Marvel’s Echo was one of the most anticipated series of the year (and within the entire expanded universe), but it unfortunately rummages to ground itself far more than it succeeds in becoming something indelible. Its first downfall is the distribution schedule because all five episodes of the series should’ve never been available at once, for it requires far more attention and discussion. Its second is that in attempting to be on the grittier side, it doesn’t focus nearly enough on its star and the heart of the series.
In every way where it matters, Alaqua Cox’s astounding embodiment of Maya Lopez makes the series worth its salt and the character one who’s worth following to the ends of the earth. (There’s a reason we wanted a series focusing on her after Hawkeye.)It’s clear from the very first episode that writers Marion Dayre and Amy Rardin want to do right by the Choctaw Indigenous nation, and the representation that is far too rare within the fictional superhero world, but every storyline outside of Maya’s falls under the cracks of a convoluted plot. This fumble also includes Kingpin, who feels out of place even when he’s an unmistakable part of the story and her past.
In a nutshell, the fight sequences are riveting, and the production design is thoroughly engrossing, but the characterization is almost nonexistent. There’s no precise direction to the plot from the second and third episodes, involving only a few sprinkles into Maya’s past that make the finale great but still, unfortunately, lacking. In the hands of another actress, Marvel’s Echo would be the most forgettable series, which is entirely heartbreaking because she’s one of the most memorable parts of Hawkeye.
Perhaps Marvel’s Echo also falls under the same odd curse that Black Widow did, coming in at a time when it is almost too late to evoke the strong emotions necessary for a spotlight character journey. Alaqua Cox is more than capable of starring in her own series and taking the driver’s seat in a narrative—she is, after all, the sole reason why the show works. But the scheduling of it all feels off. When we’re following her familial journey and the critical conversations that are supposed to propel us toward the next step, the series feels like something that’s captivatingly unique. However, it loses all equilibrium when the plot jumps back and forth.
When Cox’s performances show us something gripping in Maya that we should hold onto, the plot pushes toward an arguably confusing narrative that feels devoid of any heart or vulnerability. Thus, when we get to the finale and see the payoff of ancestral powers and Maya’s win, as gripping and as beautiful as it is, it still feels like something is missing there. It’s as though the series is incomplete, not because there’s an ambiguous ending but rather because the execution takes too many loops. There are also beats that feel far more toned down than they should’ve been, which could likely still be Disney’s decision to remain family-friendly despite dipping its toes into darker themes.
As much as Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and The Punisher are part of the canon universe, the edginess in Marvel’s Echo still feels relatively tamed. Yes, it’s grittier than the series that came before it, but it still holds back. It’s infused with plenty of great things and is one of the better Marvel shows, but much of it falls on Cox to carry a legacy we know very little about. Ultimately, it leaves us wanting more of Maya Lopez’s character, but the question is whether we will even get there. If nothing else, Cox’s performances are worth every minute of the series, along with some of the heartwarming moments that lead to a restorative homecoming.
Marvel’s Echo is now streaming on Disney+.
Official Poster Credit: ©Marvel