On Iron Fist Season 2 Episode 5, Colleen and Misty again save the day, bringing in Walker and Joy for independent interrogation while Danny recovers. Joy's empathetic side really comes out in this episode, as it looks like she wants confirmation that Danny is alive.

Her huge admission at the end seems a little out of character, but considering that the season is halfway through, it seems as if we're gearing up for the whole team to unite against Davos.

Unfortunately, in many ways, the attempts to humanize Davos through the flashbacks backfire. He's made into a victim of extreme parenting and being pushed way too hard at a young age, which tries to justify his desire for the fist.

However, all this does is further the already iffy orientalist stereotypes and generalizations and even introduces another very harmful one -- the tiger parent.

Because his mother was always disappointed in him and was only proud if he succeeded, this puts all of his current actions on his mother and the blame on her rather on him.

I may not return, Mother. My bones may rot in cursed soil, far from home. Is there anything you want to say to me? This may be your last chance to speak your heart. Please.
Davos

Permalink: This may be your last chance to speak your heart. Please.

As superhero media has said time and time again, there's very little justification for killing people in the context of these shows unless in extremely dire situations.

So why should we empathize with Davos at this point? I'm unfortunately not. Even with Mary's presently meager backstory, I'm more engaged with her as a character than I am with Davos.

His desire to now become the protector of New York City (He wants to eliminate all conflict and criminals? Does he actually think this is possible or a good idea?) is so foolish and selfish it's almost laughable.

Davos spent all that time blaming Danny for leaving K'un-L'un and saying that New York is not his city, yet now Davos wants to take up the throne. This is one piece of logic that I still can't get over and also makes him less believable or interesting as an opponent and enemy.

On the other hand, Ward is starting to be presented as a worthy inclusion to the show.

He is an adult, Colleen. Look, I get it. I saw your place. You two are building a life together. But being in a relationship with someone is not the same as taking responsibility for them.
Misty

Permalink: But being in a relationship with someone is not the same as taking responsibility for them.

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Although his conversation with Danny as Danny gives him "sage advice" is rather empty and time-wasting, his desire to engage with Joy and inability to process his emotions is relatable and something I'm rooting for him to overcome.

Similarly, I want Joy to also make peace with Ward, no matter how great of an antagonist she is. It looks like she's turning good now, although she had a great run as the cunning mastermind.

It seems like kind of a waste to end Mary's storyline now, and I don't think it will. Danny and Colleen don't even know about her multiple personalities, so only time will tell when they will find out and react accordingly.

There's so much there in terms of how the show wants to play her character. They already have two fascinating versions of her, and a character with a dark backstory as well as an integral part to play (in this case, she has skills and abilities that even Danny doesn't have) is too good to pass up.

What makes her so compelling is her unpredictability as well as the dramatic irony that is created any time she is around Danny and Colleen.

Viewers are in a fascinating place where they're omniscient, knowing things that both Danny and Mary herself don't even know, as Mary has no recollection of Walker's memories. Mary/Walker adds an air of excitement to the show that has never really been created.

Danny, you need to rest. You're all beat to shit. Aren't you supposed to be, like, the best fighter in the world or something?
Ward

Permalink: Aren't you supposed to be, like, the best fighter in the world or something?

She would be an incredible and formidable enemy (or partner, even if she is traditionally a villain) to Jessica Jones, and in many ways, she reminds me of Jessica -- independent, does work from job to job, and has a harrowing past.

In the comics, she's an enemy of Daredevil, but it wouldn't be much of a stretch to see her pop into a Jessica story, even though the shows will probably never have that much crossover.

I very much appreciated the Nightwing Restorations pseudo-easter eggs in this episode as Colleen and Misty team up again as an investigation team.

Misty: I run background checks before I go on a date.
Colleen: Come on.
Misty: I'm serious. It's murder on the sex life, but it's not so bad on the arrest quota.

Permalink: I'm serious. It's murder on the sex life, but it's not so bad on the arrest quota.

It's setting the stage for further Colleen/Misty team-ups and a potential new Daughters of the Dragon team-up, whatever form that may take. It's starting to become so much more engaging than any of Danny's actual plots.