‘Hawkeye’ – ‘Echoes’ – Review
We’re moving fast now in Marvel Studios’ Hawkeye and those action junkies looking for a solid hit are in luck, because Episode Three, ‘Echoes’ really ramps up the adrenaline.
Kidnapped and held at gunpoint by the Tracksuit Mafia, Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) and Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) make a daring escape from this gang of thugs, who are led by ace killer Maya Lopez aka Echo (Alaqua Cox), a deaf woman with a dangerous talent for combat. What follows is a hell-raising chase through the streets of New York and the reveal of more dangerous secrets from Barton’s past.
Episode Two of Hawkeye, ‘Hide and Seek’ ended on one hell of a cliffhanger, and now in Episode Three, ‘Echoes” directors Bert & Bertie take up the reigns of the series and they seriously raise the stakes for Barton and Bishop. Right from the start of this episode, Bert & Bertie floor the accelerator and this results in one hell of an opening first act as Barton and Bishop make their explosive getaway from the Tracksuit Mafia. Explosive action and innovative camera work put you right into the heart of the action and you’ll feel your adrenaline pumping as this intense chase unfolds before your eyes.
While we were treated to a few scraps early on in Hawkeye, ‘Echoes’ is where the action of the series really ramps up and we get to see Barton go to work. And this master archer has lost none of his skills. With a jarring use of free-running, close-combat archery, Barton makes quick work of the Tracksuit Mafia and makes even more of an impression on Bishop. And Renner looks freaking cool while slinging arrows. Inspired, Bishop herself wants in on the action and is giddy when she finally gets to use trick arrows for the first time. The resulting action on screen is simply breathtaking to watch and step by step the adrenaline ramps up quickly.
‘Echoes’ is also a major episode for the MCU as we are introduced to a brand new character in the form of Maya Lopez aka Echo, who is played by Alaqua Cox. A Native American woman, who is both deaf and an amputee, Lopez has been brought up the hard way and this has resulted in her being a certified badass. With a unique ability to mimic the actions of anyone she sees, Echo makes for a deadly opponent and she has an axe to grind with Ronin and has sworn a blood oath to see him dead. Cox owns the screen as Exho and her presence in Hawkeye opens up a brand new space within the MCU. While Echo may be the enforcer of the Tracksuit Mafia, the chief puppet master is her mysterious ‘Uncle’ and I’m certain we’ll learn more about this mystery man soon.
‘Echoes’ places a lot of its focus on Clint Barton and Maya Lopez hearing impairment, and there is heavy use of sign language in the episode’s narrative. This emphasis on signing helps to showcase how Lopez experiences the world. As a consequence of his life as an Avenger, Barton is also now losing his hearing and it’s something he has to deal with in a very personal way. The episode’s most poignant scene comes through a telephone call with his young son, and it’s very clear where Barton’s responsibilities lie. This is a man who no longer has any desire to be any kind of hero and just wants to be a husband and father. Adding in the loss of communication tears him up inside and it’s a very emotional scene for audiences to witness.
Things are moving fast with Hawkeye and the ending of ‘Echoes’ results in one hell of a shocker. Where we go next is anyone’s guess, but the stakes are raised and it’s time to go all in.
Hawkeye streams on Disney+ every Wednesday.
Image: Walt Disney Pictures
