Since Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox) made her debut appearance on the small screen in Hawkeye, many of us were wondering when we might see her again – especially after how things ended between her and Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio). Fortunately, we now have the Echo series to answer some unanswered questions.
The mini-series (consisting of five episodes) takes place five months after the events in the Hawkeye. Fisk’s organization is on Maya’s tail, and she ends up back in her hometown, unsure of where to go and who she can trust. On her journey, Maya must tie up loose ends, make amends with friends and family she was forced to leave behind and figure out how to get Fisk’s goons off her back.
Directed by Sydney Freeland and Catriona McKenzie, Marvel Studios’ Echo is a refreshing entry into the MCU lore. With a limited number of episodes, the team behind the series gives viewers an in-depth look at Maya’s history regarding her ancestry, family and further ties to Kingpin. It’s been a while since I’ve been invested in a live-action superhero series, and Echo didn’t disappoint. Although it has some of the brutality of Daredevil, it doesn’t try to copy it. Whether it’s Kingpin taking out his frustrations on a man in an alleyway or Maya proving her worth on a mission for Fisk, Echo did not pull back on its punches.
Aside from the action in the series, the best things about Echo are its story and performances. Alaqua Cox shines as Maya Lopez. A true star, she easily commands the screen and puts everything she has into her portrayal of Maya. Cox was born for this role, and I am excited to see where she takes this character outside of this series because it would be a shame not to see Maya take her place in other MCU shows and, hopefully, films.
Vincent D’Onofrio is always a treat to watch as Wilson Fisk. Whether in Daredevil, Hawkeye or Echo, D’Onofrio makes his presence known. He has been unnerving as Kingpin since he first began playing the character, and it’s no different in Echo. D’Onofrio and Cox had great chemistry, and watching their dynamic shift over various series episodes was intriguing. As big of a character as Kingpin is, I was glad that the series never strayed away from the fact that this is meant to be about Maya, her family and her legacy.
In fact, one of Echo’s biggest strengths is its characters. The supporting cast, Chaske Spencer as Henry, Devery Jacobs as Bonnie, Zahn McClarnon as William, Cody Lightning as Biscuits, Graham Greene as Skully, and Tantoo Cardinal as Chula, were fantastic in the series. Not only did all of the actors have phenomenal chemistry with one another, but every character gave something meaningful to the story.
Aside from the characters, the most essential part of Echo is its Indigenous storytelling. From Julia Jones as Chafa, one of Maya’s ancestors who was the first Choctaw and rescued her people from a cave-in, to Morningstar Angeline as Lowak, a Choctaw woman who competed in Stickball to Dannie McCallum as Tuklo, the first woman lighthorseman. Chafa, Lowak and Tuklo playing a part in Maya’s ancestry and people’s history was an element that put the puzzle pieces of the series together in an informative and exciting way. How Choctaw legends, folklore and mythology were weaved into Echo was a sight to behold.
While Echo doesn’t reinvent the wheel in terms of the cat-and-mouse dynamic that plays out on-screen, where it differs for the better is its emphasis on family and the vital light it shines on Indigenous traditions and stories. This is the heart of the series and this is why the series, as a whole, but specifically the last episode pack such a powerful punch. I’m very much looking forward to seeing more Maya Lopez in the future.
Muses of Media 
Leave a comment