'Hawkeye' Episode 3 Review: Echo, Ronin's death, trick arrows and some intense action
Contains spoilers for 'Hawkeye' Episode 3 'Echoes'
Between some classic Christmas carols and intense action, 'Hawkeye' also finds time to delve deep into the post-blip life of Clint Barton/Hawkeye/Ronin (Jeremy Renner. 'Echoes' shows a lot more of Maya Lopez/Echo (Alaqua Cox) and her past while also connecting the dots between her and Ronin. It's a lot to take, but the series that initially garnered mixed reviews for being lighter proves why it isn't as light as people expect it to be. With subtle easter eggs here and there along with trademark Hawkeye humor, the third chapter is exhilarating and leaves asking for more.
The episode picks up right where the premiere chapters left off and see some scintillating fist and arrow action between Echo and Clint that takes up a good chunk of the episode. Maya's past is briefly explained but packs quite some insights while also possibly hinting at a Wilson Fisk appearance. The onus is more on Clint and his past rather than Kate Bishop. For starters, he shed the Ronin life after being found by Natasha Romanoff during the events of 'Avengers: Endgame', and for him, her sacrifice was what brought back Hawkeye and killed Ronin, the more out-of-control self.
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Next up are those arrows. For years now, the collection in Hawkeye's quiver was always speculated and while there are regular arrows and some trick ones, 'Hawkeye' packs a not-so-subtle surprise in the form of a Pym arrow. 'Echoes' makes for a great watch. The post-blip Hawkeye is a man who's out of time, a very Steve Rogers' like statement to say, but it is true. The battle with Thanos also signified the end of an era, especially of the OG Avengers, and although he was one of the heroes who came out alive from the battle, it's made his mark on the archer.
There is a lot to process in 'Echoes' but the crisp writing makes it a lot smoother. The bond between Kate and Clint just gets better and for the first time, it feels like the perfect master-ward relationship. The bigger heroes have had it in the MCU. Tony Stark and Peter Parker set the tone, now it could be Kate and Clint. 'Echoes' just states that the series is getting started, and by the looks of it, there's a lot more than just Ronin's costume at stake.
'Hawkeye' releases on Disney+ with a new episode every Wednesday.