Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Hawkeye, “Ronin”, Review!

Hawkeye has brought the slow family drama to an Avengers threat level with this episode!  The reveal from last episode was that while Hawkeye thought he was fighting Echo on the rooftop, it turns out his mysterious opponent was not Echo, it was Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh)!  She of course appeared in the Black Widow (2020) movie, the adopted sister of Natasha Romanov, and trained in the Red Room as a Black Widow.  We hear in voice over Yelena talking about a “synthetic gas” that can counter the Red Room programming.  Then, the voice of Natasha (Scarlett Johansson) saying that Yelena should contact the Black Widows around the world.  So, we get the snowscape of trees and mountains in 2018.  Yelena and another agent, Sonya (Yssa Mei Panganiban), cross a rooftop and then enter the house where she greets Ana (Annie Hamilton).  The Black Widow takes on both former agents.  While Sonya holds Ana down, Yelena hits her with the red gas cartridge.  


They realize she is not under the programming and Sonya is stunned she can afford the expensive house.  Ana explains that she kills for money.  Later, Ana and Sonya bring up Natasha, Yelena goes to the bathroom to reflect.  Instead, she is dusted by the Snap, then returns to splash water on her face.  The room transforms and Yelena is surprised bringing up her Widow’s Sting.  She is stunned to see Ana with a family and doesn’t realize that time has passed for her.  We get the text, “5 Years Later”, Ana explains that she married and adopted her daughter three years ago.  Sonya had also left her old life behind her.  Yelena asks about Natasha.  Because of the involvement of a Black Widow, Clint ended his “partnership” with Kate Bishop.  She has returned to the mansion, battered and a bit sad, seeing her mother, Eleanor.  


Kate says that Clint had saved her and told her to go home.  We saw last episode that Eleanor made a mysterious call.  There is a mother daughter moment where Kate admits to having her dreams dashed, but superheroes don’t just give up, they keep on keeping on.  Kate says she and Clint have gotten evidence about Jack’s company Sloan Limited.  Eleanor promises to check on it.  The mystery is Eleanor’s part in all of this, she could bring in a Black Widow, maybe a former Black Widow herself?  Eleanor is involved with someone who has criminal ties, but may or may not be drawing him in.  Just like Kate and Eleanor, Maya’s wounds are checked on by Kazi.  He signs and whispers that she can admit that it is painful.  Maya brings up the other trained woman.  Kazi wants her to give up her revenge against Ronin.  



Kate enters her ruined apartment, her name is called, and she throws a bottle that is caught by Yelena.  She has made macaroni waiting for Kate Bishop, Yelena likes using her full name, but Kate is angry about the fight.  It is a clever moment with Yelena trying to make Kate feel comfortable in an uncomfortable situation.  Clint is walking to the apartment of Grills who lets him in.  Yelena is says that she is there on business.  Kate brings up Yelena using her full name and the former Black Widow mentions all of her details.  Yelena admits she is there to kill Clint and wonders why Kate is ignoring his time as Ronin. If it is not Eleanor, then it must be the “uncle” who wants to eliminate the Ronin.  Kate defends Clint.  Yelena saves it was Natasha who saved the world.  It looks like a little revenge is also part of her mission.  Also, that Clint will be in some trouble, this should have been brought in earlier.  Yelena leaves with a threat to Kate and falls out of the window.  


Clint gives Pizza Dog some pizza while Grills offers him a couch rather than a hotel.  Back at the mansion, Jack is being arrested for tax records.  Kate hugs her mother who admits that she checked on Sloan Limited.  Jack forgives her and says he will be back for the Christmas party.  Eleanor just stares at him.  We get a placard of the Avengers Memorial.  Clint stares at it, takes out his hearing aid, and then speaks to Natasha.  Clint says she was the bravest of the Avengers, he wants to live up to her sacrifice, and apologizes for his next action. The past for Clint can't be ignored or forgotten.  At her room, Kate tries to call Clint with several messages.  Ivan is driving the Trust a Bro truck when an arrow strikes the windshield, it has a message, for Maya to find Ronin at the first place they met.  Clint later calls up Laura to tell her the family is compromised, they have the watch, and he has to end the situation with Maya.  The confrontation in this episode of Hawkeye leads to more surprises, involving Yelena, Kazi, and Eleanor!  


Four Trick Arrows out of Five!  


#Hawkeye, #Ronin, #FlorencePugh, #YssaMeiPanganiban, #AnnieHamilton, #ScarlettJohnsson    


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