Marvel’s The Defenders (Netflix)

[DMBZeppelin]

Release Date: August 18th, 2017

Synopsis: Marvel’s The Defenders follows Daredevil AKA Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Luke Cage (Mike Colter) and Iron Fist AKA Danny Rand (Finn Jones), a quartet of singular heroes with one common goal – to save New York City. This is the story of four solitary figures, burdened with their own personal challenges, who reluctantly realize they just might be stronger when teamed together.

Starring: Charlie Cox, Krysten Ritter, Mike Colter, Finn Jones, Sigourney Weaver, Rosario Dawson, Jessica Henwick, Elodie Yung, Rachael Taylor, Eka Darville, Elden Henson, Deborah Ann Woll, Scott Glenn, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Simone Missick.

Showrunners: Douglas Petrie and Marco Ramirez

Trailer #1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h3m7B4v6Zc
Trailer #2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_6J9BqgonU
Trailer #3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNwjRfSldM0

[DMBZeppelin]

Two episodes in and it's pretty good.

If all you watched was Daredevil (both seasons) and Jessica Jones you could get by without seeing Luke and Iron Fist.

Iron Fist as a character is worlds better in this show in the hands of competent directors.

[chadizzy1]

Originally Posted by DMBZeppelin

Two episodes in and it's pretty good.

If all you watched was Daredevil (both seasons) and Jessica Jones you could get by without seeing Luke and Iron Fist.

Iron Fist as a character is worlds better in this show in the hands of competent directors.

Okay good, I haven't watched Luke or Iron Fist.

[junior94]

so, apparently they released the very last trailer like late yesterday afternoon? because especially with how all episodes really are online right away (as opposed to say, the premiere broadcasting today but then it was a week til next ep) why in the world would you have bothered watching that?

[WidespreadMule3]

Originally Posted by junior94

so, apparently they released the very last trailer like late yesterday afternoon? because especially with how all episodes really are online right away (as opposed to say, the premiere broadcasting today but then it was a week til next ep) why in the world would you have bothered watching that?

I saw that trailer drop yesterday and all I could wonder was why? Just seems silly. I purposefully avoided it because I knew I'd be devoting part of my weekend to watching the season.

[chadizzy1]

Starting this today, I have 3 more days of vacation so I figured I'd knock this out.

What's everyone think of it?

[aeroshady]

I am six episodes deep and like it so far.

[chadizzy1]

This review has spoilers, but I read the main points:

http://uproxx.com/sepinwall/the-defe...-one-review/2/

1. Even at eight episodes, it still doesn’t have enough story to fill the time.
2. It keeps repeating the same points over and over, even as it presents evidence to the contrary.
3. It leans too much on the team’s two dullest members, and marginalizes the two most interesting ones.
4. It wastes Sigourney Weaver.
5. The fights are a real mixed bag.

Then this one:
https://www.gq.com/story/the-defenders-review-netflix

"The Defenders Review: Netflix's Superhero Team-Up Is a Letdown"

Then this one:
https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/8/1...eight-episodes

"The Defenders is overcrowded and poorly written. But it’s also a lot of fun."

I've seen more good reviews than bad, but these are some of the bad ones I saw.

[aeroshady]

Originally Posted by chadizzy1

This review has spoilers, but I read the main points:

http://uproxx.com/sepinwall/the-defe...-one-review/2/

1. Even at eight episodes, it still doesn’t have enough story to fill the time.
There are a few scenes that seemed like they were just added as fill. Asa result some characters do minor things that seem out of place.

2. It keeps repeating the same points over and over, even as it presents evidence to the contrary.
Not sure what this means to be honest.

3. It leans too much on the team’s two dullest members, and marginalizes the two most interesting ones.

This is a matter of opinion. I like all 4 characters and think they do a good job splitting the focus. I am guessing Matt and Jessica are the two they want more focus on?

4. It wastes Sigourney Weaver.
Kind of. I just think it is weird she was not really introduced until this show considering the role she plays.

5. The fights are a real mixed bag.
Never really understood this complaint so I can't comment.

Then this one:
https://www.gq.com/story/the-defenders-review-netflix

"The Defenders Review: Netflix's Superhero Team-Up Is a Letdown"

Then this one:
https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/8/1...eight-episodes

"The Defenders is overcrowded and poorly written. But it’s also a lot of fun."

I've seen more good reviews than bad, but these are some of the bad ones I saw.

Thoughts are above in bold.

[WidespreadMule3]

I'm 6 episodes in and pretty disappointed.

I'll spoiler just for safety.

Why I'm disappointed...
-It took 3 episodes (of 8) for the team to come together
-Sigourney Weaver has been a boring baddie. (The Hand in general is too)
-The fights are short and individual (where's the team battles?)
-Danny Rand is so whiney (My parents are dead - wahhh!)
-I'd say Iron Fist is worse in Defenders than IF S1
-The plot is barely moving.

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

And for those reasons I'm not thoroughly engaged with this season so far.

[UCFish]

I guess I will watch...just a shame that the quality of these Netflix series seems to be in decline.

[Jake]

first 2 were slow. But Iron Fist/Danny Rand is a brazillion times better than in his show.


ep 3 picked up. And that's where I left off. I'll polish it off by the end of the week probably.

[junior94]

I'm in the middle of episode 4. What kills me is, I know they (unfortunately) don't really directly reference much stuff in the film side of the MCU, all of it still happened in this universe. and yet even as crazy as a lot of that has been, Luke and Jessica are having the amount of trouble that they are believing what's happening in the Defenders story so far, that it's real? c'mon. You're living in a world where a literal god fell out of the sky one day, and hey that's right not long after a whole race of aliens flew thru a wormhole, right in the goddamn sky above the city you're currently standing in.


and yea not exactly awesome that it took the entirety of THREE episodes for them all finally to get in the same physical space. Not when we're shortened to 8 here.

also for what it's worth, I think it's fair and reasonable to wait at least one week from release date to openly talk about spoilers in here.

[aeroshady]

I finished the season last night.

I thought it was okay-to-good, but not great. I don't think 8 episodes was enough to pull off what they were trying for and as result it ended with a missed opportunity to be a great series. A 15-20 episode season would have done this series a lot of help.

As for that characters, I don't think any of them were bad, just rushed. I also think Iron Fist was fine in this show, but I actually like him, even if he is my lest favorite of the 4. I am curious to see if the other shows do pick up again to the quality of DD season 1 or JJ season 1.

[junior94]

okay gotta say, there was something in the beginning of episode 6 that really kinda shocked me.

When they're all in that warehouse place and Stick's just beheaded Sowambe(sp?), they're talking about realizing the Hand's main plan is all about taking and using Iron Fist to act as a key. But so when the other 3 begin to advocate just removing him from the equation for everyone's safety, I just assumed what they were talking about was trying to hide him out somewhere isolated for the time being. But the more they talk, it becomes obvious simply "hiding" him is a Plan B, which means... Matt, Jessica and Luke were seriously contemplating just up and killing Danny right there? I mean I get that it would be really bad news if the Hand got a hold of him, but holy shit, that seems like a definitive decision they made AWFULLY quick.

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

[aeroshady]

Originally Posted by junior94

okay gotta say, there was something in the beginning of episode 6 that really kinda shocked me.

When they're all in that warehouse place and Stick's just beheaded Sowambe(sp?), they're talking about realizing the Hand's main plan is all about taking and using Iron Fist to act as a key. But so when the other 3 begin to advocate just removing him from the equation for everyone's safety, I just assumed what they were talking about was trying to hide him out somewhere isolated for the time being. But the more they talk, it becomes obvious simply "hiding" him is a Plan B, which means... Matt, Jessica and Luke were seriously contemplating just up and killing Danny right there? I mean I get that it would be really bad news if the Hand got a hold of him, but holy shit, that seems like a definitive decision they made AWFULLY quick.

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

I did not get that impression at all.

[junior94]

^^ really? Then what do you think they WERE talking about initially, to get him out of the way, if not what they just wound up doing?

[WidespreadMule3]

Finished this last night and aside from the finale I was pretty disappointed. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't very good. DD is also the only character that I actually have faith in their storyline. Luke is a great character but his season was so blah (at least the second half was).

Maybe Punisher will reinstate some faith in Marvel/Netflix.

[junior94]

I've got one episode left. one thing I really wasn't particularly thrilled with at the end of episode 7

when Danny finally summons the Iron Fist again in his fight with Elektra (which, I didn't really get why it was taking him so long to be able to do) he suddenly becomes the most useless fighter in the world? Seriously, he was throwing punches and making moves like he was in his very first karate class or something. Extremely convenient way for her to get him to punch that wall for her to open it up.
I really hate it when characters who have displayed a great skill at something, suddenly suck at it for seemingly no other reason than the plot needs them to.

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

[DMBZeppelin]

Originally Posted by junior94

okay gotta say, there was something in the beginning of episode 6 that really kinda shocked me.

When they're all in that warehouse place and Stick's just beheaded Sowambe(sp?), they're talking about realizing the Hand's main plan is all about taking and using Iron Fist to act as a key. But so when the other 3 begin to advocate just removing him from the equation for everyone's safety, I just assumed what they were talking about was trying to hide him out somewhere isolated for the time being. But the more they talk, it becomes obvious simply "hiding" him is a Plan B, which means... Matt, Jessica and Luke were seriously contemplating just up and killing Danny right there? I mean I get that it would be really bad news if the Hand got a hold of him, but holy shit, that seems like a definitive decision they made AWFULLY quick.

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

no that's not what they were implying

Not sure how you can watch Daredevil and Luke Cage and think either would ever go for that.

[junior94]

yea, which is exactly WHY I was so shocked

But again, tell me what their first idea was then, if the backup, plan B idea was basically having him run away and hiding him separate from the rest of the group and the Hand.

[MOWJO8185]

Just finished episode 3. This show is the definition of "just fine", but I still sort of geeked out when all 4 of them appeared together for the first time, which I feel like is sort of the point.

[Roose13]

Watched the episode. Looks fine so far. Shame they made Danny Rand such a whiny bitch.

[DMBZeppelin]

Junior

The initial plan was for all 4 of them to take on the Hand. Once they realize Danny is the plan they realize he can't go with them to destroy the hand. That be delivering what they want to their doorstep.

They obviously want to hide him, but Danny isn't willing because he thinks its his job to destroy the hand. At no point do the other Defenders want to murder him.

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

[chadizzy1]

Was going to watch it this weekend but everyone I know who is a comic geek has ranged from "it sucks" to "meh" on this show.

[Roose13]

Originally Posted by chadizzy1

Was going to watch it this weekend but everyone I know who is a comic geek has ranged from "it sucks" to "meh" on this show.

It's mindless entertainment. I don't care if others thinks something sucks or not. People want Oscar-winning performances with these shows all the time. Meh, just enjoy the fancy superheroes

[WidespreadMule3]

It's background noise worthy.

[junior94]

Originally Posted by Roose13

It's mindless entertainment. I don't care if others thinks something sucks or not. People want Oscar-winning performances with these shows all the time. Meh, just enjoy the fancy superheroes

Actually I think that's kind of a weak go-to for this stuff. Generally people aren't demanding or expecting like the Sopranos equivalent to a comic book show or anything, but still there's no reason something simply can't have quality writing.


although, now that I have properly finished it a day or two ago, eehhh... I can't lie, I did walk away somewhat disappointed. Ironically, I'm not sure if the length was a significant reason why or not (after so many of us, including myself, have complained that for some of the individual series 13 eps was too long and they didn't have enough new story). although when your run is 8 eps long (& at least a few were only like 50min off top of my head) to not have all 4 heroes finally in the same damn room together until the very end of hour 3... that's questionable.

I mean I definitely liked it, it wasn't by any stretch "bad", but I was hoping it'd be the best series of the whole run so far, and it was not. Daredevil S1 I'd probably still call the best. So, better than "meh", but certainly not "great".

[junior94]

dmbzep

Yes, of course I realize the truly initial plan is for the 4 of them to completely jointly fight and end The Hand. But I just looked at this whole sequence in question one more time. When they start to converse over the newly decapitated body and come to grips with Danny being the Hand's target, well I think what is absolutely without question is that Stick is very quick to the notion they should kill him (tho which is not totally out of his character) and Luke says "I know it sounds crazy, but I think it's the only way". You even see Stick start to raise up his katana in the background, not that he's literally going to make the fatal chop right that second, but that it's in his mind already.

But again, them coming to realize they absolutely must keep Iron Fist out of the Hand's grasp, you can see Luke and Jessica at least are very uncomfortable with the thought that's now in their minds, and then Luke says to stick, like he JUST thought of it, "listen Stick maybe we should just lay low, or just HIDE him". Then after Danny tries to put forth his own defense of remaining in the fight, Jessica obviously begrudgingly asks "so then how do you suggest we hide him?", so that that was a new thought as well.

and so, as I put forth before, if that was their backup, half measure-sort of idea, I don't know what in the hell what would've been their first "really don't want to but it's for the greater good" idea if it wasn't killing him.
But alright I'm gonna at least try to find some others takes on this if I'm not completely off my rocker

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.