"The city is flying and we're fighting an army of giant robots. And I have a bow and arrow. Nothing makes sense." -Clint Barton
Clinton Barton is just a regular guy, and that's what I like about him. That's what I like about Black Widow, and for the most part, that's what I like about Steve Rogers. They aren't gods, monsters, or high-tech billionaire/genius/philanthropists. And sure, that might not make them the coolest characters, but to me it makes them the underdogs. So, when the idea of a Hawkeye series came up, I was interested. Especially given the dual life he's lived. He's a loving father and husband, but he's also spent his life murdering people, and in recent years went on a crazed, grief-driven, killing spree. What does a life like that do to a person? These are some of the questions I thought made a Hawkeye series seem intriguing. And then it all got highjacked by cameos.
Hawkeye is set two years after Avengers: Endgame. Which means it's 2025. Not sure how, or if, they will ever sink up with real-world time. Anyway, Clint is spending time with his kids in New York when his past comes back to haunt him, and someone is seen wearing his old Ronin suit. Clint finds Kate Bishop, played by Hailee Steinfeld, in the suit and bad guys are after her because of it. Now Clint has to clear up the Ronin mess, make sure Kate is safe, fight off the Track-Suit Mafia, avoid Kingpin, and try to convince Yelena her sister's death wasn't his fault. And also make it home for Christmas with his family.
Some people were disappointed with the first few episodes focusing on Kate Bishop more than Clint Barton. But anyone who didn't think this show was really going to be about the passing of the Hawkeye mantle to the next generation had their expectations a skewed. One thing I love about the series is you see Clint's emotional and physical state. His body is beginning to show his age and all the battles he's been through. He's losing his hearing and he's constantly sore. Plus, he is still feeling guilt over Natasha's death. This comes to a head in the finale as he faces off against Yelena, who is looking to blame him for Black Widow's death. But in the end, they both had an epiphany that Natasha made her own choice, and they both know she was strong enough to not be stopped after her decision was made.
SIDE NOTE: The Black Widow post-credit scene had Valentina Fontaine hiring Yelena to kill Hawkeye. We now know Kate's mom was the buyer. Valentina has also recruited John Walker to her side. Is she making a new Avengers team or a personal hit squad?
Kate's story is one of privilege. Sure, she lost her dad when she was young, but her brattiness in the beginning of the series threw some people off. I didn't really like her to begin with, but by the end I didn't hate her. Hailee Steinfeld is a good enough actress you can't totally hate her. I still would not be keen on her getting her own series or film, but put her in an ensemble film, or a Yelena team-up, and I think she'd be great. Just make sure you add Jack into the mix too. I did find her mother, played by Vera Famiga, a little too straight forward. Sure, we all knew she was a bad guy the whole time, but I was hoping for a little more depth to her by the end.
The other future hero this series sets up is Maya Lopez, known in the comics as Echo. I thought as a supporting part the character and the actress were great. But the idea that Marvel and Disney might give the character her own show seems a bit off-putting. I don't think Maya is strong enough as a character to carry her own series. Like Kate, I would love to see her in future MCU projects, but her own solo outing would not get me counting down the days will it debuts. I'd rather see a Yelena and Kate buddy comedy, with Jack as their boss/confidant.
Of course, the big question in this six-episode series was the debate of whether Vicent D'Onofrio as Kingpin would show up. So much so that it took up a lot of the talk for Hawkeye. My friend JR swore he was going to show up, but I was skeptical due to the complications of bringing in the Netflix actors over to the true MCU. But after Kevin Feige told the world Charlie Cox is the MCU's Daredevil I figured D'Onofrio was coming. But only 24 hours later and my fears are coming true. Speaking with EW, D'Onofrio says that this Kingpin is the same one from Netflix and that "The Blip" is the reason for the differences. Not sure that's why he wears Hawaiian shirts now, or why he had so much trouble taking on a young girl in her twenties. Chatter is spreading that this Kingpin pales in comparison to his Netflix performance, and that's why I thought Marvel should have just recast when bringing in Kingpin and Daredevil. A new actor would not get as scrutinized for being the next person in line to play a version of Kingpin. Also, people would not be disappointed as a rated R Netflix character transitioned into a PG-13 MCU world.
The highlights of the series for me included the quiet moments between Clint and Kate. Like the phone call with his son, the shot not taken, and what is the sacrifice to be a hero. I loved any scene between Kate and Yelena and was intrigued with the Lauren Barton mystery. Most of the series Clint wanted to get the watch from the Avenger's compound auction (shouldn't someone be worried that Avengers stuff is being sold on the black market?) and we come to find out why it was so important. Laura Barton was a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent! And the back of the watch hints that she was Agent 19. In the comics, Agent 19 is Bobbi Morse, a.k.a. Mockingbird, and girlfriend to Hawkeye. Now, this is kind of a kick-to-the-balls to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. fans because in the series Mockingbird is played by Friday Night Lights alumni Adrianne Palicki. Clear Eyes, Full Hearts! I feel like this puts an end to the debate on whether Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is truly part of the MCU. Looks like it's not, and Phil Coulson is still dead. Bummer. How this new information might affect the MCU going forward (or looking back) we'll just have to wait and see.
Hawkeye was meant as a holiday spoof with classic Christmas carols playing throughout, a bit more goofy than other MCU series, and what I thought was a Home Alone moment when Clint and Kate are gearing up to take on the bad guys. I find the series enjoyable, but not great. I think it took care of its two main characters well and gave us a lot of holiday fun. Is it the best of MCU series? No. Is this series for everyone? No. But I like to think of it as Die Hard meets Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. Except we can call it Arrows, Pizza Dogs, and Track Suits.
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