Iron Fist is the first of Marvel's Netflix offerings not to be met with at least a measure of critical praise. In fact, the first season currently ranks as the lowest rated show on Netflix, clocking in at a measly 18 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. That's a stark contrast to Daredevil's 88 percent. The narrative has been described as snail-paced and frustrating, with little payoff per episode. Fans criticized the lack of: a cohesive script, a likeable Danny Rand, properly choreographed fight scenes and an appealing premise. Critics mourned the general loss of direction and misguided writing.

Although much of the criticism is warranted, the arcs presented throughout Season 1 were actually on point. Danny Rand might not have been a "whiny brat" in the comics, but the Netflix show portrayed his journey, and journeys typically have beginnings that are far from rose-tinted. Nobody ever starts out responsible, mature, or sensible -- these traits are picked up over the natural, continuous passage of time as people make mistakes, learn from their mistakes and ultimately grow in character. And that was Danny Rand in Season 1. He was a work-in-progress. Like a child, or a worker fresh out of college, he was meant to start inexperienced and develop as both Danny and the Iron Fist as the story progressed.

How Has Danny Rand Grown Throughout And Since Season 1?

Marvel's Iron Fist Season 2

Characters rarely begin a journey fully fleshed-out. It is a mark of good storytelling to show a trajectory and clearly distinguish the start of a narrative from its eventual ending. This is exactly what was done for Danny Rand in Season 1, all the way into Defenders, Luke Cage and now Iron Fist Season 2. The writers deliberately portrayed Danny as childish and incompetent to set him apart from the hero he eventually becomes. Without this difference, his journey would have been dry and pointless, as Danny would have stayed the same throughout.

In fact, the cast and crew behind Netflix's Iron Fist performed the job so well, fans actually despised Danny enough to send actor Finn Jones hate comments -- and then grow to love him as the character matured. Jones's Defenders stint was met with great adulation, and his one time in Luke Cage was widely praised. Why?

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Like any child gradually moving on into adulthood, Danny's journey is beset with growing pains. He started his Netflix career wide-eyed and idealistic, almost universally believing in the goodness in people's hearts. Trusting to a fault, Danny failed to see through Harold Meachum's deception and Bakuto's lies, making the eventual fallout 10 times worse than it would have been for another hero.

In similar fashion, Danny falsely assumed everyone in life was kind and accepting, but the world doesn't work that way. It can be cruel and unjust, and the reality hits Danny hard. All this allowed for easy manipulation, which his enemies quickly took advantage of.

Danny wasn't always the best at his job either, which is to say at close combat fighting and Chinese martial arts. Not counting the fact that Finn Jones only had four months to train before Season 1, he was a rookie Iron Fist and began his story barely even knowing the concept of chi -- or, you know, how to light his hand up. Like his spirit, his form was awkward and flimsy, implying a holistic imbalance that was reflected in his every decision, reaction and fight scene.

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This imbalance made him an incompetent Living Weapon, one that routinely screwed up every mission he undertook. After enough mistakes and career boo-boos, allies like Davos began to question his credibility as the Iron Fist and if he is even worthy of the mantle both as protector of K'un-Lun and sworn enemy of the Hand. Enemies also made fun of his particular appointment, not simply to mock him but also because it didn't feel true. How could the Iron Fist be so naive, weak and unqualified? Wasn't there anyone better? Was this the best K'un-Lun had to offer?

Civilians and fellow entrepreneurs have also mocked his status as heir of Rand Enterprises. How could Wendell Rand's son be so awful and irresponsible at business? Could he even be trusted with running his own company? This egregious combination of ridicule and incompetence eventually resulted in self-doubt and a gradual loss of identity. All the more, Danny yearned for acknowledgement and a sense of individuality, but at the same time he was angry and frustrated over his own lack of progress and how helpless he felt despite his abilities. A crucial moment in the show involves Danny conversing with Rosario Dawson's Claire Temple about the overwhelming rage and fear in his heart. She told him it would be central to his development to find his center -- otherwise he would lose himself in his emotions, just as the Meachums and Davos did. The first season eventually concluded with Danny meeting his destiny -- insecurities notwithstanding -- and growing as a result of that bravery.

Why Is This Okay?

Offenders Assemble Iron Fist

It is true Danny failed in what other Netflix heroes would have considered child's play -- but then again he is no lawyer, policeman, Marine or private investigator. He's stuck in the mindset of a kid barely even out of middle school, trained in martial arts, but only that. And that's the whole point. You'd think being the Iron Fist, Danny Rand would be wiser, or at least slightly smarter, but remember where the man is coming from. He was orphaned all too young, at age 10.

Before that, he was home schooled and aggressively sheltered. After the plane crash that killed his parents, he was trained for years almost exclusively to fight -- not to survive in a bigger world outside of K'un-Lun. And he lived in that city, cordoned off from the rest of the world, for 15 years. He left long before he could have possibly been ready to protect anyone.

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The Iron Fist we see in Episode 1, and throughout the rest of that season, is a stunted Danny Rand that has barely progressed out of childhood. His physical form is that of a 25-year-old, but his heart stayed young. He regarded the world in much the same way as a child would. In contrast, Davos -- who also lived in K'un-Lun -- had no such impediments to his growth, and as a result is a more prudent and discerning person.

This is why Rand was exceedingly distrustful in The Defenders, preferring to rely on his abilities rather than than work with others -- he could still taste the pain of betrayal and didn't want to repeat mistakes. But like any paranoid teenager, eventually Danny learned to believe in others again, leading to his performance in Luke Cage. By now, our hero has become more comfortable with his choices and his destiny, as well as the world at large. This is the Iron Fist that will be coming in for Season 2.


Written by Raven Metzner, the second season of Marvel's Iron Fist hits Netflix on Sept. 7. It stars Jessica Henwick, Tom Pelphrey, Jessica Stroup, Sacha Dhawan, Alice Eve and Finn Jones as the titular character.