‘Iron Fist’ Season 2 Doesn’t Pack a Punch

By Sarah LaLond

Marvel’s genius, billionaire and philanthropist, Danny Rand, played by Finn Jones, came back on Sept. 7 in season 2 of “Iron Fist” on Netflix. However, unlike Tony Stark, Danny isn’t a compelling character.

Every other Marvel Netflix TV series has 13 episodes — besides the eight episode crossover show “The Defenders” — but this season of “Iron Fist” only has ten. The individual episodes are also consistently about 50 minutes, which is different from the variable 50-70 minutes of run time of other Marvel shows.

According to a July 29 article published on IGN, Cindy Holland, the vice president of Netflix’s original programming, said, “I think to a large extent, it’s up to the creator and the pace that they are creating intentionally for their characters.”

Season 2 definitely builds on the relationships and characters introduced in season 1; it would be nearly unwatchable for those who haven’t yet seen the first season.

Siblings Joy and Ward Meachum, played by Jessica Stroup and Tom Pelphrey respectively, are reeling in the aftermath of their father’s death, and the show follows their recovery and attempts to go separate ways. Colleen Wing, played by Jessica Henwick, and Danny Rand are living together at Colleen’s former dojo. Danny is still policing the criminal underworld of New York.

The changing dynamics of the characters’ relationships drives this season. The animosity between Joy, Ward, Danny and Colleen is constantly in flux. In one episode, Joy is set on almost killing Danny, but in the next she is aiding him.

While their shifting agendas could have been an opportunity to to strengthen their development, the conflict instead creates a cast of washed-out characters who are quick to change their ethics.

The most compelling character of the season is Danny’s childhood friend turned enemy, Davos, played by Sacha Dhawan. We get the full scope of Davos’s history through several illuminating flashback scenes to Kún-Lun, the mystical place where Danny and Davos grew up and trained together.

In light of the other Marvel TV shows on Netflix, the overarching plot of “Iron Fist” season 2 feels redundant. The hero is trying to bring order and justice in the middle of a gang war, much like Marvel’s “Luke Cage” and “Daredevil.”

After Davos steals his own glowing fist and the main focus shifts away from the gang wars, the show gains momentum. In contrast to other characters’ ineffective actions, Davos’s unmistakable intentions carry the show.

The most engaging part of the season is the skillfully choreographed fight scenes. The music, camera angles and impossible five against one scenarios make for enjoyable viewing.

While the second season of “Iron Fist” is consistent with quality fight sequences and Davos is a driven villain, the rest of the show is lacking. Despite its surprising twists, most of the show, especially the last episode, feels dragged out.

Overall, season 2 felt like a filler; it wrapped up loose ends of season 1 while setting up a plot for season three. While it had its enjoyable moments, “Iron Fist” didn’t live up to Marvel’s usual standards of storytelling.