Daredevil: Born Again Recap: A Muse-Bouche

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Oh Muse, such a captivating and chilling new antagonist you seemed to be, yet your departure comes all too soon. It’s a pity that a compelling character like White Tiger also found themselves in a similar situation – both of you were crafted for more than just a brief appearance, yet destined to play supporting roles in the ongoing battle between Daredevil and Kingpin. Alas, when there’s an abundance of Marvel villains at our disposal, it’s challenging to devote too much attention to any single menace.

In Episode 7, Heather, who has mainly been a supporting character throughout this season, gets her moment to shine. However, I’m still finding it challenging to fully connect with her character, perhaps because her profession as a therapist seems to define her too much. On paper, she and Matt make an excellent pair, and there’s undeniably good chemistry between them, as seen in the shower-sex scene and their subsequent conversation. (It’s worth noting that sexual content is relatively scarce in the original series, even with Elektra’s arrival, so this was a welcome addition.) However, due to Matt’s persistent secrecy, there’s still an emotional distance between them. Their scenes together lack the depth and mutual understanding present in Matt’s past relationships with Claire or Elektra. Do you remember Claire?

I’ve been pondering whether Matt has truly reclaimed the role of Daredevil or not, but it feels right for him to pursue this path because living life as Matt seems inauthentic and hollow. However, not everyone is on board with this resurgence, particularly Cherry, who categorically refuses to aid Matt in his pursuit of Muse. Heather, on the other hand, astutely identifies Matt’s attempts to suppress his trauma, which, honestly, are quite obvious.

In the basement of a murder scene handled by the NYPD, Matt discovers sketches belonging to Bastian Cooper, a young man previously seen at Heather’s book signing in “Episode 2.” During their sessions in this episode, Bastian confides in Heather about the stress he endured as a child due to his parents’ expectations. Instead of Tae Kwon Do, he preferred art. It is also revealed that Detective Angie Kim suspects Bastian may have killed his live-in coach, reminiscent of Dex from season three. Heather seems to be inspiring a creative surge in Bastian, almost as if he’s found a new muse.

Bastian openly reveals his dual persona to his therapist without any attempt at concealment. During a session, he sketches while experiencing a nosebleed and delivers an eccentric soliloquy about the city perceiving him truthfully for the first time, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance for freedom. He prevents Heather from leaving when she attempts to escape, but there’s a bond between them that feels more like an unhealthy fixation. She recognizes his true identity, creating a strong link between them. Interestingly enough, their connection seems more genuine than her actual relationship! It’s amusing how ironic it is for Heather to label anyone wearing a mask as cowardly.

Could the intervention of Daredevil alter Heather’s perspective on things? In a moment where her life hangs in the balance, with mere seconds left before she bleeds out and suffocates on a sheet, he reappears for a continuation of their fight from last week. Ironically, it is Heather who ends up shooting and killing Muse in the end, thus making her body count higher than that of her vigilante boyfriend, Matt Murdock. This twist certainly brings an element of irony to the storyline. Despite Matt’s insistence that she had no other choice, Heather is visibly upset about what she has done when the episode concludes.

Indeed, Fisk and his task force receive all the accolades following the events, as it was an effortless victory following Daredevil’s strenuous efforts. Their conflict is once again reignited, starting from the moment Fisk whispers “he’s back” to himself upon learning about Daredevil saving Angela. To many, rescuing a teenager from a ruthless serial killer would be commendable, but Fisk is unique in his perspectives. Given his history with Daredevil, we know he holds grudges deeply and continues to blame him for the fall of his empire.

This season, I’ve been a bit antsy about the pace of Fisk’s storyline, but there’s a chance I’m just yearning for the enigmatic businessman persona of his past. However, Episode 7 presents some intriguing possibilities for fresh dangers to confront him. It’s unexpectedly refreshing! For instance, his long-time confidant, Buck, audaciously proposes that it could be beneficial for the city if Daredevil brings down Muse. He even cautions Fisk against misusing power following a discussion about leveraging his mayoral position to obtain whatever he desires.

In a surprising twist, it appears that Vanessa is considering betraying her husband, Fisk, to an extreme degree. She’s open to Luca’s proposition of overthrowing Fisk and taking control, not in politics but as the leader of an empire. She even gives Luca a hint when Fisk is alone, possibly intending for him to assassinate Fisk successfully. However, when Luca arrives, he proves to be as inept and disposable as ever, with Buck swiftly shooting him down before he can cause any damage. This was all part of the plan, but Vanessa’s anger and doubt might persist for some time.

Is it possible that Vanessa could harm Fisk? Over time, she’s been his weakness due to the intense love they shared. However, this affection has transformed into something sinister and mistrustful for both parties now. As a result, Vanessa poses a genuine danger; if necessary, she could easily endanger him in their own sanctuary. With only two episodes remaining in the season, there are many plotting to eliminate Matt and many more who wish harm upon Fisk. Prepare yourself for chaos.

Devil in the Details

Kirsten’s rhythm is pleasing, but there’s a hint of annoyance at Cherry’s advantage in accessing Matt Murdock’s information. I find myself favoring Kirsten over Heather, so it would be great to witness her play a bigger role in the main events.

Feeling disheartened by the “Mayor’s Trash Scandal,” Daniel is increasingly persuading BB to fabricate the truth about who eliminated Muse, apparently acting as a sly assistant to Fisk. Isn’t he just turning into a cunning little puppet of Fisk?

In a new twist, Fisk discovers that Muse is Heather’s patient, which subtly influences his responses during the confrontation, making it more interesting.

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2025-04-02 06:54