Marvel Studios’ Daredevil: Born Again season 2 premiered last week with a single-episode premiere, then followed it up in its second week with two episodes. This seemed like an odd move since season premieres are usually when most shows do multiple episodes. However, after seeing what happened, it all made sense because these two episodes felt more like a movie than a TV show.
The double-episode run made sense this week because both episodes of the Disney Plus series told a complete story, taking the show to its next stage. And here's how it pulled that off.
*** WARNING! SPOILERS FOR DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN SEASON 2 EPISODES 2 AND 3 ***
Episode 2, titled "Shoot the Moon", was pretty straightforward. There was a lot of action and more explanation on what both sides are doing. Mayor Wilson Fisk’s continued effort to bring down vigilantes continues to be a front for money, power, and control over New York, while Matt Murdock and Karen Page fight back.
The next episode, "The Scales and the Sword", maintained a high level of intensity and plenty of emotional moments. There was balance as the characters were allowed downtime to speak - each one with a purpose. For example, the meeting between Kirsten McDuffie and Jacques Duquesne and the courtroom scene was both brilliantly acted, shot, and served to show how strong Fisk’s influence is. Then, the action returned as Daredevil invaded the Red Hook Port, saved the detainees, and defeated the Anti-Vigilante Task Force (or AVTF).
The Devil’s Review
Both of these episodes have a common theme of making the villains unlikable and as connected to the real world as possible. And in a universe where blind men can be vigilantes, that isn’t an easy feat. Nevertheless, the creative team did it perfectly by not overdoing the impossible and making the AVTF the most hated villains the MCU has seen in a long time - especially, Powell, who needs to be hit in the face with Daredevil's baton more than anyone so far. That includes Wilson Fisk; at least the mayor doesn’t seem to enjoy what he’s doing. Powell does.
Another thing these two episodes did well was send viewers on an emotional rollercoaster. The show gave you reasons to think that all hope was lost by having the AVTF continuously beat and detain people, and having people like Powell do whatever they want. Then, just when you think you’ll have to go another week with the villains coming out on top, the third episode gives fans something to smile about. That is, until the very last seconds, when Fisk reminds people how evil he is.
Lastly, and maybe the best part, the introduction of the new White Tiger was amazing. Angela del Toro was already hurting after her uncle was killed in the previous season, but she refused to lose another family member to the AVTF. So she gets the amulet that gives the user powers and helps free the prisoners of the Red Hook Port. In fact, without her help, everyone (including Daredevil) would have been killed. It was exactly the kind of hero origin story that people look back on and smile at.
Overall, this was another fantastic episode with a conclusion that will continue to keep audiences invested in the series. And with the expectations on this show being so high, it could easily disappoint if something goes wrong, simply because viewers may want too much. Thankfully, that isn't the case with Daredevil: Born Again, which continues to thrive as its second season rolls on.
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