Hawkeye returns with an action-packed episode; however, it misses out on key plot developments that would serve to move the show forward.
This episode is bound to strike an emotional chord with the audience, making both Echo and Hawkeye sympathetic characters.
Episode three of Hawkeye ramps up the pace with two action scenes that are a joy to watch. Hawkeye and Kate Bishop get to show off their skills in an excellent way, both with the multitude of different arrows and the skill both archers show. Echo also gets time to shine, with an emotional origin showing why she is after Ronin. It also teases a major reveal that hopefully will be shown quickly.
The two action scenes take up most of the time in this episode. The first is a lengthy escape sequence, where Hawkeye demonstrates his fighting abilities without his bow. This scene is too long and takes up too much of the episode. The car chase is much more fun, with Kate showing off her skills as an archer, expressing surprise and excitement using the different arrows. The music is jolly and upbeat, which fights the Christmas tone that the show has.
Hawkeye and Kate share an emotional scene together this episode. As Hawkeye’s hearing aids are smashed, he cannot hear what his son Nathaniel is saying over a video call. Kate translates for him, where the kid is asking when Hawkeye will be back for Christmas. The scene adds to the urgency Hawkeye feels to get back to his family in time for Christmas; creating a heartfelt moment to watch on screen.
However, this urgency is not felt in the plot of the show, with no new information about the Tracksuit Mafia or the murder mystery. While the narrative pace has picked up for Hawkeye, this hasn’t translated into a slew of reveals that would move the story along.
Meanwhile, the audience doesn’t feel the same sense of urgency that Hawkeye does, partly because the number of days before Christmas hasn’t been established, and there have been no reveals about either of the two crises that our heroes are facing. Despite the slowness of the past three episodes, it looks like the fourth might finally start answering some questions about these problems.
The shorter episode length this week means that this problem is worsened. Episode three could have run for another ten minutes, expanding on where the show left off. This means that episode four will have to pick up with it, slowing the show down.
Overall, this episode is an improvement over last week, as it shows more of the chemistry between Hawkeye and Kate, and with a fun, dynamic action scene. However, the plot is still light on reveals that would thrust the show into overdrive, and with three episodes to go it is looking unlikely that it will be able to wrap up its criminal conspiracy and its murder mystery in a satisfying way.
Hawkeye is available to stream on Disney+
By Kieran Burt
Feature image: Disney