Echo Episode 1 (and the rest of the series) is now streaming on Disney+ and opens with an explosive scene that gives us a glimpse into Maya’s ancestry as well as the real-world legend of the Choctaw people. There was so much to break down that I decided to split this first episode into two parts, so we can dive deeply into this opening scene and how it sets up Maya’s new powers and the broader connection to the Marvel Universe.
The First Choctaw
We begin this episode by peering into a blue swirling pool that resembles an eye. As we look down, a woman emerges with others and drinks from the pool. As they drink, the woman develops glowing swirls on her palms that flow through her arms. Suddenly, the environment starts to crumble around them and explodes into a white light. We then see the newly born people walk into the world and shed their skin to reveal themselves as humans, with their leader, Chafa, guiding her people into this new world. A voiceover from Bonnie explains that this is the story of the first Choctaw people and how Chafa saved her family.
This scene is based on the actual Choctaw creation myth. According to their legend, the Creator made the first people in a great mound called “Nanih Waiya”, or “the mound of all creation”, which we see behind the Choctaw as they walk away. These first people emerged into the daylight through a long dark cave to become the first Choctaw. This legend is brought to life in this scene, but with an MCU twist. So, how does this relate to Echo and the Marvel Universe?
The Manidoog
In Marvel Comics, there is a pantheon of gods known as the Manidoog, a humanoid race of extradimensional beings from a pocket dimension called Giizhigong, a boundless spiritual plane adjacent to Earth’s realm. Unlike other pantheons, the Manidoog maintain an intimate connection with Earth and can remain here without losing their powers. They have been worshipped by Native American tribes since as early as 10,000 B.C.
Chafa and the first Choctaw people in Echo could therefore be interpreted as members of the Manidoog, and the cave of creation they emerge from might actually be their home pocket dimension of Giizhigong.
Sipapu and Tiamut
Giizhigong is connected to Earth by interdimensional nexuses, one of which is called Sipapu, or “the place of emergence.” The pool from which Chafa drinks may be one of these nexus points. The glowing swirls on her hands resemble symbols used by the Eternals and Celestials, suggesting an MCU link.
It’s possible the pool is powered by the seed of Tiamut, the sleeping Celestial beneath the Earth. Like Vibranium in Wakanda or Talokan, this energy could seep into the planet, granting power to those who encounter it. This would explain the pool’s transformative qualities and the resemblance of Chafa’s powers to Celestial energy.
Chafa
Chafa’s name seems to be a play on “Nane Chaha,” the passageway the Choctaw used to emerge into the world. The spiral symbols on her hands are significant, both culturally and spiritually. Spirals are powerful Native American symbols representing life’s journey, growth, eternity, and existence. The “Healing Hand,” known to the Hopi as the Shaman hand, symbolises healing and is believed to contain the powers of the tribe’s Shaman.
One interpretation is that each bearer of the Healing Hand inherits the powers and knowledge of their predecessors. This could explain why Maya later sees visions of Chafa and her ancestors, and why her grandmother also senses them. If Chafa’s Celestial energy has been passed down through generations, it provides a spiritual connection that helps guide their paths.
In the Silence Between
We next see Maya as a young child in Tamaha, Oklahoma, with her family. Her mother, who is also deaf, dies in a car accident, leading to Maya losing her leg. This differs significantly from the comics, where Maya’s mother abandons the family when she is very young. In the show, Maya’s family is close-knit until tragedy strikes.
We meet Maya’s grandparents, who discuss her grandmother’s visions. Her grandfather asks, “Are the ancestors whispering in your ear again?”, suggesting she experiences ancestral visions similar to Maya’s.
Two Worlds
Flashbacks to Hawkeye show Maya’s extended conversation with her father about dragons and the ability to “jump between two worlds by observing.” This reflects her comic powers as a perfect mimic, able to replicate any movement she observes—originally created as a counterpart to Daredevil. Her father’s words could also allude to the Manidoog, with Maya and her ancestors existing between two worlds. Giizhigong itself is said to house dragon-like creatures called Hobomokko, adding further weight to this connection.
The Devil You Know
Maya eventually falls under Kingpin’s wing after he rescues her from the police. The mention of his father recalls Daredevil’s Netflix series, though there’s no confirmation of its canonicity. Maya’s first assignment puts her face-to-face with Daredevil.
The timeline is fuzzy, but the encounter likely takes place a few years after Daredevil Season 3 (2018), which coincides with the Blip. Since there’s no mention of Thanos in the Netflix series, it’s safe to assume it took place before the Blip. Meanwhile, Clint Barton operated as Ronin from 2018 to 2023, killing Maya’s father during that period. This means Maya’s meeting with Daredevil could occur post-series, fitting into the MCU without confirming or denying Netflix canon.
Coming Home
After revisiting scenes from Hawkeye—including Maya shooting Kingpin—we cut to her shooting someone in an airport. The story then jumps to May 2025, where Maya tends to a wound at a gas station, echoing Daredevil #53, in which Maya returns to her reservation for a vision quest.
This marks her first vision of Chafa and her ancestors, reinforcing her inherited spiritual connection.
The Black Crow
Maya visits Black Crow’s Skatelife, a roller rink owned by her uncle Henry. The name references Black Crow, a Marvel character first appearing in Captain America #292 (1984). A mystical warrior and protector, Black Crow possesses super strength, agility, shape-shifting, and the ability to transport to Ahasazi, a dimension tied to the Manidoog.
QueenPin
In conversation with Henry, Maya declares her intention to take over Kingpin’s role, stating, “Now it’s time for a queen.” The episode closes with her scouting a shipping container from one of Fisk’s distributors, while a final glimpse of Fisk himself shows him bandaged and recovering. His look mirrors Daredevil #15 (1998), when Maya shoots him in the face.
‘Echo’ Episode 1 – Final Thoughts
That’s a wrap on Episode 1! This opener was packed with more easter eggs than expected, pulling from both the comics and the MCU while blending them with real-world culture and legends in a really creative way. The action was sharp, the nods to the source material were strong, and it’s already clear the show is laying the groundwork for bigger things to come.
What really stands out is how the series seems to be reworking Maya’s powers. In the comics, she channels the Phoenix Force to connect with her ancestors, but here it looks like the MCU may be tying her abilities to Celestial energy passed down through generations. It’s a smart twist that honours the comics while fitting into established MCU lore, making Maya’s story feel fresh yet familiar. If Episode 1 is anything to go by, there’s plenty more to look forward to in the episodes ahead.
Echo is now streaming on Disney+. Check out a trailer below:
