The Punisher episode 11 review: Danger Close

Reviewing episode 11 of The Punisher, titled “Danger Close.”

Episode 11 of The Punisher opens with Castle sitting in front of a burning fire, New York City in the background, and Castle remembering his family and, now, Russo’s betrayal. Russo is seen on a news report speaking about how he plans on catching Castle. Madani, beyond furious, throws her coffee mug at the screen. As the news report wraps up, a bloody Castle (wounded from episode 10) stands in the hideout waiting for Lieberman to turn in his direction.

In the bathroom, Castle attempts to clean and stitch himself up when Lieberman cautiously walks in. Castle gives him the silent treatment. Lieberman tells a story about how he wanted to be a vet. Upset that Russo betrayed him, Castle seems to be taking it out on his pal Lieberman. Let hope that these two kiss and makeup.

At the Lieberman household, Sarah and the kids are watching the news warning viewers stay away from Castle. Zach lashes out by questioning his mother’s judgment in letting a killer into the house. Before he storms off to his room, Zach grabs his phone. It can only be assumed that he plans on calling the anonymous tip hotline.

Russo is escorted to the office of Homeland Security where Madani is waiting with a camera to question him. Russo dodges accusations of murder while also metaphorically pounding his chest as he makes it a point to mention all of their “love making”. Madani, letting her emotions get the best of her, promises to find proof of Russo’s and Rawlins’ wrong-doing. To which Russo’s eyes widen as he did not expect for her to know about Rawlins’ involvement. After planting fear that Castle is coming for him, Madani leaves Russo.

Rawlins and Deputy Director James walk along the harbor chatting. We find out the reason Rawlins invited her to talk. Rawlins wants her help to deal with Castle, but James doesn’t like being blindsided. Rawlins tries to force her to save him by pointing out that she will go down with him because of politics. Meanwhile, Madani shows Hernandez the interrogation tape. He decides to go to upper management to “rattle some cages”.

In the Lieberman house, it’s almost dinner time. Leo takes a phone call upstairs to her room while Sarah and Zach are in the kitchen. When Zach goes to answer the door, a police officer enters after receiving a call to the Frank Castle tip line. When the officer tries to apprehend them, Sarah and Zach try to escape. Unfortunately, they get taken away by the “officers”.

Back in the hideout, Castle is packing the van in preparation for his Russo-revenge. Lieberman tries to talk him out of going by pointing out everything worth living for, including his family who Castle has grown close to. Castle realizes that something is off in the video footage from the Lieberman home. After some investigation, they see the abduction that took place and that Leo was able to escape. Looks like Russo will have to wait, family comes first.

Cold and afraid, Leo gets a call from Castle. He gives her instructions to toss the phone and to go to a meet-up spot. When Castle tells Lieberman to pick up Leo, he doubts that he will be received with open arms by his daughter. The plan is to meet up at midnight, but if Castle doesn’t make it, Lieberman is instructed to go straight to Madani. Castle plans to go Punisher on Russo’s guys as he knows they will come to the hideout for him.

In an abandoned warehouse, Sarah and Zach are tied up as Russo has a worrisome discussion on the side with Rawlins. They figured out that Lieberman is alive and working with Castle. Hernandez greets James at the Department of Homeland Security. Hernandez and Madani inform James of the evidence they have on Rawlins. James leaves upset, and Hernandez tells Madani “we rattled, let’s see what shakes loose.”

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Meanwhile, Castle gets ready for Russo’s men to come attack with a series of super close-ups. Lieberman nervously goes to the hiding spot calling for Leo. When Leo finally comes out, tears roll down as they hug. Lieberman was unsure how Leo would react, but he’s glad that she’s accepted him back from the dead.

Back at the hideout, everything is quiet and empty as we wait for the attack. Anticipation rising. Out of the darkness, Punisher is geared up. Nervous men armed with riffles and flashlights sneak into the hideout. Punisher takes a couple of them out in stealth mode. Eventually, the leader of the group calls Russo informing him that there’s no one there. Obviously, he’s mistaken.

When Russo tells them over the phone that it’s a trap, it’s already too late. Beautiful choreography on the show’s part this next scene. Punisher easily takes out the team of men who have come to eliminate him. He begins to yell out Russo’s name thinking that he was there. When he realizes that Russo isn’t there and no one has information on where to find Sarah and Zach, Castle gives Russo a call.

Castle threatens Russo with exposing him if he doesn’t release Sarah and Zach. After an exchange of threats, they finally agree to an exchange: Castle and Lieberman for Sarah and Zach. Meanwhile, James sets up a meeting with Rawlins on an overpass. She’s angry with Rawlins and basically tells him to fix this mess he’s made and pack his office. Rawlins is planning to throw Russo under the bus.

It’s midnight, Leo and Lieberman wait in the van for Castle. I’m touched by the father-daughter moment they have and want to applaud the casting crew for Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Ripley Sobo. They look and have each other’s mannerisms making them the perfect father-daughter team. Madani and Castle show up to the van. Meanwhile, Russo and a team are searching the hideout and he realizes how deep in you-know-what he’s in.

Final Thoughts:

This episode of The Punisher started slow, but the build-up was worth it. The beginning was definitely squeamish when Castle was stitching himself up, but the military showdown in the hideout was all the rave. I know the pace of the show might be a complaint for some fans of the comic, but I think it’s a necessary one. There are different storylines and character developments that need to be explored.

My biggest complaint was that there’s a lack of love interest for Castle in The Punisher. However, after watching episode 11, I see now that maybe the “love interest” has taken another form than what we are normally accustomed to. First, in order for there to be room for new love, Castle must get over his old love. He is still in love when the memories of his wife. Also, maybe this is more of a bromance. Castle and Lieberman have lived together like an old married couple and it’s adorable. Yes, they did “kiss and make up” at the end of episode 11.

Highlights:

• It’s come down to Castle versus Russo.
• Russo and Castle have agreed to a trade to save Lieberman’s family.
• Lieberman is coming back from the dead to his family.
• Rawlins thought James would be his saving grace, but she wants nothing to do with him.
• Rawlins plans to use Russo as his scapegoat.
• Castle and Lieberman start the clock counting down to the release of the torture video.
• Castle, Lieberman, and Madani are finally going to work together.

Next: 50 greatest super heroes in comic book history

Stay tuned for more review of The Punisher.