Hawkeye episode 3 - in which I am shocked by how amazing the Hawkeye show is!

I was emosh seeing Maya’s flashback scenes. This is the kind of rep I really enjoy seeing for disabled characters - Maya as a POV character and Clint, too. The way they used sound or lack of sound in those POV shots. Showing the communication barriers and opening a door for a conversation about culture clashes within the Deaf and HOH communities. I KNOW a lot of hearing people are going to feel confused by Maya’s reaction to Clint’s hearing aid, but if that’s not your community, try to listen rather than flash your hot takes. (It’s not my community either.)

I do appreciate showing diversity within disabled communities. Maya is even boxing other disabled people! It’s in the details people.

Both with Makkari and Maya, this is why it’s so important to hire disabled actors. The scenes hit differently. Would love to see more disabled folx behind the screen as well. Lauren and Alaqua have bulldozed over all excuses for not hiring disabled actors. Please let me never suffer through another CGI amputee villain again.

I felt so much seeing Maya’s scenes. I want a thousand episodes of Maya Lopez. I’m so happy we’re seeing Native rep in the MCU. Thankfully they’re giving her a show because she’s fantastic. And hot af damn phase 4 🥵 I’m really just tickled by Maya and can’t wait for more about her.

The rest of the episode is just so much fun. I love Hawkeye just being DONE with everything and Kate is really endearing. Her helping Clint with written text and understanding what she’s costing him was really touching. I like that Nat hangs so heavy over the show and this is about Hawkeye dealing with his troubled past. I feel for the guy but I also see Maya’s pain. And he’s gonna have Yelena after him! He’s just pissing off dangerous women left and right. I love that we’re acknowledging that superhero life is more than adventure and quips- it’s sacrifice and it may lead you to dark places.

Anyway I can’t believe this silly Christmas adventure is shaping up to be one of the best MCU shows so far. Didn’t see that coming. I prefer the more grounded stories (hence why TFATWS is my favorite). The action sequences are fun but my heart is with character stories. Sometimes I think it’s easier to be an MCU fan who hasn’t read the comics because I have so few expectations lol.

ETA: some folx have pointed out they zoom in and cut off Maya talking in ASL - hope this changes with time because folx deserve to see their language on screen.