Daredevil: Born Again season 2 doesn’t waste any time diving right back into the action. The previously on recap reminds us that New York City was on fire and put under martial law by Mayor Wilson Fisk. On the flip side, the episode itself begins with the BB Report (presented by BB Urich), which shows citizens saying that New York is in a better place than before. Soon after that, viewers see the real side of things as Daredevil systematically defeats the criminals and sinks a ship full of heavy ordnance.
The Man Without Fear has always been aggressive, but this is the DD that comic book fans recognize as the one whose only rule is no killing. He’s breaking arms and viciously stomping on his enemies while they’re down. It’s clear that things have changed for Matt Murdock since the last time we saw him, and it’s more than just going from a red costume to a black one.
The hits from episode 1 didn’t stop there. Soon, Mr. Charles (played by Matthew Lillard) interrupts an important meeting with Mayor Fisk and government officials in an unprofessional manner. Before one of them can try to tell Mr. Charles to leave, he gets a phone call from Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, and his tone changes. Now he's all in on everything the mayor is doing and will help in any way he can.
There was no doubt that the season premiere of Daredevil: Born Again would be a banger. The performers were going to be great, as would the storyline. However, the one thing this writer wondered was whether the premiere would do too much - especially since the second and third episodes will be released at once. Thankfully, viewers were given just enough to be satisfied, ensuring that they will return for the next two episodes.
The Devil’s Review
One of the other things I love about Daredevil: Born Again is how the show isn’t afraid to get political. For example, it's clear that the Anti-Vigilante Taskforce is a direct social commentary on what is happening in America, particularly when it comes to the administration and ICE. That was made clear by how Heather Glenn threatened Jack Duquesne (a.k.a. Swordsman) by saying the guards could do whatever they wanted to him.
Later, the point was then hit home in the law office of Murdock & McDuffie when someone answered the phone saying that their loved one was detained by the Anti-Vigilante Task Force and they hadn’t been heard from since. And then there's the unjustified on-camera beatings from the task force. This is something that many Americans have reported, and it not only brought more realism to Daredevil: Born Again, it made it hit that much harder. The show is raising awareness about real world issues while also telling it's own story.
Another element that works extremely well in the season premiere is Matthew Lillard's Mr. Charles. Perhaps the most underrated part of the episode, he will undoubtedly become a major player this season. He clearly works for people so powerful that even Wilson Fisk knows to watch how he talks to him. And if the Kingpin / Mayor of New York is hesitant, then you know he means business. Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow to find out if this remains true.
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