| “ | If you think this is punishment for shooting your commanding officer, you're incorrect. I actually think that shows quite a bit of initiative. | „ |
| ~ Hemlock respecting Crosshair for taking initiative by killing Lieutenant Nolan. |
| “ | I did have plans for CT-9904, despite his resistance to re-education, but I am willing to make a few sacrifices if your misbehaviour continues. Actions always have consequences, sometimes not in the ways we imagine. | „ |
| ~ Hemlock blackmails Omega into co-operating with him by threatening to have Crosshair terminated. |
| “ | All that time you spent on Kamino, yet you learned nothing about how clones think. I knew Clone Force 99 would eventually attempt to recover Omega. Their failure is inevitable. | „ |
| ~ Hemlock to Rampart |
Doctor Royce Hemlock is one of the two main antagonists (alongside Vice Admiral Rampart) of the 2021 Disney+ animated series Star Wars: The Bad Batch.
He is the brutal head scientist of the Galactic Empire's cloning program and operates a black site that oversees experiments too cruel and abhorrent to be associated with the other Imperial operations directly, hence its clandestine foundation. He also oversaw Project Necromancer, a clandestine cloning operation that was considered of great importance to Emperor Palpatine. Hemlock serves as the archnemesis to Hunter, Crosshair and Omega.
He was voiced by Jimmi Simpson, who also played Liam McPoyle in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Skip Tyler in White House Down, a younger William in Westworld and Spencer Clay in The Man Who Fell to Earth.
Personality[]
While Hemlock is a soft-spoken and seemingly courteous man, he is in reality an extremely twisted individual. He directly oversees some of the most bizarre and inhumane experimentation within the Empire, ranging from simple cloning to creating living bio-weapons. He uses the decommissioned clones as living test subjects, performing many painful experiments on them that they often do not survive. Like all Imperials, he despises clones, viewing them as nothing more than property; as such, he relishes in any opportunity to make them suffer. Much like Pong Krell and Lieutenant Nolan, he’s insistent on referring to clones by their numbers instead of their chosen names as a sign of disrespect. However, like Krell, he is willing to address clones by their names if they are loyal enough to him, as is the case with his second-in-command Scorch.
He is efficient and never raises his voice, is always in control of the situation, and remains calm even when things don't go to plan. He is also, in spite of his quiet demeanor, a monstrous sadist, taking dark enjoyment from the suffering his work brings, and is all too happy to threaten anyone with torture. His methods are so extreme that even most of his fellow Imperials view many of his experiments as abominations. He has shown to admire the sadism of other individuals as he expressed to Crosshair his admiration towards his insubordination when he shot and killed his commanding officer.
There is nothing he won't do in order to achieve his goals, and the lengths he'll go to do so are immense. These include but are not limited to; arresting and executing innocent civilians en masse, ordering the kidnapping and harm of children, and as stated above, horrific torture of prisoners. Hemlock is a foreboding and sinister new Imperial leader actively working to bring about the demise of any surviving clones following the Clone Wars and the rise of the Empire.
Unlike other Imperials, Hemlock seems to genuinely believe that scientific advancement is the key to the Empire's control as opposed to sheer military strength. As such, he is willing to take his time and give his enemies short-term victories in order to achieve his long-term goals. That said, Hemlock is also motivated by the same desire for personal advancement as most other Imperials. He strives towards the position of scientific minister in order to gain even more power and authority and courts the Emperor's favor by dedicating himself to Project Necromancer, an endeavor that most within the Empire would consider abominable.
Despite his calm demeanor, Hemlock is ultimately proven to be a coward, as he tries to kill Omega in his final moments and barks at Hunter and Crosshair to drop their blasters.
Biography[]
Royce Hemlock is the chief scientist in charge of the Empire's clandestine Advanced Science Division. Operating out of a secret Imperial black site, Hemlock presents a calm analytical persona with a brutal sadistic streak.
A scientist who was expelled from the Republic Science Corps for his "unauthorized and unorthodox experiments", Royce Hemlock was apparently reinstated once the Empire came to power and formed the secret Advanced Science Division. At some point, he became acquainted with the Kaminoan scientist Nala Se as well as a female clone named Emerie Karr who would go on to serve him.
Hemlock led his operations in a medical laboratory on Setron. There, Hemlock began experimenting on Clone Troopers imprisoned within the facility, taking great pleasure in doing so. Hemlock also created slither vines, an experimental bioweapon which broke its containment and overran the facility, forcing the staff to evacuate and destroy the base.
Soon after, Hemlock moved his operations to a secret base on Weyland. Hemlock oversaw many experiments such as the cloning of the Zillo Beast in order to weaponize its skin for the Emperor.Hemlock also oversaw Project Necromancer, an operation commissioned by Emperor Palpatine that sought to replicate an individual's full M-count into a clone body, which would allow the Dark Lord to come back to life in the event of his death. Hemlock had Nala Se transferred to Mount Tantiss to work on the project. Hemlock would also assign bounty hunters, such as Cad Bane, to abduct Force-Sensitive subjects from around the Galaxy. Many of the subjects would be identified as young children and placed inside the vault for experiments. Hemlock also fitted himself with Clone Commandos as his personal bodyguards. A few Clones were trained and brainwashed into a unit of fanatical soldiers, tasked with assassination and other covert operations.
Eventually, Nala Se refused to work for the Empire after they bombed Kamino. Hemlock brought the former Kaminoan prime minister Lama Su to Mount Tantiss. In exchange for his freedom, Su informed Hemlock that locating a clone girl named Omega would allow him to control Se.
Sometime later, the defect clone Crosshair would wind up imprisoned at the Weyland facility for shooting his commanding officer. Knowing that Omega was traveling with the renegade Clone Force 99 of which Crosshair was a former member, Hemlock wanted him to give up their location. This was because Crosshair had previously sided with the Empire over his old squad, a perspective that's since changed. Quietly relishing in the torture Crosshair endures, Hemlock swiftly makes it clear he's an Imperial who shouldn't be trifled with. Crosshair eventually escapes his cell and sends a message to Clone Force 99, informing them that the imperials were after Omega. His escape was foiled after he's knocked unconscious by a toxin released in the room he was trapped in. However, Hemlock walks into the room freely, revealing he's developed an immunity to the toxin. Later, Governor Wilhuff Tarkin contacted Hemlock to express concerns about Mount Tantiss' location being compromised and potential intelligence leaks from rogue clones. Hemlock reassured him that the facility's location would remain secure and argued that sending the rogue clones to Tantiss for experimentation would be preferable to decommissioning them. The governor then told Hemlock that he was to provide a full briefing of his plan at the upcoming summit on Eriadu. Hemlock later tried to bribe Crosshair with freedom if he gave up his former squadmates' location. When the clone refused, Hemlock told Dr. Karr to increase the injection level and subsequently, Crosshair's pain.
Hemlock is the last to arrive at the summit held at the Raven's Peak, Tarkin's compound on Eriadu. During his presentation, Hemlock argued that an enlightened society could be created through the advancement of cloning technology and molecular alteration. He also noted that with the decommissioning of clones would provide ample test subjects for his experiments. General Hurst Romodi expressed concerns that the fight for clone rights in the Senate could prove detrimental if word about Hemlock's experiments got out. Tarkin and Admiral Coburn also expressed concerns about the clones' capacity for independent thought. The summit was later interrupted by Saw Gerrera's insurgents who had infiltrated the compound to assasinate the Imperial leaders. Despite inflicting heavy damage to the Raven's peak, the Imperials remained secured inside Tarkin's conference room. Coincidentally, Clone Force 99 was also infiltrating the compound at the same time in order to track Hemlock's shuttle back to his base. Their mission also ends in failure when the shuttle is destroyed by Gerrera's explosives and Tech sacrifices himself to ensure his squad's escape. Hemlock would later search for Tech’s body but was only able to salvage his damaged goggles.
Shortly after the summit, Hemlock and a squad of Clone Commandos traveled to Ord Mantell after being tipped off to the renegade clones' location by their employer Cid. Hemlock used the easily captured Wrecker and Tech's salvaged goggles to force Hunter to surrender. As the imperials occupied the city, Hemlock's squad was ambushed by Omega who demanded the release of her brothers. Hemlock stalled Omega which allowed Scorch to drop behind and stun her unconscious. Upon returning to Mount Tantiss, Hemlock forced Nala Se to work on Project Necromancer by threatening to harm Omega if she failed to cooperate.
One day, an Imperial shuttle headed for Tantiss is struck by lightning and crashes. Despite knowing that the Stormtroopers survived the crash, Hemlock refuses to send reinforcements and allows the survivors to be killed by the wildlife. In the months following Omega's capture, Hemlock and Nala Se had been taking blood samples from the clone prisoners but failed to produce a full M-count transfer. Unbeknownst to Hemlock, Se had been destroying the blood samples taken from Omega. When the young clone befriends and domesticates one of the hounds guarding the facility, Hemlock mocks her displays of kindness and threatens to kill Crosshair to keep her in line. Sometime later, Emperor Palpatine travels to Mount Tantiss and Hemlock eagerly provides him with a tour. Hemlock tells him about various projects but acknowledges that Project Necromancer is the primary reason for the Emperor's visit. Upon entering a heavily secured room, Hemlock shows the Emperor one of the clone specimens and reassures that with more time and resources, he can produce a successful M-count replication. Satisfied with the doctor's progress, the Emperor states that Project Necromancer is essential for the Empire's future while stressing the importance of keeping Mount Tantiss secure. Hemlock claims that if he will spread their shared vision if given the position of Scientific Minister to which the Emperor states it will happen in due time. Just as the Emperor departs, Hemlock is informed that Omega and Crosshair escaped and orders the facility's forces to pursue. Emerie then informs him that Omega's blood test revealed a successful M-count transfer. Realizing that Omega's survival is necessary for the completion of Project Necromancer, Hemlock orders his forces to stand down and allows the escapees to jump to hyperspace.
Hemlock later confronts Nala Se about how Omega's blood revealed a successful transfer the one time she was not responsible for testing it. After being tipped off to Omega's location by an Imperial officer on the planet Lau, Hemlock and Scorch travel there only to realize that the escapees have once again gotten away. When progress on Project Necromancer stalls as a result of Se's detainment, Hemlock decides to promote Emerie to Chief Medical Scientist. He then shows her the specimens vital to the project: three force-sensitive children. Hemlock explains that these children are some of the few remaining M-count specimens and that the only way to fully replicate their M-counts is by binding their DNA with Omega's. He advises that Emerie avoid interacting with the children before leaving. Hemlock is later contacted by Tarkin who is concerned over the amount of funds being transferred to Mount Tantiss. He does not disclose the details of Project Necromancer and only reminds the Grand Moff of its importance to the Emperor. Hemlock then contacts CX-2 for an update on Omega's location and warns the assassin that another failure will not be tolerated.
When CX-2 successfully brings Omega to Tantiss, Hemlock shows her the base and orders Emerie to test her M-Count. When the tests reveal a positive M-count replication, Hemlock tells the clone girl that she is vital to their work as her blood is the only one that can yield such a result. He then leaves her in the vault containing the other force-sensitive kids. Shortly after, Scorch informs Hemlock that Clone Force 99 and the former Vice Admiral Rampart have made their way to Mount Tantiss after latching onto a science vessel. Hemlock then orders V-wing starfighters to shoot down the intruders.
Hemlock is later informed that Rampart has been captured and visits him in his cell to gloat. Omega releases the Zillo Beast, killing dozens of commandos and stormtroopers and destroying much of the base. The Batch attempt to exploit this opening but Hemlock sends all of the clone assassins after them. They are beaten and CX-2 ultimately hacks off Crosshair’s shooting hand before bringing them all back to Hemlock, who tells them his intention to either turn them into clone assassins themselves or kill them trying.
Following a prison break involving Nala Se, the remaining clones, and Rampart, Hemlock sends several of the assassins after them and gases the room, killing several of the fugitives. Meanwhile, Nala Se and Rampart kill each other, destroying both Hemlock’s and the Kaminoans’ clone research in the process. Omega tries to break Hunter, Wrecker, and Crosshair out, but is caught by another clone assassin. Hemlock enters and reiterates how pathetic he thinks clones are for being so loyal. He handcuffs himself to Omega and leaves with Scorch, with the Batch killing the remaining assassins as Hunter and Crosshair pursue Hemlock alone. On a catwalk outside the base, Hemlock summons an escape ship, but Hunter and Crosshair shoot it down and kill Scorch. They corner Hemlock, who breaks down screaming and holds Omega at gunpoint. Omega shanks Hemlock, giving Crosshair and Hunter the opening they need to break the cuffs open and shoot Hemlock several times, killing him. His corpse then falls off the catwalk into the jungle below.
Seconds after the clones escape, Tarkin arrives to find Tantiss severely damaged by the Zillo Beast’s rampage. After learning of Hemlock’s death and the destruction of the clone research, Tarkin orders the facility shut down immediately and all its funds diverted to the Death Star. Despite his death, Project Necromancer would later be revived by Commandant Brendol Hux.
Relationships[]
Friends/Allies[]
- Galactic Empire - Colleagues and Allies
- Ciddarin Scaleback - Situational Ally
- Lama Su - Situational Ally
- Cad Bane - Mercenary
Enemies[]
- Clone Troopers - Situational Enemies
- Clone Force 99 - Attempted Victims
- Hunter - Archenemy, Former Captive, Attempted Victim and Killer
- Wrecker - Former Captive and Attempted Victim
- Tech - Victim
- Echo - Attempted Victim
- Omega - Archenemy, Former Captive and Attempted Victim
- Crosshair - Archenemy, Former Captive, Attempted Victim and Killer
- Dr. Emerie Karr - Former Protege and Attempted Victim
- Clone Force 99 - Attempted Victims
- Nala Se - Former Colleague
- Saw Gerrera
- Edmon Rampart
Quotes[]
| “ | How it pains me to see you like this. Tell me why does someone so talented, prefer to rot in a cell instead of using their gifts to better the galaxy. | „ |
| ~ Hemlock to Nala Se |
| “ | Hemlock: What was done on Kamino was unfortunate, but know that your research remains intact. It’ll now serve a higher purpose. The Emperor’s purpose. Don’t you wish to be part of such a scientific achievement?
Nala Se: I know what Emperor Palpatine seeks to accomplish and he will not have my cooperation. |
„ |
| ~ Hemlock and Nala Se discussing Project Necromancer. |
| “ | Why suffer more? All I need is the young Clone. She means nothing to you. Help me and you’ll have your freedom. [Sighs]. Increase his injection level this time. Let’s see how long until you break. | „ |
| ~ Hemlock to Crosshair, also his first moment of sadism. |
| “ | The progress we are making in the field of cloning is of great importance to the Emperor. Once we fully unlock the secrets previously known only to the Kaminoans. We will ensure an enlighten and society through molecular alteration. | „ |
| ~ Hemlock To Tarkin, Krennic, Romodi, and Coburn. |
| “ | I was saddened to learn of your friend’s demise. What was his name? Oh, yes. Tech. I’m afraid this was all I could salvage. Consider it a gift. To lose one of your own, it must weigh heavily on you as their leader. And if you don’t lower the blaster now, you will lose yet another. | „ |
| ~ Hemlock “sympathizes” with Hunter. |
| “ | A minor setback. I have the full resources of the Empire at my disposal. We will find her. | „ |
| ~ Hemlock after Omega escapes. |
| “ | Can you really? Because you’ve already failed once. No mistakes. Do not return without Omega. | „ |
| ~ Hemlock to CX-2 |
| “ | What I am working on is beyond your understanding. Something so vital to the Empire. It makes me indispensable. Unlike yourself. | „ |
| ~ Hemlock to Rampart |
| “ | A glaring weakness in Clones… is their loyalty. Thank you for proving my point. | „ |
| ~ Hemlock to Omega, reiterating his hatred of the Clones. |
| “ | We're leaving. Deal with them. | „ |
| ~ Hemlock attempting to flee after capturing Omega and orders CX-2 to kill the rest of the clones after stealing his equipment. |
| “ | Hemlock: That's far enough! Omega: You won't get past them. Hemlock: They won't risk hurting you. Omega: Neither will you. You need me alive. |
„ |
| ~ Dr. Royce Hemlock's villainous breakdown after Hunter and Crosshair kill Scorch and destroy his escape vessel. |
| “ | If I go over, then you go over. [faces Hunter and Crosshair] DROP THE BLASTERS! | „ |
| ~ Dr. Royce Hemlock during his Villainous Breakdown as he panics, threatening to bring Omega down with him, then begging Hunter and Crosshair for mercy, also his last words before his death. |
Gallery[]
.jpg "Dr. Hemlock talking to Omega (Plan 99).jpg (606 KB)")
.jpg "Dr. Hemlock talks to Nala Se (Plan 99).jpg (578 KB)")
.jpg "Dr. Hemlock (S02E16 Oh yes, Tech.).jpg (429 KB)")
.jpg "Dr. Hemlock talks to Hunter (Plan 99).jpg (399 KB)")
.png "Dr. Hemlock is now defeated (Ep. 47).png (99 KB)")
Trivia[]
- Hemlock shares similarities with and is possibly inspired by Dr. Joseph Mengele of the Third Reich and Dr. Shirō Ishii of Unit 731 in the Imperial Japanese army.
- Interestingly, Hemlock's surname derives from a poisonous plant of the same name, which fits with his personality as a cruel and sadistic scientist.
- Hemlock wears a single black glove over his left hand, although it is never revealed why. It is heavily implied that he has a hand tremor.
- Hemlock is one of only a handful of Imperial officers to be explicitly aware that Palpatine is a Sith Lord, the others being Grand Moff Tarkin and Grand Admiral Thrawn.
- It is unknown how Dr. Hemlock and his squad recovered Tech's goggles, which he claims were the only thing they could salvage as his body was never found.
- Dr. Hemlock can be considered a foil to all of the members of Clone Force 99.
- Hunter serves a good older brother and fatherly figure to Omega and treats her very well. Dr. Hemlock on the other hand neglects (and is actively against) her wellbeing.
- Both Wrecker and Hemlock are known for being sadistic. However, while Wrecker does eventually come to know his limits as the series progresses, Hemlock does not. Even then, Wrecker’s sadism amounts to comically acting like a jerk to regs, while Hemlock’s sadism is taking enjoyment out of actually abusing and killing said regs.
- Both Tech and Hemlock are sophisticated geniuses. Tech’s intelligence serves as a vital resource for Clone Force 99 while Hemlock’s intelligence serves as a brilliant asset to the Galactic Empire and Emperor Palpatine’s plans. However, Tech had no fear in sacrificing himself to save his squadmates while Hemlock becomes truly cowardly at the face of death and begs for undeserved mercy.
- Both Crosshair and Hemlock have once served the Republic but have since fallen after the formation of the Galactic Empire. They have also suffered from tremors in their hands and are known to be cold and emotionless. However, Crosshair eventually realizes he could change while Hemlock does not and prevents decommissioned clones from being whoever they want to be.
- Echo is still loyal to his Clone Force 99 squad mates even after leaving them and always have his back. Hemlock on the other hand doesn’t remain in touch with that many Imperials and acts polite to them just for a good image for himself.
- Omega is compassionate and empathetic, to fellow clones, animals and kids her age. But Hemlock treats them all like property and is upset when they’re treated with kindness. Hemlock serves as what Omega would've become if she was apathetic and uncaring.
