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The Reactor: Marvel’s The Defenders

Note from the Editors: Boukenred attended the New York Premiere event for Marvel’s Defenders and watched the first two episodes.

By Boukenred

Together at last, all of Marvel’s Netflix superheroes are now in one show. The pitch that Marvel used to approach Netflix has now become a full reality; each individual superhero has had their own unique show, and are now all together to defend on a brand new television series. The Defenders unites Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist together against a threat that they can’t fight alone. They must work together as a team in order to defend New York City. The Defenders stars Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock / Daredevil, Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones, Mike Colter as Luke Cage, Finn Jones as Danny Rand / Iron Fist, and Sigourney Weaver as Alexander. Supporting characters from the other Marvel Netflix shows will also make appearances.

The series takes place after the events of all individual series, specifically Daredevil season 2 and Iron Fist, Marvel’s previous Netflix series. The Defenders takes place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe; however, don’t expect the show to cross paths with the movie characters just yet.

 The first episode of The Defenders picks up where each of the characters has left off from the previous shows. A new story arc begins for each character in a different way, but they are unknowingly, all related to each other. Matt Murdock is working on a new court case, Jessica Jones is on a new investigation case, Luke Cage is searching for disappearing kids in Harlem, and Danny Rand is investigating The Hand’s organization. Suddenly, a mysterious earthquake rattles New York City, and all four are affected by the resulting shockwave. All four realize that there is something wrong going on, and suspect that the earthquake may be related to each of their own investigations.

The first two episodes of The Defenders focus more on each of the individual characters’ agendas, and it takes time for the story to develop to where they each encounter each other. The progression seems to build upon each character’s arc via the  many support characters, and the payoff when each of the four encounter each other is satisfying and memorable.

Marvel’s The Defenders

All four of the main actors all seems to have a great balance of screen time, and the story developed for the viewers feels natural and not forced. The premiere I attended only showcased the first 2 episodes of the show, and  demonstrated a greater focus on the four individual heroes and Sigourney Weaver’s character, Alexander, as the antagonist of the show. While there’s still not much known about her character through the first 2 episodes, Sigourney Weaver’s appearances showcase a strong sense of threat.


While each may have their own unique set of abilities and skills, The Defenders focuses its attention more on each of the characters’ color association that matches with their personalities. Daredevil is associated with the color red; Jessica Jones with purple; Luke Cage with yellow and Iron Fist with green. During each of the episodes, you’ll see the color associated with each of the characters, through lighting perspective and environmental background to match their unique color schemes.

Overall, the series is reminiscent of how The Avengers became successful when all of its members united as a team together all on the screen. The dynamic performances from the four heroes of The Defenders are a great combination, and another recipe for success for both Marvel and Netflix. This will be one show that many people can look forward to binging from Netflix, and should also appeal to all of the comic book fans of the individual shows. The Defenders will consist of 8 episodes this season; be sure to catch it premiering on Netflix on August 18th.

Here are a few pictures from the premiere event:

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