Echo Easily Captures Attention in First Episode
Echo's backstory in episode 1 includes familiar faces, giving the series an excellent start
Echo’s premiere episode does what any good series should do; it grabs your attention and keeps it. There’s a mysterious ancestral flashback, followed up by great performances that make me want to keep watching. If the first episode of a new series ends and you immediately want to go to episode 2, that’s a win. Also, I would gladly rewatch the first episode and that hasn’t always been my experience with other shows.
Alaqua Cox plays the lead character Maya Lopez in the Disney+ series Echo, continuing her stellar role from Hawkeye. This episode immediately hooks you with the story of the Choctaw people. A group of people are in a cave and one scoops water into her hands from a special well, which then seems to give her some kind of power after drinking it.
The cave then begins to collapse and all of them seem to dive or fall into the well, but they do not die. They seem to be saved after reappearing above ground (and possibly in another world), but it’s a perfect introduction for any show. It immediately makes us ask several questions, including, does she have special powers from the water? Will Maya inherit those powers and what will that look like onscreen?
Familiar Faces Come Back Again
Zahn McClarnon returns as Maya’s father William Lopez after appearing in Hawkeye, while Vincent D'Onofrio and Charlie Cox return as the loveable duo of Kingpin and Daredevil. The emotional bonds between Maya and her father drive home the rage she feels after his death, and subsequent manipulation from Fisk.
Maya has this unstoppable determination when she sets her mind to something. There’s certainty in her will to do what she wants or thinks is best. In this case, Fisk betrayed her and nothing mattered other than killing him, avenging her father’s death. As we all know in stories, particularly with our Marvel heroes, everything is not always what it seems (e.g., Daredevil, Fisk, or Bucky’s “deaths”).
Maya shooting Fisk at the end of Hawkeye left the door completely open for him to return again – as if there was any question to begin with. Am I right? It seems impossible that the creators behind the show would’ve let such an iconic character die (so soon). D’Onofrio’s charisma as Fisk is hauntingly powerful, so having Echo and its star character go to war with that larger-than-life person makes sense. He pulls you into the TV set, even though his presence is a little terrifying. What will he do next?
Though, one thing is clear; much like Daredevil’s ambition and unrelenting drive to take down Kingpin, Alaqua Cox brings that same energy to her role. This means Echo has an established dominate chemistry between its main characters and nothing is better than such a dynamic push and pull. Well, that and a great storyline. So far, Echo absolutely pulled me in the right direction and I wanted to keep watching the next episode.
Where Will Echo Take Us Next?
Much like the Percy Jackson series on Disney+, Echo has given fans a glimpse of the season ahead after episode 1 concludes. It shows Indigenous tribal dances, Maya running and jumping on top of a speeding train, and it seems to indicate a grand war between herself and Fisk, spilling into her hometown.
Not only does Echo episode 1 give us a great start, it also continues to highlight representation for Indigenous people and the deaf community. In an interview with Variety, Cox explains the importance of such roles, saying, “People would come up to me right away, and they say, ‘We’re so proud of you for getting this role and being able to show authentic representation of Indigenous people. Our ancestors are so proud of you.’”
It’s always great to see people responding so positively to diverse representation in TV and film. It’s incredible to watch Echo and be fully immersed in Cox’s character; what she’s signing, her facial expressions and body movements, and the absolute hammering she puts on people when they try to mess with her. Seeing her stand her ground with Daredevil clearly shows her skillset and how capable she is moving forward.
What Did You Enjoy from Episode 1?
Have you watched Echo yet? What did you like the most about the series premiere? If you don’t mind keeping your thoughts to the first episode, I would greatly appreciate that as I will be diving into the show one episode at a time.
Also, does Maya and her ancestors have some form of super powers? If so, how powerful of a character could she be? She’s already tough as nails and clearly can handle herself against the likes of Daredevil and Hawkeye.
Needless to say, this is a very entertaining first episode and I am definitely ready for more.