Even prior to the creative reshuffle that occurred with the new version
Daredevil
Shifting towards a more serialized format, this series was conceived with approximately 18 episodes in total. This places “Straight to Hell” as an apt midway point for the narrative—a somber juncture.
Empire Strikes Back
– Yet, the ending finds everyone seemingly defeated, with the resistance continuing to fight. Although this denies viewers the relief of seeing the heroes achieve victory or the villains receive their just deserts, this decision will render the eventual triumph even more gratifying for Daredevil.
does
one day take down Kingpin. Besides, we still get to see the Punisher guiltlessly kill a bunch of dirty cops.
,
The episode starts by establishing that Vanessa employed Dex to assassinate Foggy along with his client. Now, Matt feels certain about this suspicion inside his heart; however, when he voices these concerns to Heather and Kirsten at the hospital, he merely comes off as delusional. Fortunately, Kirsten provides some valuable insight—Foggy had intended to submit a motion to dismiss prior to his death. Nonetheless, Heather remains highly doubtful regarding Matt’s alerts concerning Fisk, making for an increasingly exasperating viewing experience.
,
Since we’re discussing this, what precisely is Heather contributing to the show? She appears briefly at the conclusion of the finale when Fisk appoints her as the new Commissioner of Mental Health. This sets up ongoing conflicts between her and Matt regarding Fisk for the next season; however, I’m not particularly enthusiastic about that development. Ideally, I’d prefer to see Heather align herself with Matt and uncover the truth behind his dual identity so she remains a compelling romantic prospect and an important character within the series. Of all the relationships Matt has been involved in, theirs stands out as both the most earnest and substantial, yet they seldom have opportunities to genuinely bond. Later in the episode, when Karen Page makes an entrance, it serves as a stark contrast highlighting just how genuine and authentic their dynamic feels—regardless of where things stand romantically.
,
Fisk, meanwhile, does not feel overly grateful to Matt for saving his life. In fact, he’s treating this as a perfect opportunity to eliminate a longtime enemy. But by the time Buck shows up to the hospital and the power grid fails, Matt is headed home — where Frank Castle is waiting, happy to help handle the Task Force goons waiting just outside. (Karen called and asked Frank to look after Matt when she heard Dex escaped prison.) Directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead don’t film this fight in one long take like they did with the virtuosic Josie’s brawl in the premiere, but it still feels like classic
Daredevil
. That includes Matt and Frank disagreeing, as usual, about Matt’s no-kill rule, which Frank is happy to flout. Then again, Matt’s whole apartment eventually gets blown up by a grenade, so anyone Matt made sure to leave unconscious is also dead now.
,
Karen arrives dramatically, rescuing Matt and Frank, which briefly turns their trio into an unusual love triangle. However, aside from a somewhat flirtatious discussion where Matt listens to Karen’s heartbeat, they concentrate on finding files related to the case that led to Foggy’s death within a storage unit. Karen uncovers crucial information revealing that the Red Hook Port operates completely free from legal oversight, allowing the Fisk family to engage in illegal activities without interference. Although Foggy failed to grasp the full impact of this case, Vanessa was well aware of its significance.
,
Indeed, Fisk is fully embracing his tyrannical behavior now, showing no pretense of adhering to the law. He uses the blackout as a pretext to lock down the city, ordering the Task Force to pursue all vigilantes without legal procedures. His team appears to be entirely supportive, which is astonishing in certain instances but expected in others. Daniel has previously demonstrated his ruthless tendencies, and here he effortlessly coerces the city council into backing Fisk’s authoritarian Safe Streets program. Anyone who opposes this will find themselves on an enemy roster, with the team planning “arrangements” to handle such individuals accordingly.
,
Sheila is more of a reluctant participant in all this crime and corruption, and I do wish we could’ve spent more time with her to directly witness the moment she consciously realized the depth of Fisk’s evil and chose to stick by his side anyway. Then again, maybe this
is
At that instant, Sheila documents her conversation with Commissioner Gallo and promptly shares it with Fisk, disclosing that Gallo is plotting against him. She had the opportunity to take a stance, but she did not.
,
Nevertheless, the biggest surprise in this final episode occurs following Buck’s delivery of Gallo to Fisk. Gallo accurately deduces that Fisk will never
not
Be Kingpin, and thus Fisk demonstrates it. In front of Sheila and several of his most loyal soldiers, Fisk murders Gallo—not by shooting him or beating him to death as he typically would—but by crushing his skull and basically tearing his head apart using only his bare hands. This is the Fisk from the earlier stages.
Daredevil
the individual who severed a Russian gangster’s head by slamming it against a car door multiple times.
,
That pretty much wraps things up! The episode doesn’t really have a definitive climax—most of the excitement occurs in the center part, whereas the conclusion focuses on depicting the grim new world order imposed by martial law in Fisk’s version of New York. Interestingly enough, Matt and Fisk never cross paths again following Matt taking a shot meant for Fisk. Although Matt and Karen make their way to the harbor, Matt keeps his thirst for vengeance in check. She reminds him that charging in right now would be tantamount to suicide, and they wouldn’t achieve true justice for Foggy or the city as a whole. Instead, they must return with substantial reinforcements.
,
That’s our configuration for season two, and let me tell you, I’m quite thrilled. “Straight to Hell” seems more reminiscent of the older style.
Daredevil
than pretty much any other episode in this season besides the first, and that’s not just because of the presence of Karen Page. It’s the character drama, the noirish tone, and the exploration of faith. Much of this season didn’t quite live up to my highest hopes for a revival, but it started strong and ended strong. Now that we really know what
Born Again
is about — now that the show has dealt with the vestiges of its pre-overhaul self and honed in on a good visual aesthetic — I have faith that season two will be an improvement.
,
Born Again
has been a show at war with itself, with two different versions jockeying for dominance. That dichotomy parallels Matt’s journey in a way; he has lightness and darkness inside him, but Karen and Foggy loved him for
him
Even after exploring both perspectives, as Matt confronts his darker side, the series also delves into its own darkness. I realize the season is wrapping up, yet it seems like
Daredevil
is just now coming back.
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Devil in the Details
,
• “Why would you take a bullet for that asshole?” “That is a good question.” This is as far as the episode goes in explaining Matt’s questionable impulse from the last episode, but I appreciate the interaction anyway.
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• Nice beat when Frank quietly says, “Stay safe” after Karen and Matt have already left.
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• Officer Cole North, who killed Hector Ayala, is one of the guys left to die in Matt’s apartment.
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• Cool to see Frank face down some of his Task Force imitators at the port, even if he’s still in their clutches at the end (along with Jack Duquesne!). But that post-credits scene suggests he’s already breaking free.
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• I just really wish we could’ve seen Powell die. He seemed like the perfect minor antagonist to go at this point. But oh well, next year.
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• No BB Urich, but hopefully she’ll link up with Matt and his army.
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• Curious about Vanessa’s role moving forward. Not sure I expected her to fully turn on Fisk at any point, but I liked that the schism between them allowed her to get more screen time to herself. In this finale, she’s back in a quiet supportive-partner role.
,
• I like that Matt’s final voiceover touches on his relationship with God again. More Catholicism in season two, please? I know not everyone agrees, but I think that’s such a core part of the character’s identity, and it feels weird to get so little of it in a show called “Born Again” (even if season three already mostly adapted the actual comic of the same name).
,
• There’s ample material from today’s political climate to interpret.
Born Again
, and I must admit, Fisk’s concluding remarks left me somewhat unsettled in a manner they perhaps wouldn’t have a year earlier.
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• Radiohead’s “Everything in Its Right Place” makes for an ideal track to conclude the season with, maybe even as a finale.
any
season on. (
For All Mankind
Used it at the conclusion of its third season.)
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