Advancements for deaf, indigenous and amputees in cinema: Marvel’s ‘Echo’ truly resonates with its audience.

 In the beginning of 2024, Marvel released the new series Echo, played by Alaqua Cox, an amputee and the first deaf, indigenous person to have a solo series in MCU  continuing the storyline of comic Book character Maya Lopez. 

Originally, the character Maya Lopez, AKA Echo, a deaf Native American is first introduced in Daredevil #9 in 1999. Maya has photographic reflexes allowing her to mimic anything she sees, this is portrayed, especially during combat but in her incredible musical abilities, despite being deaf. 

More recently she was introduced into the 2021 series, Hawkeye, played by Alaqua Cox, an amputee and the first deaf, indigenous person to have a solo series in MCU. Reviews seriously debate if she should be considered a hero or anti-hero, or even a villain, but one thing is for sure. This thrilling yet emotional rollercoaster of Maya’s connections with herself, her family and ancestors, and her powers will have you in tears while on the edge of your seat. 

This eerily silent yet action packed series follows along with Maya Lopez’s traumatic origin story of how she came to be Echo, and her journey for revenge and power.  While fueled by vengeance, she uses her abilities and training to try to find the person who killed her father. These stories slowly overlap throughout the series because her father worked for a main antagonist of the series, Kingpin before his death.

From Rotten Tomatoes, the show's description follows this pattern: “Maya Lopez's ruthless behavior in New York City catches up with her in her hometown; she must face her past, reconnect with her Native American roots and embrace the meaning of family and community.”

Alaqua Cox starring in Marvel Studios new Echo breaking stereotypical boundaries and paving the way for a more inclusive future in cinema (Google Images)

Below you will find various episode recaps for those to get the full breadth of the ending review. If you don't want to encounter spoilers, please avoid

Episode 1: Chafa

Introduction to the emotional rollercoaster of Mayas’ traumatic childhood and family, especially her cousin and childhood best friend, Bonnie. Mayas’ mother was killed in a car crash when she was a child. After this, she left her hometown with her father who worked for Kingpin. The episode follows the relationship between her and Kingpin.

Episode 2: Lowak

After turning her back on her former colleagues, the tracksuit mafia and more, and being chased out of New York, Maya heads back to her hometown, Tamaha, Oklahoma. Despite obvious lingering family resentments following her and her father leaving the town and actively trying not to alert her family that she was in town, she reaches out to her cousin, Biscuits, for help with her new plan. Overthrowing and becoming the new Kingpin. During this she discovers a new power connected to her ancestors.

Episode 3: Tuklo

As family resentments resurface, the race to capture Maya continues. They catch up to her in her Uncle Henry’s roller rink. As her uncle tries to reason with her they are captured leading to an action packed battle for Maya's abduction. Unexpected twists and turns as new characters are reintroduced into Maya's life. This extremely action packed episode ends with Maya's Success, but inevitably it didn't work out as expected.

Episode 4: Taloa

Unwanted reunions arise and the past relationship between Maya and kingpin is slowly revealed in this, what I believe to indisputably be, most action packed episode so far. Maya is given a life changing offer to help with her situation but she refuses. Henry and Maya begin to try and figure out what is happening with Maya's visions and learn about her ancestors and the power their connection holds.

Episode 5: Maya

This season finale follows the long awaited thrilling faceoff we have all been waiting for, but in an unpredictable way. This heartfelt, spiritual episode shows Maya embracing the power of her culture and ancestors and rekindling with an extremely unexpected visitor to help guide her. Maya has to use her newly discovered powers to save her family and ended up breaking emotional barriers and resolving some mental traumas and resentments from the past.

This show is what I believe to be a perfect depiction of a series too short. It was a very engaging, and spirited show but It could have been a little longer. Some characters were introduced but not given a chance to be a part of the plot or given much personality. People who aren’t a fan of subtitles would probably turn this show off immediately but if you actually pay attention and give it a chance it might surprise you.

Echo is a perfect mix of action packed fight scenes and moments that will be pulling on your heartstrings. With the captivating storyline, lively family and interactions with classic characters such as Daredevil, I believe if continued, this season has the potential to be the start of a great MCU series.