Daredevil: Born Again Recap: Daredevil vs. Goliath

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As a passionate admirer of superhero shows, I must say that the original concept for “Daredevil: Born Again” was intended to be less serialized and lighter, with each episode more self-contained. Episode 5 seems to be a remnant of this earlier plan – it’s primarily focused on a single event where Daredevil steps in to save the day, and given his Irish-American background, it even takes place on St. Patrick’s Day.

While I’ve had reservations about the show’s choice to lean into a lighter tone, particularly with Daredevil absent from Hell’s Kitchen, I have to admit that this episode was quite enjoyable for me. Some viewers might find the absence of narrative progression off-putting (and the connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe may not appeal to everyone), but for me, a Fisk-less mission offers a nice change of pace.

With two episodes released tonight, it’s easy to keep watching if you’re eager for more story development. After all, who wouldn’t want to see what happens next?

At the start of the episode, Matt is in New York Mutual for a loan application concerning his law firm. The amiable bank manager, who turns out to be Kamala’s father from Ms. Marvel, is Yusuf Khan. Despite being very proud of his daughter, he can’t offer assistance with the loan, as much as he empathizes with Matt’s intention to serve numerous clients without charge.

A band of predominantly Irish men, distinguishable by the colors of their masks, are led by Green (Devlin). Their goal is to acquire 1.8 million dollars, which would alleviate pressure on their friend Luca from Fisk. However, they encounter a snag as Matt happens to be at the bank today.

In this scenario, a typical hostage crisis unfolds, and Matt quickly establishes himself as the heroic lawyer figure. He forgoes an escape with another hostage to allow her to depart with her spouse (and remains behind to play the savior). As the senior bank employee on site, Yusuf is tasked with opening the vault alongside Blue, while Red maintains vigil over the hostages and Devlin communicates with the police who’ve arrived outside. Matt advises Yusuf to delay as much as possible in the underground area, given that he wouldn’t be able to open the vault regardless of his efforts, since only his absent boss knows the combination.

In a surprising turn of events, Matt successfully stops Yusuf at the vault following Red’s lead to a pretend bathroom break. Once more, people underestimate Matt’s abilities as a blind man. During their scuffle in the stairwell, Matt skillfully catches Red’s dropped weapon before it could make noise and alert those below, all while subduing his captive using his legs. This action scene is an impressive moment of the episode. Knocking out Blue and posing as him on the walkie represents Matt’s second instance of conflict between fellow Irishmen in this St. Patrick’s Day episode, and it won’t be his final act.

Meanwhile, Angie Kim, serving as the hostage negotiator, is stationed outside with the police and SWAT team. Over the phone, she listens to Devlin’s demands, which include arranging transport for him, but also seem designed to amuse himself and create chaos while his accomplices complete their mission. He even threatens a hostage’s life if Angie fails to make him laugh. In an unexpected move, Angie tells a joke about a nun who was also a leprechaun to keep Devlin distracted.

I consistently appreciate the portrayal in Daredevil, particularly the latest version, of Matt’s unique sensory awareness, often referred to as his heightened senses. The initial scene of the current episode, with its inclusion of Foggy’s fading voice amidst the fight against Bullseye, was impactful, and it’s delightful to see this creative audio integration recur throughout the episode. Matt is able to overhear Angie’s discussion with Devlin, as well as other nearby conversations, which allows him to learn about the police’s imminent plan to storm the bank, even at the potential risk to hostages.

One of Daredevil’s exceptional qualities as a superhero is his excellent timing. On a smaller scale, he accurately pinpoints the breaths of assailants and knows precisely when to evade — or, in a creatively designed scene in this episode, he listens intently to the clicks of the bank vault lock turning to decipher the combination. However, on a larger scale, he is aware of exactly how much time remains before innocent people suffer harm. Once inside the vault, Daredevil and Yusuf immediately begin searching through numerous safety deposit boxes for one that matches Blue’s key. The contents are quite impressive: a pouch containing a glowing diamond valued at $1.8 million.

Matt hands over the diamond to Devlin with the promise of freeing the hostages once they’ve returned upstairs, casually throwing it as the police burst in. Amidst the ensuing confusion, Matt puts on Red’s mask and pursues Devlin (who has disguised himself as a cop) outside, intending to give him a severe beating and snap his leg like a twig. However, it is revealed that Devlin had given the diamond to one of his associates, who was secretly among the hostages, but what he had given her was merely a butterscotch candy from Yusuf’s desk – the actual diamond being found in Yusuf’s desk drawer in the final moments.

In my opinion, I’ve always appreciated Daredevil for its unique departure from the standard Marvel mold, and I understand why Yusuf’s presence might be divisive in this context. However, I find him generally charming, albeit occasionally grating as a scene partner. His vivaciousness starkly contrasts with Matt’s subdued demeanor, which I don’t mind at all. The fan service of Yusuf inviting Matt to dinner with his family in Jersey City at the end of the episode feels fitting, and I welcome it.

“Episode 5” seems least reminiscent of the original Daredevil, showing less emphasis on continuity and serialization. A diamond heist for Luca’s benefit builds upon the Red Hook thread from earlier episodes, but the looming conflict with Fisk is yet to fully materialize. Nevertheless, I consider it an engaging detour. Occasionally, I don’t crave plot progression; instead, I enjoy watching a beloved character navigate tricky situations deftly.

Devil in the Details

I can’t help but notice that Matt’s interactions with Yusuf seem strikingly similar to those memorable cameos he had in “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “She-Hulk.” As a cinema enthusiast, these moments are reminiscent of the magic that only the big screen can bring.

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2025-03-26 06:54