The first season finale of Disney+’s and Marvel Studios’ Hawkeye concluded with its sixth episode entitled “So This Is Christmas?” which provided various exciting action sequences and some necessary drama to be infused into the MCU as a result. Following the pair of Kate Bishop and Clint Barton, the duo commences their final plan of defense from the Tracksuit Mafia, Eleanor Bishop, and Kingpin at Eleanor’s Bishop Securities Christmas Party. 

After the reveal of Kingpin’s business partnership with Eleanor, it is unveiled to the viewer that Eleanor was responsible for Armand III’s death in addition to working alongside Kingpin following her late husband’s death and subsequent debt that he owed to Fisk. Following the news, Barton and Bishop go out and attend her mother’s Christmas party which is under surveillance from the Tracksuit Mafia and Kingpin. After an attempted sniper rifle attack on Barton from Kazi on a nearby rooftop as well as Kate confronting her mother, Barton, Bishop, and the LARPers who are in disguise as servers help evacuate the building while Yelena and the tracksuit mafia are in pursuit of ending Barton, Bishop, and Eleanor as well. 

Some great action sequences persist with Kate and Yelena sharing some fun fight scenes with some laughs incorporated. Meanwhile, Barton is attempting to starve off the pursuing Tracksuit Mafia with some newly made trick arrows while the supposed villainous Jack Duquesne assists the hero’s efforts in evacuation and fighting off the Tracksuit Mafia alongside the LARPers. Upon doing a crash tree landing in the middle of Rockefeller Plaza, Barton and Bishop are trapped by numerous Tracksuit Mafia while Echo arrives and kills Kazi in a dramatic and emotional fighting sequence. Simultaneously, Kate and Clint dispose of the ensuing Tracksuit Mafia with a plethora of recently fashioned trick arrows. 

While Bishop goes off to locate her mother, she encounters Kingpin and Eleanor in a struggle. Also, Barton stays at the ice rink to battle with Yelena as Yelena continues to hunt him down to kill as a tribute to her fallen sister Natasha. After some time, Barton is able to appeal to Yelena and give the factual events that occurred after giving the secret whistle that Yelena and Natasha shared. The two resolve their difference and Barton looks to find Kate. 

Kate in a battle with Kingpin demonstrates toughness and skill, but also Vincent D’Onofrio’s (Full Metal Jacket) sheer power does not appear to be good for the young archer. However, Kate is able to use one of the new trick arrows that Clint and she made earlier to handicap Kingpin and allow for the police to arrive. Unfortunately, Kate reports that her mother is responsible for Armand III’s death and Kingpin escapes mysteriously. Echo encounters a hurt and stumbling Kingpin and shoots him in the head without remorse, setting up perfectly for an interesting prequel series for this character. The season concludes with Clint making his final arrival back to his home and family, accompanied by Kate and Lucky the Pizza Dog. After some presents, Kate begins to share some nicknames before the ultimate Hawkeye mantle is placed upon her by Clint and the season comes to a close. 

Hawkeye has, in my eyes, been the strongest input by Disney+ and Marvel Studios this calendar year. The action sequences have been gorgeous to follow along with the story world taking on a Whodunnit in New York something along the lines of an Arkham City or a Ghostbusters where New York City comes alive and also integrates the grittiness of the criminal underbelly. A fascinating turn of events in the MCU is the supposed shooting and death of Kingpin at the hands of Echo after Kingpin has made his unexpected return to the small screen following his appearance in Daredevil. However, the resolution of the first and expected final season provides some great final sequences in terms of a bait and switch with the villainous and heroic sides of Jack and Eleanor, two emotional interactions by Kazi and Echo in addition to Barton and Yelena, and not to mention the transition of mentor to mentee of the Hawkeye mantle. 

Rating: 9.5/10