Episode 2,
Dogs to a Gunfight
- While Hell's Kitchen reels from the hospital shooting, Matt is forced into recovery following his encounter with the now named Punisher, Karen and Foggy negotiate with the unfriendly DA to get their client into witness protection.
After being hinted in the opener, this episode really dives into the theme of consequences with the impact of Matt's masking up examined on various characters and the city itself. The physical toll is nothing new for the show (is there any place we haven't seen Matt bleed already?) but his episodes of hearing loss steer the focus away from short term injuries and instead to long term damage. In fact, the first time it hits Matt in his apartment is as shocking as losing radar based vision suddenly in a state of actual blindness for possibly the first time ever, and that's shown as traumatic as it should be. Then, there's the strain on his friendships with Foggy clearly wanting Matt to stick to his day job out of protection based fear and Karen showing clear awareness that he's hiding something from her. Both of these arcs well. Foggy is able to represent Matt's own inner conflict, and it's great to see that Karen is being credited with such intelligence. It already looks a certainty that Karen will discover the truth before the end of the season.
There's a really great pledge of the escalation theory, more familiar to Nolan's
Dark Knight
trilogy -- that good guys stepping up their game only makes villains do the same. In fac,t we even hear mention of the police occasionally encountering "Devil Worshiper" copy cats to Matt which echoes the Batman copycats shown in
The Dark Knight
. Then of course, there is the speculation that the Daredevil created The Punisher. Karen runs it through the best and Deborah Ann Woll really pulls in the emotion as she concludes that both she and the city are responsible for creating such a sociopath. That by parsing and embracing Daredevil, they were not just accepting the idea of a hero but that of vigilantism and lawlessness, which has a dark side; now, The Punisher stands as the personification of that idea corrupted.
The Foggy vs DA story is not just a good incorporation of the legal drama side of the show but great entertainment. We saw it a couple of times last season and here, it still remains fist pumpingly satisfying to see Foggy take down a big intimidating opponent. The "Foggy Bear" will always be viewed as a lovable underdog character in such legal situations and even gets openly mocked for taking payments in fish in other goods like a people's champion. So when he calls DA Samantha Rayne (Michelle Hurd quietly reprising her role from
Jessica Jones
) out on her bluff and takes control, it's like he's just dropped The People's Elbow on her in front of a sold out Madison Square Garden. These scenes also deliver a fascinating parallel between the Daredevil/Punisher conflict as Foggy seeks justice by following the law but Rayne is prepared to take much more controversial methods with little concern over collateral damage, not unlike The Punisher.
The Punisher himself gets a little more elaboration this episode and in every sense of the word, Jon Benthal is killing it. Suddenl,y those rumours about Netflix executives talking about giving him a spin after being on set with him for just one hour makes a lot on sense. He's cold and emotionless like a man that's lost everything, detached from society. Yet the episode cleverly plants a few seeds towards making him an anti-hero rather than the series villain. It rips a page right out of
Game of Thrones
as the pawn shop owner gets it like Sir Meryn after offering out child porn; although it's still murder, it moves forward the message of serving punishment to those that deserve it. Yet the biggest clue comes straight out of the title as Matt discovers the fighting dog from the Irish gang at Punisher's hideout. The idea that a stone cold killer would chose to rescue a dog (possibly Max from the comics) immediately instills the idea of some feelings and even some morality lurking under the harsher exterior.
Like last episode, the action is sparse by the show's standards but epic when it arrives as Daredevil vs Punisher Round 2 manages to better the original as they fight with police bullets flying everywhere. Matt Gerald makes a nice reappearance as the super suit tailor Melvin Potter (he seems much happier now Fisk is gone from his life). It's another top-notch episode. The power outage idea feels a little manufactured in places but otherwise it's nothing but outstanding character and story development.
Episode 3,
New York's Finest
- While Daredevil is chained to a rooftop, he and The Punisher debate their apposing viewpoints on justice and the right to kill. Foggy seeks out Claire at the hospital in the hope of finding Matt and Karen secures some new information on The Punisher.
In the first two episodes, we've seen Daredevil and Punisher have some kick ass fights but this episode beats the crap out of them purely letting the pair spend most of the episode in conversation. The chemistry between them is note perfect as the high ground in the arguments swing back and forth (I love the "Red" nickname). While The Punisher is clearly shown as the darker character (and at moments, he's actually terrifying) the Mark Verheiden's script does a great job of preventing anything getting too one-sided. Even if the idea of killing is wrong, Punisher makes valid arguments about the futility of Matt's actions, "You hit them they get back up, I hit them they stay down". The Punisher doesn't view killing as choice or a desire but a necessity. It's very in keeping with the character and already a far better representation than either of Frank Castle's movie outings. We get a few teases over The Punisher's back story that look like they'll be explored more in coming episodes now that Karen has the DA's files on him (the skull!). On the rooftops, we get a few nods to his military background. In fact, his exchange with the old man is an Easter Egg to his origins; in this modern incarnation, Frank Castle is an Afghanistan/Iraq veteran but the old man served in comic Frank's original Vietnam marines unit. Similarly, we get hints of the tragedy backstory. The back-and-forth intuition between the pair is a fun touch, just as Matt clocks the military training and personal loss Punisher figures out that Matt must have a day job even if his psychiatrist guess is wrong. Then there's even a religious connection as they're both (or at least were) born and bred New York Catholics.
It almost feels a nod to
Silence of the Lambs
as Matt spends most of the episode incapacitated, chained to the chimney, only to go bat poop crazy when he gets out. Charlie Cox had teased that the show would be doing a homage to its now legendary hallway scene from last season. Here, we see the result and my God it is brutal! Admittedly, it does lose the claustrophobia of the original fight sequence as the camera travels further and that may annoy some. However, the results are still nothing short of incredible as Matt has to fight every inch of the way down the stairwell. There's plenty of creative choreography from the ever changing direction of combat. The chain is just downright cool but the surprising MVP of the sequence is the pistol still taped to his hand. It keeps the tension of the prior Punisher scenes alive and kicking with the idea of Matt being forced into making a kill. Having his finger literarily on the trigger for the entire fight continually keeps us on the edge as the moments get more and more desperate teasing us whether or not Matt's principles will succumb and he'll kill to save himself. We even get a playful salute to James Gunn's Super as the red suited Matt wields a pipe wrench (Crimson Bolt approves).
Now, there's no denying the Daredevil vs Punisher story is the main attraction of the season so far and certainly the best part of this part of this particular episode. Yet underneath that, it is massively impressing us with how much it has allowed both Karen and Foggy to grow in strength. It really makes it feel like the events of last season had purpose in the way these two have come out stronger from them, showcased here as they each get a badass moment in the spotlight. Last season, we met Karen broken and slowly watched her recover. Now she's fierce, confident and determined as shown when she quietly coerces the Assistant DA and in the process, saves Nelson & Murdock from being "thrown to the wolves" without the boys ever knowing. Although Foggy just about trumps that with his spot of gang war defusing as he lawyers an armed thug down from a fight by repeatedly calling him an idiot. Like last episode with the DA, it's a compelling underdog takedown as he manages to talk the situation down. Having Foggy and Karen in such good positions really takes a lot of pressure off Matt (and Charlie Cox) which is definitely a good thing. Rosario Dawson's Night Nurse/Claire also makes a great reappearance as she's someone just trying to do good in all the madness. In keeping with her linking role within the Marvel Neflix shows, she sees Daredevil make it's first acknowledgement of the
Jessica Jone
s events. If you didn't watch that series (do so because it's outstanding) in the final episode, Claire cuts out of work to help Jessica get Luke Cage out of the hospital and care for him. Now as a result, she's in the doghouse with her boss.
At this early stage, the season stills like it's setting itself up and the main story arc has yet to begin, and as such, it feels a little directionless but it is still utterly captivating. Jon Benthral's Punisher is larger than life and every single area of the show is working like a well oiled machine.
Episode 4,
Penny and Dime
- The Irish gang leader comes into town looking for The Punisher in vengeance for the death of his son at the prior massacre while Karen chases up leads on him leading to the discovery of his traumatic past.
This episode falls nicely as a chapter ending on the season. It concludes or at least puts a pin in the current Daredevil/Punisher arc before an ending that teases the start of a new story. As a result, this definitely the most Punisher focused episode so far (and that's not a bad thing). Many of the prior episode teases about his history are elaborated. Karen's house call shows us a wall filled with military medals and commendations to reinforce that Frank Castle was no rank and file soldier. Then of course, we have the death of his family. The incident itself is not divulged (or fingers-crossed, because it's being saved for his own series). Instead the focus is on the emotional impact and transformation the trauma had upon him. They say that time waits for no man, and many TV episodes always find themselves against the clock, but when they really take their time over something to let it play out properly, the results can be magical. That is exactly what happens here in the final act when The Punisher finally opens up to Daredevil about his family. It's pretty much 5 minutes straight of Jon Bernthal slowly pouring is heart out and it's nothing but powerful and touching. The contrast he delivers from the stern, unshakable, roaring in the face of torture man we've been watching for the last few hours is almost incomprehensible. It's a superb demonstration of every man having their breaking point. Elsewhere in the origins info, there's a little Easter Egg as Karen interviews the ex-hospital worker. When he tells of a post family massacre Frank dying on the hospital bed for a minute before coming back it plays to the classic character mantra of, "Frank Castle died a long time ago". That in that minute the man he was departed and only The Punisher remained.
The main story of Punisher vs Irish mobsters is highly entertaining. The new boss figure we're presented with is suitably evil and menacing so that we can seamlessly identify with him as villain and Punisher the circumstantial hero. This is definitely the most gruesome episode so far with a several horrific "in-the-face" kills, no shortage of blood and bullet wounds.... and that's before we even get to the torture! Without slipping into spoilers, the squeamish should be warned that it contains one hell of a "don't look" moment. You'll see it coming in the build-up but don't think for a second that they won't show it because remember, this is bloody Netflix! As well as giving him some badass moments of trying to shrug of drugs and tazers, Punisher's capture nicely brings together he and Daredevil into at least a state of mutual interest cooperation. Their fight scenes together are real fun as Matt has to actively enforce a "no killing" rule. Their subsequent banter gets a lot of laughs as well, "Not bad... I guess I was wrong about you being a pussy". It all pulls together the idea of the two characters having the same motives and desires, only being separate by their methods and moral compass. The capture story also yields some good elaboration as it develops and certain truths come to light. It also sees the show re-addressing vigilantism. Mahoney makes a great point to Matt about the current state of affairs not only devaluing the work of the police but the attitudes and faith people have towards them, "You're the problem, because of you the uniform means dick, cops are no longer preventing crime we're just chasing it". The end result continues the running theme of
Dark Knight
references as Matt choses not to be hero for the good of the city and it's people.
The romantic arc amongst the main trio takes a leap firmly out of subtext. Despite some prior indications in the first episode, Foggy seems happy and encouraging over the idea of Matt and Karen being together. The only downside about the earlier teases, and indeed these episode scenes create the meta thinking they encourage. We know Elektra will be showing up as an ex of Matt's so creating relations between Matt and Karen really feels like it's just there only to inject dramatic complications. The scenes are still good but it feels a waste of Karen's character. After being so good so far by given her own story each episode, the alarm bells are ringing that her entire purpose within the series will become one leg of a love triangle and that must not happen. And for God's sake Matt, what man in their right mind sends a soaking wet girl in the rain away from their front door? Unless there are two of them and you're Keanu Reeves, that is a painful rookie mistake.
The ending implies The Punisher will be taking a few episodes off while other areas are developed but we can be sure he'll be back later in the series (a certain key costume item has yet to make an appearance). Punisher's camper van is playful little nod to his Battle Van from the comics. As is Melvin's Gladiator designed under shirt armour. This is an episode that delivers on action and emotion and at many points will utterly blow you away.
Episode 5,
Kinbaku
- After showing up as a blast from Matt's past Elektra Natchios asks for his help in a legal matter over her father's money. Meanwhile, Karen thinks there's more to The Punisher's story and searches for more information at The Herald before she at Matt have their date.
So welcome Elektra. Following her climatic tease last episode, she takes center stage as the reunion between her and Matt is intercut with 10 years ago flashback's of their prior relationship. French actress Élodie Yung (Jinx from
GI Joe Retaliation
) immediately makes her presence felt as she continues the show's longstanding mission of doing the exact opposite to the 2003 movie. She's a complete contrast to Jessica Garner's incarnation in every way to great results. She's sultry and self-assured, oozing confidence like pheromone as she teases Matt towards her desires all while being not unpleasing to the eyes; it's an absolute casting win. The flashback scenes serve as part origins story for her character, pledging her as a skilled fighter and highly intuitive as she picks up on Matt's abilities. The best thing about this though is the way it builds on the previous Punisher arc as Elektra seeks to feed and draw out Matt's dark side. We even get a similar dilemma over killing with some great stakes involved. Yet their scenes together are still a lot of fun as Elektra leads Matt on her wild and rebellious antics. In further 2003 throwbacks, their first sparing session together is wonderfully lit affair in the dim pallet of the boxing gym (and without any OTT wire work) that nicely combines into their romantic relationship. Both Charlie Cox and Yung do a stellar job of making us believe in their emotional connection.
The continuation of The Punisher story has a great feel of conspiracy to it as Karen pulls further on a thread that keeps leading back to DA Reyes (who is really starting to feel like show's Darth Sidious) . We get some information of the Castle family massacre that look to be innocent bystanders during a gang war shoot out that takes place at the carousel featured last episode. The 3 gangs involved were The Punisher's earlier targets of Mexican Cartel, Kitchen Irish and the Dogs of Hell bikers. However, the real fascination comes from Foggy's re-connection with his season 1 fling, Marci. It weaves some great bonds between the Marvel Netflix shows and in the subtext the greater MCU. Reyes what's to use Punisher's conviction as the platform for her mayor campaign by setting it as an anti-vigilante precedent (a benchmark legal victory that all future cases can draw upon). We even hear that our favourite alcoholic, Jessica Jones is next on the list (so we can assume she's been doing more active hero work since her season finished) and of course, eventually Daredevil himself. Without a single name drop, this also plays perfectly into the ideas of the upcoming Civil War as Reyes stand against vigilantes in New York forms the scaled down equivalent of The Sokovia Accords. Even if we don't see any characters crossing over from the movie-verse, it is great to see the show incorporating the spirit of
Civil War
. It really enhances the feel of connection. Although we get a far more direct name drop from Elektra as we see her dealing with the "Japanese arm" of Roxxon Energy, a company featured in both seasons of Agent Carter and having no shortage of illicit dealings. In this case, there's a clear Yakuza link.
The Matt & Karen romantic scenes fair better than previous expectations. The biggest factor has nothing to do with them at all. That is that thankfully still gets her own arc within the episode away from being Matt's plus one as she continues her investigations (and reunites us with Lanthom at the New York Herald). The date itself has a good mix of nerves and awkwardness from their initial destination to more relaxed conversation once "the cheap stuff" starts flowing. It's a great lesson to any young daters out there: screw the status quo and just go somewhere that you can be yourself. Matt and Karen are making a nice on-screen couple and show no signs of generating any "Olicity" level hate (Katt or Maren?). The best moment by far though is Matt leaving Karen for the night into immediate sirens and street life. It's an excellent representation of his personal happiness, pulling him in one direction while his crime fighting duty pulls him in another and deep down, he already knows that eventually that will lead to a choice. It still feels likely that Elektra will also become a very big complication as well.
This episode marks an exciting new direction for the season as Matt and Elektra look to be teaming up against the Yazuka, which should have no shortage of killer action to it.