When discussing the trailers, I often noted that watching the characters play off each other was going to be one of the major highlights. This episode puts almost its entire focus on that and proves that theory correct.
Each of them has different motivations and, as such, not all are completely willing to keep the fight going. Both Matt and Jessica insist that this was a one-off freak occurrence and that they should all shake hands and part company. Luke is, at least, willing to follow through in the short term though he's not big on the team idea. Danny, on the other hand is quite enthusiastic.
I don't think Danny or his show warranted the hate that they got, but I do have to agree with the consensus that he works better as "kung fu labradoodle". Well meaning, easy going, friendly, maybe a bit naive. This is the more interesting and engaging characterization. It stands in stark contrast to the writers' tendency to make him this angry angst machine. This episode bucks the latter in favor of the former and allows Danny to get one of his best character outings to date.
This was also a solid entry for Jessica, who is given a small arc where she has to reconsider her commitment to the war. In other circumstances, one might chide her walking off as padding. I mean, we all know she's coming back, but it is in her character to scoff at the idea. I also can't fault her "this is way above my pay grade" logic. It somewhat echoes Stephen Strange's reaction when being told he was being groomed to fight eldritch abominations. Hero or not, there are some circumstances where you just have to go "nope, I'm out!"
If anything seemed forced, it was the attempts to escalate the debate between heroes into fist fights. Considering how Danny fared against Luke, Matt is lucky that the others stepped in to calm things down. While seeing the two martial artists fight may have been cool to watch, it seemed out of character. This is especially true considering how generally diplomatic everyone was. While Matt rebukes the team idea, he repeatedly compliments the others for at least having their hearts in the right place in regards to wanting to help.
The addition of Stick to the dynamic only helped. Sure, he was largely there for exposition, but Scott Glenn does it so well. He does get a few moments with Matt that build on their already established relationship.
The aforementioned exposition actually does pay dividends as we get some new information, such as the fact that the Chaste serve K'un L'un and that the Hand were once a part of it as well, but went rogue because they wanted to use their abilities for more self serving purposes.
Even with all of this, the Hand still feels very vague. It's made worse by the fact that this episode's time devoted to showing the villain's end hammers this in with cryptic dialogue aplenty.
We still don't know why they want to destroy New York. "Serving life" doesn't cut it. The talk of immortality also makes little sense as they basically have it. Alexandra has lived for centuries and they're able to bring the dead back to life. "They want power"...they have that too. It's peculiar.
They do save some face when Alexandra appears at the restaurant to taunt the heroes. Weaver's calm, civil demeanor works really well and belies her clearly sinister intent. Her exchanges with Luke were also fascinating and fun to watch.
We also learn that the Chaste, sans Stick, have been wiped out. It would have been nice to see Stick "getting the band back together" as he put it and witness their downfall, forcing Stick to retreat to the "amateurs". This does, if nothing else, continue the streamlining that the show has done in regards to various sub-plot threads that needed addressing. It also puts the burden back on the heroes as there isn't a rival ninja army to call on to save the day. There is, however, a gun toting vigilante and a wall crawling web-slinger. Just sayin...
The episode may have been light on action, but it was still a blast to watch. The writing and the characters were more than strong enough than carry the episode. It also ends on a crowning moment of awesome as Jessica runs down Elektra with a truck before rejoining the group, ready to stand with them against Alexandra and the Black Sky. I'm really looking forward to seeing the next episode. I have a feeling it's going to be another fun one.
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