The Defenders

If you've followed the Netflix MCU thus far, watching this is a no-brainer. Major events occur, and seeing these characters bounce off each other is amusing. However, even at only 8 episodes, it still feels bloated, and the villains are underwhelming. Daredevil's the MVP, naturally.

Everybody was Kung Fu fighting, those cats were fast as lightning. That is all.

This was interesting. In a lot of ways, it's the Avengers of it's universe on a much smaller scale, which is actually a good thing. What carries this is the characters themselves. Marvel did a good job of setting up all them up in their own series, so them coming together is like me watching the Power Rangers across all generations teaming up for a big event. Everything else is average at best, but it's a nice niche that we got something like this before the cancellation.

The Defenders should have been the TV equivalent to The Avengers; unfortunately the mono-tonal hero components make this show both disappointing and mediocre. The plot is most closely related to the Iron First, arguably the least interesting defender (Mistake 1). For a limited 8 episodes, it takes too long to get the protagonists together (Mistake 2), though their interactions are a better part of the series. The show also lacks diversity in its action, with everyone just punching and kicking.

As well as the Netflix/Marvel team up started, this is a terrible, poorly written mess.

It should've been the cherry on top of the icing on top of the cake. As it is 'The Defenders' ends up just about managing to collect the up shattered remenants of the Netflix MCU after the disaster that was 'Iron Fist'. There are some minor improvements to Danny Bland's character & the series best moments still all sit with Jessica Jones and Daredevil. Overall it's cheesy and fun, but is engulfed in plot holes and feels a fair distance from the high standards set by 'Daredevil' a few years ago

Given the overwhelming number of requirements (i.e. restrictions) a project like this must adhere to (backstory on each character must be provided for viewers who didn't see that character's series; truly dramatic character arcs are likely to be saved for their own series; multiple serious actors - even in the supporting cast - need to be given their moments to shine; 4 heroes requires lots of unimpressive goons to fight; etc), it's a small miracle this turned out as good as it did.

The more I reflect on this the more I have to conclude it a disappointment after three years and 65 TV episodes spent building up to it. This just isn't as thrilling, isn't as epic, isn't as climactic as what any of us wanted before its debut. Even the great Sigourney Weaver's villain and the fight scenes - so great in Daredevil - ultimately underwhelm. The high points of this series basically begin and end with it being cool seeing all these heroes and their supporting casts come together.

Bad guy explains to Iron Fist they need his power for their plan. They fight. Iron Fist says, "I know what you want and I won't give it to you." Iron Fist uses his power, fucks everything up. Why? Daredevil is still the best. Jones and Cage are still good and stylish and fun and interesting. Iron Fist is still garbage. Complete, stupid, nonsense. Everything is passable except the Iron Fist. They even took the best character from his show and made her boring. Kung Fu is fun, Iron Fist is shit.

Doesn't come close to Daredevil S1, Jessica Jones S1, or even Daredevil S2 or Luke Cage S1. After so many fantastic backstories of previous opponents, the fingers of the hand turn out to be annoying shallow little twats, only marginally more bearable than Iron Fist. I found myself only enjoying the Daredevil-only parts and some of Jones' input. Even Elektra was a disappointment here. Best (and only good) new character was Murakami:great natural acting, understandable actions and considerations.