Quick Pontifications on “The Defenders”

Nothing like a super pretentious-sounding title to kick things off, huh?

After 2 years and 5 seasons of television, we finally got Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist all together for The Defenders. Seeing as the how the first season was only 8 episodes long as opposed to the traditional 13, I finished it lickety-split and there’s some stuff I’d like to talk about so here we go...

The Defenders is, well, a lot of fun, but I’m saying that as someone who turned off the critical part of their brain (for the most part) so I could revel in the glee that comes from seeing these characters interact and share the screen. The same goes for the supporting characters who crop up throughout (alas, no Punisher…yet). No moment was a dull moment, really. Even when the team-up hadn’t happened yet and the show took some time to get us reacquainted with the characters and pick things up where their shows left off, just being in their individual stomping rounds again was so entertaining. It was that sort of excitement I haven’t felt since I saw The Avengers for the first time 5 years ago. I guess that means Marvel owns my soul now.

Where The Defenders unfortunately stumbles is, once again, the villains. The Netflix shows have been having trouble with their foes over the course of their runs, becoming as problematic as a few of the ill-fated movie villains, and The Defenders’ Alexandra (played by the Sigourney Weaver) is an example. There’s some facets of her character that the show introduces but never follows up on as satisfyingly as one would like. Even Elektra, back from the dead after dying in Daredevil, felt underwhelming, which sucks because having her be an antagonist to a team that includes the man she loves is something rife with potential.

Overall, I think The Defenders is the burst of energy the Netflix side of the MCU badly needed, and has me very excited as to where each series will go from here. I’m positive that over the next few days I’ll find more things to nitpick about, but I’ll enjoy the blast I had with the first season while I can.

Also, Punisher trailer. Gimme gimme.

Noah