Daredevil: Season 2, Episode Three Review

Murdock v Castle.

“Will Marvel’s Daredevil attempt to top the hallway fight scene from Season 1?” is certainly a valid question to have had heading into this new batch of episodes. On one hand, why try to tamper with such a seminal moment? Even if it’s to try and best it? But then the other side of the argument is…well, if any show can top itself, it’s this one. From just a pure, raw intensity level, the final 10 or so minutes of “New York’s Finest” were some of most exciting, nail-gnawing action I’ve ever seen. Yes, even though I was aware that it was constructed in a way to sort of call back to the famous “Cut Man” end fight.

But – holy s*** – Daredevil having to battle his way down from a rooftop through an entire building filled with rabid Dogs of Hell members, after already being injured at the hands of Punisher in the season premiere, was just phenomenal. And yes, there were some little computer assists here and there to add to the tracking-shot aspect of the sequence, but none of that worked to distract or detract from the sheer awesomeness. The gun still duct-taped to Matt’s hand. Him using the chain as a weapon, occasionally using it to knock out lights in order to give himself the advantage. All while trying to also apprehend Punisher, who he’d dumped into the elevator.

I think my favorite part of the sequence came right at the end when Daredevil – well – won. By himself! Right when it seemed like he’d pushed himself too far and was about to get his neck broken by a hulking biker gang member. Right when it felt like Punisher might even make the save from off-screen. Having reached the ground level and developed a smidgen of sympathy for the man he’d been calling “Red.” But no. Matt persevered. He triumphed. In a very earned way.

Now, onto the rest of the episode. Because – yes! – this was a very important episode outside of the tremendous action at the end. With “New York’s Finest,” we got a take on the famous Garth Ennis-penned Punisher story “The Choice.” Daredevil chained up. Gun taped to hand. One chance to stop Punisher from killing a man. In this story’s case, Grotto. Fortunately, there were enough tweaks made to Ennis’ story that it all came off a bit more even. This crucible. This exchange of ideas and philosophies about “half measures” and whether or redemption was an actual possibility. Matt actually got to make a few solid points whereas in the comic book story, Daredevil came off as a bit of a chump. Here, the dialogue was crisp, but also very natural feeling.

So what do you think about the Grotto reveal? It’s possible that he only decided he needed redemption once he was a moving target and his life was in danger. Because, as Matt discovered, he wasn’t the “lesser evil” that he’d been trying to portray himself as. He’d killed an innocent woman. Recently, in fact. So should that instantly condemn him to death? Or does redemption and mercy only work if we’re willing to accept that it can, and should, be applied to the very worst of us? With no official “Well, if you did this than f*** off” guidelines. It’s a very complex issues for a “superhero” series.

Also, where does Punisher draw the line? Would he have really killed that building super? To prove a point to Matt? Because the guy inadvertently got in his way? How real was Frank’s threat? The show seemed to play it as being very real. Same for when he stormed through the hospital. Yes, he’s a crack shot, but even the can’t excuse terrorizing the public and putting people’s lives in legitimate danger.

Meanwhile, Rosario Dawson returned as Claire (making a small reference to her appearances near the end of Jessica Jones’ first season) while Foggy got to once again prove his loyalty to Matt by searching high and low for him. While also proving his courage and wisdom by talking down a violent gang fight that was about break out in a hospital. Not much information came from Foggy’s visit with Claire, but there were some nice character moments there.