Disney is taking an unconventional approach with the release of ‘Echo’ this week, introducing a “street level” MA-rated series in a manner reminiscent of the Netflix era. With only five episodes, the entire series will be available for binge-watching starting tomorrow, January 9, at 9 PM ET.
Adding to the intrigue, there are no critic reviews available ahead of the launch, leaving fans without a Rotten Tomatoes score to rely on. Contrary to the assumption that the absence of reviews may be an attempt to conceal potential shortcomings, insiders reveal that there are, indeed, critic review copies circulating. However, the review embargo is set to lift precisely at the time of the release, possibly even a few hours after midnight.
Tonight marks the lifting of the “social media” embargo, allowing viewers to express their initial thoughts on platforms like Twitter without delving into specifics. However, the official review scores will remain undisclosed until after audiences have already started watching the show.
Speculations arise regarding the reasons behind this unique approach. While the common assumption in the film and video game industry is that studios hide negative reviews to protect pre-sales and day-one purchases, this reasoning may not entirely apply to ‘Echo,’ given its status as a streaming show on Disney Plus.
An alternative theory, besides the possibility of the show being subpar, revolves around the potential for spoilers. Rumors suggest that ‘Echo’ may feature surprise cameos from other MCU characters, beyond the prominently featured Daredevil. Critics, although usually tight-lipped about spoilers in early reviews, could potentially leak details. Yet, this hasn’t occurred, and the mystery surrounding these cameos only adds to the anticipation.
The situation is indeed peculiar. While it’s not uncommon for Netflix shows to debut with limited or no reviews due to the overwhelming volume of content for critics to cover, the same cannot be said for ‘Echo,’ a significant MCU project this year. The reasons behind this unique review strategy remain elusive, leaving fans to speculate until the series premieres.