A very character-driven episode marks the beginning of the second half of the series, as Clint and Kate continue to investigate the Tracksuit Mafia, bond over a Christmas-themed brainstorming session, and barter for some new duds. Plus the re-introduction of another second generation Avenger, and hints at more spies in the family. The fun continues to build as “Hawkeye” continues to grow and expand the MCU in exciting new ways. So let’s talk about it!
As always, spoilers ahead!
1. “My Life As A Weapon”
I’ve made no secret of my affection for Fraction et al’s landmark run on the character – and it warms my heart that series creator/executive producer Jonathan Igla continues to pull from the series, and not just fun little Easter eggs (like Kate’s Laika the Space Dog shirt this episode), but sincere attempts to recreate Clint Barton’s soul-searching and, frankly, depression after living his life as a weapon. Clint even says as much to Kate in a poignant heart to heart. It’s a touching bit of gravitas to help audiences reconcile rooting for someone who is, essentially, a government assassin turned mass-murdering vigilante.
Speaking of weapons, the episode picks up where the last one left off, as Clint has his own retractable sword pointed at his neck by Jacques Duquesne, Kate’s step-father. The situation is quickly diffused by Eleanor, though the rest of the scene is filled with a playful menace as we continue to suspect Jacques is not on the level. He may not just be the charming cad he appears to be, and Eleanor’s persistence that Clint “drop the case” also begins to set off alarm bells. Nevertheless, Clint is able to complete the side-quest, and his Ronin suit and sword are back where they belong with a bit of slick thievery.
2. “You got good instincts, kid”
After a quick text to Laura to gather intel on “Sloane LTD” the company who employs TSM lieutenant Kazi, we find out that Jacques Duquesne is *indeed* involved in the criminal enterprise. Kate was right about her step-father, and at least one minor piece of the puzzle falls into place. Laura, continuing the conversation over the phone, asks about other pieces that may be missing from the Avengers compound and out on the open market, namely a vintage Rolex. Both Clint and Laura seem worried it may have fallen into the wrong hands…but why? More on that in a minute.
Just when we learn that Duquesne is decidedly not on the side of the angels, we get a terrific switcheroo moment, where Kate sees how happy Jacques makes her mother, dancing with her and serenading her, and sweetly getting his aphorisms mixed up. Can I just say Tony Dalton’s Jacques is goddamned delightful? He plays the line between mystery-man and goofy dad-joke dad so well, it’s easy to see why Kate begins to accept Jacques, even if she *is* concerned about the man’s past and motives. As Kate finds herself enjoying a warm familial Christmastime moment, she begins thinking about what Clint has given up this holiday season to help her out, and she springs into action.
3. Ugly Christmas Sweaters
In my favorite scene of the episode, Clint and Kate enjoy a mentor/mentee holiday party-slash-investigation brainstorm-slash-heart-to-heart. Clint, convalescing in their base of operations (aka Kate’s aunt’s apartment), frozen daiquiri mix packets taped to every aching body part and miserable at the thought of missing out on his family’s Christmas movie marathon night, is suddenly joined by Kate and Pizza Dog. Though bratty and impulsive, Kate shows just how pure of heart she is when she brings ugly Christmas sweaters (she calls them “new costumes”), pizza, and a bevy of Christmas movie DVDs. Over some mixed drinks and conversation, Kate and Clint break the case down, discuss trick arrows, decorate a Christmas tree, and have as normal a holiday night together as any two superheroes can have. Lesser writers would force some sort of flirtation with romance, pairing the older guy with the much younger girl and immediately make it weird, but again, mimicking the comic, Clint and Kate’s relationship is just a wonderful, beautiful kind of friendship based on respect, and as Kate prods Clint about losing his family during the Snap, and the dawning realization that Clint’s connection to Ronin is more than professional, she begins to understand Clint on a deeper level. Clint has now spent the better part of his adult life as a weapon, and though he was certainly capable of heroism, there is a darkness in him that doesn’t exist in Kate. Kate not only has a chance to be a better archer than Clint, she has a chance to be a better hero. As the emotions bubble too close to the surface, Clint cuts the conversation short. Kate goes off to bed, but Clint continues to brood, the memories of losing Nat and his life as Ronin continuing to haunt him.
Continued below4. The Rolex
Splitting duties, Clint spends the next day tracking down Kazi, while Kate tracks down the rest of Clint’s trick arrows. Kazi is (rather easily) found at one of the coolest used car lots I’ve ever seen, with not a car on the lot being made after 1980. It’s a vibe that makes me long to give Robert Altman’s “The Long Goodbye” or Peter Yates’ “The Friends of Eddie Coyle” a rewatch, and kudos to director team Bert & Bertie for the blatantly anachronistic look to evoke the same feel David Aja was going for on his run. Clint tries his best to convince Kazi to dissuade Maya to drop the search for Ronin, lest it get her killed. Kate, on the other hand, meets up with Clint’s LARPer pals, managing to get both the arrows back and negotiating with one of the LARPers for a couple new Hawkeye costumes.
But let’s talk about the Rolex, shall we? A relic of the destroyed Avengers compound, both Laura and Clint have taken an interest in recovering the object…but why? And why do we ever only see Laura on that farm, anyways? And how the hell is she so good at gathering intel anyways? I could lie to you all and say that I figured out that the Rolex is indeed Laura’s, and that Laura is, in fact, an ex-spy now retired and hiding out on the farm, but I’d be lying. Could Laura be the alias of Bobbi Morse aka Mockingbird? The internet is abuzz, but for now I’m just enjoying the ride. This is a wonderful new wrinkle in the MCU Hawkeye I hadn’t expected, and FINALLY Linda Cardellini, She Who Is Good In Everything, FINALLY she’s getting her due in the MCU.
5. The New Avengers
The episode wraps up atop an apartment building in a dynamic fight scene between our Hawkeyes, Echo/Maya, and a person decked out in all kinds of spy gear. The fight was a little clunky, I thought, with a few leaps in logic to get all the combatants there in a timely manner, and the big reveal struck me as more than a little weird. Yelena Belova, the new Black Widow, has been sent to take Clint out (you’d know this was inevitable if you had seen the post-credits scene in Black Widow – but I wouldn’t blame you if you hadn’t), but with no dialogue, and very little “face-time,” it honestly looked to me like actor Florence Pugh was on a completely different sound stage when she filmed her parts. It felt like when Forrest Gump got spliced into old footage meeting President Johnson. That being said – seeing two of the second generation Avengers together onscreen, however brief and clunky, was an exciting prospect. Recognizing she is outmatched, Belova dips out of the battle. Clint, understanding the danger he, his family, and Kate are now in, does the one thing comic book Clint would have done as well – he tries to cut ties with Kate. The Hawkeyes’ partnership is over.
Stray Arrows
– I really hope Vera Farmiga gets more to do in these last two episodes. I love her as an actor, but have been relatively bored by her Eleanor thus far.
– We got our boomerang arrow! Let’s hope it comes back at the end, yeah?
– We got another “Thanos Was Right” sighting – this time on Clint’s mug. Such a darrrrk sentiment, but I love it.
– Speaking of more to do – I really hope Echo gets fleshed out in her own series. She’s the story equivalent of Darth Maul at this point – she looks great, and seems imposing, but she’s just a reason for the Hawkeyes to battle. Let’s get some more scenes about her motivations, please.
– “When you do what I do, it’s just a game of managing loss, right?” – while previous versions of Renner’s Hawkeye seemed emo and dour – this line is said with a weary gravity, it made me appreciate this version all the more.
– I loved the ornament-flicking scene, another pull from the comics done to perfection.
– Was Renner’s ugly Xmas sweater Grumpy Cat? If so, it’s perfect.
So – what are your thoughts on episode four? Is Laura the MCU’s Bobbi Morse? (Sorry Adrianne Palicki) Let me know in the comments below!
