TV Review : Iron Fist ; Episodes 7 -13
Series continues to stumble, then falls flat on its face
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| Rand looks puzzled, a common look during the series that never really changes. |
I wanted to like Iron Fist. I really did. I had hoped that the initial problems with the series would be gradually ironed out as the show gained momentum. Granted, it did not have the ferocious pace and shocking realism of Daredevil, but it yet showed in the middle of the series that it might grow into something decent. Instead, the character of Danny Rand never developed, and interesting characters were benched in favour of the badly written mediocre ones that we had started with.
In the middle of the season Madame Gao and the Hand lifted the series, and hinted at a greater story arc more interesting than the Meachums. Unfortunately, Gao was soon sidelined by an offshoot leader of the Hand, unconvincing played by Ramon Rodriguez. Danny is later joined by an old ally from home, Davos, who likewise has neither the physical presence nor the lines that can help prop up the ailing show. Even a competent veteran actress like Rosario Dawson, who was so good in Daredevil, cannot help when given cringingly bad lines in a plot that lurches around awkwardly, then ends with a disappointing anti-climax.
But the main problem is the character of Danny Rand himself. He shows no growth or development, and continues to be the vehicle for the amateurish writing, that as many critics have pointed out, violates the golden rule of visual drama and great stories ; "Show, Don't Tell" . Rand and Colleen continue to spew out awkward and cringe-worthy dialogue as they point out the obvious and look like idiots, being outwitted by not particularly witty villains. The main villain now becomes again David Wenham, who continues to ham it up as Harold Meachum. He seems more suited to the sneaky take-over of a country club than a part of New York. Although the character of Ward Meachum becomes mildly interesting, the final battle is embarrassingly bad and leaves us still caring little about any of the main characters. Throughout, the feel is of a cheap production thrown together for daytime TV, rather than the high quality Marvel/Netflix collaborations we have become accustomed to. Disappointing.
5/10
In the middle of the season Madame Gao and the Hand lifted the series, and hinted at a greater story arc more interesting than the Meachums. Unfortunately, Gao was soon sidelined by an offshoot leader of the Hand, unconvincing played by Ramon Rodriguez. Danny is later joined by an old ally from home, Davos, who likewise has neither the physical presence nor the lines that can help prop up the ailing show. Even a competent veteran actress like Rosario Dawson, who was so good in Daredevil, cannot help when given cringingly bad lines in a plot that lurches around awkwardly, then ends with a disappointing anti-climax.
But the main problem is the character of Danny Rand himself. He shows no growth or development, and continues to be the vehicle for the amateurish writing, that as many critics have pointed out, violates the golden rule of visual drama and great stories ; "Show, Don't Tell" . Rand and Colleen continue to spew out awkward and cringe-worthy dialogue as they point out the obvious and look like idiots, being outwitted by not particularly witty villains. The main villain now becomes again David Wenham, who continues to ham it up as Harold Meachum. He seems more suited to the sneaky take-over of a country club than a part of New York. Although the character of Ward Meachum becomes mildly interesting, the final battle is embarrassingly bad and leaves us still caring little about any of the main characters. Throughout, the feel is of a cheap production thrown together for daytime TV, rather than the high quality Marvel/Netflix collaborations we have become accustomed to. Disappointing.
5/10
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