frenchtoast

Aww, that sucks. Greyhounds--specifically racing greyhounds--are muzzled when they are let out together in groups and when they race. So it's normal for them and they don't typically notice it all that much. Instead of cones of shame owners will use the muzzle to prevent licking. I will say Friday didn't particularly like the muzzle and would rub his head against my hip to get it off. Never really worked and he gave up in a minute or two when he would see other people to say hi to. He loved people. Yeah, we lost both our greyhounds this year. They were both only 10. In March, right around when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, we lost Raz to bone cancer. It had shattered his shoulder and we had to put him down. (My husband was away with our daughter looking at colleges so it was just me and my son. Which suuuuucked. And three days later I got the biopsy results that it was cancer). About a month following chemo and right before we left for a much deserved vacation, we lost Friday due to the anesthesia. It's been a pretty shitty year, all things considered.

Greyhound owners frequently muzzle their dogs. When meeting in a big group, they are muzzled because their skin is so thin that play nips can break the skin. Speaking from experience, I would find blood in the house and have no idea how they got it. Just scraping against the door jamb. All of this to say that for me, muzzles were tools, not punishments. If a hound ate their stool, many would put stool guards into the muzzle and problem solved. Basket muzzles are not tight at all and allow them to pant and even drink (with the stool guard that's not possible). It would probably work to keep a dog from eating whatever is on the ground. Because you don't know what's in that food--could be rat poison too. Or infected animal waste. In the "Buy Together" in that link, that lavender one is the one we had for our greyhound. He died recently (under anesthesia for a dental cleaning so it was very shocking) and it brought a tear to my eye. I miss him so much.

When I was pregnant with my second I developed carpal tunnel. Apparently, it can happen with the changes the body goes through in pregnancy. A friend of mine developed it when she was pregnant, too. The brace did work for me quite well. After delivery, it cleared up. But I kept the brace and if I started feeling a little achy, I would wear the brace and it would feel better. Like @Jeeves I couldn't wear it all day, either. But I'm glad something as easy as wearing a brace was available because it helped a lot.

I started re-watching prior to the Ahsoka show too and it's not just Ezra who is tough to swallow. Zeb and Chopper...ugh. It feels way more like a kids show than Clone Wars ever did. And watching it again, after finishing Bad Batch, it's hard. I'm on season 2 and it's tough going. It does help. And knowing the story for Kanan helps watching it now. But I remember it was tough watching it when it first aired.

I hate being right about this, but as soon as his leg was broken and he was awesome in the first two episodes, I was getting worried. And then the whole focus on him in the racing episode and several episodes following. Man, he was doomed. And I'm so very sad about it because he was awesome. And to be frank, there is no way the rest of squad survives without him. He was always the one that came up with the rescues after the plans failed. He had the skillset to get them places, make sure they were hidden. And worse, he was the one that argued to find Crosshair. Also, screw you Saw. Screw you. This is on you. And thinking about it, they could close the series with this finale. Nothing good is going to happen to the Clones. We know this. It was one thing knowing Order 66 was coming, and I appreciate seeing Rex and Ahsoka in that instance. But we know that shit is going to get bad in the galaxy. And it's going to only get worse for the Clones. Do I really need to see more of it? There is no happy ending for them. And it breaks my heart, but I think back to the Clone telling Chuchi that what he wants is to be fighting. I don't know what a happy ending for them is.

@paigow Are you trying to make me cry?

I had a bad feeling that Plan 99 meant a death, though I thought it meant more along the lines of a suicide run rather than one. At the beginning of the season, with Tech getting so much more attention I said I hope it doesn't mean they're going to kill him. While I hope he does sort of get the Bucky treatment (excuse the mixing of the universes), the title seems to indicate he did sacrifice himself. And I am not ok with that. And yes, all those that speculated that Emory was a Clone were correct. To be honest, I don't really care all that much. And if there is no season 3, that was quite the cliffhanger. There was never any chance they would ever get to stop being soldiers. Sigh. This whole time period is just a fucking tragedy.

Dammit Saw. Damn you to hell. It must be said, it was Tech who argued to rescue Crosshair. Goddammit. I mean, he was right. But shit.

That episode seemed short. So good to see Howzer. I assumed he had been executed. I don't understand why the Empire, that feels that Clones are useless expired equipment, imprisons them instead of just executing them. Not that I would want that, it just seems too lenient to me. I guess to experiment on them? I gotta say, Hemlock is verging on mustache twirling mad scientist villain. I liked Rampart's utter banality compared to Hemlock's overt evilness. I think that Emery will help out Crosshair given how she reacted to his escape and subsequent torture. And I'm glad she calls him by his name. I'm glad we got two Crosshair episodes so seeing him try to warn the BB felt like another step on that path. And Hemlock, when you say his freedom, that's not an incentive for him. I think the idea of freedom, without any mission or purpose, is scary for him. Looking forward to/mildly dreading next week.

Well, that was quite the change in tone. Probably needed. They finally found a place where they were welcomed and wanted. But it also really gives the BB something to lose now. Cid was always tense at best, now it's just terrible. But the people on Pabu do not deserve the Empire wrecking everything just to get to Omega. Which the Empire will because it destroys everything it touches. And finally, finally someone says something about Omega training to be a soldier. Which, it's all they know. But holy hell child soldiers are a terrible thing. The Kaminoans weren't great, and thinking about how all the Clones were child soldiers is tragic. But let's not pretend that it's a good thing or that it's good for her. You're keeping her as safe as you can...which, Crosshair was right, it's not very safe or stable. But just because it's really only what you can do doesn't mean it's actually good. That being said, I don't see it ending well for Omega. Or the BB. Or Crosshair.

That was a heavy episode. It was quite gratifying that Crosshair listened to me when I yelled out that he should shoot the asshole. I don't know that he's redeemed but it would seem he's not an unwavering, loyal soldier. What I do think is interesting is that Crosshair is not that sympathetic of a character and by using a character who I could argue almost deserves what he's getting it's really driving home how hopeless the situation is for the Clones. The saddest part, for me, is I don't think any of them except Rex are making it out alive.

Well, whaddya know. It's a Zillo Beast. Never thought I'd ever see that again. Also, that doctor is creepy. And unsurprising Lama Su is all set to throw Nala Se under the bus. But dude, do you really think you're going to be let go? HAhaha. You're an idiot. That being said sure as heck don't need them looking for Omega. I'd rather they not go back to that story of trying to grab Omega, but I would like to see more about Nala Se. Weirdly the episode felt disjointed but it was good to pick up that thread from the last episode of last season.

Wrecker will be happy until then.

Wellll, he missed Syndulla in the shuttle escaping off Ryloth. But that was unexpected so don't know if that counts. But Clones in general are much better but also, the Batch has been shown to be very good. They hit the weapons of those locals on Skako Minor instead of the persons. And Echo popped off some Zygerrians quite handily, too. In short, Mokko wasn't wrong when he described the owners of the ship as potentially dangerous. Uh, yeah, wouldn't screw with them if I were you. *Wrecker growl*

The catwalk railings were something my kid pointed out immediately. He was also pretty stoked by the actor who played Benny. Kid is of the age to recognize him from Ben 10 and apparently he also voices Peter Parker/Spiderman in the Playstation game. Trust is one thing, flinging oneself out to be caught is an entirely different thing. It was cool but holy hell did that have to go just right. This is the second time Omega has come up with the solution and impressed Tech. "We don't miss." You're absolutely right Wrecker. I wonder if we will see any fallout between Cid and the Batch over this? I really hope we do but I also don't want another episode with Cid. I want to see what Rex and Echo are doing.

According to Disney+, the typically cryptic episode description:

If they can find it. But I have a feeling they will.

That makes sense, too.

I really appreciate that this episode is not just some random adventure--even it is sort of structured that way--and instead included how everyone is handling all the stuff that has happened since the beginning really. They are not in a good place and it's hard. I'm glad to see that all that has happened before has not been forgotten and it's being shown how it is affecting them. I really hope they get the Marauder back. And finally, I'm trying to understand the episode title. I'm going with they, as a team, are in the middle of making a change and moving to something different and therefore crossing into something new. I guess?

@paigow I didn't see it, my husband told me. He was looking up to see if the voice actor that plays Omega played Chuchi which I knew she didn't he just wanted to see. It's the same actor from Clone Wars. But given that voice actors will have many roles in an episode--Rampart's actor voiced one of the Pantoran guards which I picked up on right away--he was just poking around to see who did what and somehow found that. And I was shocked because I didn't think the actor was that old. Either way, he's apparently been doing a lot of stuff. And to hear that the title and to see your avatar was a little jarring. Fun, but weird. Like the cake with Enterprise written on the Millenium Falcon.

Glad to see Echo follow his heart and do what he feels he needs to do. But the BB will be the lesser for it. Though I do hope it means we get to see more of Rex and Cody. Hahahahaha! Rampart got played. But holy crap, Palpatine is such a huge manipulator. Yeah, asshole, they followed orders, as you knew they would. And screw you, Rampart the Clones did too and they got screwed same as you. So...welcome to the Empire. My husband thinks Rampart will be killed. I don't think Palps or Tarkin would feel it would be worth it. He was a good antagonist so that will be missed. OH! And holy cow just parade Omega in front of him!! WHAT? I guess he was never given that information all that time he was on Kamino. But that's a risk that should have been avoided. I was kinda hoping that they would fly the Venator because that would have been awesome, but then I realized they meant the escape pods. Hahaha, Wrecker still isn't good with heights. (Gotta admit, I'm with him though).Great two episodes. I have a feeling there will be some more filler episodes following which is a bit disappointing. They did say tired of waiting on Cid. And now Echo is gone, so maybe it won't be entirely filler. ETA: @paigowEvery time I see your avatar, I smile. Love me some Q. While checking the voice actors for the episode we discovered that the actor who voices Bail Organa was on Encounter at Farpoint. Which is mind-blowing to me. And I thought, given your avatar, you might find that interesting.

Yay, Rex. And Senator Chuchie. And Senator Organa. I do like the intrigue episodes. And Rampart is so smug. Seeing him get annoyed with her was awesome. But why was Organa meeting with her so secretly. That seemed a little forced. The filler episodes haven't been terrible but I really do appreciate these wider world episodes. Those clones at the bar, talking with Chuchie, it was hard to watch. Seeing her realize that these Clones were indoctrinated to just be soldiers, to only want that. To realize that they will perhaps outlive being a soldier and what that might entail and how bewildering that is. I mean, even Omega doesn't say family she says squad. It's so depressing.

I mean, he was shown in the trailer so I'm glad we got to see him again. I guess? I never particularly liked that youngling arc--circus performers, really? It was also when Hondo really started to wear out his welcome for me. One thing I did notice is they were using live rounds, not stun. Which, yeah, those are not guys you stun. Poor Tech relegated to exposition once again. Though, do we really need an explanation of Order 66 again? I did appreciate that the minute he reached out for his lightsaber the guys were going to take him with them but they also understood Gungi's fear and mistrust. I liked how there was no hemming and hawing or debating. They were going to help the Wookies full stop. This episode was animated beautifully, too. That flickering flame on the thrower. Dang.

Greyhounds have a particular muzzle for that issue, but maybe there is something similar for other types of dogs? My greyhound have the basket muzzles without the stool guard. Basket muzzles allow dogs to receive treats and drink but they can't cause any damage when playing with other greyhounds. When the greyhounds are let out in a group to play be they racers or a group of retired racers, they are muzzled because even in gentle play their thin skin can easily tear. Some of the adopters I know use the stool guard when they let their dogs are out because they will eat the poop. The hounds are acclimated to it, it's not a punishment so it works out well. I believe in some countries dogs are muzzled while on leashed walks so they can't just graze on the sidewalk. A muzzle would allow Cosmo to sniff to his heart's content but prevent him from eating dangerous stuff. I know muzzles get a bad rap because most people associate them with aggressive dogs, but after being around greyhounds so much muzzles became a tool like a leash and harness.

I hope they're not giving Tech a lot more time to just kill him off. Because that would make me very unhappy. So, we got a pod race episode. I hope all this talk about Cid not being trustworthy starts nudging them towards joining Rex or something more meaningful for them. If I'm being generous, it's a nice light episode after such a dark one.