After a divisive first season which saw last minute reshoots redirect (and save) the season, Daredevil: Born Again returns with a second season that’s more consistent in its narrative, action and character arcs.
My praise for this season starts with the story; it’s a fantastic amalgamation of the original Netflix series and this MCU sequel series. The focus has been placed more on the legacy characters and treating them as such. It’s the first time in this series that it has properly felt like a continuation of the Netflix series, and the importance of that element is felt through every episode. Once again the story centres around Daredevil and Kingpin, two opposing forces who have split the city’s alliances right down the middle. It’s a compelling game of tug-of-war that sees the power dynamic ebb and flow in unpredictable ways. As a result, the season is jam-packed with epic story beats that will be remembered far into the future of these characters in the MCU. I’m not just talking about grand, universe-impacting moments, I’m talking about moments that are big for individual characters; choices that push people into new territory, exhibiting fantastic growth or regression. The season is packed with these moments, giving us something new to enjoy for each of our most beloved and hated characters.
The focus on writing over action is something that allows this series to shine above and beyond your typical MCU entry. Some of the most tense, gripping and exciting moments in here don’t have a single ounce of blood. In fact, there’s a few courtroom drama sequences that are utterly exceptional in how they have grand implications on characters within the season. The central narrative, while focusing on that Daredevil x Kingpin conflict, allows plenty of room to further the arcs of everyone from Karen Page and BB Urich to Daniel Blake and Bullseye. The world feels dark, gritty and lived in, with every big moment impacting each character in ways we get to see throughout the season. They’ve built a stronger narrative in this season, one in which no matter who we’re following, there’s something interesting going on… and the season only gets stronger as it goes on. As episodes pass and the stakes get higher, it makes the wait for new episodes more and more agonising; a sign of great storytelling.
Now, that storytelling doesn’t spread to every character in here; with the likes of Heather Glenn just floating through the season without anything to really do. She’s a byproduct of the first season’s narrative and doesn’t have much of a role here, but needs to be kept around for continuity. On the complete other end of the spectrum, Bullseye might be the coolest character in this season. He’s not the focus, but he plays a large, recurring role from beginning to end and completely steals the show every time he’s on screen. There’s no denying Wilson Fisk is a powerhouse villain, but Bullseye gives him such a run for his money that he’s at times more fun to watch. He gives us a number of wonderful action sequences to marvel at, including some of the season’s most memorable.
Speaking of the action; where do I even start. With so many fighting styles on show in this season, we’re really spoiled for choice. Between Bullseye’s laser accuracy, Fisk’s brutal hand-to-hand strength and the Task Force’s trusty guns, there’s a lot of variety to keep the action refreshing. It’s brutal, bloody and violent, emulating a Netflix-accurate (albeit slightly watered down) tone. The blood and gore is also used somewhat sparingly, making those moments actually impactful and not just doing it for the sake of being gruesome. For instance, the season finale is by far the bloodiest the series has ever been, and keeping that title for the finale only makes sense.
Performance-wise there’s a lot to love about this season. It goes without saying that both Charlie Cox (Daredevil) and Vincent D’Onofrio (Kingpin) are incredible. They play off each other perfectly, bringing out both the brutal intensity of their characters as well as their more human sides. They’re the glue holding this whole show together, bringing credibility to everything that happens. Deborah Ann Woll (Karen Page) has an expanded role this season, allowing her to really flesh out her character and sell us on her strengthening rebel mindset. Arty Froushan is easy to hate and appropriately threatening as Kingpin’s henchman, Buck. It’s a subdued role, but one that’s impactful in small moments. Matthew Lillard makes his debut as Mr. Charles and it’s a fun performance, but the character’s lack of impact and importance makes him a pointless addition.
Lastly, I want to commend not only the score but also the cinematography; it’s very well shot and even gets creative a couple of times with how it visually represents Daredevil honing in on his senses. It’s a small change, but the aspect ration shifts when Daredevil is focusing on certain sounds is awesome every time. Then there’s the score, weaving elements of the theme into tense action sequences to boost excitement and impact. Like the blood and gore, it’s used sparingly for the good of the series.
In the end, Daredevil: Born Again is an improvement on its predecessor in almost every way. It feels like it has finally found its tone, structure and focus after an uneven first season. Where I believe the early creative direction was to abandon the legacy elements, it’s now embracing them for the better. The action is a highlight, the character arcs are exciting to follow, and there’s potential for implications on the wider MCU. If anyone is still apprehensive about the series, just know it’s heading in the right direction, with exciting narrative developments to come.
9.1/10
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