Marvel’s Iron Fist

Season 1, Episode 5: Under Leaf Pluck Lotus

Danny’s mission comes into focus.

You know what? Something’s clicked for me. I enjoy shows like Iron Fist when it’s not trying to kid itself. Nuance can be tough. Just establish ground rules and let the games begin. Iron Fist is covering all its bases. We’ve got drugs, action, a bit of mystery and, dare I say, a budding romance? Whatever ride we are in store for here, one things clear: people are always going to die brutally in the Marvel Netflix world.

“Under Leaf Pluck Lotus” comes in on a strong conclusion to the previous episode and manages to maintain the momentum. We get a closer look at who our ultimate threat is this season. We also see the return of a familiar but expected face. But there is this contrived nature to how things flow, like a guiding hand crudely pushing the plot where it needs it to go. On the bright side, it’s actually where I think things should be headed. Establishing a solid story framework does wonders for Iron Fist. Danny’s motivations are actually clear in the context of this episode and there are some real stakes for what he’s doing. However, what’s become a reoccurring theme is that, as I continue to see the potential in this series, I equally worry that it won’t be able to deliver. Well, in this episode at least, Iron Fist was able to deliver…and I’m not just referring to the takeout, the extremely expensive takeout.

*SPOILERS*

If you’ve been paying close enough attention, it’s no surprise heroin was going to be involved here. The stylistic choice to have the four Rand Enterprises (as we find out later) pushers try and sell this new synthetic formula is effective and apparently particularly persuasive. Lucky for us, Danny is hot on the trail. He’s rocking a strong sense of duty and he’s focused on getting the drugs off the streets, much like his future Defender teammate and BFF before him, Luke Cage. Apparently he’s not above flirting a bit to get what he wants, either. Everyone knows the guy who practices origami is always a chick magnet. There’s this situation established where secretary Megan, obviously now smitten after the origami, is going to be let down hard in some fashion. You just know that Danny is not going to into a relationship with her and it’s just kind of sad, that’s all. Especially, considering the sparks that start to fly once Danny shows up at Colleen’s dojo. Ah, what’s a budding romance without the clichéd, “Is this a date?” “Do you want this to be a date?” line. Love is truly in the air.

And what’s this! Claire (Nick Fury of the Defenders) finally makes her appearance. I’m glad to see Rosario Dawson back; she always finds a way to take the spotlight when she shows up. In a way, I’m kind of glad that there will only be four members of the Defenders because it’s getting a little too coincidental that she has now met all these guys and been able to help them out in some shape or form. She quickly displays why she’s awesome by intruding on Danny and Colleen’s “date.” Let’s be honest, it would’ve been too cringe-y without her. Danny, she was right in the middle of training. Surely a member a shaolin style monastery would have a little more tact than that.

So what have the Meachums been up to? Oh you know, just your standard old corporate grind. Screwing over the little guy by refusing to settle a case that clearly they’re in the wrong on. And yes, Joy, you guys are indeed on the wrong side of this. Ward proves he’s the cold calculating businessman we thought he was by refusing to ease the suffering of the victims by paying financial compensation, even when the optics are so bad. Granted, the whole thing was made worse by what happens with Danny’s interaction with the victim, but does it really? I’m not an attorney, but can’t you just explain it away as Danny’s unfamiliar with this suit in particular since he’s been stranded for 15 years? He didn’t accept blame as much as he reacted to a grieving victim in the moment. Couldn’t that be sufficient to settle at a lower amount? I believe Joy says as much but, nevertheless, she backs Ward’s play. I have to wonder, would Joy follow Ward off a cliff if he said it would be good for the company? I understand he’s made a lot of good decisions for Rand but it doesn’t mean you can’t think for yourself, Joy.

Back at the dojo, Danny eventually convinces Colleen to join him on a hunt for where the drugs are coming in. He also let’s slip that he’s purchased her building and will forgo rent for a few months if she helps do this thing. A point that makes me wonder, is Danny blackmailing her? Obviously not but, to someone like Colleen, it should definitely look like that. This Danny Rand character is still an enigma. I know he’s out of touch but bribing someone into help you do something pseudo illegal/dangerous is pretty cut and dry. Any who, we finally get a look at this all important Red Hook pier that the Hand instructed Harold to purchase. Our duo sneaking through the docks via truck top very much resembles Daredevil and Elektra on a pretty similar mission. Turns out, it’s not so much drugs coming in through this pier as much as it’s the chemist who created the formula introduced in the opening.

Danny squares off with a guy charged with guarding the chemist. The fight is par for the course in this series, but it is strange that Danny is struggling in this exchange. After the flirting/sparring session early in the episode, am I supposed to believe Danny is an unparalleled fighter or not? I think they should spend these early episodes showing how good a fighter Danny is and then providing him some actual competition later in the season. I’m sorry, it’s hard to not interject what I want this show to be in these reviews, but I digress. It’s established that the Danny needs to channel his chi in order to use the Iron Fist, though I find myself impatiently waiting to see him actually do it, especially when he’s struggling in a fight. I keep imagining a special attack ability in a video game that you have to build up before you can use but you never get to see the power up bar. In the struggle, Danny manages to best his foe but does stop the chemist from taking a possibly fatal blow. Well too bad for that guard because, guess what? Claire was introduced this episode and she really hates letting people die on her watch.

Overall Thoughts

The rubber is really starting to hit the road in “Under Leaf Pluck Lotus” and I hope we can keep the pedal to the metal. My hopefulness for Iron Fist comes from the potential in the story. If things can continue to build upon the positive direction shift, there is plenty of potential being laid. My optimism does have a shelf life, however. While I’ve enjoyed the restructuring of the story, I need some demonstrative proof that it is trying to give us a compelling conclusion, not just teases.