"Daredevil: Born Again (Disney+ Limited Series)" Season Two Talkback (Spoilers)

[Frontier]

I can't wait to see Hellcat on the CIA's suicide squad .

(Though I think Jess was also implying Luke may have taken a deal...)

 

[Yojimbo]

Episode 2x7 (16) "The Hateful Darkness" - April 28, 2026

A trial close to Matt Murdock's heart grabs the city's attention.

 

[Neo Ultra Mike]

"The Hateful Darkness" - You know i'll give this episode credit; in theory I should dislike this one a lot more then I really do as this does feel like "okay part of the premise of Daredevil is about attorney Matt Murdock doing actual lawyer work we should probably try and put that in this season somewhere" and this feels like it is forcing it in for the main plot. Plus yeah also teasing the idea of him having to reveal himself to everyone but not actually doing that plus they do have Jessica do the "okay I did that thing I said I'd do I'm out" but even backing out of doing that all the way. Add to that you do have these scenes that should feel dangerous like Karen being threatened and strangled somewhat by Fisk but that "main character syndrome" strikes you know they aren't going to go all the way on and that does kill those scenes. But you know what does wind up actually saving this episode for me and making it work at least to the point of not hating it? Because it actually feels like our heroes are actually ACCOMPLISHING something and though obviously don't by the end of the episode at least it feels like their efforts mattered and can't just be swept away which you know you don't always get right before the major finale so that's a plus.

Like I will say too I do like that Fisk is doing the whole trial for Karen not only to stick her with all of these "crimes" but doing so in order to try and lure Daredevil/Matt out. Not knowing that Matt is actually using this as a way to officially air out all of his official rules and regulations out there to finally make the governor step in and officially get him taken out of office. It's not the most masterful 5 level chess making move out there but at least it gives the whole premise a purpose and I do like that Matt made the deal with Wilson so Bullseye will save the Governor from the guy coming to take her out. Like it at least actually makes the trial feel like it has much more of a purpose plus I guess since this time around it is with one of the main characters unlike Swordsman/Jack that felt rushed so... we wouldn't have to reference too much of his time from Hawkeye or whatever there is more pomp to this one. Plus do like Matt managing to take out the truck even while being struck like that... kind of thought he was faking at first since again this show isn't always the best at conveying WHEN someone gets taken out but props on how that worked.

I will say I'm hit and miss on the subplots though.

- I will say I did actually like the bits with Jessica sans "yeah I'm out" and her appearing at the teaser. Like her actually threatening Charles and him knowing her powers are flucuating and revealing that Luke is doing missions for Charles... again I didn't watch Luke Cage but I do wonder in the third season are they going to bother explaining how we got from how JJ and LC ended their series to their statuses now because that feels like it should be actually explained . Plus her meeting Cherry and him liking her is cute and again nice to actually have more of these Born Again characters feel better integrated into the previous netflix continiuty.

- I will say though it did feel like they did rush Daniel and BB's whole back and forth. Like it did start out fine with her admitting how angry she felt at her show being Fisk propoganda and knowing her uncle was killed and Daniel admitting he had to do bad things for Buck but like he was still going to bring BB to him but then she said "no don't do that" pretty quickly and he flipped and... honestly feels like he shouldn't of waffled right there especially if his whole plot was just to be shot dead by Cashman. Like seriously if he had just realized despite how deep he's in him wanting to do the right thing and letting her go while he just took the bullet but having that waffling just doesn't work in this moment.

- Something that weirdly did work though was Heather and Karen's whole exchange. Like in theory it shouldn't because this has the very catty feel of "hey the original love interest is taunting the newer one about her lack of connection and that makes the newer one get all huffy" kind of feeling like "ha ha these ladies are just all fighting over Daredevil." But I think how it's framed actually helped like Heather trying her typical psychological test and karen seeing through it and taunting her and then Heather firing back with karen's history but Karen tugging at that relationship drama she wanted more to get Heather to act out. Like it also is nice to show yeah Heather deep down IS actually this fairly rotten or at least easy to rotten person as that does make her stand out as a character more. I mean I do like Kristen and her giving her opening statement compared to the district attorney Hochberg's statement worked but she is also just "a lawyer friend of Matt" while Heather is this former lover turned different kind of enemy which at least makes her feel distinct. And you know weirdly I really do actually like her line to Kingpin about what heartache is really like and that does feel like one of the most real moments of the show.

So yeah weirdly this one worked for me more then last week since though some elements did feel like they were stalling things a bit is clear that Fisk is being taken down through the legal means and things are getting lined up in a row for that but he ain't going quietly so that's likely where the fight will be so on that level it works enough. Hopefully next week's finale will be a stronger ending to this story though.

 

[Yojimbo]

Yeah, using Karen's trial to sway the city. But the only cringe was wow Matt gets severely injured near the season finale once again and like Neo Ultra Mike, wedging in Matt doing some lawyering. On the other hand, smart of Matt to anticipate the Governor was next and keeping her alive mattered very, very much to their success so he used Bullseye to keep her alive enough to revoke the charter by playing into his need to balance the scales. About as morally gray Matt was willing to go.

Luke Cage having to go in Jessica's place to keep the family safe sounds about right. But pity it all skips over the finale of his Neftlix show, essentially becoming the kingpin of Harlem and we never got to see that arc of what that power did to him and could he stay incorruptible.

Karen was clearly the stand out of this episode, standing up to Fisk and to Heather. And we were 99.9% already but now 100% Heather was always broken inside and unable to connect to others even before she started dating Matt. Great imagery with Vanessa's jewelry matching Muse's eyes visually. Tragedy, love, fear, loneliness, lot of good food for thought this week.

Points to bringing back Brett Mahoney, another recurring from the Netflix shows. And the cast mentioning Lantom, Nadeem, Wesley, and Ben, Heather mentioning Karen killed her brother and Castle. To further canonize the Netflix material, showing the lineage of how they all got to this moment, and give that weight to the conversations, and a treat to those who have watched it all.

Hat tip to Daniel doing the right thing and speaking prophetically, telling Buck it will only be a matter of time before it's his turn to be in his position.

Ep 7 podcast.



edit: Michael Gandolfini and Genneya Walton comment on an alternate scene where Daniel survives.

 

[Frontier]

In a way you can say it's full circle that the show (and the Kingpin saga) began with Karen in jail and now this final arc begins with her in jail. Only this time we get to see her get strip-searched! Isn't jail fun?

Yeah, Fisk is losing it the way he's projecting/unloading on Karen. That "sidekick" comment. Clearly what happened to Westley is still fresh. But that black and white outfit? Perfection.

I have to applaud Mr. Charles for balancing still holding it together and copping an attitude with Jessica while still being pathetic and wussy at the same time.

Ah, so Luke decided to work for the government to protect Jessica and Danielle and Jessica has no idea what's been going on with him since then. Not that it stopped the government from still coming after her, but that's Val for ya!

Okay, now everything is going to be okay, BRETT MAHONEY IS BACK IN THE HOUSE. The best back up they could ever ask for!

I imagine that romantic reunion would have been soured if Matt had mentioned he'd let Bullseye go.

Whether he condemns/forgives Bullseye, and Matt unloads every name character that fans loved that Bullseye sas killed, it shows how desperate it is that Matt lets him loose and just hopes that he really does try to do the right thing...as only Bullseye can do.

This went from Heather (slaying in that outfit) trying to console Fisk to them acknowledging her new klepto tendencies.

It's funny how Karen was long dead when Kirsten entered into DD comics but now she's defending Karen on trial. And hey, it let her get a much-needed rematch AND a chance for Matt to remind everyone he's alive by joining the defense. I bet he enjoyed cross-examining Powell.

It's probably going to be a little hard to be Daredevil with that leg injury. But jeez, the Task Force wasting no time. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO GET A CLUE COLE!?

Daniel never agreed with BB's politics, never really believed in the resistances' cause, never really stopped believing in Fisk...but at the end of the day he prioritized BB's life over his own and helped her, and that showed his true character in the end. Though maybe she should've given him a kiss at the end since it was the last time she was ever going to see him? I'm still wondering how she really felt about him.

You hate to see a budding friendship end with one half of the friendship beating the other to death before shooting them to put them out of their misery. Yeah Buck, I'm sure you didn't enjoy it, but Daniel was smart to make sure he didn't know where BB went. RIP Young Tony Soprano, you did good.

(Also it's kind of surreal for me that Daniel didn't really interact with anyone in the Daredevil cast but I guess that's kind of a given with the Kingpin cast now that I think about it).

About as bad as you would expect a meeting between the current girlfriend and the ex to go when said ex is currently becoming a gleeful tool for the fascist regime who wants to rub your dark past in your face while hiding from her own problems and resorting to violence when challenged. Heather has GOT to lose her license by the end of this.

I can't believe Bullseye saved the governor. You'd think Bullseye would be the one trying to KILL the governor! But it just goes to show how crazy things are now.

Matt returning to God for an answer at his lowest both physically and emotionally...and I guess a returning Jessica Jones may in fact be God's answer.

 

[Yojimbo]

Episode 2x8 (17) "The Southern Cross" - May 5, 2026 (Season Finale)

The city and its heroes enter an unprecedented era.

 

[Neo Ultra Mike]

"The Southern Cross" - Okay I will say I actually did like the court stuff in this episode. Granted I get the parallel with the ending but the fake out of Matt and Karen just being Karen's daydream didn't really work but I do like Matt and Kristen actually laying out the defense on the basis of pretty much showing Fisk's dirty dealings with the ship and playing out how he was the one who ordered it sunk and even calling out the characters for making speeches instead of answering questions but more importantly having this big focus on wanting Fisk to admit to his focus on trying to rid the city of Daredevil and Matt using that as a way of fully exposing himself to take down Fisk. Like I said last week that was an interesting idea I didn't know if they'd go for considering how important the idea of secret identities is to Daredevil as a character so publically exposing it to everyone didn't seem like something you'd do when you know you at least have another season planned but hey props for them for fully going out on it. And cutting that with Bullseye easily taking out the faux Bullseye and task force vigilantes does show the tension rather well.

I will say the later half of the episode when it becomes more about the big showdown does lose me a bit. Like I do get the idea of just knocking out Powell and getting the others of the Task force to realize how screwed up things are and be down with taking down Fisk especially with BB showing the reports of just how awful the Task force has been and fully getting all of new York to want Fisk's head. I do kind of roll my eyes though about this resulting in everyone going in barehanded to try and fight the Mayor and his forces. Like I get our heroes doing that and hey finally cool to see Angela do some White Tiger stuff and like her and Jessica and Daredevil teaming up worked and I do get showing how much a danger fisk is and seeing him brutally slam people around and break faces in does show how imposing he is but like... really no one even had like a stabbing weapon or something like at this point that kind of feels weak to me. I guess it is supposed to make it more "believable" to have Fisk just exiled at the end instead of like being stabbed to death by everyone since I will say I would NOT have been on board if Matt just defended Fisk and no one got ANY shots in. The fact we actually did see like dozens of people tackle him down and pummel especially after how many he took out and them being the ones who beat him this episode actually did make that scene work more. Though really especially after killing citizens the fact he can just be exiled instead of you know totally locked away does feel a bit weak but I guess the point is this showing Matt finding another way and though not fully forgiving Fisk him for once admitting defeat seeing how everyone wanted him dead feels like a solid ending to his character. Like we don't need another season focused on this rivalrly honestly now that we already had a Mayor Fisk story we can focus on other things.

I guess that's what the ending is for. Like the idea of Daredevil going to jail especially after how many people cheered for him and were inspired by him does feel kind of wonky and you know especially as there was this whole speil about who a vigilanete exactly is really should feel like hero and the Avengers should be thrown around more but "yeah you just want name drops of other more famous characters they won't let them play with" which okay fair enough at least it is something new for Matt to do and I am glad we are sticking with everyone knowing he is Daredevil as if this is grounded that is something that can't be taken away so curious where that is going. I also like seeing Luke Cage again (I really do hope the third season does have an episode that focuses on what happened to Luke and Jessica after their shows and re getting together to lead up to Danielle's birth like that feels like a story they should tell) and after seeing Heather punch out Hochberg after being touched and her looking after Buck and then putting on the Muse Mask does build her as a threat next season... not the most major threat hope there is someone else we're getting but threat all the same.

I will say not that great a finale as there wasn't much of a spectacle especially with the big climax moment getting everyone off of Fisk to not kill him but worked decently enough and again now this series can finally focus on other villians and other kinds of stories plus again more on other heroes. I know it's called Daredevil Born again but now that he's been reborn in jail maybe time for some other focus shifts hoepfully.

 

[Yojimbo]

5/5: A bit too much spectacle but it'll do.

Matt outing himself to take down Fisk was pretty much the last play until the Governor and AG dotted the i's with the formal paperwork. Matt and Heather scene, woof. No one pointed it out but Hochberg was technically wrong about the video, since the person knew his life was in jeopardy, the video is admissible. But moot, the judges allowed it. The final battle being a war of words in a courtroom, heh. Finally some lawyering! Fisk getting away with that deal sounds like stupid writing at first but the AG was probably offering that after getting a call from the Contessa - wish they made that clear since if Fisk was put to trial, the CIA would be implicated and with the sweetheart deal, they keep on marching.

I get the masked mob is supposed to be a stand-in for the collective city but I didn't like that Fisk got some free kills in before he accepted the exile deal. Still it felt right when they finally got him on the ground and start stomping him, figuratively rejecting his claims. did seem a little weird the only weapons some had were using their phones to record. No knives, bats, guns, etc. - was that intentionally done as a moral high ground? All that aside, a bit too soon with a reverse January 6. The only real saving moment is DD saying, "We’re better than this!" and ending it with words, not more gratuitous violence. Matt upholds rule of law at his own detriment.

It was nice to see Cole finally admitted what the AVTF was doing was wrong and knocked Powell out then let the mob in.

Heather... ok points for striking Hochberg in the windpipe. He deserved it. What a worm.

Loved the return of Luke and Jessica was back in her old apartment / office with Danielle.

And BB unmasking, too, releasing the final video then joining the Bulletin and another Netflix era character, Ellison, got in a cameo. Nice to see Ben's wall was recreated for the scene, including the Cybertek Settles article. Ha, more proof AOS is canon.

Mr. Charles being elated about a million miles and a new card, lol. But also another alias, so we still don't know who he really is not that it matters but more importantly, Bullseye is out of the city and now working for the Contessa like how the cast of Thunderbolts did before becoming an Avengers team and now formerly Luke.

Likewise, Kingpin is now off the table living in exile with his inner demons. Now without Kingpin and without Bullseye, I hope the show can now finally delve into the other DD villains from the comics. I don't think Lady Muse will carry season 3 so I think someone else will be the new big bad. And the sooner they start and end the Lady Muse arc, the better.

Matt in jail free of his inner demons. Troubling some of the AVTF are in there. Curious how long that's going to stick once they're done taking inspiration from The Devil in Cell-Block D. I hope he doesn't get broken out but likewise the Governor granting him a pardon or commuting the sentence feels too easy as well.

Only other nitpick is they seemingly skipped over Ayala activating the amulet and getting powers apparently.

Podcast ep. 8.



5/6: Comments from Scardapane and from Cox.

5/8: Cinematographer Hillary Fyfe Spera comments on the cargo ship scene.

Jeremy Isaiah Earl talks about Cole North and his moral conflict.

 

[Frontier]

Oh yeah, Matt and Karen were apparently dating again before Foggy died, huh?

Jessica Jones can now pull the "childbirth pain" card!

I know they revamped Born Again but it almost feels like it was always building up to Matt cross-examining and confronting Heather.

Heather acting all incredulous and incensed after all the stunts she's pulled. It's got to be rough for Kirsten seeing her friend becoming such a hypocrite. Maybe we'll explore that more in season 3 (and also how Kirsten feels about the whole "Matt is Daredevil" thing).

They were seriously going to frame Bullseye for killing Matt? With a discount Bullseye costume? "Poser" indeed.

Fisk can't be outdone by Daredevil, he too needs to make the most dramatic entrance into a courtroom. Even threw in an "When I was a boy" so you know it's the season finale.

I guess it was all building up to this. Matt vs Fisk in a courtroom, law, justice, the depths of their actions, all in the balance. The best choice he has to expose the truth, thankfully with a judge who was getting tired of the law being turned into a circus.

I love Matt overhearing Fisk talking to him and Matt talking...even though Fisk can clearly not hear him.

"I am Daredevil" - He said the thing! And helpfully demonstrated it in court! If this is his last case as a lawyer, he's going to go out on a high note and save the woman he loves. But this is definitely a "no going back" moment because he can never be a lawyer again OR fight crime in New York as he once did without facing the consequences.

I guess we got Fisk's "you can't handle the truth moment!"

Jessica Jones rolling with the governor. Honestly it was just kind of funny to me how the governor was, like, part of the group for a second there. Couldn't she have given Matt a pardon/

Kingpin isn't going to be toppled without kicking and screaming to the bitter end. All he did this was for his love of the city and the people! Not for his own ego or self-satisfaction!

It's funny how Matt was STILL trying to save Fisk and his people from Bullseye ever after everything they did. It's a shame we never got to see Buck fight any of the heroes but he's a good assassin/point man, so I really don't think he would stand a chance against anyone in a costume.

Oh hey, Cherry. He recovered from his heart attack surprisingly well.

Cole FINALLY acts like the good police character he is in the comics. Seems like he only killed Hector (did Angela know this?) because he genuinely thought he murdered that officer that basically half-kickstarted this plot until he realized it was wrong. Not sure why the other AVTF people stood down so easily, but okay. I'm guessing Cole might be the only person not gunning for Matt in that prison.

It's funny how Jessica went from mocking Matt's costume to bringing it so he can suit up.

Honestly I get the intention was "angry populace storming a ruthless despots' fortress to make him face justice" but the rabid and red-dressed mob just brough up wayyyy too many January 6th comparisons despite the fact that we're ostensibly meant to be supporting this.

Normal Marvel civilians learning the hard way that you can't beat a Supervillain in a fight. Unless you really dogpile on him but somehow I felt like he still would have punched his way through all those people.

So Angela can now easily move with the grace of a White Tiger. That amulet must be REALLY good to be able to let her fight that well without training. Let's get her in some spandex and get her fighting crime on the streets already! Provided she's back before her bedtime!

I'm sure that guy Jessica threw out a window is totally okay.

We already used up our Daredevil vs Kingpin fight quota so we wrap this arc off with Matt...trying to make peace with Fisk and use Grace as a means of ending this without any more violence. I guess it's a very Matt thing to do even if in taking the deal Fisk ends up getting away with so many crimes, deaths (many perpetuated that very night), while Matt has to go to prison despite being the hero. Is that truly justice? Obviously Fisk feels so empty that it's basically punishing him too, but still.

Heather finally transforming into Lady Muse. Now the Muse that was in the mirror is replaced by her, so is she with the mask...possessed by Muse while psycho-analyzed by a mental projection of herself? Trippy.

Please tell me Hochberg lost his job after this. Assuming he survived that jab to the throat.

Will Sheila have to answer for what happened to the police commissioner? Though I guess she was forced into that under duress.

So Mr. Charles got something out of this...Bullseye! Honestly Dex doing government wetwork seems like a sensible thing for him to do while convinced he's the "good guy," and Vall will have a field day with a guy who can assassinate as easily as Bullseye can. There are going to be a lot of people the government wants dead who are going to die inexplicable deaths.

I guess the trade was Bullseye for Luke Cage. What did they make Luke do? But I guess the important thing is he's back with his wife (?) and daughter and Alias Investigations is back in business while how Luke and Jessica got back together and had a kid will remain one of the greatest untold love stories of all time.

Ellison giving BB her uncles' box and job is a great passing of the torch moment, it's nice to see BB remembers Daniel. Despite some of the ambiguity of their relationship, she really did care about him. He deserved that much.

Matt accepting being arrested for Daredevil's crimes like he's finally owning up to and properly paying for his sins under the law as he deserves. Because at the end of the day Daredevil's greatest power is CATHOLIC GUILT!!!!

 

[Yojimbo]

Jessica Jones rolling with the governor. Honestly it was just kind of funny to me how the governor was, like, part of the group for a second there. Couldn't she have given Matt a pardon.

Yeah, I was wondering if the Governor might do that but feels too easy. Or if she's done being governor, what she plans on running for next, is it en vogue to give a vigilante a pardon? I doubt it.

I'm sure that guy Jessica threw out a window is totally okay.

Two guys were moving a mattress on the other side.

Will Sheila have to answer for what happened to the police commissioner? Though I guess she was forced into that under duress.

And everybody else that got offed or imprisoned. At least it looks like the AVTF was speedily disbanded.

 

[Frontier]

Yeah, I was wondering if the Governor might do that but feels too easy. Or if she's done being governor, what she plans on running for next, is it en vogue to give a vigilante a pardon? I doubt it.

Thank goodness Spider-Man is going to make vigilante's popular again .

Two guys were moving a mattress on the other side.

Too bad there wasn't a cushion for that one dudes' head as Angela was bashing it in! If he's still alive he's going to have a LOT of head trauma .

 

[Yojimbo]

Charlie Cox talks about a cut action sequence.

 

[Frontier]

Charlie Cox talks about a cut action sequence.

Kind of a bummer after he went through all that work .

 

[wonderfly]

From the front page of AnimeSuperhero.com:

"Review: “Daredevil: Born Again” Season 2: The Disney Plus Series Reaches New Heights"​

"The original Daredevil series on Neftlix concluded its third season in 2018, and the first season of the Disney+ show, Daredevil: Born Again, debuted last year. That first season had a lot of clearing the decks, creating new status quos and conflicts, and did some heavy lifting honoring the previous series while beginning a new chapter in the life of the Man Without Fear. Daredevil: Born Again season two began almost exactly one year later and ran for eight episodes. With season one being a reinvention of the show, did season two maintain its quality or hit a sophomore slump?

Sure, there were some elements from the original series that Daredevil: Born Again dropped, but it’s a new show, not seasons four and five of the old show, so its expected to forge its own path. Whether you felt the transition was a rough one or not, this new season managed to top the previous one."

Read the full article here.

 

[RoyalRubble]

"Daredevil: Born Again" action director breaks down 4 favorite fights.