Hawkeye Review: Ronin (Season 1 Episode 5)

The penultimate episode of Hawkeye is not here to play!

Hawkeye Season 1 Episode 5, “Ronin,” is the girl’s night we won’t soon forget with the return of two iconic Marvel players and lots of juicy emotional trauma to unpack.

Clint’s spin-off demonstrates a capability to set up intricate twists and thread storylines together in ways that elevate the larger plot. However, it still operates within a smaller lens, holding on to that gritty character-driven pacing for dear life.

Hawkeye is doing something none of its predecessors have; it’s telling a condensed and complete story. A story that makes time for the little things, like Kate aggressively leaving Clint a dozen unhinged voicemails.

“Ronin” is a pivotal chapter, where the imploding conflict caves to emotional payoff. It forces the ensemble to clean their wounds and hold their loved ones tight.

Kate and Eleanor share an authentic “you want to be a hero” discussion that hones in on the fragile optimism of Kate’s youth. Echo softens as she admits to Kazi she is out of her depth. Oh, and Clint and Laura continue to prove we were robbed of their superiority.

Here we are, thinking we are desensitized to The Snap, just for Yelena to destroy us with a new perspective. I would like Marvel to stop turning gutwrenching scenes into works of art.

This episode’s clever move to remove almost all physical conflict allows these characters to regroup and Yelena to monologue. That woman’s mind goes to fascinating places, and I am here for it!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Her!

Yelena Belova is my role model. I will roll with this unhinged fashion iconic all day, every day.

Hawkeye gives Yelena this episode to do as she pleases, and in return, Florence Pugh provides us with a performance. She chews up the scenery with that over-the-top Russian accent while savagely bagging on Kate’s living habits.

Yelena steps effortlessly into Kate’s world with her wit. She jokes about killing Kate in one breath and asks her for the best city sites in the next. Kate’s whiplash heightens this comedy as she tries to get a read on Yelena.

This girls night between Steinfeld and Pugh, two of the industry’s top talents, over a bowl of mac and cheese is a series high (and a terrific film reference). Their back and forth dialogue is mesmerizing, highlighting such a fantastic female dynamic here.

If Hawkeye is willing to give us this much of the beloved Belova, it deserves to reap the rewards.

Tis the Season for Villainy

Hawkeye‘s villains have earned that coal in their stockings!

This series has introduced a whopping number of villains, each with a clear role in this madness and precise motives while taking nothing from Kate and Clint’s journey.

“Ronin” gives depth to weaker villains from past series and allows us to piece together Sharon, Val, Zemo, and Fisk’s grander roles here. There’s a storm brewing, and that could make way for thunderbolts.

Eleanor revealing herself as Fisk’s rose couldn’t have been orchestrated better with Yelena tracking her to Daredevil‘s Presidential Hotel, only for Kate to receive that damning photo of Kingpin — our Kingpin, Vincent D’Onofrio!

Clint’s confirmation that Fisk is the man he fears is followed spectacularly by offbeat humour as the episode plays out with “you’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch.” What a brilliant note to exit on as we go into No Way Home with Murdock’s return looming.

This new roster of villainous recruits will be the gift that keeps on giving long after this series concludes. I cannot wait to see these baddies wreak havoc across the MCU.

Welcome to the Club

The chances of Kingpin hiring someone to kill Maya’s dad were high. That doesn’t make the reveal less poignant as Clint forces Maya to face Ronin. There are contradicting points here, however.

Clint acknowledges Ronin didn’t kill by a code, and that rage blinded him from seeing the real enemy. At the same time, he is not empathetic for killing her father, and his explanation is more of an excuse.

It is a jarring segway from the Clint wracked with grief and regret.

I assume he is playing a part, refusing to show weakness to ensure Maya doesn’t take another swing. That said, the dialogue is stinted and struggles to convey this.

Awkard exchanges aside, Hawkeye does a great job of forcing Clint back into the Ronin persona in a way that makes sense. Of course, the persona he turned to after losing his family would be the persona he turns to when he needs to protect them.

However, Clint has a long road to redemption, and “Ronin” is a setback for refusing to unpack his actions properly.

Don’t Ruin Christmas, Clint Barton

This episode features Kate Bishop, Yelena, and Kingpin! If Hawkeye were a holiday chocolate calendar, it would be giving out full-sized candy bars every damn day.

Hawkeye is running laps around other Marvel series, and I have no clue how it plans to close out this festive tale, but I need it to keep this level of excellence.

It not only has the potential to orchestrate a triumphant ending. But, as a thriving entity that stands independently, this series can set up future projects coming off as insufferable — that is the jackpot for Marvel.

So, do not ruin Christmas, Clint Barton. Make this last shot count.

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The final episode of Hawkeye premieres Wednesday, December 23, on Disney+.

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