After appearing in five movies in the MCU, Marvel finally decides to give Clint Barton (Hawkeye) a chance. He didn’t have much development during those appearances (and not much of a personality either) due to lacking screen time. In the main scheme of the MCU universe, he just didn’t stand out. He didn’t have powers and only spoke every so often, sometimes with a sarcastic quip. Up against Iron Man and Captain America, Hawkeye was just a background character.

However, Marvel decided the best way to add more to him would be a television show.

Ever since the announcement, I was excited for “Hawkeye.” Despite having relatively no importance in the MCU, I managed to like him. I knew there was potential in him and we finally get his characterization similar to how he’s portrayed in the comics in this TV show.

Clint Barton, played by Jeremey Renner, is trying to celebrate Christmas with his family. It starts with what is supposed to be the end of his family vacation with his children. However, at the same time, there’s an introduction to a new character. A character many Marvel fans have been waiting for, knowing she’d eventually take up the mantel of Hawkeye (as she did in the comics): Kate Bishop.

The two cross paths when Kate delves into the world of superheroes by putting on Barton’s old Ronin suit he thought he got rid of as she tries to stop these invaders at a gala (which also was holding a black-market auction.) This brings enemies after Kate, trying to kill the Ronin and Clint has to stop it all while also having to get back to his family before Christmas.

The Christmas theming of this show is one of my favorite parts. I love holiday movies. The season always makes me warm and fuzzy. They just give off this fun, whimsical vibe. The characters throw out sarcastic comments every so often, which is my humor, so I find myself interested and entertained.

Even with the season, the show remains grounded. It has a very realistic plot, highlighting Barton’s PTSD from watching Natasha die in “Endgame,” pain, suffering, missing family, etc. He doesn’t have powers; he’s an archer. The episodes so far have shown this with his injuries and fighting skills.

Also, deaf representation becomes a huge deal in this show. Clint Barton is shown as hard-of-hearing, paralleling the fact that the character is deaf in the comics. This was a huge deal for many comic buffs who continuously called out Marvel for erasing such an important detail to the character. Also, another character Maya Lopez/Echo is deaf and has a prosthetic on her right leg. It’s so cool to see how far the MCU has developed in this sense.

With four MCU shows premiering this year, “Hawkeye,” so far, has remained one of the strongest. The characters are interesting with motivations that drive them and make sense to their characterization. There are hints to possible guests in the show (and a reveal for an anticipated guest since the middle of the year).

With so many possibilities for where the show will go with the last two episodes premiering in the next two weeks, it is easy to forget who the show is supposed to be about: Clint Barton and the passing of the mantel of Hawkeye. This show gives him the recognition he deserves from fans.