Daredevil: Born Again Recap: Hard Cases

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From the impressive lineup of actors set for the return of Daredevil, it was challenging to predict a typical episode’s content. The premiere was packed with several tasks: establishing a time leap, explaining Daredevil’s retirement, and introducing significant new characters. However, with Foggy deceased, Dex imprisoned, and Karen in San Francisco, the series can now demonstrate its weekly format more clearly.

In contrast to “Episode 1,” “Episode 2” seems more akin to a typical episode of “Born Again.” Instead of focusing solely on Matt or Fisk, this episode balances their narratives without having them interact directly. Despite this separation, the stories maintain a sense of continuity within the same universe. Notably, the upcoming sessions of Matt’s girlfriend as a couples therapist for Fisk and Vanessa hint at potential conflicts. Furthermore, Fisk’s public anti-vigilante speeches, one of which references Spider-Man, his original comic book nemesis, cast a significant shadow over Matt’s ongoing struggle to suppress his violent nature and adhere to lawful methods.

I’ve found myself grappling with a familiar internal struggle, one that’s been recurrently portrayed in the original series. It gets a bit tiresome to watch Matt resist acknowledging his dual identity as both Matt and Daredevil, rather than just one. Yet, this struggle is central to his narrative journey.

In essence, Born Again appears to pick up where season three concludes, maintaining the continuity. Observing Matt grapple with these persistent questions adds to that seamless transition.

In this particular installment, Matt takes on his initial case for a vigilante client: Hector Ayala, more commonly known as White Tiger from Marvel Comics, who is the first Hispanic superhero. Hector found himself in a predicament when he intervened to stop two men brutally attacking another individual in a subway station. Unfortunately, these assailants were actually police officers, and the ensuing altercation caused one of them to stumble and fall onto the train tracks. As a result, Hector is now being accused of killing a cop, and he’s been subjected to rough treatment by both the NYPD and the prison population at Rikers Island.

Initially, Matt takes Hector as his client without knowing he’s a vigilante; it’s Matt’s detective, Cherry, who eventually discovers Hector’s White Tiger suit and amulet hidden away at his wife’s house. Despite Hector being truthful about their subway encounter, Matt suspects there’s something more to him due to his lie-detecting abilities. Kirsten is hesitant about Matt accepting such a complex and high-profile case, but he accepted the challenge because he wanted it.

Law enforcement tends to side with their own, and Hector understands that he’s at a significant disadvantage, particularly when facing District Attorney Ben Hochberg (John Benjamin Hickey). True to form, he is refused bail during the initial hearing; his wife’s absence due to her disapproval of his vigilante actions doesn’t aid his public image. However, Matt manages to secure a victory by persuading the judge to approve a motion in limine to keep Hector’s dual identity hidden from the jury, recognizing that this secret could influence the jurors unfavorably against Hector.

The crucial testimony needed is from Nicky Torres, Hector’s key witness who was involved in the case with the two police officers. To locate him, Matt tracks down the surviving cop, overhears him planning to trace and eliminate the loose end, and subsequently pays a visit to Nicky’s house to alert him of the danger and guide him towards seeking protection from Cherry at Fort Tryon Park.

In the initial episodes, not many exciting events transpire apart from the major Bullseye fight, but episode 2 delivers what we’ve been anticipating: Matt dishing out some well-deserved punishment following repeated provocations from the two cops who aim to kill Nicky. Each blow he lands carries a heavy, gratifying impact, particularly when Matt hurls one thug against a teetering refrigerator, causing it to spray blood. Cherry appreciates the regular suit version of Matt, but this series requires both personas. Matt may struggle with embracing this side, but Daredevil will forever be present – his Dark Passenger, as referred to in Dexter.

As a devoted admirer, I’d rephrase it like this: Just like old habits die hard, Fisk finds himself still entrenched in his gangster ways, and honestly, he doesn’t yearn for change. Unlike Sheila who wants him to shake things up upon taking office, traditional events with shareholders seem monotonous and insincere to him. Buck and Daniel echo these thoughts, advocating bold actions and spectacular displays – such as Fisk’s daring proposal to alleviate commuters’ woes by swiftly approving a road repair, thus preventing a traffic snarl-up. Interestingly, Sheila appreciates this tactic as well, but Fisk understands he can’t lean on her for all solutions.

For instance, consider Fisk’s tactics towards Police Commissioner Gallo (played by Michael Gaston), who harbors strong dislike for Fisk and was planning to resign from his position tonight. Fisk doesn’t necessarily need to inflict physical harm or explicitly discuss violence in his threats; instead, he could simply reveal a photograph of Gallo’s secret child as leverage – an effective form of blackmail. His amusing notion of a “compromise” involves compelling Gallo to continue his job while providing him with absolutely nothing he desires for the department. The phrase, “once a thug, always a thug,” may come back to haunt him.

In this episode, we delve deeper into the character of BB Urich, portraying her as a determined and enterprising young journalist eager to make connections with Fisk. The key to gaining access is through Daniel, a naive, subservient individual who arranges a brief meeting between BB and his powerful boss. Despite our limited understanding of BB, the underlying tension is palpable due to Fisk’s past involvement in the death of her uncle Ben. Given his disgruntled response to her aborted question about Vanessa, it seems that BB might not be far from Fisk’s crosshairs again.

Consistently, Vanessa serves as a vulnerable point for Fisk, particularly during difficult times when they aren’t seeing eye to eye. In therapy sessions with Heather, Vanessa confesses her feelings of solitude while Fisk was away seeking recovery, and she’s uncertain about her emotions towards him returning to her life and meddling in it again. However, if he aims to present a favorable image to his conservative supporters, he will likely require Vanessa by his side, an essential element of his public persona.

Episode 2″ offers a less gripping, more subdued continuation of the TV series compared to the pilot, primarily laying groundwork for future storylines instead of resolving the Hector trial plotline (which has a touch of standalone procedural elements, but may develop further throughout the season). Nonetheless, it’s enjoyable to revisit Daredevil, as we witness these two characters succumbing to instincts they typically suppress. When both characters start blatantly disregarding their own rules and Matt uncovers Heather’s privileged connection with Fisk, the plot is likely to become intricate and complex.

Devil in the Details

In this episode, Matt and Heather aren’t seen spending much time together, yet they seem deeply invested in each other, already planning vacations and discussing intimate topics like their love life during dinner. It’s heartwarming to see them, but it’s also amusing to notice how swiftly they’ve established a genuine relationship, considering Matt’s fleeting romantic connections from previous seasons.

As for Heather, I’m eager to learn more about her views on vigilantes. It seems her upcoming book delves into “projected identities,” encompassing the concept of masks.

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2025-03-05 08:38