Hawkeye

How does one rebuild after tragedy? And more importantly how does one rebuild after triumph?

 For Clint Barton or Hawkeye that's not an easy question to answer. As one of the last of the original six Avengers, Clint's life has been one danger infused after another. His loyalty to S.H.I.E.L.D. then the Avengers was second to none. His loyalty to his family is just as strong if not stronger. While Clint may regain his family when the blip was reversed, he is still haunted by his life decisions during the five-year period and the one decision that was completely out of his control. 

How does one rebuild after tragedy? And more importantly how does one rebuild after triumph? 

When the aliens attacked in New York in 2012, Kate Bishop lost her father; but was saved by the Avengers archer. While at her father's funeral Kate knew what she wanted to do and moreover who she wanted to be.

Roughly three years after the half the world's population resurfaced and a week before Christmas, Clint Barton is getting in some much-deserved family time with his three children in New York. Meanwhile 22 year old Kate Bishop is home from college, but a dare that involved her archery skill has her under her mother's wrath. To make matters worse, Kate's mother, Eleanor informs her that she is engaged. Kate is not thrilled with the sudden engagement and takes an immediate dislike to her mother's fiancé.

Later that night, Kate witnesses a secret auction which included the selling of the Ronin suit; the masked assassin responsible for so many deaths during the five years of the world's population disappearance. When the auction is interrupted and an elderly socialite murdered by 'the tracksuit mafia,' Kate stupidly takes the suit and marks herself as the prime target for the mafia.

Now on the run, the only person that can help Kate is her hero, Hawkeye. Although hesitant at first, Clint becomes impressed by Kate's abilities. However, in the midst of helping Kate, Clint becomes a target for not one but two assassins who have their own personal grievances and will stop at nothing to end him.

As compared to WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Hawkeye was refreshingly light-hearted and fun. Setting it during Christmastime definitely added to the humor, however there were still deep undertones of loss, grief and redemption woven into the storyline. Kate took a while to get used to, especially with her constant fangirling of Hawkeye but she really came into her own by the end. Having Yelena Belova return for vengeance against Clint regarding her sister's death was brilliant and she absolutely stole the show in every scene she was in. 

Seeing the Barton family again is always a delight and watching how Clint devotes everything he does for the safety of his family. I especially love his relationship with his wife, Laura and how her support is Clint's backbone for his work. All around, Hawkeye was fun and a relief from the politics of Falcon and Winter Soldier and the heartbreaking trauma of WandaVision. Clint has always been a strong side character and has certainly deserved his own show.