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6 Takeaways From Marvel’s The Defenders’ First Weekend

Social media issues a verdict on Netflix series’ superhero team effort.

by | August 22, 2017 | Comments

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Marvel's The Defenders (Netflix)

Were you one of the many Marvel fans who binge-watched the entire first season of Marvel’s The Defenders this past weekend? Us, too! It marks Netflix’s super-heroic team-up and big bad showdown that’s been the bread and butter of comic books from the very start — and it did not disappoint. While there’s a lot to enjoy here from The Defenders’ eight-hour runtime, we’ve rounded up six of our favorite fan takeaways. See what you had to say below.

1. Audiences approve of this Defenders foursome

Marvel's The Defenders (Sarah Shatz/Netflix)

First thing’s first, a lot of people were looking forward to this Marvel series, with buzz brewing for months about how Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Luke Cage (Mike Colter), Matt Murdock/Daredevil (Charlie Cox), and Danny Rand/the Iron Fist (Finn Jones) would come to not only meet, but join forces against a common enemy. What would be the thing to bring them together? Thankfully, it was not the death of their beloved Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson) as some speculated, but rather the rise of the Hand with the immortal Alexandra (Sigourney Weaver) at its helm — or, perhaps, at its middle finger?

And while others had complaints about the series’ pacing in the beginning (there’s admittedly a lot of exposition in the first steps of getting these Marvel outsiders together), if the final hallway sequence of episode 103 didn’t dish out what you were looking for, you may want to recheck your dietary restrictions.

And did anyone else note the series’ use of color? The blue, green, red, and yellow-tinged frames while separately reintroducing our heroes allowed for subtle characterizations and was a fine bit of filmmaking.

2. Hate the Iron Fist? You’re not alone

Finn Jones as Iron Fist in Marvel's The Defenders (Jessica Miglio/Netflix)
 
There’s no other way to categorize the Marvel fandom’s write-off of Danny since The Iron Fist premiered earlier this year other than straight-up bullying — but we kind of like it? The Defenders Iron Fist jokes started hitting social media even before Friday. But the show seems in on the joke with Danny taking himself too seriously, and his three comrades — often hilariously — refusing to play along.

Lucky for Danny, other viewers ran to his defense.

It’s easy to pick on the guy, but it’s safe to say that no other moment from this first season had as much social relevance (and few others were as emotionally gratifying) as Luke calling Danny out on his white privilege. Plus, their relationship and constant banter overall was definitely a highlight this season.

3. Defenders fans loved to hate Sigourney Weaver

Sigourney Weaver in Marvel's The Defenders (Jessica Miglio/Netflix)

As Alexandra, people thought Sigourney Weaver did the villain role as The Hand’s HBIC juicy justice.

But that doesn’t mean others didn’t get excited when she met an early demise episode 106 at the hands of fan-favorite Elektra — mid-monologue, no less! That’s how you do a twist.

4. Krysten Ritter fans are vocal and many

Krysten Ritter in Marvel's The Defenders (Netflix)


Ritter as Jessica Jones stole her scenes with quippy jabs and unmissable reaction shots — as if you’re surprised?

5. Fans want justice for Misty

Simone Missick in Marvel's The Defenders (Sarah Shatz/Netflix)


For all you comic book lovers out there, the pieces finally began coming together for the Misty Knight (Simone Missick) we know and love from The Defenders source material’s classic pages. But it’s been quite the long time coming! Did you think Misty was given enough to do this season?

6. The Defenders aims for the funny bone

Charlie Cox, Mike Colter, Krysten Ritter in Marvel's The Defenders (Courtesy of Netflix)


Even if you didn’t like the series (and fair  enough, nothing’s perfect) …

…. we’d bet that there were some lines that put a smile on your face no matter your hot take on the series was.

So sit back and enjoy!

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