Hawkeye Mid-Season Review
By Jihan Moon,
BlueDevilHUB.com Editor-in-chief–
*spoilers for previous Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films / TV series*
Hawkeye, created by Jonathan Igla, is Marvel’s eighth installment this year and premiered the first two episodes Nov. 24 with one new episode coming out each of the following weeks.
Following his turn to vigilantism as Ronin in Avengers: Endgame, Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) struggles with his guilt and the many lives he took from his time as Ronin. Barton partners with new hero, Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld), when she accidentally finds herself in possession of the Ronin suit.
They must now solve a mystery involving Barton’s criminal past and Bishop’s soon-to-be step-father. All before Christmas.
The MCU has previously been inconsistent in their depiction of Barton with sparse and sporadic character development. With his own show, however, he is at his most likable and compelling.
Barton now fills a role that has been missing from the MCU: the everyman. There is a greater emphasis on his relationship with his family and how his heroism affects them.
Also, the show examines how his lack of powers has affected him. He is confirmed to be hard of hearing, needing to use a hearing aid, which has been a major part of his character in the comics for years.
Steinfeld’s Bishop is instantly one of the most amusing and personable characters in the MCU. Steinfeld is perfectly cast, bringing an organic and sarcastic voice to the role.
The show is entertaining throughout due to the two leads’ natural and humorous chemistry and solid, frequent action sequences.
However, there is not much more to the show.
The previous live-action Marvel Disney+ series have all attempted to explore more heady themes. WandaVision delves into Wanda’s grief and coping mechanisms; The Falcon and the Winter Soldier analyzes how racism is tied to the American identity; and Loki scrutinizes the systematic suppression of free will.
While fun and full of engaging characters, Hawkeye discusses no clear, profound themes.
