Staff Reports
Disney’s latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Echo,” has received mixed reviews since its premiere on Disney Plus and Hulu. The show features a deaf, Native American woman with a prosthetic leg as its lead character, which has garnered some acclaim. However, many viewers seem to be overlooking the show’s flaws in favor of celebrating its representation.
One reviewer on X praised the show for its representation of the Choctaw Nation, stating that it is the most important part of the story. While acknowledging that the story feels meandering and lacks stakes in the first few episodes, the reviewer still considers “Echo” to be a refreshing change of pace for Marvel TV.
In addition to the Choctaw representation, the inclusion of American Sign Language in the show has also been lauded. Some viewers, particularly those who are Native American and deaf, saw themselves in the lead actress, Alaqua Cox. They appreciate the doors that Cox has opened for representation of Indigenous Deaf Folks.
However, not everyone is impressed with “Echo.” Many find the story boring and believe that the show prioritizes diversity over quality acting, writing, and character development. Actor Brandon Saario called out Marvel Studios for allowing activists to influence their content, while YouTuber Shad Brooks expressed the opinion that forced diversity doesn’t make for an interesting character.
Despite the mixed reviews, the creators and cast of “Echo” are proud of their efforts to showcase diverse stories. Director Sydney Freeland, who is of Navajo descent, made sure to hire deaf and Choctaw writers to accurately portray the experiences of those communities. The entire cast and crew even learned ASL to accommodate Cox’s hearing disability during filming.
While “Echo” is the first in a series of shows under the “Marvel Spotlight” banner, it still requires some catching up for fans. Characters from previous Marvel shows, such as Daredevil and Kingpin, prominently feature in the story. As of now, “Echo” has a 73 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 69 percent audience score.
Overall, the reception of “Echo” is divided, with some celebrating its representation and others criticizing its storytelling.
