this one feels off because it’s not even a better change, and it would have been easy for it to not have been Caleb.
I agree with this.
I’ve been thinking about this issue more and more, and I’m growing more worried about it. I actually like the retcon of E.K. Johnson’s ‘Ahsoka’ novel, I don’t mind the retcon of Cobb Vanth’s backstory in Chuck Wendig’s ‘Aftermath’, but now this… are Lucasfilm just ignoring Star Wars book and comic fans? Sure, they’re not as popular, but to many of the fans who do read them, they mean so much. I’m a Rebels fan, and Kanan Jarrus is one of my favourite star wars characters, so I don’t say this lightly: I don’t think they should have included Caleb in the opening scene. Firstly of course, I think it’s crossed a line in retconning a piece of star wars media which many regard as one of their favourite star wars things; but also, Caleb Dume is a character who we already have prior investment in, so the focus of the scene is away from where it should be: the Bad Batch, and the decisions they make in the moment. We also know that Caleb escapes anyway, so there’s less tension than there would be if it was a random padawan. This isn’t a retcon out of necessity, as the retcons in Clone Wars season 7 and The Mandalorian arguably were, it seems to be a retcon because Dave Filoni and the lead writers felt like it.
I’m just worried we’ll get to a point where I won’t be able to pick up a new star wars book or comic without fear that it’ll be retconned at the slightest opportunity.