Daredevil's Shocking Secrets Revealed in Episode 4: You Won't Believe What Happens!

Approaching the midpoint of “Daredevil: Born Again” season one, Matt Murdock grapples with the aftermath of the White Tiger case. Meanwhile, the marriage counseling sessions of Mayor Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) and Vanessa Fisk (Ayelet Zurer) become increasingly uncomfortable. Let’s recap episode four, titled “Sic Semper Systema,” which translates from Latin to “thus always to the system.

Revelations From Daredevil: Born Again Season 1, Episode 4, “Sic Semper Systema”

The Aftermath of White Tiger’s Murder

The story opens with Hector Ayala’s personal effects, including his enigmatic White Tiger amulets, being collected as evidence following his demise. At the morgue, Matt Murdock is grappling with how Hector was slain and learns that the lethal projectile wasn’t retrieved, and no casings were discovered. It’s at this point that Hector’s teenage niece, Angela (played by Camila Rodriguez), enters the morgue, visibly upset, insisting on viewing her uncle’s body. Angela expresses her belief that the police are responsible for Hector’s death, to which Matt, in a questionable manner, denies any certainty. “Someone will find out who did this,” he assures her, though it’s uncertain if Matt is attempting to reassure Angela or himself, knowing full well that the police might have been implicated.

BB Urich Takes Advantage of Drunk Daniel’s Loose Lips

Concurrently, as Muse carries an unidentified individual (either dead or alive) to his hideout within the subway tunnels, BB Urich (Genneya Walton), along with her companions including Daniel Blake (Michael Gandolfini), a devotee of Wilson Fisk who is young, are enjoying drinks at a trendy Manhattan bar. Overwhelmed by alcohol, Daniel carelessly discloses to BB that Fisk intends to confer with a fresh collective of tech recyclers. If he has engaged them, it would breach the city’s union agreements. Recognizing this as valuable data, BB, much like her late uncle Ben, who was also a sharp reporter, decides to publish this information on her blog.

On the opposite side of the road, officers capture a man known as Leroy Bradford (Charlie Hudson III) for allegedly swiping snacks from a neighborhood convenience store. Interestingly, the arresting officers appear to have consumed the stolen goods themselves, not exactly following proper procedures. This incident underscores the dual nature of justice systems that seem to be at work here. Kirsten McDuffie (Nikki M. James) contacts Matt and requests him to visit the detained man in custody. Given his extensive history of minor offenses, this appears to be a familiar type of case that Matt finds difficult to resist due to its sympathetic nature.

Things Get Tense at Fisk Family Therapy

During another therapy session, Heather Glenn (Margarita Levieva) joins Wilson and Vanessa Fisk. This time, they’re seated closer on the couch, suggesting perhaps their relationship is improving. However, as the discussion unfolds, it revolves around Vanessa’s affair with a man named Adam while Wilson was away. As she speaks about this enigmatic Adam, Fisk grows progressively agitated. Matters escalate when Vanessa describes Adam’s “wonderful hands” in a passionate tone, revealing he was an artist. It’s apparent her description is intended to provoke intense jealousy in her husband…and it seems to be succeeding. One might wonder if Vanessa is courting danger or even death?

As a film critic, I found myself intrigued by the dynamics between these characters. Vanessa made it clear to Heather that Adam was an outsider in her husband’s circle. The conversation between Wilson and Adam seemed more like a power play than a simple dialogue. When asked about Adam’s whereabouts, both Wilson and his wife responded simultaneously, leaving me with the suspicion that one of them knows exactly where he is but chooses to keep it secret.

Given Wilson Fisk’s former life as a mob boss, Heather’s apprehension was entirely justified. Before wrapping up their session, Heather took Vanessa aside for a private chat and expressed concern about her safety within her marriage. Vanessa replied nonchalantly that her husband is capable of many things, but causing harm to her isn’t one of them. I couldn’t help but question the sincerity of her words. After all, isn’t it human nature to doubt when someone asserts something so definitive?

Someone in the MCU Remembers Skrulls Exist

In a jail visit, Matt encounters Leroy Bradford who jokes about his attorney being a blind man, saying something like “the sightless fellow.” They discuss charges against Leroy for stealing snack boxes from a convenience store, which is considered petty larceny. Leroy claims innocence, but Matt presents evidence from security cameras showing him committing the crime. In an unexpected reference to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Leroy ponders if maybe a Skrull could have been responsible for this. This nods to the shape-shifting aliens seen in movies like Captain Marvel and Secret Invasion. Matt dismisses this idea, marking it as the first time within the MCU that the fear of Skrulls has been mentioned, even in a book like Brave New World that didn’t touch on the subject at all.

Matt communicates to Bradford that his criminal record is his most formidable adversary, and he should consider accepting a plea bargain. However, Bradford only agrees to anything proposed by Matt if it involves probation. Unfortunately, Matt can’t secure probation for Bradford, but he manages to negotiate a 10-day sentence instead, thanks to his flirtatious interactions with a charming female coworker at the station. Once more, Matt Murdock’s appealing personality comes in handy.

Matt Confronts the Crooked Cop He Blames for Hector Ayala’s Death

In the police station, Matt confronts Officer Powell about Hector Ayala’s murder, alleging it was either him or one of his colleagues. However, Powell denies any involvement and Matt senses sincerity in his denial based on his heartbeat. In retaliation for Matt having beaten him severely earlier, Powell threatens him, warning that the Bar Association wouldn’t approve of a lawyer assaulting cops so brutally. This triggers a defiant response from Matt, who warns Powell that next time, he should bring reinforcements to ensure a fair fight. It seems Matt is eager to don his suit once more and dish out punishment to those who deserve it.

At the rundown and deteriorated Red Hook port, Fisk shares with his team his plan to launch a new development project on the site, ready for a grand public unveiling. He even carries a miniature model of what it will become. However, Sheila, his political advisor (Zabryna Guevara), promptly reminds him that he can’t simply declare things into reality. City government involves navigating through an excessive amount of bureaucratic hurdles. This aspect of being Mayor is something Fisk despises, as he yearns to make things happen merely by the force of his personality. But in the legitimate world, things don’t work that way.

At the prison, Leroy is displeased with receiving a 10-day sentence. Matt becomes frustrated, expressing that probation was never an option given his criminal background. Leroy expresses his pain about how the system has consistently let him down throughout his life, yearning for a small taste of kindness instead. “They’re prepared to spend five times as much money to imprison me than they are to feed me,” he says, and Matt acknowledges the validity of this statement.

Fisk Listens to School Kids Sing ’80s Songs, Subsequently Has a Rage Fit

Mayor Fisk finds himself at a neighborhood middle school, where students serenade him with a performance of “We Built This City.” Despite his disdain for the less-than-perfect melodies, Mayor Fisk hastily departs before the second song. It’s quite amusing. The children’s off-key singing might not be the worst thing that’s happened to him, one could imagine them performing another Starship classic like “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” Unfortunately for our protagonist, Daniel, he suddenly recognizes his blunder. Checking his phone, he sees that BB Urich has published a story about Fisk’s plans, labeling him a Union Buster, using the details he carelessly shared during a drunken conversation. Daniel is now in some serious hot water.

Later, Fisk erupts in his office before his employees, warning them to expose the one who shared the secret with BB Urich. Daniel takes the blame and stands forward. The room empties, but Fisk asks Daniel to remain. Believing he’ll be dismissed (or worse), Daniel deeply regrets and humbly pleads to Fisk. Impressed by his honesty, Fisk doesn’t fire him. Instead, he says, “In time, you’ll become a better man. Repeat such actions, however, and it will be your final act.” This moment leaves Sheila stunned, as she realizes she serves under a powerful crime boss who views murder as a viable choice. It’s not just a threat; it’s a reality she must face.

Matt Murdocks Does a Little Detective Work, and a Punisher Reunion

Under the cover of darkness, Matt makes his way to the crime site where Hector Ayala was brutally killed. He deduces that a crucial piece of evidence, the casing, had fallen into a storm drain and retrieves it. Later, he navigates to a secluded urban hideout resembling a fortress, unaware that this is the residence of Frank Castle, also known as ‘the Punisher’. Initially unrecognized by the rugged Frank, who’s still struggling with his traumatic past from the end of the ‘Punisher’ season two, they engage in a physical altercation.

Matt reveals that the bullet casing has a symbol of the Punisher, showing it’s one of his followers, who Matt suspects are mostly cops. Matt criticizes Frank for inspiring harmful individuals, while Frank counters by accusing Matt of being weak. They argue before Frank uses Foggy as a defense. He yells at Matt for not killing Bullseye, who hurt his friend, instead choosing to let the legal system handle it. However, the same system lets Bullseye live while Foggy is dead. This enrages Matt, and although he realizes Frank has a point, he still attacks him emotionally.

Matt Starts Getting His Daredevil Mojo Again

At their grand home, Fisk acknowledges that during their meeting earlier, Heather Glenn inquired from Vanessa if she felt secure with him. Vanessa confirms her safety. However, she wonders if she should, for she is aware that the man she adores could potentially harm her on any given day, regardless of his assurances. She admits to him, “I’m not the same woman I was when you left.” This statement holds truth, as during Wilson’s absence, Vanessa took charge of his criminal empire and managed it more effectively than he did. This only serves to make her all the more captivating in Fisk’s eyes. Later, Heather shares a romantic evening with Matt, followed by Matt secretly visiting his private “Mattcave,” where he keeps his weapons and Daredevil masks. He tests out his billy clubs once more, discovering that using them is as natural as riding a bicycle.

Wilson Fisk Has Dinner with a Guest

In another part of the city, Fisk enters a gloomy underground hideout to savor a meal fit for royalty. In this very same hideout, within a grimy cell, lies Adam – the man who betrayed Fisk’s wife. It’s unclear how long he’s been imprisoned, but his gaunt appearance suggests it could have been days or even weeks. Adam pleads for release, yet Wilson merely dines and listens to his cries. Despite his attempts at goodness, Wilson Fisk is a ruthless villain. He’s kept his vow not to kill Adam, but he never mentioned sparing him the torment. His injured knuckles from the past few episodes might be evidence of this.

To conclude, Muse has once more secured an innocent man as his latest victim, a male. He’s currently alive and bound to a table, evoking memories of Dexter, while the masked assassin prepares to extract his blood. It seems that only the return of Hell’s Kitchen’s Devil could be provoked by such a New York City serial killer. However, it seems doubtful that Mayor Fisk would welcome such a murderer terrorizing “his” city as well.

Born Again. We can expect more unveiling details in Matt Murdock’s anticipated comeback next week.

2025-03-20 03:34

Daredevil’s Shocking Secrets Revealed in Episode 4: You Won’t Believe What Happens!