Daredevil Season 1, Episode 8: Matt's Worst Night Ever Revealed!

In the heart-pounding eighth episode of “Daredevil: Born Again,” I found myself unraveling secrets long hidden. As Matt Murdock, I discovered the chilling truth behind my beloved friend Foggy Nelson’s untimely demise. Meanwhile, the Fisks finally revealed the dark deeds that had bound them in a shared guilt. This was the gripping narrative unfolding in the penultimate chapter of season one, episode eight of “Daredevil: Born Again.

The Return of Bullseye

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, this episode commences with a hauntingly beautiful sight: a unique blue rose blooming amidst an array of identical flowers, yet the tranquil garden is found outside a formidable maximum-security prison. As melancholic melodies echo, we are introduced to Benjamin Poindexter (portrayed by Wilson Bethel), who gazes wistfully beyond his cell bars. It transpires that he is being transferred from solitary confinement to the general population, an apparent command straight from Mayor Fisk. Poindexter, a.k.a. the ruthless assassin known as Bullseye, is well aware of his impending doom in the open prison environment and hopes fervently that this move will somehow resolve his troublesome predicament.

Wilson Fisk and Vanessa Return to Power Couple Status

On the very same morning, outside Red Hook Port, Wilson and Vanessa Fisk (portrayed by Vincent D’Onofrio and Ayelet Zurer) stroll through dilapidated streets together. He shares with her that he’s almost secured all the financing necessary for his latest redevelopment venture. Fisk concedes that she played a significant role in these achievements. However, she remains puzzled as to why he chose to abandon his criminal empire. Later, he leads her to a hidden brick building and explains that there is a specific purpose behind their location.

The Aftermath of Muse’s Attack on Dr. Glenn Causes a Rift Between Heather and Matt

In the meantime, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) is preparing for work at his apartment, with his girlfriend Heather (Margarita Levieva) by his side, who’s still recuperating from Muse’s attack in episode seven. She’s grappling with the guilt of taking a life, and contends to Matt that all masked men are indistinguishable. This is because she fails to recognize that Muse and Daredevil, who protected her, are two different individuals. This statement upsets Matt greatly, but he remains silent, as revealing his secret could jeopardize everything.

Art Froushan, who is Fisk’s right-hand man known as Buck Cashman, visits Matt at his door seeking Heather. He extends an invitation from Mayor Fisk for Dr. Glenn (Matt’s girlfriend) to attend the Mayor’s Inaugural Ball, which is a black-tie event. This revelation makes Matt suspicious that Heather might be Fisk’s marriage counselor. Repulsed by this discovery, he understands that Mayor Fisk intends to exploit Heather’s story for his anti-vigilante campaign, and he wants no involvement. However, he reluctantly decides to accompany her before leaving his home in a fit of anger.

Mayor Fisk Reveals the Truth About Adam to Vanessa

Within Fisk’s concealed fortress, Fisk confides in Vanessa that Adam (Lou Taylor Pucci) has been held captive there as a prisoner. Adam implores for his life, explaining he was unaware of their relationship when he connected with Vanessa. She then tells her husband, “He doesn’t belong to us.” As Adam continues to plead for his life, Wilson demands him to be silent. He struggles to bear allowing him to live even a moment more, but he pledged to Vanessa in episode one that he wouldn’t take his life. “If I can’t be with you, Vanessa, then I cannot exist.

Vanessa Fisk Pulls the Trigger

In a grim turn of events, Vanessa finds herself at a crossroads when it appears her husband is giving her the option to release him. Instead of using the key to his jail cell, she grabs a gun and ends his life in a chilling act of cold-blooded murder. She understands that if he survives, their world as they know it will cease to exist. Meanwhile, Fisk cradles his wife, vowing never to abandon her again, with the body of Vanessa’s lover lying within his cell. The scene is somber, suggesting that Vanessa’s spirit may be even more tainted than Wilson’s. In a separate part of town, Matt shows up late for work, irritating colleague Kirsten McDuffie (Nikki M. James). She informs him that Bullseye has been transferred to general population by Mayor Fisk and now wishes to speak with Matt.

Daniel Blake Gets an Unearned Promotion

During a morning meeting held in Mayor Fisk’s office, Sheila (Zabryra Guevara) discloses that since the establishment of his new special task force addressing their Muse issue, his popularity has increased. Although there are concerns about civil liberties regarding their actions, Fisk reiterates, “Severe actions yield results.” Subsequently, he appoints Daniel Blake (Michael Gandolfini) as Deputy Mayor of Communications, a decision that leaves Sheila surprised, given Blake’s youth and inexperience. One might wonder if Fisk is positioning Blake for potential fallout situations. It appears that Fisk prioritizes the symbolism of power associated with his office, rather than actual governance responsibilities.

Matt Returns to Josie’s Bar, and Makes a Startling Realization

Following an outburst towards one of his seemingly deceitful clients after calling him a liar, Kirsten queries Matt about his strange behavior, wondering why he would alienate a potential client so carelessly. In response, Matt recounts the numerous injustices they’ve encountered lately—Hector Ayala, Leroy Bradford, Muse assaulting Heather— and expresses frustration that they are not upholding justice but merely managing chaos. Everything they do feels meaningless to him. After storming out of the office, Matt heads to Josie’s Bar in Hell’s Kitchen, which has been shut since Foggy’s demise. To his surprise, the proprietor, Josie (Susan Varon), is still present, and they share a drink together.

In the scene, Cherry (Clark Johnson) enters, aware of Matt’s vulnerable mental state. He recalls how Matt has always struggled to connect the dots regarding Fisk and Bullseye’s killing of Foggy, and notes that his actions were more about settling old scores rather than a personal vendetta. However, Matt remains unconvinced. Josie then presents a bottle of O’Melveny’s Whiskey to complete the final round of drinks ordered by Foggy before everything turned chaotic. This whiskey was the last order made in her bar. Yet, Matt is adamant that it wasn’t this specific brand of whiskey. As he ponders, he comes to a realization: Foggy only drank O’Melveny’s to celebrate early victories, which means he knew he was winning a case against someone. This person, most likely, silenced him. It wasn’t just Poindexter seeking revenge.

Matt Meets Bullseye, Face to Face, and Mayor Fisk’s Big Party

Matt encounters Poindexter, the man responsible for his friend’s death, in prison. He inquires if Fisk had hired him to kill Foggy, but Poindexter remains silent on the matter. He threatens to reveal the truth only if Matt can ensure his safety. Infuriated, Matt slams his fist against the table multiple times and departs. Later that evening, at the Black and White Ball, the city’s affluent gather for festivities under the watchful eyes of security personnel. Daniel Blake approaches BB Urich (played by Genneya Walton), who is hesitant to engage with him. He expresses regret for his aggressive behavior in the last episode. However, her reluctance to attribute Daredevil’s actions to stopping Muse, rather than Fisk’s task force, played a role in Daniel’s new job opportunity. Despite this, she appears surprised and somewhat displeased by his sudden promotion.

At the grand ball, Mayor and Mrs. Fisk make their entrance, resplendent in their finery. Shortly after, Vanessa Fisk spots Heather Glenn at the bar and expresses her gratitude for her attendance. It appears Heather’s date is absent, as she’s attending the event alone. Vanessa acknowledges Heather’s role as their marriage counselor but indicates that their need for her assistance has come to an end. In a literal sense, Vanessa states that the sins of the past have been put to rest and buried in the ground. However, Heather remains unaware of this fact.

In the midst of this scenario, Poindexter cleverly exploits the injuries inflicted by Matt to break free from prison. While receiving stitches for a fractured jaw in the infirmary, he manipulates one of his own broken teeth into a makeshift weapon and uses it to neutralize a guard. Subsequently, he murders both the guard and the doctor and makes his escape using the guard’s access card and donning a correctional officer’s uniform. Eventually, Matt arrives at the party only to discover that Heather appears fed up with him, his flimsy justifications, and his evasive maneuvers.

Fisk’s “Anti-Vigilante Task Force” Becomes His Own Private Army

As Heather attempts to engage Matt in conversation, he overhears Jack Duquesne and Fisk discussing privately. Fisk tries to coerce a significant contribution from Duquesne for his Red Hook Port project. In an attempt to intimidate him, Fisk reveals that he’s aware of Duquesne’s secret identity as the Swordsman. With no other option, Duquesne complies. Simultaneously, Officer Powell, one of Fisk’s corrupt police officers, apprehends a journalist who was using his phone, in violation of the strict no-press rule. He leads the reporter to the kitchen and severely burns his hand in a deep fryer. Commissioner Gallo witnesses this act of brutality. Outraged, he expresses his concern that their actions are a breach of duty. However, Powell reminds him that he no longer reports to the police chief but only to Mayor Fisk instead.

Daniel takes in the crowd of New York’s high society at Fisk’s party, admiring his power. However, BB merely sees deceit. Pretending to head for the restroom, she instead trails Gallo. She queries if he was consulted by the Mayor when establishing the anti-vigilante task force. He reveals that he had read her piece about the Muse’s killing, knowing she left out crucial details in that article to give credit to the task force, even though she acknowledges it was Daredevil. Gallo mentions Fisk as a prime suspect in her uncle Ben’s murder from the original “Daredevil” series. She replies, “That’s why I’m here. Not all my writing is published under my real name.” She provides him with her email address and learns that he possesses information on every corrupt officer within Fisk’s task force.

Matt Discovers the Truth About Vanessa Fisk and Who Killed Foggy Nelson

Matt finds himself on the dance floor just as Mayor and Mrs. Fisk perform their first dance among their guests. Close by, he dances with Heather while overhearing Wilson communicating in a unique way that only Matt can understand. Fisk then addresses Matt as “Devil,” warning him about the repercussions for whatever it was he was searching for.

At this point, Buck Cashman receives word that Bullseye has managed to break free, and he knows exactly where the fugitive is bound – straight towards the party. Meanwhile, a frightened Vanessa reveals to her husband that she has a secret to share. At this same instant, Matt comes to the chilling realization: it was Vanessa who orchestrated Foggy’s assassination while Wilson was absent and she held control over the situation.

Murder on the Dance Floor?

Matt understands that Foggy’s client must have had information about the Red Hook Project, which Vanessa Fisk was trying to hide. Matt confronts Vanessa, revealing he now knows she hired Poindexter to kill Foggy. Just then, Bullseye, who had escaped earlier, appears disguised as a security guard and aims to kill Fisk. However, Matt steps in, taking the bullet meant for Fisk, saving his sworn enemy’s life instead. As Matt bleeds out on the floor with Heather beside him, shocked, the Fisks are hurriedly escorted from the ballroom, leaving the chapter at this dramatic point.

Is Matt Murdock likely still alive? It seems so, but how quickly he recovers remains to be seen. As for Daredevil and Fisk’s relationship, we’ll discover the answer as Daredevil: Born Again season one reaches its end next week.

2025-04-10 17:34

Daredevil Season 1, Episode 8: Matt’s Worst Night Ever Revealed!