Daredevil Re-emergence Highlights Frank Castle, Wilson Fisk, and a Dash of Comedy
Unleashing the Dark Forces: A Grip on Daredevil's World in "Born Again"
This week's "Daredevil: Born Again" episode takes a more casual approach, providing a breath of fresh air amidst the gloom that hangs over Matt Murdock's corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, the specter of the elusive serial killer, Muse, lingers as a grim reminder that all is not well in this dark world. The episode serves as a respite, offering some comedic relief and a lower-stakes case for Matt, allowing both him and the audience to catch their breath after the emotional rollercoaster of the previous episode's jaw-dropping ending.
In the realm of power play, Wilson Fisk, the reigning kingpin, finds himself in a more active role, embracing both his political and personal lives. At work, he endures the ramifications of a confidential leak involving Red Hook ports and union busting, which was revealed to BB Urich by Fisk's ambitious yuppie assistant, Daniel Blake (Michael Gandolfini). The intriguing question remains: Is "Born Again" setting up a deeper alliance between the two men, or is Daniel simply drinking the Kool-Aid Fisk is selling? Regardless, Daniel manages to pull off an impressive feat by maintaining his job despite his confessions to Fisk. The irony is palpable, considering the gravity of the information he put at risk, and the fact that Fisk had to endure not one, but two separate renditions of Starship's "We Built This City" - first by a group of schoolchildren and then again at the Latvian embassy. Perhaps the latter group hit the right notes, at least to Fisk's standard.
Meanwhile, at home, we gain some intel on Vanessa's affair with Adam and the driving forces behind her decision to seek solace in another man's arms following Fisk's post-Daredevil departure. As she confides in their therapist (and Matt's girlfriend) Heather (Margarita Levieva) during their therapy session, Fisk's departure was a betrayal to her, reminiscent of the suffocating feelings she experienced growing up due to her father's affair. To reclaim her lost agency and seek comfort in another man's embrace - especially an artist like Adam - was her way of asserting control. It's crucial to note that, while it might appear otherwise to Heather, Vanessa is not a powerless player in this game; she knows Fisk inside and out, just as he knows her. With absolutely no doubts, Fisk has met with Adam, and that cryptic rendezvous was not as simple as a friendly chat; it was a foreshadowing of Adam's inevitable imprisonment and Fisk's twisted dinners in front of his cage. If that revelation doesn't raise eyebrows, it certainly warrants a side-eye, especially when considering Fisk's abhorrent actions since his reintroduction in "Hawkeye." There's no doubt that he has more depraved plans in store for dear, innocent Adam.
Meanwhile, Matt grapples with the emotional turmoil following Hector's murder. Accepting a seemingly simple petty larceny case like Leroy Bradford's (Charlie Hudson III) provides a welcome distraction for Matt, and he seizes the opportunity to fight for his client's best possible sentence. Despite Leroy's frequent pleas for probation and avoiding jail time, Matt's efforts only result in a sentence that Leroy himself acknowledges as the best possible scenario. Leroy's arc concludes with him confessing to Matt the heavy burden of his prior convictions and the unforgiving nature of New York City's harsh penalties for petty crimes like shoplifting cereal, which keeps him trapped in a cycle of inescapable victimhood.
Matt's encounter with Hector's niece, Angela Del Toro (Camila Rodriguez), at the morgue at the episode's start, forces him to reckon with his role in creating the broken world he now finds himself in. Foggy's last words to him, urging him not to give his friend a reason to become Daredevil again, weigh heavily on his conscience as he witnesses the injustices prevalent in the city.
Lastly, the reappearance of Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) serves as a poignant reminder of Matt's past and the only friend he has from his old life, now that Karen is gone. Frank embodies the rage that Matt refuses to acknowledge, and his lingering resentment towards the Punisher cops. His presence provides an opportunity for Matt to confront his desires to embrace the darker side of himself that he's suppressed, a side that was awakened when he fought the cops in the second episode. Despite not being ready to fully step back into the role of Daredevil, Matt finds solace in his conversation with Frank, who, in his own way, allows Matt to entertain thoughts he had otherwise buried deep.
The ending of the episode leaves us with the tantalizing promise of two upcoming episodes of "Daredevil: Born Again," with a wink from the TV gods. Stay tuned for more thrilling developments in the world of Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk.
If you're craving more insight into the Marvel Universe, don't miss out on the latest (Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek) releases on the horizon, the future of (DC) films and TV adaptations, and everything you need to know about the upcoming (Doctor Who) adventures.
- The upcoming television series, "io9's Daredevil: Born Again," seems to hint at a potential alliance between Wilson Fisk and his ambitious yuppie assistant, Daniel Blake, as the show delves into their complex relationship.
- Despite the lighter case involving Leroy Bradford, Daredevil grapples with the emotional weight of Hector's murder, which sends him down a reflective path about his role in the city's dark underworld.
- Catching glimpses of Frank Castle in "Daredevil: Born Again" serves as a stark reminder of Matt's old life, offering a mirror to his suppressed desires and the dark side he hasn't fully acknowledged since giving up his role as Daredevil.
- In the absence of Karen Page, Matt finds solace in conversations with Frank Castle, while technology eagerly awaits future releases in the realms of Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC films and TV adaptations, and Doctor Who adventures.
