The season finale of Daredevil: Born Again is upon us. Marvel Studios took over the reins for the beloved Daredevil series that streamed on Netflix a decade ago and brought the characters back to our screens in the Disney Plus revival series. The show had some teeth issues, and a controversial opening episode, but it quickly carved out its own identity, canonizing this world as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, all while paying tribute to its predecessor.
Matt Murdock lost a friend, Wilson Fisk pursed a political career, and corruptness once again ran wild on the street. But the Devil of Hell's Kitchen and the Kingpin are once again on a collision course. With Fisk's Anti-Vigilante Task Force running amok, and Matt officially donning the red suit again, the war for the soul of New York City is ready to be waged in the season 1 finale.
With that, let's dive right into things.
Daredevil and The Punisher take to the streets
The episode opens with Matt Murdock recovering from his gunshot wound. He survived his attempt to save the Kingpin's life, but of course that didn't warrant any sentimentality from his former enemy. Instead, Fisk took this as an opportunity to quietly deal with the Daredevil problem, sending Buck to his hospital room to try and kill him. But this is Matt Murdock - the Devil of Hell's Kitchen - we're talking about, so when Buck reaches his room, he is nowhere to be seen.
Fisk also uses this opportunity to gain more control, enacting Martial Law to seal the city until Bullseye is found. He tells them Commissioner and the Anti-Vigilante Task Force this in his office, and even though the former is reluctant to allow such a thing, he knows he has no power anymore. Fisk, and the corrupt cops, are the ones making the decisions here.
Matt makes his way back to his apartment, but he knows that the Anti-Vigilante Task Force is on his trail. But there's another reason that he's not alone in his apartment. A figure approaches from the shadows; it's Frank Castle, The Punisher, who makes his second appearance this season. He's there as a favor for Karen Page, and thus, he can't let Matt die.
The two disagree on Matt's decision to save Fisk in the previous episode, but they do find some common ground in keeping Matt alive as the Anti-Vigilante Task Force approaches. When the corrupt cops enter the apartment, Daredevil and The Punisher are there to greet them... and all hell breaks loose. Daredevil uses his fighting skills to take his opponents down, while The Punisher simply shoots, creating a very bloody environment.
Frank notices one of the bullets from the task force has the same Punisher symbol on the bullet used to kill Hector Ayala, and in that moment, the pair figure out that the assailant was none other than Sergeant Cole North. Daredevil is tempted to kill him, with the Punisher telling him that he should. Frank then kills another officer, which leads to blowback from Daredevil as the pair begin to argue. They then notice a grenade is pushed into the apartment, so Matt grabs Frank and the pair jump out of the building (with the assist of Matt's grapple baton) as it explodes.
The pair land on the ground below only to be confronted by a car. Karen Page steps out and tells them to get in. After that, Karen helps Matt with his wound while Frank stitches himself up. She reveals that she called Frank to ask for his help when she heard about Bullseye's escape from prison and immediately hopped on a flight back to New York. Matt then reveals that it was Vanessa who ordered the hit on Foggy. The pair head out to get the files of the case that Foggy was working on out of storage to see if they missed something, but Frank doesn't join them - telling them that the "Inspector Gadget bullsh*t" isn't for him.
He's clearly putting on a front and pretending that he doesn't care. But Karen doesn't buy it, telling him that she knows he cares. He reminds her that she asked for a favor and he did it - to which she simply responds "You did. Thank you".
Matt and Karen go through Foggy's old files. This also presents them with an opportunity to take a trip down memory lane, as Matt finds an "Avocados At Law" plaque. He tells Karen that he's glad she's back, also adding that he heard her heartbeat when around Frank. She responds by asking him if he heard her heartbeat when she was around him too. He smiled; yes, yes he did.
Then, they find it: The proof they have been looking for. Foggy was going to argue that the Red Hook port could have been used for legally laundering money to its unique properties, exposing the Fisks plans. That's why Vanessa had him killed.
Speaking of Red Hook, Frank confronts the corrupt cops there and opens fire immediately. He holds his own against the army but is eventually overpowered. They tie him up and tell him that they would love him to join their team as they admire him a great deal. He laughs at them, their hypocrisy, and tells them that they will never know his pain. He also calls them clowns.
Daredevil and Karen approach Red Hook from outside. Matt attempts to go in but Karen tells him not to, telling him that it will be like Josie's all over again and that he won't survive. She reminds him that Fisk has an army, so he needs to be smart in order to beat him. Matt agrees and, with that, puts a plan together to recruit others to help him. He says that he's been lost since Foggy died, but Karen tells him that Foggy always believed in him no matter what. He knew him, and she does too. Together, they will take the city back.
Kingpin takes control of the city
You remember how the Kingpin somehow ran for office despite being a convicted felon? Well, that's only the beginning of the corruption that he exhibited. He capitalized on Bullseye's attack on his life and the subsequent blackout to allow his Anti-Vigilante Task Force to run amok on the streets, and they did just that. One of the corrupt officers shot a kid who surrendered and, when questioned about it by his fellow officer, he put a mask on the kid to pretend that he was a vigilante.
Meanwhile, Fisk tells Vanessa that he knows it was her who ordered the hit on Foggy Nelson. Now that they are back on the same page, he wants to be there for her to protect her. He takes her hand and tells her that they can move billions through Red Hook now that he's the mayor. He claims he ran for office to save the city but that opportunities have presented themselves. Sure, Fisky, sure.
Upon telling Buck to kill Matt Murdock, Fisk meets with Sheila Rivera, his political advisor and the woman who has had a tough time getting the criminal to do anything that might benefit his campaign. He tells her that loyalty is more important than ever and asks her to report back to him about anyone that might not be loyal to him. He then tells her to send anyone who isn't loyal to him home.
She's shaken by that as she can see that he's simply out to serve himself; not the people. As she walks out of his office, the police commissioner corners her and tells her that there are still some sane people here. He hopes she's one of them and needs her support in going to court to get Fisk removed from office. She appears to agree, telling him that she can't go with him but that she can put in a word.
But the plans are upended when the commissioner's driver turns out to be a member of Fisk's Anti-Vigilante Task Force. Shiela betrayed him by going to Fisk, which resulted in the commissioner being brought before the Kingpin in front of an audience of the corrupt cops. Fisk beats him down and then literally squashes his head in front of everyone in what is undoubtedly the most violent scene in Marvel TV history.
Meanwhile, he's committed to ensuring that he has one of the most corrupt cabinets ever seen. Daniel and Buck meet with members of the City Counsel, who clearly have no intention of authorizing Fisk's corrupt "Safer Streets Initiative". But Daniel threatens them in one of his most ruthless acts yet, telling them that he will reveal the skeletons in their closets if they don't play ball.
Matt may have tried to warn Heather Glenn that Fisk was dangerous and not to be trusted, but some people just won't be told. The Kingpin offers her the chance to be his Commissioner of Mental Health and she accepts the role, telling him it would be her honor.
Daredevil: Born Again season 1 ending explained: The uprising begins
A war is coming in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and we're not talking about the one involving the fate of the multiverse. No, this one will take place on the streets of New York City, as longtime enemies Daredevil and Kingpin renew their rivalry with the fate of the city on the line.
The Kingpin uses the closing moments of the finale to fully take control of the city, enacting Martial Law. He stands before a camera and lies to the people (again!), telling them that the commissioner has abandoned the city in their hour of need but that he won't. He adds that there will be a curfew from 8pm and that all vigilante activity is now illegal in the city before adding "I love New York". He is then seen with Vanessa as the two walk past their enemies, who are caged in the same area that Adam was. Those enemies include Hawkeye's Jack Duquesne / Swordsman and The Punisher.
In contrast to that, Matt rallies a group of people at Josie's, telling them that they will take back the city. Among those who have joined his cause are Cherry, Detective Angela Kim (the officer who was on the scene during the bank robbery and found Fisk's handling of the Muse situation a little odd)., Josie, and more. He's rallying them for them for the fight that is coming - a fight that might involve some MCU returnees.
The two foes have managed to coexist for a single season, but the old feud is ready to be reignited as Daredevil takes the fight to Kinpin in Daredevil: Born Again season 2 next year. And, judging by the post-credits scene, The Punisher will be right by his side to help him do it.
What an incredible debut season Daredevil: Born Again has enjoyed. We're so ready for season 2.
All nine episodes of Daredevil: Born Again are now streaming on Disney Plus.