In the Star Wars world currently being built outside of the movies by Dave Filoni, there are a lot of interconnecting threads. The build-up for one story may start years earlier during another, even when fans have no idea that it's going on. That's what happened with The Bad Batch, for which the groundwork was laid by another group of irregular Clone Troopers known as Domino Squad in Season 3 of The Clone Wars.

The Clone Army used by the Republic to fight against the Separatists was created on Kamino. A civilization of cloners, the Kaminoans' entire economy seemed to hinge on this one process. As such, they took it all extremely seriously. When a group of Clone Troopers didn't make the cut, they were usually left off the front lines, often ending up working sanitation on Kamino.

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Domino Squad Star Wars The Clone Wars

This is what happened to a clone named 99. He was severely deformed due to issues in the cloning process. Beyond that, he was also aging at a much more rapid pace than the rest of his brothers. Subsequently, he was unfit for service in the Grand Army of the Republic. But he wasn't the only one by far, and the members of Domino Squad were on the verge of joining him.

During the training process, prospective Clone Troopers were put in squads. Domino Squad consisted of Hevy, Echo, Fives, Cutup and Droidbait. Fans first met this group in The Clone Wars Season 1, Episode 5, when they were out in the field. Only Echo and Fives survived the episode. But Season 3, Episode 1 showed their training, with the five of them unofficially known as the Bad Batch of that era.

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Domino Squad actually went on to be a successful unit, completing their training in epic fashion. Season 3, Episode 2 brought Echo and Fives back to Kamino after the events of Season 1, Episode 5. They helped defend their home from a Separatist invasion. The battle saw the death of 99, as well as Echo and Fives being promoted to ARC Troopers, a goal they'd had since basic training.

Cid and Clone Force 99 in Star Wars: The Bad Batch 'Infested'

Domino Squad set the stage for the current iteration of the Bad Batch. Hunter, Crosshair, Tech, Omega and Wrecker are all unsuccessful clones from the perspective of being different from their brothers. The same was said about Domino Squad when they were training, particularly by their drill sergeant, Bric. Had they not come through and been as successful as they were, the Bad Batch might never have made it to the field.

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Like 99, it's quite probable that the Bad Batchers would have stayed on Kamino as janitors and maintenance workers. But the actions of Domino Squad made the Kaminoans and the Republic see the value in irregular clones. That outlook kept Clone Force 99, the Bad Batch's official name, in the field. They were actually named after the former janitor, who gave his life to protect his home.

Eventually, Echo went on to join Clone Force 99. Believed to be dead after the events of Season 3, Episode 19, he was rescued from the Separatists by Captain Rex, Anakin Skywalker and the Bad Batch in Season 7, Episode 2. After this arc was completed, the only surviving member of Domino Squad joined the Bad Batch. This was a testament to the legacy of Echo's original unit and continues now with Clone Force 99.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars is streaming in full on Disney+. New episodes of Star Wars: The Bad Batch are currently airing Fridays, also on Disney+. 

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