DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN Season 2 Review

Review

The Devil is back on the streets of New York City this week as Daredevil: Born Again returns to our screens for its second season. After season 1 faced a difficult journey to the screen season 2 boasts not only a robust creative team but a story which strikes at the core of both who the Man Without Fear and Kingpin are. The gloves are off for a creatively rejuvenation second season which may just rival for former glory of the Netflix era.

We were provided with all eight episodes of Daredevil: Born Again season 2 for the purposes of this review.

I have to be honest, the first season of Daredevil: Born Again did not set my world alight. The change in creative teams felt obvious on screen and resulted in a tonally uneven batch of episodes. Coupled with a lacklustre villain and seemingly restrained fight choreography it left a bad taste. So coming into season 2 I was worried about the future of the series.

Showrunner Dario Scardapane comes into season 2 clearly determined to show fans the production has learnt from earlier mistakes. Opening big with an arms shipment which is being funnelled through Mayor Fisk’s (Vincent D’Onofrio) recently uncovered “free port” into the city. The shipment is stopped by Daredevil (Charlie Cox) which instantly drops the audience into a visceral fight sequence which feels classically Daredevil. The tonal shift is palpable. In just those opening scenes Scardapane pivots the series back towards its darker roots, recapturing all of the magic and my attention in the process.

Daredevil’s attack on the ship is the starting gun for a series of events which drastically escalate tensions across the city. Across the eight episode season Scardapane and the series’ writers neatly weave in footage from “The BB Report,” as a way to check in and take the temperature of New York’s citizens. Having that wider perspective from the general public helps to raise the stakes. It also grounds Daredevil: Born Again in the same way any Daredevil comic book would. In the latter stages of the season this wider perspective is utilised and weaponised to bring about what feels like an apocalyptic show down for the heart of the city. But more on that in a moment…

Where the first season struggled to find an even keel season 2 maintains it right from the outset. The first half of the season continues on from events of the season 1 finale with Daredevil underground, working with Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) to undermine Kingpin’s Anti-Vigilante Task Force (AVTF). It starts out at street level and cleverly highlights the stories of characters first met in season 1 ensuring continuity despite the change of direction. But as the season progresses both Daredevil and Fisk begin to lose control and the picture slowly widens. There are losses on both sides, some that fans won’t see coming. But these moments just reinforce that Daredevil: Born Again hasn’t just simply come to play. There’s a genuine tension built around our love for these characters and Scardapane is clearly revelling in toying with us as the season hurtles towards a thrilling conclusion.

As for that aforementioned thrilling and apocalyptic conclusion, all of the plot threads of both the Netflix and Disney+ era Daredevil are conflated into a supersized war for New York City. It somehow manages to keep all of the series street level sensibilities whilst simultaneously feeling like the world might end should our heroes fail in their mission. When the dust settles it wraps up over a decade of storytelling and could easily act as a series finale. But at the same time it sets up some potentially very interesting storytelling for the already in-production season 3. In trying to find an apt conclusion to so much history season 2 does come to overly romanticise D’Onofrio’s fan-favourite Kingpin, giving him a little too much freedom after some truly monstrous actions. But it’s a minor niggle at the end of a sensational season of Marvel television.

Remembering what made the Netflix series a fan-favourite instantly gives Born Again the credibility it lacked in season 1. Charlie Cox’s performance remains steadfast in its pitch perfect translation of Matt Murdock from page-to-screen. Upping Deborah Ann Woll from two episode to a regular character gives Karen some of her best work yet. Whilst Fisk’s turbulent journey through the season truly brings out the brutal side of his personality. The series expanded supporting cast all carry over into this darker, edgier storyline without missing a beat and Scardapane seems determined throughout to give each of them a satisfying arc.

Part of recapturing the magic of the Netflix era is embracing more of its characters. Some we know about and others we don’t. One aspect of Daredevil: Born Again season 2 I’ve been asked about consistently since the social media embargo lifted is Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter). Though she features heavily in the marketing for season 2 her role remains small. Small but impactful. But what it does do is neatly open the door for a Marvel Studios sanctioned return for all of the Defenders. Perhaps a redemption season isn’t out of the realm of possibility after all…

Finally (and perhaps crucially) the gloves are off this season for both Daredevil and Kingpin. Matt Murdock spots his now black and red costume much more than his trademark red was seen in season 1. Already a win in my book. But as Devildevil pummels, maims and just generally beats the crap out of anyone who gets in his way it really feels like the bare knuckle street fighter attitude is back with a seething vengeance. Wilson Fisk is equally not pulling his punches this season. When the two reach peak anger in the finale the series is electrifying in a way which felt impossible in season 1.

Though Daredevil: Born Again may ultimately not quite surpass the high bar set by its original third season. It certainly aims and mostly succeeds in restoring that former glory. After a truly brutal arc comes to pulse-pounding conclusion it feels like the character’s transition to the MCU has finally reached its pinnacle.

Verdict

The Devil is well and truly back. Daredevil: Born Again season 2 rights the wrongs of its predecessor with conviction, delivering a darker, edgier and unmistakably thrilling chapter of Matt Murdock’s story. Scardapane and company have recaptured the raw, visceral magic of the Netflix era and delivered the kind of season that Daredevil fans crave.

⭐⭐⭐⭐