- "How many uncharted planets have you been to?"
"Too many to count. That's why I need Mel to keep track of all the legends I've chased down over the years." - ―Omega and Phee Genoa
MEL was a modified ECG-series power droid[4] owned by the pirate Phee Genoa who accompanied her on various expeditions. Rebuilt multiple times, she was designated MEL-221 when she accompanied Genoa and Clone Force 99 on a mission to Skara Nal in the Kaldar Trinary system between 19 BBY and 18 BBY. MEL's body was destroyed by an ancient walker. This barely perturbed Genoa, who stated that she simply kept a back-up of MEL's memory bank and could have it restored. This was then downloaded into a new body, designated MEL-222.
Biography[]
- "Sorry about Mel."
"This happens all the time. That's why I keep Mel's memory stored on my ship's data bank. I'll have her rebuilt before we head to Vadnay." - ―Omega and Phee Genoa
MEL[3] was a modified power droid owned by the pirate Phee Genoa. She[2] traveled to too many uncharted planets to count, so she had MEL keep track of the legends she tracked down over the years. MEL was destroyed many times, so Genoa kept the droid's memory stored on the data bank of her ship, the Providence, and she would be rebuilt.[2] Between 19 BBY and 18 BBY,[1] MEL was designated MEL-221.[3] She, Genoa, and Clone Force 99 were in Ciddarin Scaleback's parlor in Ord Mantell City. Genoa had MEL scan a compass that "Wrecker" and Omega found at a junkyard. The scan helped Genoa realize the compass was from long before their time and had coordinates for the Kaldar Trinary system. Genoa and the clones decided to go to the system to find possible treasure.[2]
While en route to[2] Skara Nal[5] in the system on the Marauder, Genoa and and Omega used MEL as a foot rest while they discussed the latter's adventures. Upon landing on the planet, MEL followed Genoa and the clones into a mountain. After the group managed to open a doorway, Genoa ordered MEL to note the coordinates and wait there. MEL later fled from falling debris caused by an ancient walker, which was activated by Genoa removing the Heart of the Mountain from the walker. MEL was destroyed by a blast from the superlaser. After Genoa and Clone Force 99 disabled the walker, Omega apologized to Genoa about losing MEL, though Genoa stated that MEL's memories were backed up and she would be rebuilt before they headed to Vadnay.[2]
Characteristics[]
MEL had yellow and blue plating and three black photoreceptors. She was was capable of making beeping sounds and scanning objects by projecting a purple light.[2]
Behind the scenes[]
MEL first appeared in "Entombed," the fifth episode of the second season of the Star Wars: The Bad Batch animated series,[2] which aired on January 25, 2023.[6] Mel's full name MEL-221 was identified in the official Walt Disney Company Getty Images release for the episode.[7]
Appearances[]
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Entombed" (First appearance)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Point of No Return"
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Juggernaut"
Sources[]
- This Week! in Star Wars Marvel's Sana Starros First Look, Star Wars Celebration Celebrity Guests, and More! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (Posted on StarWars.com)
- "Entombed" Episode Guide | The Bad Batch on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy (as Mel-221)
- MEL in the Databank (backup link) (First identified as MEL-222)
- MEL-221 in the Databank (backup link)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Per the reasoning here, the seventh and eighth episodes of The Bad Batch Season 2, "The Clone Conspiracy" and "Truth and Consequences," can be placed in 18 BBY. Therefore, all Season 2 episodes proceeding "The Clone Conspiracy" occur between 19 BBY, which features the end of The Bad Batch Season 1 according to Star Wars: Timelines, and 18 BBY. The Galactic Empire, the formation of which Star Wars: Timelines dates to 19 BBY, sent Mayday's squad to Barton IV over a year prior to the events of the twelfth episode, "The Outpost." As it occurs over a year into the Imperial Era and is set shortly after the events of "Truth and Consequences," the events of "The Outpost" occur around 18 BBY. Following that logic, the ninth through eleventh episodes ("The Crossing" through "Metamorphosis") are also set around 18 BBY because they occur between the events of "Truth and Consequences" and "The Outpost." Finally, all season 2 episodes set after "The Outpost" occur shortly after its events, thereby placing those episodes around 18 BBY as well.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Entombed"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 MEL in the Databank (backup link)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy
- ↑ Skara Nal in the Databank (backup link)
- ↑ Clone Force 99 Is Back in New Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2 Trailer on StarWars.com (backup link)
- ↑ The Walt Disney Studios All Access - ABB-005305 on Getty Images (January 25, 2023) (backup link)