Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio return as Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk in the Disney Plus continuation of the Netflix series with Daredevil: Born Again.
Daredevil: Born Again Overview
Daredevil: Born Again‘s two-episode premiere is a mixed bag, with the first being much better than the 2nd episode.
These first two episodes are a pretty clear continuation of the Netflix series. Like the best Daredevil stories, the series begins in tragedy. Matt must wrestle with the lines he crossed. Meanwhile, Fisk decides to ditch the Hawaiian shirt as a Kingpin and aims to make New York City better by running for Mayor while trying to patch things up with his wife, Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer).
Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead carry over their cinematic approach as directors in the Loki series to this version while retaining the grittiness of Netflix show.
Overall, these first two episodes are a great return to street-level storytelling, with Cox and D’Onofrio at the top of their respective games.
The rest of the cast and some dialogue don’t always rise to the occasion. My biggest issue with the series is the one-year time jump after the tragic opening. One of the best aspects of the Netflix series was watching Matt struggle with his guilt. By jumping ahead, Born Again removes the ability to see Matt’s inner torment. Matt’s positive demeanor also doesn’t track even after a lapse of time.
If the series can delve deeper into Matt’s internal struggle, then this series could surpass the Netflix incarnation.
Daredevil: Born Again is streaming on Disney Plus.
Heaven’s Half Hour Review
The first episode debuts with a terrific one-shot featuring Foggy (Elden Henson), Karen (Deborah Ann Woll), and Matt enjoying a night out. The night turns tragic as Benjamin Poindexter, aka Bullseye, sets his sights on Foggy and succeeds. The fight between Bullseye and Daredevil is terrific and, yes, takes place in another iconic hallway.
Fast forward a year. Karen has left New York. She only returns for Poindexter’s sentencing. Matt tries to find a way to keep Karen in town, but she bails. It’s a great scene, but Matt’s healthy perspective on the situation doesn’t quite feel earned due to the time jump.
Matt returns to his new law firm with his cohorts, Kirsten McDuffie (Nikki M. James) and Cherry (Clark Johnson). McDuffie is Murdock’s law partner, and Cherry is a retired NYPD cop who investigates on Matt’s behalf. Neither of these characters holds a candle to Foggy or Karen. McDuffie sets up Matt on a date with Heather Glenn (Margarita Levieva), a therapist with ties to the Boroughs of New York.
Meanwhile, Fisk’s professional stature has improved, and his relationship with his wife, Vanessa, is waning. He’s running for mayor, much to Matt’s chagrin. Matt forces a meeting with Fisk, where they make their stances clear. If Fisk steps out of line, Matt will be waiting to stop him. Fisk warns Matt that, as mayor, he will no longer allow vigilantes to run around the city.
Fisk wins the election. The episode ends with Fisk looking down on the city he loves and Matt looking up at a town he loves but barely recognizes.
Heaven’s Half Hour shines on the backs of the incredible opening, Fisk-Matt dinner conversation and the poetic ending.
Optics Review
The 2nd episode, Optics, doesn’t quite maintain the momentum. Although, it does feature a strong opening and a violent ending.
The episode begins with Victor Ayala, aka White Tiger, trying to stop a mugging on the subway. However, the good samaritan accidentally pushes one of the muggers in front of an oncoming train. The other mugger reveals he’s a cop and arrests the good Samaritan for murder.
While at the prison, Matt overhears Ayala’s statement in the interrogation room. Matt steps in as Ayala’s attorney. He’s able to convince the judge to disregard Ayala’s vigilante past.
Meanwhile, Fisk is beginning to understand his new role as mayor. Fisk’s campaign manager, Sheila Rivera (Zabryna Guevara), tries to get Fisk to appease the more traditional voters. Daniel Blake (Michael Gandolfini) is a younger, more brash aide who introduces Fisk to a younger reporter. The reporter reveals the key to the younger voting populace is getting the police on his side.
Fisk approaches NYPD Commissioner Gallo (Michael Gaston) after a funeral in the best scene in the episode. Gallo wants nothing to do with Fisk. In fact, he’s making it his mission to ensure Fisk’s mayor run is as short as possible. Gaston is a terrific character actor. There is tremendous tension between Gallo and Fisk, which is lacking in the vigilante case.
Later, Fisk turns the tables on Gallo by revealing that he knows a secret about Gallo’s past, which prevents Gaston from resigning. Vanessa and Fisk also attend couples counseling with Matt’s girlfriend, Heather.
The episode ends with Matt tracking down the witness who was the recipient of a beating by undercover cops. He has little time as the dirty cops head to the witness’s apartment. The witness escapes, but Matt stays behind. He allows the men to beat him until they pull out a gun. He pleads, not to them, but to himself, “not to do this.” Then, he unleashes the devil on them.
The violence at the end is shocking, but seeing Matt seemingly kill two cops without hesitation seems a bit much for a character who has always wrestled with pulling the proverbial trigger.
Daredevil: Born Again Final Thoughts
The performances by Cox and D’Onofrio, music and brutal fight sequences rises above some dull supporting characters, some lazy storytelling in the 2nd episode regarding Cherry discovering White Tiger’s uniform and the time jump.
I like the approach directors Benson and Moorhead bring to this world. If the writing can rise to match the performances and directing, Daredevil: Born Again may reign supreme over other MCU series
Daredevil Born Again Premiere
-
Great - 8/108/10
