Daredevil: Born Again Episode 4 is the best episode of the Disney Plus continuation and rests alongside the best of the Netflix series. The usual terrific performances by Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio are matched with fantastic writing by David Feige and Jesse Wigutow.
Daredevil Born Again Episode 4 Overview
In this episode, Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk’s parallel paths toward exploring new ways forward reach a crossroads.
Beginning minutes after Hector Ayala’s murder, episode 4 puts Matt in a position that brings out the best in Cox as an actor: internal crisis. Throughout the episode, Matt is wrestling with himself. He wants to honor Foggy’s memory by keeping Daredevil buried. However, after three consultations, so to speak, it’s clear the devil is coming.
Fisk’s reign as mayor isn’t going according to plan. Not only does he need to endure Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer) recounting her affair, he’s also confined by redtape.
By the end of the episode, Fisk and Matt can’t resist their true natures.
There are no fights in Daredevil: Born Again Episode 4, but the phenomenal dialogue more than makes up for it. Every scene is electric, from the opening scene of Hector’s niece to the climactic scene with Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal). Likewise, Fisk’s political scenes with his staff have more energy and purpose than previous episodes. Feige and Wigutow even manage to find the humor in Fisk, which is impressive.
Overall, this is as nearly flawless an episode as possible. The only issue I thought was that Matt’s scenes with his client were terrific. However, the fact he did steal the items undercuts his message about the inescapable nature of the legal system.
Daredevil: Born Again is available to stream on Disney Plus.
The Devil’s Ghosts
In Daredevil: Born Again, episode 4, there are three pivotal interactions featuring Matt. Each encounter forces Matt to confront something that jogs memories from his past. He meets with a young person who lost a loved one at a young age, a client stuck in a system he and Foggy wanted to fix when they started Nelson & Murdock years ago, and the only man who can understand his pain in Castle.
The episode opens with Matt speaking to the medical examiner about Hector’s death. Their conversation is interrupted by Hector’s young niece, Angela Del Toro (Camila Rodriguez). She’s furious and justifiably blames the cops. Matt encourages her to have faith that justice will be served. As an adult, this scene felt like Matt talking to a younger version of himself, perhaps a mentee. Her anger serves as a reminder to Matt why he fights. Rodriguez is phenomenal.
After walking Angela out, Kirsten (Nikki M. James) assigns a case to Matt. Leroy Mancini (Charlie Hudson III), a man with a long rap sheet mostly for petty larceny, is arrested after stealing caramel corn from a convenience store. He’s adamant about probation and no jail time. The problem is his last sentence was for 30 days. Getting a lesser stint in jail, let alone a lesser punishment, is unlikely. After flirtatious bargaining with the DA, Matt successfully gets Leroy down to 10 days. Leroy isn’t happy and rails against a system that treats him like trash. This Leroy case represents the cases foundational to the firm he and Foggy started. The case also does an excellent job of continuing Matt’s frustration with a broken justice system.
Permission to Punish
Then there’s the long-awaited reunion between Frank and Matt. To date, this is the best scene in the series, eclipsing the scene between Kingpin and Matt. These two characters’ dueling philosophies make them perfect opposites and partners. The scene begins with Matt poking fun at Frank’s base of operations and wondering about his lack of interest in stopping his admirers.
Frank sees through Matt like nobody else. He believes Matt wants permission to exact real justice. Matt deflects, but Frank keeps pressing. He wants Matt to say Foggy’s name, which causes Matt to strike Frank. Frank scoffs at Matt’s immediate apology, saying that’s the first honest thing Matt’s done.
Frank can see the guilt all over Matt. The way Matt hears Foggy’s voice echoing in his head is the same way Frank hears his son begging him to keep going. Then, Matt finally says Foggy’s name and says goodbye, but not before saying he and Frank will never measure up to Foggy’s decency, which is quite clever.
The departing line makes it seem like Matt will continue to try to measure up to Foggy. In seeing how the episode ends, I believe Matt is admitting to Frank that they are the same, and this conversation makes it clear Matt will not be able to keep his devil at bay.
Mayor Fisk vs Kingpin
Fisk is also going through his eternal struggle.
First, Fisk must endure a therapy session with Vanessa and Heath Glenn. Vanessa recounts her affair with Adam. After the session, Heather speaks privately with Vanessa to ensure she’s safe with Fisk.
After the session, Fisk meets with his advisors Daniel (Michael Gandolfini), Sheila (Zabryna Guevara) and Buck (Arty Froushan) to discuss his plan for the city. Sheila cautions Fisk against moving too fast. Specific procedures must be followed to get this plan off the ground.
Early in the episode, Daniel makes the mistake of speaking out against a specific union off the record with BB. The leak springs during a school visit, during which children serenade Fisk. Fisk hears about the leak and wants answers. Daniel confesses, expecting to get fired. Fisk forgives him and warns him never to do it again.
The episode ends with Fisk pairing Italian food and wine with kidnapping. He has Adam locked up in a cell while Matt reacquaints himself with his tools of the trade. The kingpin and Daredevil can’t resist their true natures any longer.
Daredevil: Born Again Episode 4 Final Thoughts
Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk are at their most interesting when they’re at wit’s end. Episode 4 finds them at the brink. Matt’s three encounters force him to confront the limits of his view of justice.
The death of a hero client, a disgruntled client forced to serve a longer sentence and Castle’s code forces “The Man Without Fear” to wilt. Kingpin’s lack of patience is putting his temper to the test. The battle over vigilante justice in New York is heating up as the season heads toward the halfway point with momentum.
Daredevil: Born Again Episode 4
-
Outstanding - 9/109/10
