Daredevil: Born Again Episode 3 Review: The Right Thing to do

The fate of Hector Ayala is sealed in Daredevil: Born Again. After the violent ending of episode 2, Born Again slows things down by focusing mainly on Matt Murdock’s defense of Ayala in court.

Daredevil Born Again Episode 3 Overview

The focus on the White Tiger being Ayala’s true identity serves up moments of interesting reflection for Murdock and Wilson Fisk, resulting in the best episode of the season.

Episode 3, The Hollow of His Hand, is primarily a courtroom episode with little BB News interstitials and the relationship issues between Fisk and Vanessa breaking things up. The courtroom case is compelling, featuring Jill Blankenship‘s great dialogue and Charlie Cox‘s incredible performance. Cox remains the best superhero casting choice in film or TV.

The BB News interstitials are doing a great job capturing the different vibes on the streets of New York. I was especially taken by the man from Puerto Rico who is ok with Ayala being punished if he killed the cop. He wants a fair trial but doesn’t expect one.

Then there’s the relationship between Fisk and Vanessa. The trust between the ironclad couple is on the verge of breaking. After controlling the streets, Vanessa is struggling to let go of control. Fisk believes chaos is necessary.

I love how the series is transitioning between Matt and Fisk’s scenes. It creates a parallel structure. Both are trying to resist their demons, but for how long?

The only problem with the episode is a scene involving various heads of different gang outfits. The dialogue and performances are too cartoonish for this world. It felt like the Jump Suit Mafia stooges from Hawkeye in many ways. The cartoonish tone worked in that show to a degree, but doesn’t work in Daredevil: Born Again.

Daredevil: Born Again is streaming on Disney Plus.

The People vs Hector Ayala in Daredevil: Born Again Episode 3

Matt’s defense of Hector takes several interesting turns.

Daredevil: Born Again Episode 3 begins with Matt visiting Hector ahead of the case. Hector misses his home in Puerto Rico. He tells a story about the coquí, which is a frog native to Puerto Rico, and the beautiful music they make. Matt promises Hector will see his home again.

Matt is confronted by one of the police officers he roughed up in the last episode. Officer Powell threatens to try to throw Matt off the case. Matt doesn’t budge. He’ll charge the officer with witness tampering.

Matt doesn’t hesitate to twist the knife on the officer in court. First, he makes fun of the black eye. Then, takes a dig at Powell’s inability fight. During questioning, the officer lies about meeting someone on the subway platform. Matt notices Hector’s anger beginning to swell but calms him down before it becomes noticeable.

Matt has the confidential informant Nicky Torres ready to go as his star witness, but first, Cherry must get Nicky to court. Powell leaves the courtroom to prevent Nicky from testifying but fails. He only finds Cherry in the unmarked, black van.

However, Matt’s case falls apart once Nicky takes the stand. Nicky lies and claims he was at home instead of on the platform. Matt has no choice but to end the questioning. Matt and Kirsten try to devise a new plan at the office.

Michael Cuesta does a great job directing this episode. He shines in finding little flourishes that add to the tension of the courtroom scenes and the car chase scene.

Defending White Tiger

Back in court, Hector takes the stand with Matt, questioning. Hector retells the story from episode 2 with a bit more context.

He was taking the subway with flowers in hand. After years of hard work, he finally saved up money for a studio apartment and was planning to surprise his wife. When he arrived at the platform, he saw two men beating someone up. Hector asked them to stop, but they wouldn’t, so one of the officers slipped onto the tracks. They also never identified themselves as police officers.

After Hector’s testimony, Matt throws a hail mary. In the last episode, Matt sets up his defense by convincing the judge to keep Hector’s White Tiger identity secret. In Daredevil: Born Again Episode 3, Matt reveals Hector’s identity in open court.

The judge admonishes Matt in the chambers but agrees to allow the case to continue. The prosecution and defense can use Hector’s White Tiger persona.

Before returning to court, Hector talks with Matt. Hector isn’t happy that Matt revealed his identity. Matt understands but believes the risk was necessary for them to have a chance. He also tells Hector that he can’t be the White Tiger ever again since everyone will know his identity. Hector disagrees. White Tiger is his identity.

Matt uses Hector’s heroism as White Tiger in court to his advantage. Not only did White Tiger save innocent civilians, but he also was an ally to cops, which was a brilliant angle by Blankenship, the episode’s writer.

Matt wins the case. Hector is acquitted. However, the ending of the episode is far from a happy one. Hector dons the White Tiger costume and amulet, then hits the streets. He’s gun-downed at point-blank range by a masked man sporting The Punisher’s insignia.

Kamar de los Reyes is fantastic as Hector throughout these three episodes.

Order and Chaos

Fisk and Vanessa are trying to mend the emotional distance between them.

Vanessa is struggling to stay out of organized crime. She illustrates the point by referring to a rare painting she could use to wash money.

Before they can dive deeper into the issue, Fisk is interrupted by his campaign manager, Sheila Rivera. Fisk is looking to improve crime near the port. Unfortunately, Sheila’s report on a recent double murder makes that a more challenging prospect.

After Sheila leaves, Vanessa points out that the streets will be restless without someone leading the charge. At some point, someone will emerge and come for Fisk or herself. Fisk believes these blood feuds are below them.

Vanessa sends her, “Yes, man,” Buck Cashman to pay off the goons. During therapy, Fisk encourages Vanessa to reveal her involvement, which she does. Fisk warns Vanessa not to break his trust. He believes brief chaos is essential before order can be maintained. Vanessa doesn’t necessarily agree but decides to throw her affair at Fisk. Before Fisk can say more, Heather Glenn enters the room.

Daredevil Born Again Episode 3 Final Thoughts

It’s challenging to keep our demons or, in this case, the devil at bay, especially when it is the essence of who you are. Hector, Matt and Fisk wrestle with their proverbial masks in different ways. Hector views the White Tiger as his identity, while Matt views Daredevil as the worst version of himself, and Fisk tries to run from his violent nature.

The interesting moral conundrums make Daredevil Born Again Episode 3 the best episode of the revival so far.