Three Things I Want From "The Defenders"

Just some things I hope to see from Marvel's The Defenders...
[SPOILERS FOR Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist]

This Friday, Netflix will be releasing the long awaited Defenders series, starring Charlie Cox, Krysten Ritter, Mike Colter, and Finn Jones, as Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist, respectively. I am one of many fans who have been watching all of Marvel's Netflix series from Daredevil and Iron Fist anticipating the arrival of The Defenders.

I've been waiting for The Defenders for years and with every new Netflix series and every announcement, I have a good idea on what I can expect from the show, and there are a few things that I would really like to see in The Defenders. Whether these things actually happen or not will not influence whether the series is actually good, but if these things do happen, I will definitely be a little happier.

1. HELLCAT

In Jessica Jones, Trish Walker (played by Rachael Taylor) is a popular radio host, a former child star, and Jessica's best friend. However, Trish's comic book counterpart, Patsy Walker was a protagonist of many comedy and romance stories until she was reintroduced as the super heroine known as Hellcat.

While Trish never adopted the Hellcat persona throughout the first season of Jessica Jones, Trish did have a very selfless demeanor making her more heroic than Jessica at times. Trish had also been training in self-defense and martial arts, demonstrating her skill against the ruthless Will Simpson.

The stage has been set for Trish to take on the identity of Hellcat, and even though I have not heard any rumors or news regarding Hellcat appearing in The Defenders, I think that it would be cool to see Trish making her debut alongside the team of imperfect heroes. If New York is really in danger by the Hand, then I think the Defenders can use the help of Hellcat.

2. ALEXANDRA AS MEPHISTO

Sigourney Weaver will be playing the primary protagonist of The Defenders and is somehow affiliated with the secret ninja cult known as the Hand. Marvel and Netflix have not really revealed a lot about Weaver's character except for her association with the Hand and her name, Alexandra. 

Going into The Defenders, many fans will know next to nothing regarding to Alexandra's true identity. I doubt that Alexandra is an original character and is not the live action counterpart of an iconic Marvel character. If she is an original character or turns out to be a very obscure character from the comic books, I have a feeling that I won't be the only fan who will be disappointed.

In the comic books, the Hand serve a demon as the Beast, and this seems to be the case of the Hand in the Netflix series. There are many fans who have theorized that the Beast from the comic books will be replaced by another supernatural character to serve as the Hand's idol: Mephisto.

For fans who are not familiar with Mephisto, he is pretty much the devil of the Marvel universe. Mephisto has fought and tormented many Marvel characters, served as an advisor to Thanos, and is responsible for Johnny Blaze's transformation into the Ghost Rider.

It would make sense for Marvel to replace the role of the Beast with Mephisto, since Mephisto is a more popular character, and this wouldn't be the first time Marvel changed canon to fit the story so far. One example would be making the Cosmic Cube and the Eye of Agamoto, which are unique relics in the comic books, into Infinity Stones in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

It is also possible for Alexandra to be Mephisto since there is already some proof that Mephisto exists in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Ghost Rider has already made an appearance in Agents of SHIELD and Marvel has started exploring the supernatural and cosmic sides of their universe in movies like Doctor Strange and Guardians of the Galaxy.

I really hope that Alexandra turns out to be Mephisto, or at least another popular Marvel character. If she doesn't, I will probably be disappointed and it will be difficult for me to enjoy the rest of the series. However, based on the previous Netflix series, I have a feeling that The Defenders will still be an enjoyable show and Alexandra will end up being a memorable and dangerous villain.  

3. THE RETURN OF SOME OLD FOES

In each of the previous Marvel Netflix series, there have been several minor antagonists that have appeared and then vanish without any definitive answer regarding their fate. While these characters might reappear in the sequel seasons of the precious Netflix series, I would at least like to see one or two of them make an appearance in The Defenders.

Even though the Kingpin (played by Vincent D'Onofrio) was defeated by Daredevil at the end of that series' first season, the Kingpin showed proved that he was not ready to give up Hell's Kitchen. In the second season of Daredevil, the Kingpin had been rebuilding his criminal empire in prison and was preparing to retake Hell's Kitchen.

It would be cool to see Kingpin being released from prison and making his move to retake Hell's Kitchen. He could even become another obstacle for the Defenders in their struggle against the Hand, or the Defenders might end up needing the Kingpin and his resources in order to defeat the Hand. This could give the Kingpin some leverage against the heroes, making him a more dangerous foe in a future series.

In Jessica Jones, Will Simpson (played by Wil Traval) was a subject in a secret military project, essentially a super soldier like Captain America, but ended up beaten unconscious by Jessica and Trish. That was the last time Simpson was seen before some secret agents showed up at Jessica's trashed apartment and took him...somewhere.

It's possible for Simpson to return in The Defenders, possibly as a soldier of the Hand. The Hand has proven to have many resources and influence in the modern world, despite being an ancient ninja army, so perhaps the organization that enhanced Will Simpson are affiliated with the Hand.

Davos (played by Sacha Dhawan) is another character that might turn up in The Defenders, especially after being "betrayed" by Danny Rand, the Iron Fist. Jealous of Danny, Sacha might try and take on the Hand all by himself in an attempt to prove himself as a more worthy Iron Fist, or perhaps he might take on his comic book alias of the Steel Serpent and challenge the Defenders head on.

Finally, I think that Diamondback (played by Erik LaRay Harvey) could show up and fight against the Defenders, seeking revenge against his half-brother, Luke Cage. Last time fans saw Diamondback, he was in a hospital and was possibly going to be used in a similar experiment that gave Luke Cage his powers and unbreakable skin.

Diamondback could return even stronger than before, but because it didn't seem like he had any affiliation with the Hand throughout Luke Cage, it would be likely that he would be taking on the Defenders himself, and possibly complicating things for the heroes and the Hand.

These are all just a few ideas that I thought would be really cool to see in the upcoming Defenders series. Some are based on theories and rumors circulating around the internet, but most are just some random thoughts I had in anticipation of The Defenders.

If anything I mentioned actually does happen, I will be very impressed by The Defenders, and if none of this actually happens, then I will be a little disappointed, but will probably still enjoy the series. Now, all anyone can do is wait and see...