Mere hours away from the next episode of Daredevil Born Again, I thought it was high time I posted something about last week's episode The Grand Design. I'm sorry I didn't get around to it until now, but things have been quite hectic, though I do hope to do a deeper dive into the last few episodes very soon.
First things first: This is a solid episode. It was great to see Foggy again, and I really hope it's not for the last time. While the episode creates some slightly wonky timeline complications compared to the first show, that doesn't really bother me. However, I continue to be frustrated by the handling of Matt/Daredevil.
At the end of the third episode, Jack Duquesne says to Daredevil that "you're a symbol now," and that's a line that's stuck with me because it neatly summarizes what's been my issue since the second episode, after having a what I assumed would be a great arc set up for Matt in the very first.
While I'm not saying that he doesn't have his own story at all, his role in this show seems more like a symbol than as a character still in need of ongoing development. Or as someone that brings out other people's stories. On a more positive note, those are great stories, and that includes Foggy, as well as Bullseye in the present day.
As for the rest of the cast, Vanessa gets a lengthy sendoff that's beautiful on its own, but also makes us feel for Wilson Fisk in what is definitely an Emmy worthy performance by Vincent D'Onofrio. I can't wait to see what this does to her grieving husband who now finds himself without anyone to ground him, or hold him back.
Daniel's story continues to provide one of the most compelling arcs of the season. This episode, he is forced to take a ride with Buck Cashman, who cleverly gets some nice added backstory by being inserted into the past timeline as well, without knowing whether he'll live to see another day. His fear is palpable, and the acting by Michael Gandolfini is impeccable.
This is sure to mark a turning point for the character, who has spoken openly to BB about not necessarily wanting to know too much. Well, that ship has definitely sailed, and there's no denying what's right in from of him. I strongly suspect he will end up as one of the heroes of the story in the end.
There's much more I could say about the scenes with Matt and Foggy, but that is better suited to a deeper dive down the line. On a final note, I'll just add that it was great seeing Toby Leonard Moore back as James Wesley! Next up, Jessica Jones!
This was probably my favourite episode of Born Again so far, which feels a little unfair to say because a substantial part of it is dedicated to flashbacks to the original series. So much of this season has been action, I think because of that it sacrifices character moments and makes the characters feel more like punching bags and plot pieces than people. As you said, Matt is the greatest victim of this. I really appreciated that this episode let the primary plot fall out of focus in favour of retrospection/introspection, it was full of character interactions that had some great insight, and were very entertaining to watch.
I was also put off by the “you’re a symbol” line, it just feels too “Batman” if that makes sense. I vaguely remember similar lines in the Zdarsky run, where it made a bit more sense because it was a symbol Matt was actively avoiding being associated with by not wearing the costume. I want to call it “iconographic” or something.
I miss Foggy, I hope we can see more of him! In your deep dive into the first episode of this season, you mentioned that Matt has started acting more like Foggy, and it was great to see how Foggy influenced him here. I hope Matt and Karen have more chemistry in future episodes compared to the ones so far this season. Their interactions so far have been so focused on debating and strategising.
I think what they’re doing with Bullseye’s storyline is interesting. The only interesting thing to do with a character who is irredeemable and torments the protagonist is to try and redeem him, to push the protagonist’s ability for forgiveness. It’s a really exciting test of Matt’s character, and one that feels relevant to a Catholic defense attorney. It’s probably my favourite thing that’s been done with Bullseye, in and out of comics (though I liked some of the zany Colin Farrell fun). I don’t know if it’s ever been attempted anywhere, but it seems like something that would be more plausible in a TV series format, where it’s more likely for the status quo of a character to shift permanently. Rehabilitation/redemption is pretty rare to see in superhero stories.
I’m excited for today’s episode!