Daredevil may be “The Man without Fear” — but that doesn’t mean fans of The Devil of Hell’s Kitchen weren’t worried heading into Daredevil: Born Again Season 2.
The worry was not how will Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox, Boardwalk Empire) lead an army to take back New York City from Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’onofrio, Law & Order: Criminal Intent). It was not if Matt and Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll, True Blood) would get together and become the most problematic couple ever. It was also not the fate of Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal, The Walking Dead). Nor was it if Marvel would pepper in cameos from the MCU, from you know … Spider-Man.
While these are all valid narrative questions and concerns, the Kingpin-sized worry and question in the room was this: What series would be getting? Season 1 was a franken-season with its faults hanging around like the effects of a bad Tuesday night at Josie’s. While this writer has extolled the virtues of that season, one would be remiss in not admitting that there were weaknesses, and that the late season turn – thanks to the return of Karen Page and the unleashing of Frank Castle – made the season so memorable.
However, that turn was so late in the season you had to wonder if they were going to continue with that blood-soaked, pull-no-punches approach. Well, the Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 premiere “Northern Star” more than proved this vibe of violence and vengeance mixed with moral struggles and political machinations would in fact be the direction this season would be taking. More-so than Season 1, this episode felt like we collectively clicked “Yes” on Netflix’s question — “Are You Still Watching Daredevil?” That’s right, this feels right at home to the old stomping ground of this series, and we’re all better for it.
“Northern Star” finds Matt Murdock and Karen Page holed up (literally) in the remnants of Josie’s as they wage a secret war to take down New York City Mayor Wilson Fisk — the legal way. Their plan is to expose the free port of Red Hook by sinking a ship named the Northern Star which is filled to the brim with illegal weaponry. It’s a great plan, but of course there’s a new problem in Matt and Karen’s way, an abrasive political operative named Mr. Charles (Matthew Lillard, Scream) who’s employer (no spoilers on that) has dispatch him to aid Fisk in the cleanup of this mess … of course he may be more of a hindrance to the Mayor’s operations as well.
Meanwhile, the prosecution of masked vigilantes is ongoing with Swordsman (Tony Dalton, Hawkeye) being the first sacrificial lamb. His case is being cooked by both the DA (Jon Benjamin Hickey, Jessica Jones Season 3) and Matt’s ex Dr. Glenn (Margarita Levieva, Revenge), who are altering psych evals in order to lock him up post haste. Of course, the good Doctor is not without her own masked ghosts as the vision of Muse keeps haunting her.
“Northern Star” employs all the hallmarks of a great Daredevil episode. First and foremost (to the surprise of some) it’s a plot-rich episode that sets the chess board. We’re re-introduced to our Season 1 players, while adding the wild card known as Mr. Charles. The legal drama surrounding Fisk’s Safer Streets Initiative does put into question if we’ll see Matt return to the courtroom to help his beleaguered legal partner. The parallels to what we’ve witnessed in this country cannot be denied and the series does not back down from its stance on the task force’s mission. However, you never feel preached to as in typical Murdoch fashion, its case is laid out plainly.
The action of the Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 premiere is peak Daredevil. The opening action sequence is just a beguiling ballet of blunt force trauma. Daredevil (in his black armor) waylays his opponents with such force that you can’t help but find yourself flinching in your seat as he delivers concussive blow after concussive blow. Yet, also in true Daredevil fashion, we have yet to see the best of what the action sequences of this series could be. The action is why you buy the ticket (or click play in this instance) to watch Daredevil, and you stay for the drama and performances.
Speaking of, Matt Murdock and Karen Page’s chemistry burns brightly once again. The will they, won’t they, will the ever situationship these two have danced around for years is finally consummated. A lot. These two are not just horny on the main for each other, there’s a true partnership in both the romantic, emotional, and heroic ways. These two deeply care for another, and their scenes together feels wholly lived in and sincere. These two feel like they’re finally working in unison, as their goals, cares, and desires (this is Daredevil after all) are all aligned. Deborah Ann Woll is such a vital part of the emotional text of this series, and to have her back in a full-time capacity jumps off the screen. Her scenes with BB Urich (Genneya Walton, Never Have I Ever), Matt and others just crackle with that damaged emotional wondrance that is Karen Page. Meanwhile, Charlie Cox feels like he’s back in his Netflix Daredevil era. He wears his moral ambiguity like a trusted old cologne. His scenes with former Law & Order star Annie Parisse are the kind that made you pure every ounce of emotional trust and investment in him as you did oh so many years ago.
Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, as stated before, sets the table for so much. The episode lays two compelling storylines of mistrust and deceit between BB & Daniel Blake (Michael Gandolfini, The Many Saints of Newark) and Mr. Charles and Kingpin. We have the haunting of Dr. Glenn and how that will impact Fisk’s kangaroo court prosecution of heroes. Plus, we have characters in peril and the return of a certain villain in a way we were not expecting. There’s also Jessica Jones on the horizon and a wild Frank Castle still out there. The bar has been set high for this season of Daredevil, and given the direction of this premiere, we’re in for one hell of a ride.
