The following contains spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again Season 1, now streaming on Disney+.
The first season of Daredevil: Born Again ended by delivering the promise of its title, as Matt Murdock embraced his costumed alter-ego as a symbol. After Wilson Fisk caused a blackout in the city which led to chaos, he unleashed the Vigilante Task Force on its streets. While trying to avoid these corrupt cops (all wearing Punisher skulls on their vests), Matt and Karen Page learned of Kingpin’s true plans for the Red Hook Port.
A special economic zone called a «free port,» the laws of the city and federal government don’t technically apply. Fisk’s plan to revitalize the port would be exempt from all laws, and even if he is deposed as mayor, he would be untouchable there. Yet, Fisk used the blackout to his advantage. He convinced the city the VTF «saved'» the city instead of terrorizing it. Daniel Blake and Buck threatened the city council, and Fisk gruesomely murdered the police commissioner by crushing his head in front of his loyal henchmen. While Karen and Daredevil gather their allies, Frank Castle was taken prisoner by the corrupt cops who co-opted his symbol.
Daredevil: Born Again Does Have a Post-Credits Scene With Frank Castle
More Than the Punisher Special Presentation, it Starts Kingpin's Downfall
After convincing Vanessa to kill Adam, they turned Fisk’s lair into a makeshift prison, lined with cages. The post-credits scene in Daredevil: Born Again showed even this dungeon couldn’t hold the Punisher for long. Frank tricks one of the «fanboys» in the VTF into shaking his hand. Frank breaks his arm, and the scene cuts away. Yet, viewers can likely guess what happens next. While not showing it explicitly, the scene implies Frank escapes. But he may not join Matt and Karen right away.
«I got shit to do…I’ll tell you what, if [Fisk] does, I’ll put a bullet in his fat head. How about that? You know something? This Inspector Gadget bullshit? It’s not for me. You guys can show yourselves out.» Frank Castle to Karen and Matt in the finale.
That Frank showed up to help Matt recontextualizes their first scene together in Born Again, even if Karen had to ask him to do it. The episode implies they have a deeper off-screen relationship. Matt says that Frank is «always a liability,» implying they’ve worked together before. Similarly, both Daredevil and the Punisher appeal to each other in what seems like part of a larger debate about killing. Still, Matt will need Frank’s help to take back the city, particularly where the VTF are concerned.
This storyline hearkens to the long history of real-world police adopting the Punisher logo. Yet, the Marvel Cinematic Universe version of this story surpasses the comics’ take. Unlike in the comics, the MCU’s Frank Castle executes precision strikes. He doesn’t just wantonly kill any criminal, such as when he let Turk live in The Punisher Season 1. The VTF, however, does kill with no discrimination or thought of due process. Not only have they taken Frank’s symbol, they have misunderstood his mission. Frank may pretend he «doesn’t care,» but each member of the VTF has made his list.
How Daredevil: Born Again Sets Up Season 2 as a War for New York City
Fisk Blurring the Lines Between Vigilantes and Heroes Could Haunt Him
Despite setting aside his alter-ego, Matt Murdock embraces Daredevil as a dark symbol in Season 2 (complete with double-D logo on his chest). While his new suit may be blackened, Matt’s soul is lighter. He recommitted to his promise not to kill, despite coaxing from Frank. As Daredevil, he will lead an Army of police, possibly Frank and others, to take back New York City. It will be both a ground battle and a battle for public opinion.
Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 will have eight total episodes, one fewer than the original order for the series before creative retooling.
Matt also seems to have shed (most of) his guilt over trying to kill Bullseye, too. In fact, since Benjamin Poindexter most recently targeted Wilson and Vanessa Fisk, Foggy’s murderer may be an asset in the fight to come. Neither Matt nor Karen would ever willingly work with him. Still, since he’s free, he can attack Fisk and his operation. Of course, Daredevil, and maybe even the Punisher, would try to stop him. It would be the best of both worlds if Bullseye weakens Fisk, while giving the «vigilantes» the chance to look like «heroes.»
Fisk may have started out enlightened, but just like Matt, he’s embraced his alter-ego as well. He can use the institutional power of the city to help fight his side of the battle. While it was effective for him to paint all costumed heroes as dangerous vigilantes, it could backfire. If Fisk loses popularity as he grows more authoritarian, even the worst of vigilantes — like the Punisher or even Bullseye — could look like saviors. However, Kingpin still has one ally who could help him: Heather Glenn.
Born Again Took Two Key Elements from the Comics to Set Up Season 2
Fisk Blew Up Matt Murdock's Identity as Daredevil and His Apartment
While Daredevil: Born Again lived up to its name, it is not a straightforward adaptation of the iconic story arc in the comics. Some of the elements from that story were used in the final season of the original series, but certain elements were adapted for this show. Just like in the comics, the Kingpin blew up Matt Murdock’s apartment. Only instead of being homeless and growing unhinged, Matt has a new purpose as Daredevil, leading the resistance to his rule. However, as Wilson and Vanessa Fisk repaired their fraught relationship, Matt’s romance with Heather Glenn fell apart, driving her into the Kingpin’s clutches.
Elements of Daredevil: Born Again in the Netflix Series
- Matt gets help from a nun named Maggie who reveals she is his mother.
- The season delved into Karen’s troubled past including some light drug abuse.
- Kingpin tries to kill Matt Murdock by drowning him in a taxi cab.
- Matt gives up his life as a lawyer, has visions of Kingpin, stops wearing the red costume, which is adopted by an imposter.
- Nuke is a character in the comics who appeared in Jessica Jones.
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In the finale, the VTF go after Matt Murdock, only to find Daredevil and the Punisher. However, radio chatter shows they still think the lawyer and the vigilante are two different people. In the Born Again comics, Kingpin learns Matt’s identity from Karen Page. However, in the MCU he already knew it. With Heather Glenn as the mayoral «mental health commissioner,» she can help Kingpin keep the city afraid of men in masks. Once he learns that she resents Daredevil, he might tell Heather the truth.
While it’s unlikely Heather Glenn will meet her comic counterpart’s fate, Fisk could threaten her life to keep Matt in check or kill her to send him over the edge. Kingpin’s last big card to play would be to reveal Daredevil’s identity to the public, which has happened in the comics, too. This could even set up a potential continuation of the series beyond Season 2, adapting those storylines. Still, the battle ahead is Matt Murdock’s most desperate fight yet. In fact, unlike the comics, in the MCU only Kate Bishop and Maya Lopez know just how bad Kingpin can be.
Daredevil's Army Is Season 2's Wildcard and May Host Familiar MCU Faces
The Punisher, Other Defenders and Possibly a New White Tiger Could Appear
If the Punisher is part of Daredevil’s Army, he will almost surely keep his distance from Matt’s other allies, including the police. Other MCU heroes might join the fight. Maya Lopez could resurface, if she feels she and Fisk have unfinished business. Kate Bishop also knows about Fisk, and she was last seen with Kamala Khan, who was name-dropped in Born Again. Wild card heroes like Moon Knight or even She-Hulk might show up. Lastly, Angela del Toro may take on the mantle of the White Tiger after Hector Ayala’s death. There are also new street-level heroes Season 2 could introduce.
«You’re right. We can beat him. We’re going to take this city back, Karen…. We need an army.» — Daredevil to Karen in the finale.
Other allies fans would want to see are the other Marvel heroes from The Defenders series. Brad Winderbaum said he’s «very much exploring» the idea of bringing back Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Misty Knight, Colleen Wing and Danny Rand. The MCU producer pointed out, however, that wrangling all these schedules could be a challenge. Fans would be foolish to expect Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 to look like an Avengers movie. If these characters are involved, it would likely be in one-off episodes or even a handful of scenes like Frank Castle in Season 1. Beyond budget and scheduling, there is a narrative reason to keep the cast light on MCU heroes.
Part of Matt Murdock’s character arc in Born Again was that he lost touch with his community, specifically Hell’s Kitchen. Disapproval of masked vigilantes is a theme in the show, from Foggy to Kingpin’s campaign and Heather’s declaration that Muse and Daredevil were the same. If Fisk reveals Matt’s identity, he’d no longer be a masked vigilante. This sets up a grand finale where Kingpin’s Big Apple fiefdom is taken down not by a roster of MCU heroes but just people. Daredevil’s Army is more likely to be made up of those folks seen in The BB Report than costumed heroes with superpowers.
Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 is streaming in its entirety on Disney+, and Season 2 is in production.
