Echo

Marvel’s Echo

Rating: MA (R)

Streaming: Disney +

Director: Sydney Freeland and Catriona McKenzie

Writers: Marion Dayre, Joshua Feldman, Jason Gavin, Steven Paul Judd, Ken Kristensen, David Mack, Ellen Morton, Joe Quesada, Amy Rardin, Rebecca Roanhorse, Shoshannah Stern, Chantelle Wells, Bobby Wilson

Production: Marvel Studios & The Walt Disney Company

Leading Cast: Alaqua Cox, Chaske Spencer, Tantoo Cardinal, Graham Greene, Vincent D’Onofrio, Thomas E. Sullivan….

Tagline: No Bad Deed Goes Unpunished

I really wasn’t interested in this storyline as I am not a fan of movies which focus on the villain and try to make them heroes. I waited until there wasn’t much else out there I wanted to watch. After completely viewing the series, I read the various comments. Apparently, Disney and Marvel made the mistake of pandering and failed because of it.

They alienated true fans of hero stories by choosing to focus on a villain. However, they promoted this as an R-rated dark and gritty show but didn’t make it dark enough for those people who enjoy the twisted evil side of life reflected in film. So the series ended up having no real audience.

I loved the series, Hawkeye, which introduced Echo’s main character, Maya. As I watched this story unfold, I found glaring inconsistencies which seriously detracted from even the possibility of enjoyment. The worst error was in having no subtitles when characters communicated only via sign language. I often even couldn’t read their lips because they weren’t speaking. So, the audience lacked the ability to engage with the characters. Huge mistake.

After looking up who wrote the series, I now understand the other glaring error of inconsistency. They had 13 writers for 5 episodes and the result was a disjointed overall plot and lack of character development despite the fine skills of the actors.

I did enjoy Maya’s transformation from selfishness to the family protector. However, in order to truly make this villain into a heroine, they needed the ‘coming to Jesus’ moment. Her realization she had made bad choices previously and regretted those decisions. Her seeking repentance and forgiveness. Without this needed element viewers are left with an unfinished and incomplete series conclusion. Thus the feeling of dissatisfaction expressed in so many comments.

The first episode was displaced. Yes, we needed to know the Choctaw history for the ending, but the weirdness was so unexpected it didn’t engage the viewer in the plot. I like that Disney and Marvel consulted the Choctaw nation and weaved Marvel superhero elements into the Native Indian mythology. It just wasn’t implemented well. Again, this is probably due to the fact that there were too many writers on the project.

Honestly, it was better than I had expected. I liked that it wasn’t as dark and gritty as it was promoted to be. But, it could have been so much better if they hadn’t tried to make it edgy and gritty. If they had truly made this villain into a hero it would have improved the series greatly. I will keep hoping Marvel will go back to what made their movies great. Until then….