Marvel Studios' Daredevil: Born Again season 2 delivered its most jaw-dropping episode when Jessica Jones returned, Wilson Fisk and Daredevil squared off, and Karen Page was arrested by the Anti-Vigilante Task Force. The tide is beginning to turn for the villains of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as New York City is fighting back against the Kingpin's lies, but it isn't a smooth journey.
With Karen now incarcerated and Matt Murdock set to team up with Jessica Jones once again, let's dive into the next episode of Daredevil: Born Again, "The Hateful Darkness", and see where it takes the show before next week's season 2 finale. That said, we have to talk about the ending - which has changed the course of the Disney Plus series forever.
*** This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS from Daredevil: Born Again season 2 episode 7. Don't read on if you don't want it spoiled for you. ***
Be warned, it's a tough episode...
Daredevil: Born Again season 2 kills off another major character
Is Daniel really dead? It's the question we're all asking after that one, so let's not beat about the bush. Unfortunately, it's looking like the answer is a resounding: Yes.
Daniel's arc this season has been very much about trying to come back from the darker path that the first season (and now, the second too) took him down, so it was unfortunately always going to end this way for him. He needed redemption and, sadly, in the world of Daredevil that is a noble sacrifice.
This episode saw Daniel attempt to rescue BB Urich from Buck Cashman. After a brief moment of weakness (in which he almost brought her straight to Buck), Daniel told her to run and get as far away from him as possible. When he entered the building, Buck was waiting for him and what he thought would be BB. That's when the mood completely shifted.
Buck's assault on Daniel was violent as he attempted to ensure that he kept his word that Daniel would tell him where BB was. But beneath that bravado, there was almost a plea as he hoped Daniel would tell him the truth because he simply didn't want to have to do what he was about to do. But it was Daniel who kept his word, refusing to tell Buck where BB was. And, with that, Buck pulled out his gun. He heistated long enough to convey that he didn't want to do it. But, ever the loyal henchman to Fisk, he pulled the trigger, leaving Daniel dead at his feet.
It was an impactful moment - one that took place as part of a montage in which Matt Murdock prayed for help, prayed for everyone in struggle. During that montage, we saw Matt at the church, Karen Page in prison, Fisk in his bedroom isolated and alone without Vanessa, and Buck before he pulled the trigger. While there was some sense of hope through Jessica Jones' return - as she walked into the church to offer a helping hand to Matt, who had been shot in the leg - it ultimately ended with a sharp silence brought about by Buck's gunshot.
Light will prevail in the end but unfortunately Daniel is another victim of Wilson Fisk's corrupt power grab. Just as Foggy Nelson died in the first season at the call of Vanessa Fisk, and Vanessa herself died at the hands of Bullseye, Daniel has now fallen too. And, just like the original Daredevil series, Wilson Fisk is responsible - both directly and indirectly - for so much bloodshed. This is simply the next chapter in that never-ending story.
The stage is set for a showdown for the ages
As we look ahead to next week's finale, it's clear that Daredevil and his friends are making progress. Karen's trial being televised was a blessing in disguise as it allowed them all to use the platform to bring Matt Murdock back "to life". Fisk had branded him a hero, so seeing him defend Karen is sure to do her case a world of service in the eyes of the public.
Meanwhile, Karen had no problem getting under the skin of Heather Glen - who continues to prove herself to be one of the most unnerving, odious, and yet thoroughly compelling characters in the show. Deborah Ann Woll and Margarita Levieva delivered a masterclass of a performance in that scene and it was well worth the wait seeing these two forces come together. How it will impact Heather's Muse-inspired downfall will no doubt come to light in the finale.
Jessica Jones had swore off the superhero lifestyle and simply returned to action in the previous episode to hit Mr. Charles where it hurts; the fact that she hit Fisk there too was simply a bonus. And yet, after getting assurance from Charles that he would stay away from her this week, she couldn't walk away from the fight. So, despite her initial plans to go back home, Jessica turned up to offer Matt help when he was hiding out after being shot by the Anti-Vigilante Task Force.
Approaching him in a church, she literally, figureatively, and simply answered his prayers. And with that, Daredevil's resistance against the Kingpin has another major player. We know that Jessica will join Matt, Karen, Cherry, and the returning Detective Brett Mahoney - who made his first appearance in the Born Again revival this week when he allowed Karen a minute to talk to Matt outside of her cell.
Meanwhile, Matt found himself another unlikely ally this week when Bullseye agreed to offer up "one good deed" and save the Governor Marge McCaffrey from an attack by one of Fisk's goons. Although he likely won't be joining the resistance, he has provided a significant blow that could very well lead to Fisk's arrest. If not, it will certainly allow the Governor to revoke her support and potentially even strip him of his power.
The war for the heart and soul of the MCU's New York City will reach new heights in next week's season 2 finale of Daredevil: Born Again. And after everything that went down in this episode, the emotional rollercoaster will undoubtedly be quite the experience - an experience that only Daredevil can provide.
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