Clint Barton and Kate Bishop

There were some beautiful and epic things about the recent Hawkeye series on Disney+:

• The inept Tracksuit Mafia
• The inclusion of a character who is both deaf and used a prosthetic
• The return of Yelena
• The use of sporadic subtitles when Maya was reading lips
• All the trick arrows
• LARP-ing!
• The reveal of Kingpin
• The entire ending sequence at Rockefeller Center
• Rogers: The Musical

But the most wholesome and most relatable element included in Hawkeye was the unlikely relationship between Kate and Clint. Clint is a seasoned Avenger who fought aliens, saved the world, lost his entire family, gained them back, dealt with the death of his best friend, and went through a dark period of being a ruthless assassin. Kate, on the other hand, is a spoiled rich girl who idolizes the Avengers and recently pulled a prank that resulted in a bell tower being severely damaged. 

Yet, over six incredible Die Hard-inspired episodes, Clint and Kate forge a really incredible relationship. It starts off light and simple, two unlikely people whose paths cross unexpectedly. But as things get deeper and more real, they really form a deep and abiding love for each other. It was fun to watch them throw coins, fight the baddies, get tied up, and banter. How could you not enjoy their conversations when Clint lost his hearing aid, and they were talking in circles? But the best moment for their friendship was when Clint was talking to his family, and Kate was tenderly writing down what they were saying so Clint could understand. It was a moment of vulnerability that really helped bond these two damaged individuals.

The relationship between Clint and Kate reminds me that we can’t always dictate who will enter our lives, and who will cross our paths in this life. If Glinda from Wicked is to be believed, then people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow, if we let them, and we help them in return. I’ve had so many people come and go in my life. Sometimes I would get frustrated that people would only show up for a few moments of my life. But I’ve learned to view relationships with other people as wonderful moments that may or may not last. I’ve learned to enjoy what they’ve brought to my life, how they’ve helped inspire me or support me or the humor they’ve helped me see. And I’ve learned to enjoy helping them in return, giving to them of myself, being vulnerable with them, sharing my experiences with them. 

But I’m rambling on about relationships in a review of Hawkeye. So back to the Marvel series. It was good. Lots of fun. Great action sequences. Terrific cast. Sharp writing. Clever direction. And I would totes watch it again next Christmas.