S01.E10: Black Tiger Steals Heart

[The Crazed Spruce]

Quote

Exhausted from fighting, Danny tries to recharge with Bakuto's help. Meanwhile, Rand's management gets another shakeup.

[arjumand]

Oh, shit son!

I was not expecting that . . . like, at all.

When Madame Gao finally said it, I think I jumped back like Danny did.

The whole Rand company, and Meachum is a bit ehh, for me. I'm kind of 'whatever' at this stage. All those discussions and contracts and severance agreements are starting to run together, until it's like "Business? Commerceprofitmarginbanking? What in the name of business is going on here?" (stolen from the Riftrax Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince).

I mean, I couldn't care less about all that. Just give me more Danny being the Iron Fist and I'm happy.

[OoogleEyes]

I don't understand why no says, "Wait, WTF, who are you?"

Everyone seems to accept these dead people as they say they are without too much surprise. 

No "You're My Dead Dad?" "You're Danny?"

Edited March 19, 2017 by OoogleEyes

[Cthulhudrew]

I thought Bakuto and co. would turn out to be the Chaste, but no- much more sinister. It does start to help explain why Gao's role as part of the Hand seemed to be at odds with her portrayal during season one of Daredevil, though, where she and Nobu didn't seem to be working for the same team. He must be part of the other Hand (the left Hand? the right Hand?) while she's part of the other. 

This was the first arc where the transition was a little jarring. I think that overall IF's arcs have been far more seamless than the other Netflix Marvel shows, where there was a much more marked tonal shift between episodes. I really have enjoyed IF so far. It's not as exciting and dramatic as some of the other shows- there certainly have been few episodes where I felt like "OMG! I absolutely have to fire that one up right now!". I think it has been the most consistent and well paced of them all, though.

[Helena Dax]

Well, I'm officially lost now. Like Danny, I don't know what to believe anymore.  Or what is the right thing to do. I'm sure Colleen's a good person, but that doesn't mean she's right, maybe Bakuto's been lying to her, who knows. 

The show has got some nice twists, I like that.

[Sakura12]

Well I wasn't expecting Colleen to be part of the Hand.

Although it's confusing to have so many different fractions of the Hand, I guess one is the Right Hand the other is Left Hand. Makes me wonder why they called their weapon the Black Sky. Iron Fist sounds like it should be their weapon. It's hard to know who to root for, Danny's upbringing by the monks doesn't seem like it was any better than what the Hand is doing. Of course it looks like the Hand at least teaches social skills. 

[MissLucas]

I applaud the writers for showing some restraint and not have anyone starting to crack jokes about the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.

[theatremouse]

It was amusing to me because one of the first things Colleen ever said to Danny (unless I'm remembering wrong) was "you can't trust anyone". Meanwhile, Gao tells him he's losing his ability to trust. Uh, that's a good thing? This dumbass trusted everyone as soon as he met them, including Gao herself.  I've been sort of getting the vibe that the show is intentionally doing some sort of "Danny is emotionally stunted and immature as a 10 year old" but I don't think he should be? Logically. He was in the monastery for 15 years training. He should have grown up. The culture shock shit makes sense. The immaturity doesn't. I mean, not that there aren't immature 25 year olds, but it has struck me as an intentional character choice and if so, it is not working for me at all.

 

I am completely bored by the corporate blah blah blah shenanigans and undead evil Danny Kaye.

[DavidJSnyder]

1948 doesn't line up with the fifteen year cycle the passage to K'un-Lun is supposed to be on.

[Meredith Quill]

2 hours ago, MissLucas said:

I applaud the writers for showing some restraint and not have anyone starting to crack jokes about the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.

So ripe for so many bad puns; maybe they should shake hands and make up..? 

[theatremouse]

I thought the video of was a previous Iron First on this side of the passage? So 1948 would just mean a previous IF left and then fought some dudes in the woods. I think. Maybe. But I totally did the same math the second they cited a year. 

[xqueenfrostine]

Well, Colleen being a member of the hand finally clears up the mystery of why she was teaching students how to stalk and ambush someone on the street.  Clearly Colleen with her dojo has been serving as a talent scout/recruiter for the hand.

I cackled during Gao's conversation with Danny.  I have a feeling her telling him that he's a child and an idiot will end up being the most satisfying moments of the entire series for me.  Gao may double cross people when it suits her, but that lady dispenses more truth than anyone in this series.  

[gabrielle]

25 minutes ago, xqueenfrostine said:

Well, Colleen being a member of the hand finally clears up the mystery of why she was teaching students how to stalk and ambush someone on the street.  Clearly Colleen with her dojo has been serving as a talent scout/recruiter for the hand.

Here's what I don't get: if Colleen's dojo is this feeder school for the Hand, why is she struggling for money earlier in the season? You'd think that Bakuto would help her stay afloat.

Edited March 20, 2017 by gabrielle

[Bec]

The two LOL moments of this episode:

"There's a good Hand and a bad Hand?"

"You're an idiot"

The Hand, The Chaste, K'un L'un monks... Seems like none of these groups are exactly "good". All of them suck vulnerable kids into their age-old feud and are kind of culty.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I like that the Iron Fist in the video was wearing the (somewhat) classic costume. But didn't it show both his hands glowing? Is that something Danny needs to learn

[Meredith Quill]

3 hours ago, Spaceman Spiff said:

I like that the Iron Fist in the video was wearing the (somewhat) classic costume. But didn't it show both his hands glowing? Is that something Danny needs to learn

I assume that's because Danny has more training to complete.

[thuganomics85]

Well, I honestly didn't see that coming.  Bakuto and Colleen are part of The Hand.  Granted, Colleen claims (sincerely) that they are a good part of it, and Madame Gao's faction went rogue, but judging from Bakuto's meeting with Harold, and the end, it seems that The Hand is still shady as all get out.  I have no idea what to think at this point.  I do want to see how this effects Colleen, because amusing she really didn't know everything, she has to feel some guilt over training and basically recruiting her students into joining them.

Good thing Davos is in the picture, and helped Danny get out of there.  Of course, Danny has now been stabbed, so he might need to make a quick stop to Claire's, before he does anything.  It sounds like Davos wants them to go back, but Danny wants to remain, so I'm sure that will come into play.

After some shock, Joy seems to have quickly accept that Harold is alive.  Hell, even Laurence seem to handle it much better then expected. Totally knew Laurence was going to be a goner, in order for the Meachums (oh, and Danny), to get their jobs back.  Nice way to get around Joy's question, Harold.  Sure, you really didn't "have someone kill him."  You just did it yourself!

The fight scenes were actually solid, but once again, it felt like the actor playing Davos is much more comfortable at it then Finn Jones.

Noticed the other Iron Fist had both of his hands glowing, so I guess Danny would master his chi enough to accomplish that at some point (probably finale time.)

[blueray]

On 3/18/2017 at 3:35 PM, arjumand said:

 

The whole Rand company, and Meachum is a bit ehh, for me. I'm kind of 'whatever' at this stage. All those discussions and contracts and severance agreements are starting to run together, until it's like "Business? Commerceprofitmarginbanking? What in the name of business is going on here?" (stolen from the Riftrax Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince).

I mean, I couldn't care less about all that. Just give me more Danny being the Iron Fist and I'm happy.

I too am bored with the buisness stuff. I really don't care who's in charge of the company, that isn't the type of show I'm watch her (or ever my case). I want to completely focus on Danny and related scenes at this point. It's different then when Daredevil focused on the law stuff, as that is part of who Matt is, but Danny never worked for the company and has no ties minus his family name to it.

I honestly didn't trust the group from the start, wasn't expecting them to related to the hand however. As soon as Gao said that, I was instantly realized she was actually telling the true. I was glad when Colleen helped them escape. I hope she realizes she picked the shady side.

[Primetimer]

Or does the show just totally suck at explaining WTF is happening?

View the full article

[shrewd.buddha]

At this point in the season, I agree with Danny's BFF Davos : Danny needs to go back to the Himalayas and get some more learnin'  - - he's not fully baked yet. 

Harold Meachum was going to stage Laurence's murder as a suicide - but how many people who kill themselves with guns shoot themselves in the center of the forehead? Add that to the fact that it happened during a security blackout at the building. I guess there's a reason this a kung-fu show and not a police show.

[justcris]

I disagree completely with the site review for episode. I know literally nothing about the Iron Fist and had no problem keeping up with this episode. Was I confused at first? Yes. Did that retract from my enjoyment of the show? Nope! I love that there are no clear good guys and bad guys here, just a whole lot of grey everywhere you turn! I think this might be one of the reasons this show has had more difficulty in grabbing people though. Daredevil S1 had Fisk, JJ had Kilgrave, and both were very defined villains. Here, you have the Meachums, you have the Hand, now you have another faction of the Hand, you have Colleen who's not who she seems, and Davos is in the mix, it's a whole big mess! And it feels very true to life, never knowing who you can trust. I like it.

[tennisgurl]

Wow, this show actually surprised me! Coleen is a part of The Hand! Of course, this is apparently a kinder, gentler Hand, but still, its The Hand! The people who Danny has been trained to kill for most of his life. Certainly throws a big building block in the middle of the Danny/Coleen business. It certainly adds some new questions about Coleen. Despite what she said, its kind of hard to believe that she just happened to befriend and sleep with The Iron Fist. Maybe she did meet him accidently, and I'm positive that she really does like him beyond his Iron Fist powers, but I feel like she HAD to have had some instructions to bring him into the fold. She really does seem to believe that her faction is the "Good Hand" and that Danny was brainwashed by the monks who raised him, and, I'm still pretty sure the Danny's magic monks probably still do have the moral high ground, but between Gaos Hand and its crazy devoted followers, this version of The Hand and its weird college setting, and what we`ve heard of Danny's upbringing, it seems like this whole giant conflict is between a bunch of ancient cults inducting vulnerable kids into their century's old fight, all convinced they have the moral high ground.

Davos is here now! Looks like Danny is getting called back home, which...he probably should. He clearly needs to learn more about his powers, and he doesn't seem to be getting anywhere in his quest to get his Danny rand life back. But, on the other hand, as I said, this whole conflict is sketchy, so I wouldn't blame Danny for not wanting to go back to Magic Monk Land. Also, I kind of get Danny being so trusting and having such a hard time functioning in New York. He has apparently been trained to just stand in the woods and fight people, and that's it.

[Ottis]

Danny needs more training. He is wholly unimpressive as a superhero, except for the few moments where he can get his fist to glow. He is useless at strategic planning. I guess he left early without telling anyone, so that explains his lack of skill. Which is good, because I was beginning to think the monks sucked at training. 

[rmontro]

Danny really is a crummy Iron Fist.  Davos telling him so was somewhat satisfying.  He shouldn't have aspired to become the Iron Fist if he wasn't willing to stay there and guard the entrance to K'un L'un, which is supposedly his job.  Instead, he took off the first chance he got.  Which is fine, I don't blame him for wanting his old life back, but he shouldn't have tried to become the Iron Fist if that was his intent.

Davos appeared to be better at martial arts than Danny alsol.  Actually most of the fighters appear to be better than Danny, which is one of the few criticisms of the show I agree with.  Oh well.  Finn should get better as time goes on, if there are more seasons.  

[Kel Varnsen]

On 28/03/2017 at 9:56 PM, Ottis said:

Danny needs more training. He is wholly unimpressive as a superhero, except for the few moments where he can get his fist to glow. He is useless at strategic planning. I guess he left early without telling anyone, so that explains his lack of skill. Which is good, because I was beginning to think the monks sucked at training. 

I know what you mean. For a guy who is supposed to be perfectly focused to be the iron fist, he surr is easy to distract and not at all calm. So far things that have gotten to him have included a hot girl in lingerie, airplane turbulence, a guy mentioning his parents and in this episode he was so focused he felt the need to smash a bunch of computers.

Plus like you said a living weapon shouldn't just be brute force and punching, he should be awesome at strategy and tactics (art of war type stuff). And you would think a guy raised by a super isolated society that was taught to be fearful of outsiders wouldn't be so trusting of everyone.

[millennium]

This show is phenomenally bad. 

The teens of Cobra Kai were more menacing than any of these Hand recruits.

I would much rather watch a show about Madame Gao fucking with people's lives.

Finn Jones is a terrible actor.   If the producers were smart they would re-cast Danny before the next series.

[jeansheridan]

Davos is the best.  The show needed him four eps ago.  I figured Colleen was lying when we saw her talking to Bakuto in an earlier ep.  She told him about the Iron Fist which seemed shifty.

Seeing Finn do a thinking face is kind of hilarious.   I don't think he is a horrible actor.  He just can't rise above bad writing. I don't think the actor playing Luke is much better.  

And I like that Joy is all kinds of suspicious.   She is going to take her dad down, I suspect.

[jeansheridan]

I am not having much trouble with the plot once I accept Danny is a 10 year old in a grown up body.  

And I can see the Hand having fractions.  And Colleen believing they are doing good.  If they are helping street kids get jobs and homes, yeah that seems good. Every organization believes in its own goodness.  

I haven't done any research on Iron Fist other than finding out he was white in the 1970s comics.  The plot is all silliness and fun.  

Edited April 10, 2017 by jeansheridan
Possible spoiler. Sorry.

[jeansheridan]

On Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 10:33 AM, shrewd.buddha said:

At this point in the season, I agree with Danny's BFF Davos : Danny needs to go back to the Himalayas and get some more learnin'  - - he's not fully baked yet. 

And I love this.  Because the show gave the impression he was fully baked.  Like all teens Danny was a know it all, totally confident in his abilities. And we are watching it wondering how this person is allegedly a great warrior because he kind sucks and we were right to trust our eyes.  He DOES suck.  For now.  

Okay yes I would have enjoyed being in on the joke sooner but now that I am, it is great.  I can love Colleen and her aggressive arm breaking (Jessica needs to meet her) and Davos and be amused by Danny.  And love him for his blind faith in himself.

Plus I love Finn's frowny face.  I wish they could get Joshua Jackson on this show as his cousin. When Finn frowns he looks like him.

[AudienceofOne]

On 20/03/2017 at 5:00 AM, MissLucas said:

I applaud the writers for showing some restraint and not have anyone starting to crack jokes about the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.

Damn, I came here to make that joke. You mean that isn't the height of wit?

On 04/04/2017 at 2:18 AM, Kel Varnsen said:

I know what you mean. For a guy who is supposed to be perfectly focused to be the iron fist, he surr is easy to distract and not at all calm. So far things that have gotten to him have included a hot girl in lingerie, airplane turbulence, a guy mentioning his parents and in this episode he was so focused he felt the need to smash a bunch of computers.

But he's not all about the Iron Fist. That's the point. He pursued it because he was a child. But the second he found a way to his world he left to reclaim the life he lost when he was a child. As the 'Drunken Master' said a few episodes ago, he's using the Iron Fist as an excuse. He's not committed to it at all. If he was, he would have killed Gao and gone after the rest of the Hand.

I have no problem with the characterisation - in fact, I think it's refreshing - just the plot and the acting.

On 10/04/2017 at 10:12 AM, jeansheridan said:

And we are watching it wondering how this person is allegedly a great warrior because he kind sucks and we were right to trust our eyes.  He DOES suck.  For now.

 

I agree. Once I realised that he was supposed to suck, his character worked a lot better for me. Still, the whole 'babe in the woods' thing is starting to get a bit annoying. But I guess that's what season 2 is for.

[benteen]

On ‎3‎/‎19‎/‎2017 at 9:00 PM, MissLucas said:

I applaud the writers for showing some restraint and not have anyone starting to crack jokes about the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.

Well, don't forget this is the show where they had the Thomas Meachum character say that "Iron Fist" sounds like a sexy toy.  Which was quite funny but probably something you don't want to point out about your main character's superhero name.

[AKA...CJ86]

Enjoying the show as it's gone forward.

So turn on where to put Gao... I love Fisk, but Gao is right up there for her machinations...

I think the show's biggest issue is Danny... and that he's so dosh darn naive and gullible, and... bland...

I'm just taking the differing factions out of the equation.  Any way that I look at it, for some episodes now, any iteration of The Hand's been slowly devolving...  From The Poison specialist and the Singing Assassin, and the Drunken Master... now to school kid's?