Daredevil: Born Again, the highly anticipated continuation of the beloved Netflix series, has arrived on Disney+, and the weight of expectation is palpable. The original Daredevil, which premiered in 2015, carved out a unique niche within the superhero landscape. It distinguished itself with its darker, more grounded tone, a stark contrast to the often fantastical and lighthearted fare dominating the genre. The brutal, visceral fight sequences and the complex moral dilemmas faced by Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) resonated deeply with audiences, leaving a lasting impression that persists even today.
Since the original show’s cancellation, the landscape has shifted. Projects like Deadpool and The Boys have pushed the boundaries of comic book adaptations, exploring mature themes and graphic violence. However, the fondness for Matt Murdock’s distinct brand of justice, his acrobatic prowess, and his relentless pursuit of criminals remains strong. The return of Charlie Cox as Daredevil in Spider-Man: No Way Home and his subsequent appearances in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Echo have only heightened anticipation for Born Again.
The new series acknowledges its legacy and the carefully curated reintroduction of the character. In contrast to Echo, which portrayed Matt as a formidable, almost unstoppable force, Born Again opens by showcasing his relatively stable life. He, Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll), and Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson) are still a formidable legal team, enjoying camaraderie at their familiar hangout, Josie’s Bar. This idyllic setting establishes a sense of normalcy and contentment, setting the stage for the inevitable disruption.
Tragedy strikes swiftly and brutally. Bullseye (Wilson Bethel) returns, and in a shocking act of violence, shoots Foggy. This event sends Matt into a spiral, leading him to abandon his Daredevil persona and focus solely on his legal practice. Karen’s departure after Foggy’s death further isolates Matt, leaving him without his established support system. Filling the void are Kirsten McDuffie (Nikki M. James), a firm partner, and Cherry (Clark Johnson), a retired cop who discovers Matt’s secret identity after witnessing him apprehend Bullseye.
Born Again then jumps forward a year, depicting Matt’s efforts to cope with Foggy’s death and navigate his new reality. This shift in status quo results in a change in tone and visual style. The series adopts a brighter color palette and places greater emphasis on Matt’s life as a lawyer who happens to be a superhero. The early episodes center around his legal cases, introducing clients through their struggles before Matt’s involvement, and exploring non-vigilante problems, such as securing more funding for his firm.
The weekly episodic format allows for a deeper exploration of Matt’s legal expertise, something the original Daredevil only touched upon. Each episode offers opportunities for Matt to subtly utilize his enhanced senses to aid in his daily life without fully reverting to his vigilante ways. This restraint is a recurring theme throughout the season.
The return of Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), now Mayor of New York, adds another layer of complexity. Fisk’s animosity towards vigilantes, fueled by the events of Echo, drives his political ambitions. However, the most compelling aspects of his storyline involve his relationship with his wife, Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer). The series delves into the impact of Fisk’s absence on Vanessa and explores the ways in which their love both defines and potentially undermines them.
Restraint is a key theme for both Matt and Fisk, and it extends to the series itself. The initial episodes, influenced by the original showrunners Matt Corman and Chris Ord, feature minimal fight scenes. This deliberate choice reflects Matt and Fisk’s attempts to suppress their darker impulses. Instead, the series focuses on the portrayal of New York through journalist BB Urich’s (Genneya Walton) news channel, where citizens voice their opinions on Fisk’s mayorship and the role of vigilantes like Daredevil and White Tiger (Kamar de los Reyes) in the city. This approach grounds the MCU’s version of New York, making it feel more authentic and relevant to the street-level heroes and villains populating the show.
The latter half of the season, under the direction of current showrunner Dario Scardapane, marks a shift in tone and pacing. Born Again loosens its grip, allowing Matt to embrace his Daredevil persona more fully. The action sequences become more frequent and impactful, and storylines established in earlier episodes reach satisfying conclusions. Scardapane’s vision benefits from a clear understanding of the season’s overall trajectory, ensuring that the narrative builds towards a defined endpoint.
The series remains focused on Matt Murdock and his unwavering commitment to protecting his city, whether as a lawyer or as the Daredevil. This concentrated approach prevents the show from becoming overly ambitious or losing sight of its central character.
Ultimately, Daredevil: Born Again’s first season feels like a product of compromise, yet it remains a worthwhile experience due to its eventual high points and the compelling performances of Cox and D’Onofrio. The show succeeds in capturing the essence of the character and his world, and the hope is that a second season will allow for a more fully realized and impactful narrative.
New episodes of Daredevil: Born Again are currently airing Tuesday nights on Disney+. The show’s blend of legal drama, superhero action, and character-driven storytelling offers a compelling viewing experience for both longtime fans of Daredevil and newcomers to the Marvel universe. Despite its imperfections, Born Again is a welcome return for a beloved character and a promising start to a new chapter in his story.
