Hawkeye Review: ‘Echoes’ may be the best episode of the Disney Plus MCU era

The latest episode of Hawkeye, Echoes, combines the best elements from the MCU shows on Disney plus into one fantastic episode.

WandaVision was the most emotive of the Disney Plus MCU shows. Echoes is the first MCU show to make me choke up since Wandavision‘s Previously On. The performances by Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez aka Echoe, Hailee Steinfeld and Jeremy Renner had me tearing up twice during the episode. There’s a scene in this episode that should certify Kate as one of the best character’s in the MCU.

Echoes also feature the strongest action scenes since The Falcon and The Winter Solider. The delightful banter and dynamic between Clint Barton and Kate Bishop are just as good if not better than Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes. They trade barbs often, but there’s an underbelly of sweetness in their burgeoning mentor-mentee relationship that fits the show like a glove.

The combination of emotion and action is strong enough to make Echoes a standout episode. The episode doesn’t stop there. Echoes packs on a third crucial element from Loki, mystery. The identity of the man running the Tracksuit Mafia is unknown. Why are the Tracksuit Mafia so fixated on a watch? What are the other trick arrows in Hawkeye’s quiver? Is Jack the red herring we believe him to be? What will happen when Kate connects the dots between Hawkeye and Ronin? These are just some of the ongoing questions lingering at the end of the episode.

The direction by Bert and Bertie was a quantum leap from the previous two episodes. Their handling of the action sequences was excellent as well as the way they shot dramatic scenes. They give plenty of room for Steinfeld and Renner to showcase their talent. The script by Katrina Mathewson and Tanner Bean gives these two actors plenty to work with.

The only issue I had with the episode was some questionable CGI during the car chase. However, that’s a small nitpick in an episode full of holiday bliss.

With the overview out of the way, let’s dive deeper into the elements that stood out in Echoes. There may be some minor spoilers. Hawkeye is available to stream on Disney Plus.

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Echoes of the Past

The episode begins with a flashback sequence involving a young Maya Lopez. In the sequence, we understand how intelligent she is, the struggle with attending a regular public school, her martial arts prowess and the sweet connection she has to her father. These early glimpses are a fantastic way to begin the episode.

The adult Maya Lopez is just as interesting. Cox is sensational as the deaf superheroine. Maya is barely able to contain her understandable rage over Ronin’s role in her father’s death. Her interactions with Clint are fascinating. She somewhat politely ridicules Clint for using a hearing aid. During the interrogation, Clint makes the wise decision to reveal a fake identity for Ronin. He claims the real Ronin was Black Widow. Maya, smartly points out that identity is a convenient one since Black Widow is dead.

One of the more intriguing mysteries involves Maya’s uncle. We never see his face. Just a hand, gently touching Maya’s face and a chuckle that sounds like Vincent D’Onofrio‘s Kingpin. There are multiple references to a man higher up the food chain. They are certainly teasing his appearance and it seems more of a matter of when than if at this point.

While there is plenty of respect between Maya and her No. 2, Kazi. He serves as Clint and Kate’s interpreter. When Maya loses a bit of control and starts choking Kate, Kaz calls her off. Later, he tries to calm her down and Maya sternly reminds him she’s in charge.

Trick Arrows

There are two major action setpieces that take up the bulk of Echoes.

The first action scene takes place at an abandoned KB Toys warehouse. Clint is able to break free of his restraints. Meanwhile, Kate is stuck on top of a unicorn wondering how Clint broke free. Clint runs circles around the Tracksuit Mafia goons. He faces off against Maya and with a well-timed kick to the head knocks Clint’s hearing aid out. She crushes his hearing aid, which actually allows the connection between him and Kate to deepen. Once Clint reaches his bow, he quickly turns the table and sets Kate free. The warehouse scene is a great reminder of Clint’s skill.

Kate and Clint break out of the warehouse. Then, a crazy car chase ensues. Clint is at the wheel. Kate is firing trick arrows across the roadways of New York City. The trick arrows are awesome, but the best part of the chase is the dialogue.

Clint can’t hear Kate at all. At times, Kate will quip about an arrow’s quirks. Other times they’ll have the same idea at the same time. With Clint at the wheel, these scenes served as a bigger showcase of Kate’s skill under pressure. Kate’s performance impresses Clint so much, that after the chase, he says Kate just might be the best archer in the world. A sweet moment capping off terrific back-to-back action setpieces.

Fatherly Love

The presence and absence of fathers echoes throughout the episode. For Maya, the final conversation she has with her dying father is heartbreaking. Zahn McClarnon is sensational in this small role as Maya’s father. The love he has for his daughter and regrets over not being able to get Maya into a special school is clear in his face. His final scene also illustrates his regret and a wish for Maya to have a life far better than this one. This scene definitely hit me harder than I was expecting.

Clint has a fatherhood issue of his own to deal with. After the car chase, Kate and Clint return to her Aunt’s apartment. The episode does a great job of muffling the sound and giving us a glimpse into Clint’s hearing deficiencies. He receives a phone call that he believes is from his wife, but it’s not. Nathaniel, Clint’s youngest son, got ahold of his Mom’s phone and decided to call his Dad. Kate recognizing that Clint has no idea who is talking translates Nathaniel’s words to Clint.

Steinfeld and Renner are fantastic in this scene. Here’s Kate Bishop who lost her father at a young age, trying to help another Dad connect with his son. You can see in Kate’s face and with Steinfeld’s acting her realization of how badly Clint wants to be with his family for Christmas. When Nathaniel says that’s ok if his dad doesn’t make it back for Christmas, it breaks their hearts and mine as well. This scene hits the same emotional level as the “what is grief” line in Wandavision. The performances by Renner and Steinfeld are just as great and nuanced as Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany.

Final Thoughts on Echoes

Echoes is a nearly flawless hour of television. The performances, action and mysteries surrounding these characters raise the bar for this series higher than I thought was possible. When it comes to introducing new characters to the MCU, Hawkeye has nailed the bullseye both times so far. I can’t wait to see what’s next for the world’s greatest archers.