The explosive season finale ofDaredevil: Born Againjust aired on Disney+, and it is all fans can talk about online. The finale made some major implications for the future of the show and the MCU as a whole. It seems evident that they aresetting up the return of the Defendersin the next season, and possibly other street-level superheroes such as Spider-Man. Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) has also officially adopted his Kingpin persona again, with his power and influence growing exponentially. The last two episodes of this season were done by a different creative team than the previous episodes, resulting in storytelling that felt more aligned with the original Netflix show’s tone and style.
With this season over and fans eagerly awaiting the next, many have inevitably been comparingBorn Againwith the three seasons of the original show. Most of this season didn’t quite match the darker, more realistic tone of the Netflix show until the last two episodes, but the characterization of the returning characters was spot on. Season 2 of the original show was also divisive among fans, but about the storylines rather than the tone or style.
Nevertheless, in the 10 years since the originalDaredevilshow aired its first season, it has been beloved and wholeheartedly supported by fans of the characters. It continues to be a standout show among the crowded superhero genre thanks to the grounded nature of the story and the superb acting by the main cast. Each season has its outstanding moments, so we are analyzing each one to determine which is the best.
The second season of the originalDaredevilshow introduced audiences to the fan-favorite anti-hero, Frank Castle, a.k.a. The Punisher (Jon Bernthal). The dynamic between Daredevil and The Punisher, and subsequently their real identities, has always been a highlight of the show. The rooftop scene between the two remains one of the most iconic scenes in the entire show as Frank tests the limits of Matt’s morality and faith. It also introduced us to Elektra (Elodie Yung), the heart of the brutal Hand organization and Matt’s most prominent romantic partner.
‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2 Release Date Teases Connections to New ‘Avengers’ and ‘Spider-Man’ Sequels
‘Daredevil: Born Again’s expected return date offers an exciting tease for The Punisher special, but will leave Spider-Man fans disappointed.
Season 2 has some excellent moments, such as the aforementioned rooftop scene between The Punisher and Daredevil. The infamous courtroom scene where Frank announces to the court that he enjoyed killing the corrupt men who murdered his family and that he’d do it again is one of the best scenes in the entire show.
However, the convoluted plot with the Hand and Stick (Scott Glenn), Matt’s former mentor, quickly grew messy and alienated him from Foggy (Elden Henson) and Karen (Deborah Ann Woll). The somewhat mystical elements felt out of place for a show mostly grounded in reality. It mostly boils down to the fact that The Hand couldn’t fill the void left by the absence of Wilson Fisk as the central villain.
3’Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 1
Daredevil: Born Againhad large shoes to fill, especially as a continuation of the original series that was also tasked with merging the world ofDaredevilinto the MCU. The first episode of the season pulls no punches and lures viewers right back into the gritty, enthralling, almost bleak environment of the original show. Episodes involving the trial of Hector Ayala (Kamar de los Reyes) a.ka. The White Tiger provided another emotional tether for the season, while the episodes with Muse (Hunter Doohan) were exciting, despite the limited screen time the character had.
A different creative teamfrom the first episode made the other episodes up until the last two, and unfortunately there are moments throughout the show where this is glaringly noticeable. Episodes one, eight, and nine felt like they could have been ripped straight out of the Netflix seasons. They matched the same tone, visual style, and editing style that fans of the original show have come to love. Episodes 2-7 were similar, but it was somewhat obvious that a different team was behind those episodes. A few of the plotlines seemed underdeveloped due to this, such as the way Muse was utilized or the purpose of the BB Report, but the acting from the main cast mostly makes up for the inconsistencies.
The third season ofDaredevilwas nothing short of exhilarating. Instead of overstuffing the season with multiple storylines and driving Matt away from his friends, season 3 opted to focus on Matt’s number one adversary and the strength he receives from the support of Foggy and Karen. Matt goes back to full form as Daredevil, and the tension between Daredevil and Kingpin in this season is the highest it has ever been. D’Onofrio embodies the greediness and cruelty of Wilson Fisk effortlessly, while also balancing his admiration for New York and his intense love for Vanessa. Cox is always spectacular as Matt Murdock/Daredevil, but he unlocks something deep within the character that hadn’t been seen yet until the third season.
Season 3 starts out slow and tedious, which can be a bit frustrating for those who are impatient for the action. Nevertheless, the season expertly builds tension toward the inevitable blowout that happens at the end of the season. When the action gets going, it never stops. Something the show had become known for by this point is the stunning fight choreography and cinematography, and season three kicks it up several notches. There is a fight scene in this season that is so excellently filmed to look like one continuous take that it is nearly impossible to tell where they snuck cuts in. Everything about season 3 blows season 2 out of the water, which is impressive considering that season had The Punisher.
As impressive as the other seasons are in their own ways, nothing can top the first season of the originalDaredevilshow. It is a masterclass in episodic storytelling and should be the standard for superhero projects. Every character in this season feels like a real person that you might know in your own life. It is told like a crime drama rather than a superhero story, which is a refreshing take both then and now. Still, the season respects its source material deeply and honors every small detail of Matt’s character and world to truly bring him to life on screen.
‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Star Teases the Controversial Comic Book Storyline Season 2 Is Based On
Kingpin actor Vincent D’Onofrio offered a small hint of what’s to come in the next season of the Disney+ MCU series.
Season 1’s high production value set the show apart from other shows in this genre, and even stood out among big-budget movies. The use of color is astounding and heightens the impact of each scene. The editing, especially during the impeccable fight scenes, always feels natural and is never distracting. The infamous hallway fight scene was a breath of fresh air for hand-to-hand combat fight sequences, and is still the best fight scene of the show. I
t’s a gritty, emotional crime procedural with a purpose behind its darker moments. It doesn’t spoonfeed exposition to the viewers, but rather lets us experience the story along with the characters.Phenomenal performances from Coxand D’Onofrio, along with Hensen and Woll, give it an extra boost to make this season (and this show) exactly what it is; iconic.
