“Echo” is an excellent addition to the Marvel cinematic universe. All five episodes of the show were dropped at the same time, allowing me to binge it all in one sitting.
We were first introduced to the main character Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox) in “Hawkeye” where she was the leader of the Tracksuit Mafia and an associate of Kingpin.
“Echo” starts with a blend of new scenes from Maya’s childhood and a recap of scenes from “Hawkeye,” a reminder I very much appreciated. Showing Maya’s backstory created an early emotional bond to the character–something often lacking in recent Marvel projects–by showing her and her family as a kid.
Alaqua Cox, like Maya, is deaf. The show makes great use of American Sign Language. It flows and feels natural and is easy for the viewer to follow along with. It was refreshing to have the opportunity to see different people’s experiences that I don’t get to normally see on screen.
This show is more grounded and down to earth, due to things such as small town setting and lack of powers for the majority of the show. This differs from other Marvel shows we have gotten in recent years, which I appreciated.
“Echo’s” TV-MA rating allows the show to explore more mature themes as well as some extremely violent show-downs. The brutal and bloody deaths are both cool to watch and they showcase how dark Maya’s life is.
I loved the brief cameo of Daredevil (Charlie Cox), despite how short it was. This fight between Maya and Daredevil made me more excited for the upcoming show “Daredevil: Born Again.”
This show is way better than I was expecting. Honestly, the only reason I started watching was because it was a Marvel show. I was expecting a mediocre show that I would watch once and then forget about like so many other recent shows. Thankfully I was wrong.
Marvel Studios’ “Echo” is a triumph: offering a compelling blend of diversity, emotional depth, and nuanced storytelling. Whether you’re a die-hard Marvel fan, a follower of Netflix-era shows, or simply seeking captivating entertainment, “Echo” is a must-watch.
You can watch “Echo” on Hulu or Disney+.
