Hawkeye Episode 5 Review: ‘Big reveals see worlds collide’

Hawkeye episode 5 is now available to watch on Disney Plus. The fifth episode sees Yelena confronting Kate Bishop, Clint paying tribute to Natasha, and a surprise ending that features the return of a fan-favorite actor from a Netflix Marvel series. Here is my Hawkeye episode 5 review and ending explained.

Hawkeye episode 5 review

Hawkeye episode 5 is one of the best yet, though it features more talking than action. What little action there is doesn’t last long and is fairly underwhelming. The discussions had in this episode, however, expand the story and give new context to existing and returning characters.

Yelena is the main focus of this episode, with her hunting down Clint Barton. The episode begins by showing what happened to this Black Widow soldier during the snap, presenting a unique perspective that we haven’t yet experienced. With her being snapped during “The Blip,” Yelena is stuck in limbo for five years. However, it’s only a few seconds to her.

When Yelena and Kate Bishop sit down to talk, the humor is laid on thick. It’s perhaps too much, but it acts as comic relief to the traumatic events of the previous episode.

Meanwhile, Clint Barton goes to the site of the 2012 Avengers fight. Here he disables his hearing aid to have total silence while paying tribute to Black Widow. Actor Jeremy Renner does well here and it’s a showcase of the strength of having dedicated TV shows exploring these arguably more minor characters.

Hawkeye episode 5 ending explained

At the end of Hawkeye episode 5, Hawkeye (dressed as Ronin) and Echo have a showdown. Echo has the opportunity to kill Hawkeye, but Kate Bishop steps in and saves him. With the pair of arching heroes reunited, Clint tells Kate about the big man at the top: Kingpin.

Hawkeye episode 5’s ending features the return of Kingpin, played by Vincent D’Onofrio. This fan-favorite actor first played Kingpin in the Netflix Daredevil show. It’s interesting that this incarnation of Kingpin is returning, as Daredevil actor Charlie Cox is also reported to be returning in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Expect episode 6 to feature the Kingpin more heavily, ideally with some actual voice lines as Vincent D’Onofrio’s delivery is second to none.

Hawkeye Episode 5 Review: The final verdict

Hawkeye episode 5 might be heavy on the talking, but highlights from Yelena actor Florence Pugh, Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop, and Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye will be received well from fans of the show and the greater MCU universe.

As for what happens next, everything is up in the air. The new enemy has been revealed, but it’s not yet clear who will be batting for the good side. One thing is certain: Hawkeye and Kate Bishop are going to need a lot of trick arrows!