"Hawkeye" Episode 5: A Big Reveal, Kingpin, and a New "Ronin"
"Hawkeye" episode 5, titled “Ronin”, delivers a thrilling episode filled with shocking revelations, captivating action sequences, and a major MCU crossover that has fans buzzing. This episode sees the return of Yelena Belova and a face-off between Kate Bishop and Clint Barton, but the biggest surprise comes at the very end, with the appearance of a familiar face from the Netflix Daredevil series, setting the stage for a potentially game-changing development in the MCU.
A Time-Shifting Start and Yelena’s Mission
The episode starts with a chilling cold open that unfolds in 2018, featuring Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and her fellow Black Widow agent, Sonya, as they attempt to de-brainwash another Widow agent. The scene cleverly illustrates the impact of the "blip" — Thanos’s snap in Avengers: Infinity War – by showing it from the perspective of someone who blinked out of existence for only a moment before reappearing. This time-shifting device effectively highlights the five-year gap between the events of Avengers: Endgame and Hawkeye, while remaining engaging and economical with the show’s runtime.
The cold open sets the stage for Yelena’s mission, which has been revealed in the Black Widow post-credit scene. She is now hunting Clint Barton, believing he killed her sister Natasha Romanoff. This backstory motivates Yelena’s actions, adding a layer of emotional complexity to the show’s central conflict.
The Return of Ronin
As the episode progresses, Clint Barton is forced to confront his past as Ronin, the ruthless vigilante identity he assumed after the "blip". Clint visits the Avengers memorial, reflecting on Natasha’s sacrifice and his own guilt. "I do my best every day to earn what you gave me. I miss you", he states, hinting at the emotional burden he carries. Later, he dons the Ronin suit, stepping back into the shadows to confront Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox), who has been chasing him down as she believes he killed her father. In a thrilling and well-choreographed fight sequence, Clint confronts Maya and reveals that it was her boss who orchestrated her father’s demise. This twist adds a layer of complexity to Maya’s motives and her relationship with Clint.
Kate’s New Ally or Enemy?
Meanwhile, Kate Bishop continues to play her part in this tangled web of events. She tries to distance herself from Clint after witnessing Yelena’s threat, but she inevitably finds herself drawn back into the action. She also begins to uncover the truth about her mother, Eleanor, and her connection to the mysterious Jack Duquesne. Although she initially doubts Yelena’s intentions, Kate eventually starts to see her as a possible ally, especially as it becomes clear that Yelena is not the only one after Clint’s life. This creates a dynamic interplay between the three characters, raising the stakes and adding new dimensions to the show’s plot.
The Shocking Return of Kingpin
The episode reaches its climax when Yelena reveals that she has discovered who put a hit out on Clint. In a message to Kate, she reveals Eleanor’s connection to the infamous Wilson Fisk, aka Kingpin, played by the same actor, Vincent D’Onofrio, who portrayed him in the Daredevil series. This jaw-dropping reveal throws the entire narrative into disarray. The appearance of Kingpin is a significant event for the MCU, as it represents a crossing over of characters and storylines from different series and platforms. It creates a sense of expansiveness and opens up a multitude of possibilities for future storylines involving Hawkeye, Daredevil, and other interconnected series.
The MCU’s Expanding Universe & the Future of "Hawkeye"
The appearance of Kingpin in Hawkeye is a clear sign of the MCU’s intent to weave together various storylines from different series and platforms. It suggests a greater interconnectedness within the MCU. With Kingpin’s involvement, the stakes for "Hawkeye" have been raised significantly, and the final episode is sure to be a dramatic showdown that will have lasting implications for the MCU.
The episode has left fans with many questions. Will Maya team up with Clint and Kate to fight Kingpin? Will Eleanor confront her connection to Kingpin? And what will the future hold for Yelena after her mission to kill Clint backfires? All these questions, and many more, will hopefully be answered in the finale of "Hawkeye", which will be a must-watch for fans wanting to see how this season ends and where the MCU will go next.
