Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Bad Batch episodes 1 & 2
The Bad Batch season 1 began the transition of clones to stormtroopers, providing critical explanations for the military change. However, the Bad Batch season 2's premiere episodes have revealed a disturbing reason why stormtroopers better fit the new galactic order.
Having served their purpose with Order 66, clones were eventually discarded in favor of enlisted stormtroopers whose loyalty was more valuable. This decision was made by the Empire's Vice iral Rampart, who headed Project War-Mantle and was ed by Grand Moff Tarkin. While clones still make up the bulk of the Imperial military force during this transitional era for the galaxy, stormtroopers are actively being recruited to take their place and are ironically being trained by the clones themselves. Likewise, Rampar proved why the Emperor himself likely favored humans over clones.
Clones Wouldn't Bend To The Empire's Corruption
As seen in The Bad Batch season 2 episode 2, Clone Captain Wilco reports that Clone Force 99 is alive, contradicting reports made previously that they had been killed during the Imperial bombardment of Tipoca City on Kamino. With the Bad Batch having escaped after they attempt to raid Count Dooku's fortress on Serenno, Vice iral Rampart notes that Wilco's report will need to be rewritten, saying nothing about the rogue squad's survival lest he faces the consequences from Tarkin. Refusing to falsify a report, Wilco is shot and killed by Rampart, thereby protecting the Vice iral's reputation and career within the Empire.
As a result, this tragic alternation proves that clones were never going to work long-term within the corrupt system of the Empire. Genetically created to follow orders and serve the Republic-turned-Empire, it makes sense that there would be tension between the clones and officers seeking to gain their power by any means necessary (regardless of protocol). By comparison, enlisted stormtroopers would remain loyal while simultaneously being more willing to look the other way in the face of corruption, wanting to keep their jobs, fearing consequences, and potentially maintaining their own chances for promotion.
Why Palpatine Wanted The Empire's Soldiers To Be Corrupt
Given Emperor Palpatine's status as a Sith Lord, his power comes from the dark side of the Force. As such, perpetuating a corrupt system and military machine was quite favorable by all s. Creating a regime where those under him were encouraged to act out of greed, fear, ruthless ambition, and lust for power, the Emperor was given even greater power as it all fueled the dark side.
In this way, the Empire kept the galaxy enthralled by the dark side for years, and replacing its army with more corruptible officers and soldiers was a key first step. The clones and their inhibitor chips were instrumental to the Empire's birth with Order 66 and the Jedi Purge. However, The Bad Batch has proven they would never work long-term in the new Imperial regime that took over the Star Wars galaxy virtually unopposed for nearly two decades before A New Hope.
