'The Defenders' Is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

The Defenders season one is the culmination of the arcs from Daredevil season one and season two, Jessica Jones season one, Luke Cage season one, and Iron Fist season one.  It is the banding of the heroes of those shows – Matt Murdock a.k.a. Daredevil (Charlie Cox), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Luke Cage (Mike Colter), and Danny Rand a.k.a. Iron Fist (Finn Jones) – as they take on the Hand, whose endgame is threatening New York.

The series is so much fun.  It was one of the easiest one-sitting binge-watch I’ve ever had.  Rarely does it let up in its eight episodes.  It has cool fight scenes – especially in episodes three and eight – and packed with enthralling character interactions.  It’s not free from some dumb dialogue and elements, but it has a generally solid and immersive narrative.

The four leads all have great performances here – even Finn Jones, who redeemed himself from his mediocrity in Iron Fist – and shared endearing chemistry with each other.  Kudos also to the script which they have to work on, as it effectively shows off what each of their respective characters brings to table and develops them into a reluctant team forced to assemble due to circumstance and their common wish to help people.

The original incarnation of the Defenders in the comics – made up of Hulk, Doctor Strange, Namor, and Silver Surfer – is nothing like this live-action Defenders (the current incarnation though is now made to reflect its Netflix counterpart).  They share no common members or storyline.  But what the Netflix Defenders do reflect is the original team’s defining “non-team” theme.  It’s difficult for them to consider the idea of teaming up – as each one is used of doing their own thing.   And even when they finally do, they still don’t get along well.  Also, they didn’t even decide to name themselves as “The Defenders” or anything.  For them, it’s a one-and-done deal.  It’s the sort of dynamic that the original Defenders has.

In addition, the ribbing among them is pretty enjoyable, like everyone rolling their eyes whenever Danny Rand mentions that he’s “the Immortal Iron Fist” or any mystical stuff, or Jessica Jones ridiculing Matt Murdock in his Daredevil suit.

Aside from the four leads, the supporting characters from their respective shows also showed up in this series.  But except for Stick (Scott Glenn), Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick), and Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson), they don’t really add much.  In fact, the presence of some of them exasperated me a bit, as they somewhat hinder what the four heroes have to do.

As for the villains, well, everyone not named Elektra (Elodie Yung) is underwhelming.  Yes, Elektra is also in this show – having been resurrected by the Hand (after dying in Daredevil season two), with no memories of her past, and now serving as the Hand’s deadliest assassin.  She’s given a substantial character arc, making her the most interesting antagonist of the show.  On the other hand, the top members of the Hand, known as the Five Fingers – some of which have already been introduced in past shows – are individually pathetic and one-dimensional.  Even Alexandra (Sigourney Weaver), the leader of the Hand – who is supposedly the show’s “Big Bad” – is really unimpressive.  There’s some complexity to her, but in the end, she’s a disappointing character.  It isn’t quite explained why someone like her is the leader of the Hand.  Earlier, it’s implied that she will “get her hands dirty”, but it doesn’t happen.  In fact (SPOILERS), the show pulls a Cottonmouth on her.

But aside from the villains, one or two parts in the story that didn’t make sense to me, and a few annoying moments from the supporting characters, I think The Defenders has been pretty awesome.  It made me almost as giddy and delighted and spellbound as when I first saw The Avengers.  But more than the pleasure of seeing these characters together for the first time, the show manages to do something with this team-up that makes it greater than the sum of its parts.

Miscellaneous musings (with SPOILERS):

• For a while there, I really thought they would be killing off Daredevil.  That would be really ballsy.
• Near the end, there’s this well done scene that made you think Daredevil survived the demolition of the Hand’s building.  A silhouette was shown on top of a building – a pose that Daredevil is known for.  But then his hand glowed, showing it was Danny Rand.  It was brilliant red herring.
• Then in the final scene, it was revealed that Daredevil survived after all.  It sets up a very interesting season three of Daredevil.
• Is the “Danny Rand on top of the building” scene a hint that he will be temporarily taking on the mantle of Daredevil?  Man, I hope so.  That would be perfect.  In the comics, Iron Fist did pose as Daredevil for a while.  In addition, Matt’s parting words to Danny was, “Protect my city.”  It was addressed to Luke and Jessica as well, but it seems Danny took it more to heart since it was personally whispered to him.
• At the very least, I think that would inspire Danny to finally don an Iron Fist costume, which is similar to the initial ninja suit that Daredevil had.

• I hope that Jessica Jones gets to learn that she can fly, like her comic book counterpart – hopefully, in Jessica Jones season two.  Yes, she’s a great detective – that’s her character’s main shtick.  But during a fight, she’s just like a redundant, weaker female version of Luke Cage.  At least, if she can fly, it gives her a more distinctive “superhero identity” in their next Defenders collaboration.
• I already mentioned this in the past, but I’ll mention it here again: instead of giving season twos to Luke Cage and Iron Fist, I prefer a Heroes for Hire show.  Depict Luke Cage and Iron Fist as the iconic partners/best buds that they are in the comics.
• The foreshadowing of Misty Knight’s bionic arm thrills me to no end.  Can’t wait for her inevitable “Daughters of the Dragon” team-up with Colleen Wing.
• Moreover, these two deserves their own Daughter of the Dragon show.
• Marvel and Netflix should also produce respective shows for Moon Knight and Shang-Chi.  Then let them join the roster in Defenders season two.