Daredevil: Born Again Episodes 1 & 2 – Shocking Twists and New Enemies Revealed!

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After a seven-year hiatus, Daredevil makes his comeback in the Disney+ reboot series titled “Daredevil: Reborn“. Several key characters from the original show are reprising their roles, although some appearances might be brief. Here’s a recap of what unfolded in the first two episodes of “Daredevil: Reborn“.

Revelations From Daredevil: Born Again Season 1, Episode 1, “Heaven’s Half Hour”

R.I.P Foggy Nelson, and Farewell Nelson, Murdock, & Page

The story unfolds some years following the conclusion of the initial Daredevil series, with the exact duration unspecified. It’s uncertain if any characters underwent the Thanos-snap event or not. However, Foggy Nelson has noticeably changed his appearance for the better. In this revival, we find our original trio enjoying a round of drinks after work at Josie’s Bar in Hell’s Kitchen. Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), Foggy Nelson (Eldon Henson), and Karen Page (Deborah Ann Wohl) attend a retirement party for their police friend Cherry (Clark Johnson). After an awkward attempt at flirting with Assistant D.A. Kirsten McDuffie (Nikki M. James), Foggy receives an urgent phone call from a client and steps outside to speak with him. Matt intuits there’s trouble, as Foggy is only away for a brief spell before being struck by a sniper’s bullet in the chest.

It is revealed that the deadly bullet originated from Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter, also known as the marksman Bullseye (played by Wilson Bethel). He goes on to kill two additional individuals and readies himself to target Karen, but Daredevil intervenes, leading to a fierce battle within Josie’s Bar and later on the rooftop. Meanwhile, Foggy lies mortally wounded outside the bar. Matt can hear his heartbeat growing weaker, and once he confirms that Foggy has passed away, he violates his strict “no killing” policy. He swiftly hurls Bullseye off the building. Although Bullseye falls from a great height, he miraculously survives. This may be due to the enhancements he received at the end of the previous series, but there could be other factors at play. In just fifteen minutes into the new series, Matt Murdock’s life experiences a devastating collapse, and it’s extremely gruesome.

“One Year Later” – Matt’s New Life, and Is NYC Better Without Daredevil?

Following the end of the credits, the story resumes approximately a year later, where we find Matt residing in a luxurious apartment, still bearing a heavy burden due to Foggy’s demise. The narrative hints at his ongoing sadness. We then come across snippets from an online show titled “The BB Report“. The primary character of this show is BB Urich, a relative of season one’s reporter Ben Urich, portrayed by Genneya Walton, who seems to be following in her uncle’s footsteps. From these street interviews, we gather that Daredevil has retired and the city’s condition remains unchanged for the worse. Professionally, Matt is thriving as he and Kirsten have formed a partnership. Subsequently, during Bullseye’s trial, Matt delivers an emotional testimony, and Karen Page makes an appearance for sentencing. The judge pronounces Poindexter guilty on 11 counts of first-degree murder, resulting in a life sentence in prison.

The Kingpin Goes Legit. Maybe?

In the near future, we’re back with Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), savoring an extravagant meal, as though his prison stint was just a passing cloud. Meanwhile, Vanessa Fisk (Ayelet Zurer) is secretly conferring with leaders of the Five Crime Families. As if time stood still, Fisk enters the room, causing an immediate pause. It turns out that while he was away, Vanessa has been maintaining his criminal empire. However, Fisk later announces his intention to become “legitimate.” We’ll uncover the true meaning of this statement in due course.

Awkward Reunions, and What Happened to Matt and Karen in the Missing Year?

After our tense chat in the courthouse, I confessed to Matt that I’ve taken up residence in San Francisco – a move driven by the lingering trauma from last year’s events. It seems rekindling our close friendship isn’t on my agenda just yet; the wounds are still raw and tender. Our shared past at Foggy’s practice brings back memories, but I can’t help but feel that he symbolizes a path I’m not ready to tread again.

As I was about to leave, I handed Matt a fragment of his Daredevil costume – a piece of the horn, perhaps it would serve as a nudge. My intentions are ambiguous; am I encouraging him to return to the vigilante life, or reminding him of his vow to stay away from it? The answer remains elusive.

Later that evening, I discovered an unsettling truth: Wilson Fisk is running for Mayor in New York City. Needless to say, this revelation did little to improve my mood. Matt and I have a long history with Fisk, and his political ambitions are a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead.

Matt Has Two Awkward Coffee Dates

Following a scene where Fisk conferences with his youthful representative Daniel Blake (played by Michael Gandolfini), we revisit the Murdock & McDuffie offices. Kristen instructs Matt to attend a client meeting with Heather Glenn, an acquaintance of hers who is a therapist. Unknown to both Matt and Heather, this rendezvous was actually a setup – a blind date orchestrated by Kristen. Despite their initial annoyance at the surprise encounter, Matt and Heather gradually connect, sparking a romantic relationship. Subsequently, Matt’s ex-police partner Cherry reports no evidence of wrongdoing on Fisk’s campaign, which leaves Matt displeased. This revelation only solidifies his belief that New York is electing the mayor it truly deserves – a sentiment he expresses with a sharp remark, “Maybe New York is getting the mayor it deserves.” That stings.

Next, we arrive at the main event for episode one. Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk have a meeting in a diner, filled with tense exchanges. It’s evident that they haven’t crossed paths since the incidents of Daredevil, many years ago. Matt takes a few jabs, reminding Fisk about how his protege Echo shot him in the face. Despite this, Fisk claims innocence regarding Foggy’s death and keeping his word to stay away from them (Matt would know if he was lying). Both men hint at potential repercussions if either of them steps out of bounds; Fisk even threatens Matt if he ever dons the Daredevil suit again. In simpler terms, this coffee date didn’t exactly end on a high note.

New York Votes for a Convicted Criminal as Its Mayor

In the course of an evening outing with Heather, Matt discovers that Fisk has emerged victorious in the race. The notorious Kingpin-turned-Mayor of New York City is now facing his wife Vanessa about an affair she had with a man named Adam. After this revelation, Vanessa appeals to Fisk not to take Adam’s life. Fisk responds, “I’m not that man anymore,” but it seems questionable whether he has truly changed. However, it is left uncertain whether “Adam” is a character we are expected to recognize.

Revelations From Daredevil: Born Again Season 1, Episode 2, “Optics”

Mayor Fisk Lays Down the Law on Masked Vigilantes

In the second episode of “Born Again,” titled “Optics,” I find myself right after Fisk’s recall election on New Year’s Eve. Assuring New York City that I wouldn’t tolerate masked vigilantes roaming the streets, I pointed out those with skulls on their shirts or spider costumes (yes, we’re familiar with them). The narrative then shifts to a man making his way to an almost deserted subway platform. He steps in to stop two men from brutally assaulting another individual. Although he successfully subdues them, one of the attackers slips onto the subway track and is tragically struck by an incoming train. The victim of the attack flees, leaving our hero to be arrested. The surviving assailant? A police officer.

In a new role as Mayor, Fisk begins by expressing his amazement over the antiquity of his desk, showing little enthusiasm for the everyday tasks his job requires. Later on, Matt Murdock finds himself at the Police Precinct where he picks up on officers intimidating a Good Samaritan in the subway, identified as Hector Ayala. Feeling compelled to help due to his extraordinary hearing abilities, Matt offers to defend him in court, trusting that Ayala’s account of events is truthful. However, it quickly becomes apparent to Matt that Victor is concealing something. Back at his office, Matt and Kirsten soon recognize that defending Ayala will be a challenging endeavor, as he is accused of killing a police officer, and the only witness he helped turns out to have vanished.

BB Urich Meets Mayor Fisk, But Does She Know He Killed Her Uncle?

Daniel Blake arranges a meeting between BB Urich and Mayor Fisk for an interview. As the conversation unfolds, it becomes apparent that Fisk benefited from Urich’s campaign coverage during his election. However, it remains uncertain if Urich is aware that Fisk was responsible for her uncle’s cold-blooded murder. Despite having permission to ask questions and potentially get a quote, Urich surprisingly does not question Fisk much and seems to have a dislike towards him. The purpose of this meeting, therefore, seems somewhat unclear.

At a reading/signing event for her latest book, Heather Glenn encounters an uncomfortable young man seeking assistance. Following this, Buck Cashman, Fisk’s right-hand man, makes a separate proposition to Heather. Subsequently, at the funeral of the officer who died on the subway platform, Fisk crosses paths with Police Commissioner Gallo. Fisk attempts to dissuade him from resigning due to the potential mass exodus of other officers. However, Commissioner Gallo recognizes Fisk’s true malevolent nature and refuses to cooperate with him. He angrily tells Fisk, “You’re not a mayor who cherishes this city; you’re just a spoiled brat yearning for affection.” This remark leaves a lasting impression on Fisk.

Surprise! Our Subway Hero Is Actually Marvel Comics Hero White Tiger

In Hector Ayala’s residence, Cherry uncovers that Hector is secretly functioning as the vigilante known as White Tiger. This revelation significantly complicates Murdock & McDuffie’s ongoing case. When the Police chief visits Wilson Fisk’s office and attempts to resign, Fisk essentially coerces him to continue working by implying he’ll reveal that he has a son with another woman (not his wife). With no other choice, the chief remains on duty but warns Fisk “Beware what you ask for.” Matt Murdock and Kirsten manage to persuade the judge not to disclose Ayala’s identity during the trial. They argue that since he wasn’t in costume or using his magical amulet at the time of the incident, it should be considered irrelevant.

The upcoming scene features Wilson and Vanessa Fisk attending couples therapy sessions. It appears that some older voters find it disconcerting to see an estranged couple as the Mayor and First Lady of New York. Interestingly enough, Heather Glenn is their therapist, who was recruited by Fisk’s husband during her book signing event. Although they avoid discussing the criminal aspects of their marital problems, it’s evident that Vanessa seemed more content without Wilson in her life.

Matt Murdock Lets the Devil Out (But Did He Kill Again?)

Eventually, Matt uncovers the person Hector Ayala protected, who turned out to be Nicki Torres, hiding in Matt’s apartment. It was discovered that he was a police informant being mistreated by officers. In an attempt to get him to testify for Hector’s case, Matt went to his apartment, but it became clear that the cops intended to kill him instead. Nicky managed to escape through the window, and when the cops tried to harm Matt, he retaliated fiercely, releasing the notorious vigilante of Hell’s Kitchen known as the Devil. Although it is uncertain whether he actually killed them, the outcome remains ambiguous. As the episode concludes, Matt Murdock lets out a powerful scream into the night, leaving viewers unsure if it was a cry of pain or triumph. On some level, Matt reveled in unleashing his wrath, as evidenced by the quote from the original series: “the Murdock boys carry the Devil within them.

So, that concludes our summary for the initial two episodes of Daredevil: Born Again, season one. Tune in next week as we delve further into Hell’s Kitchen and follow Matt Murdock’s ongoing battle with his inner darkness.

More revelations and questions in Daredevil: Born Again next week.

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2025-03-07 05:08