First things first. I have not watched the entire series, I do have things to do besides sitting on my backside binging shows.
Danny Rand. Iron Fist. I really didn't know a whole lot about the backstory of the character but I had heard of the character and the comic book. So, I did a bit of research. I love how they changed bits of the backstory for the show from the backstory in the comics. It works better for TV. Danny Rand is a rich white kid raised by mystical monks. If you know the story great! If you don't... Danny is the son of Wendell and Heather Rand. Wendell Rand is head of Rand Enterprises and has a business partner, Harold Meachum. There's an accident and the Rands are presumed dead, but Danny is rescued by two monks from a mystical order that live in a mystical village that appears in the Himalayas once a decade. He is raised for fifteen years to be a warrior before he returns to New York City in search of answers to questions he's had since the accident. (I skipped over a lot but I really want you to read the comic or watch the show!) The writers insert flashbacks at just the right points so the viewers can see what Danny remembers rather than be told. I'll tell you, flashbacks are tricky to use without being tacky, but have become a staple in the superhero universe. (Greg Berlanti and his team use them quite well over on the CW.) The effects they chose to signal the viewers that a key piece of exposition was coming is great. It gives the sense that his flashback isn't merely a memory but could be happening at the same time but on a different plane of existence. The interaction with the Meachums is quite interesting and a contrast. We discover that Ward was young Danny's antagonist and Joy was his friend. The dynamic hasn't changed a lot as far a Ward and Danny are concerned but Ward doesn't believe that it really is Danny. However, Joy is more willing to believe that the new stranger is Danny and when she does believe, she wants to help her old friend but Ward doesn't. What the what? Hm. Things might not be what the viewer thinks... I get why people have their panties in a bunch but what would people say if Luke Cage had been cast as a white guy raised by black parents? What? It could have easily happened but that's not who Luke Cage is. A black man is integral to who Luke Cage is. So why then are people pissed that Danny Rand is a white guy? Danny Rand is an Caucasian character (who just happens to be American) played by a Brit. Shouldn't Americans be mad? No. It doesn't matter all that much. The character of Danny Rand is a rich white kid from NYC, privileged. It makes him who he is. What does matter? Folks get mad at stupid little things instead of waiting to see what happens and that's what matters. Marvel casting has been spot on so far, so give them the benefit. Please see beyond the nationality of the actor cast as Danny Rand. If you can't, you imply that a white boy can't carry a martial arts show. (Remember Chuck Norris?) Think about what that means about your character.
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AuthorCollege graduate, Army vet, single mom, Husky mom, Movie lover, writer Archives
August 2022
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