In the first season of Daredevil: Born Again, some viewers complained that there wasn’t enough action and suspense after the series premiere. It’s understandable since things began with one of the best live-action superhero fighting scenes ever, then turned into more of a Law and Order show than a comic book one. Now, I liked it, but I also understand the complaints. But with the chance to tell the story Marvel Studios wanted to tell (after the creative reboot) the creative team balanced things better this time around.
In the fifth episode of season 2, titled “The Grand Design”, there was no action. The closest thing to it was Daredevil dragging a wounded Benjamin Leonard Poindexter (Bullseye) around the city to protect him from the Anti-Vigilante Task Force. Even then, not one punch, baton, or knife was thrown. Nevertheless, this was still an amazing episode that highlighted how the story - not the action - is carrying Daredevil: Born Again.
WARNING! SPOILERS FOR DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN SEASON 2 EPISODE 5
Recap Without Fear
At the end of the previous episode, Bullseye attempted to kill Vanessa Fisk. Wilson Fisk partially blocked Poindexter’s projectile, but one of the shards penetrated her head. We all initially thought Vanessa was dead, but she was actually in critical condition. And that’s where things start to get heavy in episode 5.
This storyline of "The Grand Design" was more about Vanessa before she met Wilson. Considering that she’s a villain, this was a bold choice by the creative team, but it worked extremely well thanks to Ayelet Zurer playing the role well. Especially towards the end of the episodes, when she's spending her last few moments alive with the man she loves. Also, seeing Fisk cry as his wife dies humanizes him.
Look, I get it. Wilson Fisk is among the most deplorable villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While it’s easy to sympathize with Erik Killmonger or Thanos, it’s impossible to agree with Mayor Wilson Fisk. He intimidates, and takes out everyone in his path to dominance. However, seeing him vulnerable adds layers to the character that we haven't seen in some time. It doesn’t absolve him of his past and future atrocities, but it may have lightened the fans' hatred of him. They may even understand what he does next.
The Devil’s Review
As Vanessa Fisk dies, Daredevil is doing his best to keep Bullseye alive. Poinxter continuously says that he’s not worth saving, but Matt keeps protecting him. It’s a strange move considering how much Murdock hates him. But that’s when the writers tug on the heartstrings of their viewers with a flashback featuring Foggy Nelson.
The show goes back before Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson had their own law practice, serving as something of a prequel to even the Netflix Daredevil series. During one of their cases, they were forced to defend someone who was clearly guilty. Not only did they defend him, but Foggy also gave the criminal (and his old “friend”) $1700 from the Murdock and Nelson law office fund. It was his way of giving back to a person who had a bad upbringing and needed a second chance at life.
This story showed us all why Matt Murdock has compassion for the man who killed his best friend in the present. It's because he understands what it’s like to have someone in need of another shot - not because he wants to (or even should), but because it's what Foggy would do. And, if anything, Matt was going to be sure he honored his best friend. However, it’s doubtful that Karen Page will be as forgiving. It's easy to guess the two will have words in episode 6.
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