosshair often brings up some good points when clashing with Hunter.
- When Hunter tries calling him out for not telling them that Barton IV's outpost is abandoned, he tells him that he couldn't have known because he never got any news about it due to being imprisoned.
- While Crosshair goes overboard by accusing Hunter of being mad that Omega escaped with his help and not Hunter's, he's not wrong in telling Hunter that ignoring his message led to Omega getting captured and imprisoned in Tantiss.
- Lampshade Hanging: Wrecker is vocally annoyed that the episode's mission is interrupted by another giant monster; in this case, a large snow wyrm.
- Last Disrespects: Judging by how the helmets of Mayday's brothers were laid up last time Crosshair was there, it's heavily implied Nolan (or his men posthumously carried out the act for him) scattered them on the ground as a way to show they're below Imperials and don't deserve any dignity.
- Minimalist Cast: Only Omega, the Batch, and AZI have speaking roles in this episode. Shep and Lyanna are mentioned, but don't appear.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Experiencing serious remorse for his decision to join the Empire, Crosshair vocally regrets the things he's done in Imperial service. Having made mistakes of his own, Hunter is ultimately sympathetic, telling Crosshair that what truly matters is that they keep trying to be better.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Echo came up with the idea to reroute power from the sensor beacons to the depot, which caused the snow wyrms (whom the sensor beacons kept out) to attack.
- Noodle Incident: Without giving details, Echo alludes to past disagreements and reconciliations between Hunter and Crosshair. That neither one is bleeding this time is apparently progress.
- Not So Above It All: Crosshair brought Batcher with him down to the beach to keep him company during target practice seemingly of his own volition and can be seen giving Batcher subtle but clearly reassuring/affectionate rubs on the back throughout the episode, a far cry from his dismissive attitude towards the hound in the previous episode and season premiere. Also, Batcher, despite being a rather fearsome canine-type, isn't above digging in the snow like a dog after bones; this comes in handy when she and Crosshair are tracking Hunter in the ice tunnels.
- Posthumous Character: Crosshair doesn't mention Mayday to the others, but the late clone is clearly on his mind throughout the episode, especially when he finds his helmet at the Barton base.
- Pride:
- The reason Crosshair is distant from Hunter and Wrecker this time is because deep down, he'd have to face the people he hurt.
- Similarly, Omega points out that AZI, a medical droid, could diagnose Hunter's condition, but that would require admitting he needs the help.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: In response to being grilled by Hunter one too many times, Crosshair hits back by giving him a short but scathing reprimand for ignoring the distress signal he sent from Tantiss that could've prevented Hemlock's capture of Omega.
- Right for the Wrong Reasons: In the heat of an argument, Hunter asks if Crosshair betrayed the Empire like he betrayed the Batch; as Crosshair admits, Hunter's right that he betrayed the Empire, but it was out of retribution, not for personal gain.
- Sand Worm: Or snow/ice wyrm, serving much the same function of a tunneling menace to the heroes.
- Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: Hunter and Crosshair have a lot of trouble reconciling, with the two of them nearly coming to blows in an argument. A few sincere words on both their parts sees them bury the hatchet.
- Welcome Back, Traitor: It takes Hunter a while, and Crosshair himself is predictably distant, but Wrecker and Echo seem more or less okay with Crosshair returning to the fold (of course, that he comes back with both Omega and with intel about the Empire from when he served doesn't hurt).
- William Telling: Crosshair enlists AZI as a floating target, having him hold out fruit over the ocean for Crosshair to shoot at.
