Iron fisticuffs.
Warning: Contains spoilers for the episode. Do not read unless you've seen it or don't mind.
Ashes, Ashes is overall another good episode, but it also has some odd clunky moments in their too. At its best, we get to spend more time establishing and exploring the emerging relationships between our characters. The episode also has some of the most dramatic scenes in the show so far. But on the reverse, there are some weird character reversals and clunky contrivances to drive forward the plot.
So let’s start with the good. The opening clash between Iron Fist and Daredevil is fantastic. The tension between the two comes to a head resulting in one of the most intense fight sequences in the show so far. It’s reminiscent of some of the best Daredevil scenes. The action is furious but legible. Luke and Jessica tag in when called upon, but this is definitely Danny and Matt’s fight, with the latter seemingly dominating (reinforcing Stick’s suggestion it should be Matt leading the charge and the team). And while I love this fight sequence – you really feel like they’re both highly-skilled fighters – I’m less sure in the motivations that lead to it occurring. In the Royal Dragon, he referred to their meeting like it was an act of fate. But now, no more than a day later, he’s at their throats. It’s such an annoying regression for a character that was seemingly maturing in the early episodes of the show into a more confident hero. But within the opening fifteen minutes of Ashes, Ashes, the petulant Iron Fist is back.
Furthermore, the very reason they’re fighting is a weird one: Iron Fist is referred to as a key, and is the reason he’s wanted by The Hand. It results in some awkward dialogue – “I’m not a key; I’m a weapon” – but more problematic is the risk Iron Fist becoming more of a MacGuffin than a hero. I hope this isn’t the case, especially after the last few episodes have done so much to redeem this incarnation of the character. He deserves better.
After Jess knocks him unconscious, Danny is tied to a chair while his chi recharges with Luke and Stick watching over him. It’s a bit weird occurrence, not entirely in keeping with Danny’s arc in the show so far, which has seen him emerge as a more responsible, less impulsive hero. Perhaps it’s simply a way to break up the team in a way that allows those two pairings – Matt and Jessica, Luke and Danny – we saw earlier in the series to return and be built upon.
There’s a softening between Jess and Matt, as she reveals she knows about his past. But their scenes are mainly used to drive forward the plot. They use their time to visit the family of the missing architect, which results in one of the oddest discoveries. They find the blueprints to Midland Circle hidden in the architects piano. Somehow Matt works this out from the daughter saying her father no longer played the piano. It’s a weirdly contrived scene. They go looking for information and almost immediately find it in the oddest of hiding places. Elsewhere in the episode there’s lots of talk about the hole under Midland Circle and how it leads to somewhere else; we also hear lots more about the ‘Substance’, the fluid used to resurrect Elektra, running out. Considering The Hand’s intentions were so vague early on in the season it feels a bit crude to be cramming so much exposition in the sixth episode.
One good thing about Danny being tied-up is that it leads to another strong scene between him and Luke, further cementing their emerging friendship and deeper connection. Luke eventually humours Danny and listens to his story about punching the molten heart of Shou-Lao, the Undying. Luke retorts, “I’d face a dragon over Jessica Jones any day.” Similarly, when Luke talks about being on different ‘paths’ to Jessica, Danny makes fun of him for sounding a bit like him. It’s a funny and self-aware exchange. I just wish Iron Fist wasn’t strapped to a chair after lashing out at the team.
Although it meanders a bit, the episode finishes really strongly. Stick takes matters into his own hands, showing his ruthless, sociopathic side as he attempts to kill Iron Fist and take away the thing The Hand most desires. It's a quintessential Stick moment and entirely in keeping with his bleak and pragmatic worldview.
But Elektra shows up. The ensufight is short-lived but intense. Her sword sparking on Luke’s bare arms is a particularly cool image. As is Matt desperately running to reach them in time. She executes Stick and escapes with Iron Fist, which again makes me fear he’s becoming more of a MacGuffin than a hero. (I hope I’m wrong.)
While this feels like the climax, there’s one more sting. With Elektra bringing back Iron Fist, Alexandra reasserts her authority over The Hand. She orders Elektra to kill the remaining Defenders. It’s a pathetic speech in a way. If you’re in charge, you shouldn’t really have to say you’re in charge. Weaver also slightly loses her composure while she’s delivering it, too. She’s flustered but also smug that the Black Sky has proven her worth. And that makes the final twist – Elektra betraying her master, stabbing her literally in the back, while saying coldly, even psychotically, “His name is Matthew” – such a wonderfully realised moment.
The Verdict
Although it smuggles in some awkward exposition and sees a weird regression in Danny's character, Ashes, Ashes has some enjoyable character development, exciting action, and shocking conclusion that tees up the final two episodes nicely.
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