REVIEW: ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2 Episodes 2-3

Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Episodes 2-3 were released at the same time but are distinct chapters in the season. Episode 2, titled “Shoot The Moon,” is written by Dario Scardapane and directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. Episode 3, titled “The Scales and the Sword,” is written by Heather Bellson and directed by Solvan “Slick” Nairn. The show stars Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll and Vincent D’Onofrio, with Tony Dalton, Camila Rodriguez and Michael Gandolfini also playing important roles. As more people disappear from the streets and the vigilante trials begin, Daredevil plans a raid on Kingpin’s previous port project.

The structure of Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Episodes 2-3 is interesting, often beginning with the stylized clips of New Yorkers. Sometimes there are clips of vox pops with New Yorkers, or it focuses on the intense police presence. It sets the time and the general synopsis of the city. There are horrific infringements on freedoms and human rights, with corruption happening around every corner. Despite this, those in the street seem happy and content.

The police state and fascist boot standing on New York is brilliantly implemented. Kingpin’s crackdown on vigilantes is fantastical, but that’s so much about Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Episodes 2-3 that resonates with current events. People in cages feel very deliberate, and it strikes a chord.

Kingpin’s crackdown is bloody and near unstoppable in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Episodes 2-3.

Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Episodes 2-3 are linked, but like the whole season is. Things flow very seamlessly into one another. Episode 2 is setting up a lot for Episode 3, building subplots that are crucial to the main work. The other characters in the city are slowly implemented. Angela Del Toro (Rodriguez), the niece of White Tiger, and Jacques Duquesne (Dalton), also known as the Swordsman, are both pivotal figures.

But also Bullseye (Wilson Bethel) and Heather (Margarita Levieva), Matt’s ex. The episodes feel more connected and focused than the previous season, which took a scattergun approach with so many storylines in one season. Here, everything is attached to Wilson Fisk (D’Onofrio) or Matthew Murdock, trying to either survive, thrive or resist.

The pacing is fascinating. The conversations are long and in-depth, with so much tension building through Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Episodes 2-3. You’ve got the pressure of Fisk’s influence, seemingly untouchable and unstoppable. The defense in Swordsman’s trial, despite the industrious efforts of Kirsten McDuffie, seems ultimately fruitless.

Karen has changed a lot since Foggy’s death, and is starting to emulate one particular vigilante.

But this season and these episodes in particular have Daredevil launching into action. With that comes spikes of speed and adrenaline. The attack on the pier in Episode 3 marks the first influx of hope in the series, and it’s intoxicating.

A key element within this season is that the leads are Matt and Karen (Deborah Ann Woll). It’s clear inside Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Episodes 2-3 that Karen Page is just as much the figurehead of the resistance as Daredevil. She’s wanted for the same crimes and is key to the planning of movements and attacks. Matt and Karen have also found each other, and the return of that chemistry is so integral to the series’ soul. The show sorely misses Foggy Nelson to complete the trio, but having Woll back in the series reinforces its heart and strength.

Karen and Matt have also found each other, reigniting a romance that is struggling with the pressures of being on the run. Karen has changed significantly since losing Foggy, replicating the influence of another vigilante she spends a lot of time with. How she acts, how she talks, and how she wants to deal with Fisk come from spending time with Frank Castle.

Flitting between varying storylines, some creative swings end up distracting more than others.

On the other side of the coin, in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Episodes 2-3,  Fisk and Daniel are surely showing more signs of growing under Wilson’s wing. There’s a dual scene in which both Fisk and Daniel demonstrate how threatening they can be, but in different ways. Daniel is deceptively devious, good at drawing out information.

Gandolfini terrifically portrays a man whose physicality belies how terrifying he can be. But he’s not quite at the level of menace as Kingpin, and that’s evident when they’re in the room together. Fisk exudes threat, which is why it’s interesting that he’s so forgiving towards Daniel, who keeps making mistakes.

Daredevil is not the only vigilante in this city. Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Episodes 2-3 has a distinct focus on Swordsman and Angela, with very different intentions. Swordsman is terrific, especially in Episode 3. He had been well spoken and calm throughout his ordeal and imprisonment. He’s someone who questioned and said no to Fisk, and that his trial came first is an example of how petty and insecure the Mayor is. 

The fight scenes in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Episodes 2-3 feature a return to form.

Then there’s Angela, a young woman who is routinely traumatized by the city around her. Like her uncle, Hector, Angela is an important figure in representation. She’s so small and young, a change from the comics, and it very much alters how she’s viewed when joining the action. It makes her more vulnerable, but the anger she feels towards what’s being done to her community makes her presence larger.

Some of the creative decisions are exciting but also odd. BB Urich’s videos, in which she wears a mask and mocks Fisk, in a fusion of Max Headroom and Spitting Image, are chaotic and funny. Likewise, there is a strange dream scene with Vanessa Fisk, which is beautifully shot and colorful. But these, along with some other visual additions, can be slightly overbearing and distracting.

The return of the fight scenes to Daredevil is incredible, evolving immensely grim in the early days of the Netflix series. The stunts are still the best in the entire MCU, but they’re bloodier, and the camera movements are wild and frantic. The use of the billy club, such as in the fight at the end of the second episode against a unit of the Anti-Vigilante Task Force, provides Hornhead a lot of reach that he can also use to devastating effect.

Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Episodes 2-3 evoke both anger and catharsis. The show is great at creating the sense of a full city, with a sprawling cast of intriguing characters. They exist around each other, building their own plans and defenses. They scurry around the streets, making the show feel alive. Kingpin’s kingdom seems almost impenetrable, but Daredevil and his army keep finding ways of resisting. The return of both Karen and Daredevil gives the series energy, dynamite and a driving force.

Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Episodes 1-5 are streaming now on Disney+.

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