A little more than two thirds of the season was fantastic and
then a third was just good.
The second season of the Daredevil was an interesting case
study in how Netflix is changing how the way stories are being told. The first
four episodes are almost a self-contained story with a complete arch for The
Punisher vs Daredevil. I think a show on network or cable television would have
waited to introduce us to The Punisher until later in the season. It would have
had more villains of the weak, with a mysterious new killer on the scene that
Matt would have to look into. Instead Matt finds him in the first episode and
they fight for the first time. The action is a strength throughout the entire second
season, and it really upped the ante from the first season. The third episode
stairwell fight took the hallway scene from the first season and put it on
steroids. I loved every second and could watch that scene on repeat. The second
fight that stands out above the rest is when The Punisher takes out a cell
block full of prisoners with just a shiv. I’m not sure I can pick a favorite
out of those two both were great, with Jon Bernthal proving he is an amazing
punisher.
Bernthal is a major positive of the season. He was able to
convey both the cold hearted ruthlessness of the character, and how damaged he
is after losing his family. The first four episodes are a great introduction to
the character. Matt doesn’t believe in the way he does things, but he
understands wanting to do them. The rooftop discussion between Matt and Frank
is fantastic. It was a great dichotomy of both of their beliefs in the right
way to do things. By the end of the season you even see Matt start to bend to Frank’s
way of thinking instead of the other way around. Matt can see a need to kill in
some instances, were Frank never believes in the redemption of people who do
wrong. Bernthal also makes you feel for the character. The scene when he is
arrested in the graveyard was actually moving. You felt that his pain for the
loss of his little girl. I think every Punisher that is cast from now on will
be compared to Bernthal’s portrayal as the standard.
The season for me got everything right, until episode ten.
The last three episodes were scatter brained and not cohesive. There was too
much going on and the show wasn’t as focused as it was in the first nine
episodes. It almost seemed like they needed another four episodes to properly
wrap up the season, and I’m not sure why they couldn’t have done this. I know budget
is probably the main reason why, but if was the case then they either should
have focused on Frank finding out who was behind killing his family and having
Matt help him, or focus on The Hand and what they were doing in the city.
Having both in the last few episodes made the story feel too jam-packed and I
don’t think either story was resolved as well as it should have been. Having Frank
show up at the end to help Matt felt tacked on and unnecessary. I felt Matt had
everything under control after The Hand killed Elektra.
Elodie Young did a
good job with the role of Elektra, but I’m not sure I liked her being the main
focus for The Hand. It felt forced into the story and not a natural element. It
was another part of the last few episodes that seemed to get jumbled. Other
than this though she did a great job with the character and she played a temperamental
seductress very well. The chemistry between her and Matt was also well done,
and added an interesting element to Matt trying to date Karen Page. Page was
another great character of the season, and I found her believable in being
someone who wouldn’t quit on Frank and his story. I like that she is going to
work for the newspaper, it’s a little far-fetched that she would get a job like
that, but character sells us on being able to handle herself.
The other half of the law firm was also strong in the show,
though I again felt he got lost in the show’s resolution, simply because he
doesn’t go out and punch people. Foggy had some great moments, like standing up
to the DA about witness protection and getting pissed at Matt for not being
reliable. They did a great job of making it were Foggy had a legitimate reason
to be pissed at Matt in the show. Matt should have been at court, and should
have given the opening statement in Frank’s trial. We also can side with Matt
though because he feels he is doing what he must to protect the city. Foggy’s
angry is legitimate but so is Matt’s excuse. The only true resolution to the
problem is for the firm to close shop. Matt isn’t going to change, and Foggy
has a right to have a partner he can rely on. The buildup to them closing down was
well done, I just wish Foggy would have had more to do in the last few episodes
because he such a good character and they developed him well.
The season as a whole is excellent and I can see myself
watching it again. It also felt very separate
from the overall MCU. The only mention of any other hero or event was with some
newspaper headlines, and some references to Jessica Jones. I’m not sure they
can to merge the Netflix Marvel world with the overall cinematic universe. Yes
they are technically taking place on the same earth, but they have completely
different tones that work well for both mediums. Side note, Clancy Brown has now played a
military person in both The Flash and now Daredevil. He might be one of the
only actors to portray roles in both universes. I’m now eagerly looking forward
to Luke Cage. Netflix and Marvel haven’t disappointed yet. While I felt the
last few episodes lost focus, it speaks to how fantastic the first nine
episodes are for me to still consider the season overall great.
What did you think of Daredevil Season 2? Did you think it was
too jumbled in the last few episodes like me, or did you love it all the way
through? What was your favorite action sequence? Do you want a Punisher series
now with Bernthal? I know I do.
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