Draft:Chafa (Echo)

"Chafa" is the first episode of of the American television series Echo, based on Marvel Comics featuring the character Echo. It sees Maya Lopez return to her hometown where she must come to terms with her past, reconnect with her Native American roots, and embrace her family and community. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by head writer Marion Dayre and Josh Feldman, with Steven P. Judd and Ken Kristensen, and was directed by Sydney Freeland.

Alaqua Cox reprises her role as Maya Lopez / Echo from Hawkeye (2021), with Chaske Spencer, Tantoo Cardinal, Devery Jacobs, Zahn McClarnon, Cody Lightning, Graham Greene, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Charlie Cox also starring. Development had begun by March 2021, and was formally announced in November, when Dayre was revealed to be serving as head writer. Freeland was set to direct by March 2022.

"Chafa" was released on Disney+ and Hulu on January 9, 2024.

Plot
After losing her leg and her mother in a car accident, Maya Lopez moves to New York City with her father William, who has been shunned by her grandmother. William takes up a position as commander of the Tracksuit Mafia, working under Wilson Fisk, who becomes Maya's adoptive uncle. Years later, Maya witnesses Clint Barton assault the Tracksuit Mafia and kill William. Fisk arranges for Maya to work under him while promising to find William's killer. Sometime later, Maya would encounter Barton again, who reveals that Fisk was the one who arranged for William's death. Maya ultimately avenges her father by shooting Fisk in his eye. Five months later, Maya returns to her home town, Tamaha, Oklahoma, and meets with her uncle, Henry. Maya asks Henry to help her dismantle Fisk's operations so she can take over his empire, but Henry refuses to assist. Elsewhere, Fisk recovers from his injury in a hospital.

Development
By March 2021, Marvel Studios was in early development on a spin-off from Hawkeye (2021) centered on Alaqua Cox's Maya Lopez for the streaming service Disney+, with Etan Cohen and Emily Cohen set to write and executive produce. During the Disney+ Day event in November 2021, the series was officially announced as Echo, and Marion Dayre was serving as head writer by then instead of the Cohens. Marvel Studios confirmed Sydney Freeland as a director in May 2022, and she directs the first episode. Executive producers for the series include Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige, Stephen Broussard, Louis D'Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Victoria Alonso, and Richie Palmer, alongside Dayre, Jason Gavin, and Freeland, while Amy Rardin is a co-executive producer. The first episode, titled "Chafa", was written by Dayre, Josh Feldman & Steven P. Judd and Ken Kristensen.

Casting
The episode stars Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez / Echo, Chaske Spencer as Henry Lopez, Tantoo Cardinal as Chula, Devery Jacobs as Bonnie, Zahn McClarnon as William Lopez, Cody Lightning as Biscuits, Graham Greene as Skully, Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk / Kingpin, and Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock / Daredevil. Archive footage of Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton / Hawkeye from Hawkeye is featured in the episode.

Filming and visual effects
Filming took place in the Atlanta metropolitan area including Atlanta, Peachtree City, Social Circle, and Grantville, Georgia,   with Freeland directing.

Release
The episode was released on Disney+ and Hulu on January 9, 2024. It was originally scheduled to release on January 10, and will be available on Hulu until April 9.

Reception
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports a XX% approval rating with an average rating of XXX/10, based on 1 review.