In 2020, the television industry aired 493 scripted shows across numerous outlets. The way people consume content now is different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, it's less necessary to provide ample coverage of each episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site provides shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of Disney+'s Hawkeye.
"Hide and Seek" was written by Elisa Climent and directed by Rhys Thomas
The world doesn't want brooding, mysterious heroes anymore. The people want their heroes to wear their hearts on their sleeves. That's why so many are celebrated in this world while Hawkeye is constantly overlooked. Kate is a massive fan. She wants Clint to sign her bow. That means so much to her. She has lots of big ideas for how he can improve his narrative. He needs some rebranding. Then, he will be just as famous and revered as the other Avengers. That's not what Clint hopes to pursue though. He just wants to resolve this unfinished business in the city before he can return home. He wants to be with his family for Christmas. That's his basic objective. He makes a promise to his daughter. His family knows the nature of his work is much more dire and unpredictable. It's dangerous. Laura hopes to remain a part of the conversation. Clint is honest and trusting with her in a way he is with few others. He wants Kate to listen to him when he orders her what to do. He does so knowing it's the best way to keep her safe. She is in danger. She needs protection. But she is also reckless. She is pursuing her own investigation. One where she believes Jack killed his uncle because Armand was threatening Eleanor. She has no evidence to back up that assertion. She simply believes catching Jack in a lie is enough to prove that he is lying about so much more in his life. Of course, Kate doesn't even know that Jack has the retractable sword. He took that from the auction. He sought it out. Kate did the same with the Ronin suit. She wasn't fully aware of the danger that wearing it would bring her. In fact, her secret identity isn't even kept for long. Even though she is aware of branding and overall identity, she wants to remain anonymous as this vigilante. Most of that comes from how inexperienced she is. She has lived a privileged life so far. As such, it's awkward as she strives for more than what the world seemingly expects of her. Of course, it's serious when the police contact her about the fire that happened in her apartment. She mostly just wants to blow that interview off. She does so awkwardly. Meanwhile, her mother has a plan set out for her daughter's life. She allowed Kate to pursue her various interests throughout her childhood. But she is expected to join the family security business. Now, Kate has already benefited from the technology made available through this organization. That's how she is so easily able to track people down. She found Armand after he was killed. She finds Clint after he allowed himself to be taken by the Tracksuit mafia. That truly is a terrible name. It's silly if they turn out to be the core antagonists for this season. They are being positioned as such. Their leader is kept in secrecy until the final moment. Clint wants to talk with her. He wants to resolve this conflict. Kate interrupts that plan. Clint didn't tell her what he was doing. She worries and panics. She needs his guidance. He doesn't plan on sticking around in her life for very long. But the two are bound together at this point. That's a certainty. They will have to face whatever the leader of the Tracksuits has planned for them. Of course, all of this remains a mystery. As such, the audience should be questioning what everyone in this world is truly capable of doing. The narrative actively wants the viewer to be suspicious of Jack. That could be hinting at his own villainous nature. Or it could be one massive red herring to pull off an elaborate reveal with another character - like Eleanor, for example. That means the viewer should largely be skeptical. In order for that to work, it's necessary for the audience to have trust at the center of the show. Clint and Kate do provide that. Their goals and ambitions are simple. The mistakes made feel genuine for a young adult trying to find her way in life. Clint is annoyed by that. The show has fun with that dynamic. That's rewarding as the show continues to slowly build up its world and plot. Plus, the extended sequence where Clint joins a LARP session is a complete joy. It's so trivial compared to the action he usually deals with. But he also extends empathy to a man who wants to be seen as a hero even though he can't compare to the Avengers saving the world. Clint has the capacity to let others be the stars. That's a skill he brings to everything as well.
The world doesn't want brooding, mysterious heroes anymore. The people want their heroes to wear their hearts on their sleeves. That's why so many are celebrated in this world while Hawkeye is constantly overlooked. Kate is a massive fan. She wants Clint to sign her bow. That means so much to her. She has lots of big ideas for how he can improve his narrative. He needs some rebranding. Then, he will be just as famous and revered as the other Avengers. That's not what Clint hopes to pursue though. He just wants to resolve this unfinished business in the city before he can return home. He wants to be with his family for Christmas. That's his basic objective. He makes a promise to his daughter. His family knows the nature of his work is much more dire and unpredictable. It's dangerous. Laura hopes to remain a part of the conversation. Clint is honest and trusting with her in a way he is with few others. He wants Kate to listen to him when he orders her what to do. He does so knowing it's the best way to keep her safe. She is in danger. She needs protection. But she is also reckless. She is pursuing her own investigation. One where she believes Jack killed his uncle because Armand was threatening Eleanor. She has no evidence to back up that assertion. She simply believes catching Jack in a lie is enough to prove that he is lying about so much more in his life. Of course, Kate doesn't even know that Jack has the retractable sword. He took that from the auction. He sought it out. Kate did the same with the Ronin suit. She wasn't fully aware of the danger that wearing it would bring her. In fact, her secret identity isn't even kept for long. Even though she is aware of branding and overall identity, she wants to remain anonymous as this vigilante. Most of that comes from how inexperienced she is. She has lived a privileged life so far. As such, it's awkward as she strives for more than what the world seemingly expects of her. Of course, it's serious when the police contact her about the fire that happened in her apartment. She mostly just wants to blow that interview off. She does so awkwardly. Meanwhile, her mother has a plan set out for her daughter's life. She allowed Kate to pursue her various interests throughout her childhood. But she is expected to join the family security business. Now, Kate has already benefited from the technology made available through this organization. That's how she is so easily able to track people down. She found Armand after he was killed. She finds Clint after he allowed himself to be taken by the Tracksuit mafia. That truly is a terrible name. It's silly if they turn out to be the core antagonists for this season. They are being positioned as such. Their leader is kept in secrecy until the final moment. Clint wants to talk with her. He wants to resolve this conflict. Kate interrupts that plan. Clint didn't tell her what he was doing. She worries and panics. She needs his guidance. He doesn't plan on sticking around in her life for very long. But the two are bound together at this point. That's a certainty. They will have to face whatever the leader of the Tracksuits has planned for them. Of course, all of this remains a mystery. As such, the audience should be questioning what everyone in this world is truly capable of doing. The narrative actively wants the viewer to be suspicious of Jack. That could be hinting at his own villainous nature. Or it could be one massive red herring to pull off an elaborate reveal with another character - like Eleanor, for example. That means the viewer should largely be skeptical. In order for that to work, it's necessary for the audience to have trust at the center of the show. Clint and Kate do provide that. Their goals and ambitions are simple. The mistakes made feel genuine for a young adult trying to find her way in life. Clint is annoyed by that. The show has fun with that dynamic. That's rewarding as the show continues to slowly build up its world and plot. Plus, the extended sequence where Clint joins a LARP session is a complete joy. It's so trivial compared to the action he usually deals with. But he also extends empathy to a man who wants to be seen as a hero even though he can't compare to the Avengers saving the world. Clint has the capacity to let others be the stars. That's a skill he brings to everything as well.
