Order 66 Did More Than Just Make Clones Than Kill The Jedi

As shown in the latest Star Wars animated series, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Order 66 not only compels Clone Troopers to murder their Jedi allies but changes their personalities as well. The Jedi and clones were the collective heroes of the Clone Wars, but the conflict was ultimately a ruse, masterminded by Palpatine (in truth, the Sith Lord Darth Sidious) to consolidate power and convert the Galactic Republic into the autocratic Galactic Empire. Order 66 was one of the most important aspects of his master plan, as it activated dormant mind control chips implanted in all clones, removing their free will and making them deadly agents of the fledgling Empire.

Despite being conditioned from birth to be the galaxy’s most effective military force, the Clone Troopers demonstrate throughout the Clone Wars that they all possess free will, and most genuinely believe in the democracy they fight for. Most clones also formed close friendships with their Jedi leaders during the Clone Wars and, despite varying personalities, all generally had a friendly demeanor towards each other, the Jedi, and civilians. With this in mind, it’s clear why the Kaminoans and Palpatine needed the control chips. No clone would willingly attack Jedi or fight for a regime that’s as bad as the Separatist Alliance without some form of brainwashing being used on them.

The Bad Batch season 1, episode 1, “Aftermath,” shows Order 66 being executed during the Battle of Kaller. Most of Clone Force 99, due to their mutations (or, in Echo’s case, cybernetics) is immune to their control chips’ influence, but Crosshair and all other clones become brainwashed, killing Jedi Master Depa Billaba and attempting to kill her padawan Caleb Dume. Later, The Bad Batch returns to Kamino where they notice their “reg” brethren acting unusually antagonistic and at times menacing. Crosshair, who normally disregards authority figures like his squadmates, becomes unthinkingly obedient to his superiors, regardless of their orders. In a particularly shocking moment, the Clone Troopers on Kamino cheer at Palpatine’s declaration of the Galactic Empire, a fascist regime that the clones would normally be sickened by.

Order 66’s impact on the Clone Troopers’ personalities can be seen in other canon material. In Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 6, Clone Trooper Tup’s control chip accidentally activates, prompting him to murder Jedi Master Tiplar. Tup’s malfunctioning chip leaves him with no memory of doing so and causes occasional bursts of murderous rage when seeing other Jedi. When Tup’s chip is removed, his kind personality returns in his final moments. In the series finale, Captain Rex and the 501st follow Ahsoka into battle on Mandalore, with many clones repainting their armor in her honor. With Order 66’s execution, Rex and his men become emotionless, willing to die if it means killing Ahsoka. Rex, of course, has his chip removed, restoring his free will and loyalty to his friend.

Though Order 66 and the clones’ brainwashing is slightly different in Legends, the effect is largely the same. Legends Clone Troopers, who cared for each other and the Jedi like they do in canon, were willing to kill other clones if it meant Order 66’s success. In the Star Wars: Republic comics, clones destroyed a clone Juggernaut tank in their attempt to kill Quinlan Vos. In Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (which belongs to both continuities), Commander Cody snaps at his men and has them seize Pau'an allies. This is a far cry from the notably friendly Cody seen in other canon and Legends material, who made great efforts to protect civilians, not subjugate them. While the full extent of Order 66 is only implied in other Star Wars material, Star Wars: The Bad Batch addresses it directly.