The series "Defenders": what is known before the premiere and is it worth watching

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The Defenders is a new Marvel project especially for fans of superhero stories from their favorite comics. On the eve of the premiere, Lifehacker talks about the plot details and first impressions of the series.

What is this show about?

The Defenders is a collaboration between Netflix and Marvel, which will premiere on August 18. It continues the plot of the previously released series about superheroes from the streets of New York: "Daredevils", "Jessica Jones", "Luke Cage" and "Iron Fist".

The series will take us to New York, where the Defenders will stand in the way of the "Hand" crime syndicate, which has decided to extend its power to their beloved city.

It's funny that initially Netflix and Marvel planned to limit themselves to the series about the Defenders, but later changed their minds and presented each superhero with their own series.

The first season has 8 episodes that will cover a time period of just a couple of days. Therefore, we can safely expect that the story will sweep before us in almost real time and will be saturated with energy and adrenaline.

Who are the Defenders?

The new Defenders have nothing to do with the eponymous Marvel comic series, which was dedicated to the adventures of the Hulk, Doctor Strange, Hellcat and other superheroes. Here the main characters are Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist.

The first audience met Matt Murdock, nicknamed Daredevil. From a chemical burn as a child, he lost his sight, but later found that his other senses were much sharper. Having opened his own law firm, Matt managed to see enough injustice, but decided to fight it with other methods. Unique abilities and learned martial arts became his main forces in the fight against crime. Daredevil is driven by a belief in justice, although he often doubts the humanity of his reprisals against villains.

Jessica Jones, on the other hand, never intended to become a superhero. Still, Trish's half-sister convinced her to use her superpowers. So Jessica became a new threat to the underworld. This continued until one of the most dangerous villains in the city, Kilgrave, managed to subdue her psyche. Jessica was able to escape, but remained forever a psychologically traumatized and sociopathic loner.

Another Defender, Luke Cage, first appeared in the TV series about Jessica Jones. Like Jessica, Luke was apathetic about his superpower - staying unharmed in front of gun shots. After spending several years in prison, Luke managed to escape from prison, after which he settled in the New York quarter of Harlem and became involved in the showdown of local criminal clans.

And finally, Danny Rand, aka Iron Fist, is a martial artist from the Himalayan town of K'une-L'un. One day he decided to leave this distant city and return to his native New York, where the killers from the crime syndicate "Hand" follow on his heels.

All four Defenders are orphans who have inadvertently become superheroes, and at the start they will all be at different points of their heroic destiny.

Who is the main villain?

The opponents of the heroes in "Defenders" will be the criminal organization "Hand". This is a powerful order of ninja worshiping a demon named Beast. Attempts by the "Hand" to spread their influence in New York are met with resistance first by Daredevil, and a little later by Iron Fist.

The name of the main villain is also known. Sigourney Weaver will play the role of the mysterious Alexandra Reid, who embodies the main threat to New York and volunteered to save its Defenders. Judging by the trailer, she's doing pretty well. The most important information about the heroine before the premiere is kept in the strictest confidence. Weaver herself describes Alexandra as a very confident, shrewd, and persuasive leader.

Do you have to watch previous Marvel comic series to understand the plot?

This question is encountered quite often, although it is very difficult to answer it before the premiere of The Defenders. Fans of Marvel TV series agree that it is very important to watch both seasons of "Daredevil" and "Iron Fist", where the heroes first encountered "The Hand". In addition, season 2 of Daredevil introduces a couple of other key characters, Electra and the Punisher, and Iron Fist takes place just before The Defenders begins.

But do not be upset if you are completely unfamiliar with the Marvel comics universe, and you really want to watch the series. The first two episodes were shown to visitors at Comic-Con in New York, and, according to them, a lot of time was devoted to the background and acquaintance with the characters in the beginning.

Why is the show worth watching?

After the controversial Iron Fist, which received mostly negative reviews from fans and critics, Netflix and Marvel no doubt want to rehabilitate themselves. To this end, the producers of the much more successful Daredevils and Jessica Jones were commissioned to work on The Defenders, and at least the first two episodes were directed by SJ Clarkson, director of Jessica Jones.

The choice of the creative team and the involvement of Sigourney Weaver are encouraging. In the first reviews, the series is generally rated positively.

What's next? Will there be a second season?

So far, the writers don't look beyond one 8-episode season, which should be the bridge to the third season of Daredevil, the second seasons of Jessica Jones and Luke Cage.

For now, it's worth treating The Defenders as a complete story, or even a crossover series filmed for the delight of fans. Although no one excludes that one day the heroes may again need each other's help, and they will once again unite to fight a common enemy.

Where can I watch the trailer?

Netflix has released two whole trailers. The first one came out in early May, and the second one - at the recently held Comic-Con.

To continue your immersion in the atmosphere of "Defenders", it is worth going to the site of the fictional publication launched by Marvel.

Where can I watch the series?

The Defenders will premiere on Netflix on August 18th. All episodes of the season will be available for viewing at once. The cheapest monthly subscription will cost 8 euros (about 570 rubles). The first month of using the service is free. The series is released in English.