IR TV Review: HAWKEYE - EPISODES 1 & 2 [Marvel/Disney+]
The crux of "Hawkeye" rests in the context of guilt and repercussion. While Episodes 1 & 2 simply set up the texture of what the fate of Clint Burton is or might be, it only infers at what might befall his track. The series opens in 2012 during the attack on NY while The Avengers are defending against the initial attack which shows a young Kate Bishop seeing Hawkeye help save her indirectly. This motivates her to become an archer (Burton later makes a small but interesting reference to Katniss as a joke). Hailee Steinfeld plays the 22 year old Bishop who has her own elements she is dealing with. A structure of reflection to Ronin brings the alertness of Hawkeye back into the fray causibg their paths to cross seemingly by fate. The mythology of what Burton did after the snap when his family disappeared is key but also the reflection that Natasha/Black Widow sacrificed herself for in "Endgame" (so Burton could come back to his family).
As a result, the undercurrent of dread is there even if it not quite explained yet. Some of coincidences are not quite clean enough but makes sense. The essence of possible repercussions in the bigger universe is of course clear. But it is Bishop's family including socialite mother Vera Farmiga and her new would-be fiancé that raises some flags. The Christmas orientation of the series makes it perfectly timed but also dates it. Renner seem to be leaning into the irony of his character but also the reflection of fame...of surviving and of circumstance. The first two episodes (especially the 1st one) set up the superstructure of the reality of what is being protected. A short phone call between Clint and his wife [Linda Cardellini] shows a deeper conversation which is an interesting diametric of how close to the edge that Burton as Ronin actually was. "Hawkeye" functions at an interesting point like "Black Widow" and "Wandavision" where the idea of what is before and after continues to bridge. B
By Tim Wassberg
