Warning: This review contains full spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again episode 9!
The first season of Daredevil: Born Again has been quite the rollercoaster in terms of quality, but boy does it end on a high note. The dueling storylines of Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk have finally crashed together, exploding into numerous devastating developments that fundamentally change the trajectory of the show. Originally, Born Again was envisioned as one season with 18 episodes, but it’s been cut into two seasons instead, so it’s not a surprise that this finale ends on a cliffhanger. Yet with New York City now in Fisk’s clutches and Daredevil faced with his most impossible challenge, what a cliffhanger it is.
In an episode with several incredible highlights, my favorite has to be the reunion of Daredevil and Punisher. They are two polar opposites, with one showing his worst enemies mercy and the other making sure the bad guys meet the most gruesome end possible. And Frank Castle calling out Matt Murdock for saving Fisk’s life? Amazing. The apartment fight scene between the two heroes and Fisk’s task force is one of the most brutal ever put to the screen by Marvel. After so many episodes of buildup, it felt extra satisfying to watch.
Helping to balance out the rift between those two is Karen Page, whose return is most welcome. Her intimate connection to both Frank and Matt makes her the perfect person to reset tensions and refocus their efforts on what matters most. Matt listening to her heartbeat to intuit her true feelings was a very nice, very Daredevil touch, too.
Last episode, Murdock figured out it was Vanessa who arranged to have Foggy Nelson killed after he stumbled upon the Fisks’ plans for Red Hook. Getting to see how Vanessa manipulated Benjamin Poindexter by taking away his support systems, just like her husband did, adds the last piece of the puzzle to this season-long mystery. Best of all, Bullseye isn’t treated as just a gun for hire and is finally given back the nuance that made him such a fascinatingly tragic villain back in season three.