When the announcement of the miniseries ‘Echo’ reached the ears of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s dedicated fanbase, there was a palpable sense of surprise. Echo, after all, isn’t normally the character at the top of one’s list for a solo endeavor, especially given the plethora of legendary figures in the Marvel pantheon who’ve yet to receive a mention. And considering that Alaqua Cox’s portrayal as Maya Lopez/Echo in the ‘Hawkeye’ miniseries didn’t quite paint her as a conventional heroine, the decision to roll out a series dedicated to her seemed a tad overzealous on Marvel’s part. Yet, against these odds, ‘Echo’ emerges as a respectable and intriguing standalone addition to the MCU that boasts some unexpected twists and turns.
Marvel’s present phase could arguably be coined as its most complex era to date. With the introduction of the multiverse, the franchise now poses a daunting challenge for fans hoping to bring uninitiated viewers into the intricate tapestry woven over 33 films and 11 series. To simplify the initiation, Marvel has launched the Marvel Spotlight initiative, geared at producing “grounded, character-driven stories,” with less of an emphasis on intermingling with the overarching narrative. With ‘Echo’ leading this movement, these narratives are designed for audiences who want to dodge the extensive prerequisites of the MCU.
This new direction may provide relief for potential fans intimidated by the vast continuity, yet it comes with its own set of challenges. This is evident from the outset, with the opening 48-minute episode of ‘Echo’ feeling like an overstretched recap of Maya Lopez’s journey—most of which was previously witnessed. Jumping off five months post ‘Hawkeye’, we find Maya with ambitions of ruling over Kingpin’s empire, unaware that her attempt on her adopted father’s life had failed.
The silver lining in ‘Echo’ is in its titular character’s portrayal by Cox, who encapsulates Maya’s tenacity and ferocity with grace. Additionally, the miniseries smoothly navigates her shift from an antagonist to the protagonist, bolstering this metamorphosis with poignant flashbacks. Building upon a formidable Native representation seen in ‘What If…? Season 2’, ‘Echo’ delves deeper, recognizing Maya as a descendant of the inaugural Choctaw woman graced with unique powers. Each episode commences at a point in history, chronicling the struggles of Maya’s ancestors and their ascent through determination and innate strength, converging inspiringly in the finale.
Beyond the protagonist, ‘Echo’ nurtures a supporting cast that, while not heavily contributing to the plot, play key roles in some of the most significant vignettes of the show. Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin leaves a lasting impression, and Cody Lightning’s Biscuits provides a memorable presence reminiscent of fan-favorite Korg. Furthermore, the series commendably portrays an Indigenous, deaf amputee as its lead without reducing these traits to mere tokenisms.
Despite these strengths, ‘Echo’ is not immune to criticism as it grapples with a diluted narrative at times. We witness Maya torn between allegiances to rival factions—one embracing ASL for communication, the other deploying augmented reality technologies to tragic ends. Familial dynamics reminiscent of Thanos and Gamora are present but lack further exploration or uniqueness.
Action sequences stand tall as Cox excels in intense physicality that are some of the franchise’s best, albeit at odds with the family drama vibe due to their graphic nature. While ‘Echo’ doesn’t revolutionize the superhero genre like ‘WandaVision’, ‘Loki’, or ‘Moon Knight’, it serves as a return to Marvel’s roots, creating a space for storytelling that avoids catastrophic stakes yet offers genuine entertainment.
In conclusion, ‘Echo’ streams as a much-welcomed departure within the Marvel collection. It paves the way for more intimate stories and showcases that a superhero narrative need not always risk the fate of multiple universes to succeed. Fans of the MCU, new and old, will likely find ‘Echo’s’ back-to-basics approach a refreshing tune to, well, echo. The series is currently available on Disney+Hotstar, where viewers can determine for themselves whether ‘Echo’ resonates with their expectations of what a Marvel venture can be.
