Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, Episode 1's 5 Biggest Surprises
The first episode of Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 threw us back into the chaos of Hell’s Kitchen, and it was a truly blistering opening to the Disney+ reboot series.
There may be another eight instalments to come, but there was so much going on in Episode 1 that you’ll probably need a moment to catch your breath and take stock of where it leaves us for the rest of the season.
So, here are the five biggest surprises and most important moments from that first episode ahead of the next dose of Daredevil: Born Again this week.
1. Daredevil’s Black Suit Is Already Here
We saw Daredevil wearing his black suit with the embossed ‘DD’ logo in promotional images before the show returned, but we never expected it to arrive on-screen so soon. Right from the get-go in Episode 1, the Man Without Fear was kicking ass wearing one of the most comic book-accurate costumes you could imagine.
Fans of the Daredevil graphic novels will be familiar with this slick, black suit from the ‘Shadowland’ arc, but it’s more than just a stylistic choice – there’s a real purpose and symbolism behind this aesthetic. With Wilson Fisk outlawing vigilantism, it makes sense that Matt would adopt a more incognito approach for lurking in the shadows when needed, while embracing the DD logo feels like a statement that the hero wants everyone to know who is standing up to the ruthless Kingpin.
2. Valentina Allegra de Fontaine Gets A Shout Out
Speaking of Fisk, during a brief moment in his Mayoral office, sharp-eared viewers will have heard a very familiar name. When the District Attorney tries to keep Fisk in check, he’s stopped in his tracks by the arrival of Mr Charles (who we will discuss next). A phone call then comes in, and the DA decides getting in Fisk’s way is not worth the hassle.
The person on the other end of that call was none other than Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. As the Director of the CIA, Val has her fingers in all kinds of pies, but her motives are never pure, so it’s not surprising she is helping Kingpin. You’ll have seen Val in Thunderbolts* most recently, where she recruited the titular team of anti-heroes.
3. Matthew Lillard Makes Wilson Fisk Sweat
Matthew Lillard is a new addition to the Daredevil: Born Again cast, and he makes quite the impact in the opening episode of Season 2. The major plot point from Episode 1 was that Daredevil ruined Fisk’s plan to import a boatload of illegal weapons into the city, an interference that left Lillard’s Mr Charles very unhappy indeed.
Throughout Marvel’s Daredevil on Netflix and this new Disney+ story, we’ve never really seen Fisk bow to anyone or feel like he’s anything less than in control. That all changed when he was in the presence of Mr Charles, though. He’s a powerful man with powerful friends who could make life very difficult for Fisk if he doesn’t put things right, and it speaks volumes for Mr Charles that he didn’t appear to be afraid of the Kingpin one little bit.
4. Matt's Ex Heather Has Gone Rogue
One of the key things to remember from Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 is that Matt’s former girlfriend, Heather Glenn, went through a highly traumatic experience when the serial killer known as Muse attacked her. She killed Muse and was subsequently hired by Fisk as part of his Mayoral staff.
At the start of Season 2, we see Heather carrying out her duties by evaluating captured vigilante Jack Duquesne’s mental state. However, it seems her ethics have gone out of the window, as she essentially tells Jack that she can get the guards to do whatever she wants to him. She even alters his assessment answers to make him sound more unstable than he actually is. Clearly, Heather has been completely lost to the dark side now.
5. An Unlikely Ally Saves Matt Murdock
The first episode of Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 ends in scintillating fashion, with Matt Murdock’s colleague, Cherry, being apprehended and threatened in his home by the Anti-Vigilante Task Force. Matt swoops in and plays the hero, but he’s distracted by the sound of Cherry’s heartbeat as he suffers a cardiac arrest. That not only leaves Cherry’s life in the balance, but also allows the Task Force agents to take Daredevil down and unmask him.
However, just as they’re about to pull the trigger and shoot Matt in the head, they’re all taken out by an unseen shooter with impeccable aim. Yes, that’s right, Bullseye is back again, and while he may be a crazed killer, Matt would have had his brains blown out were it not for this unexpected act of salvation. Don’t get it twisted, though, Bullseye is not doing this out of love for Matt, but more out of utter hatred for the Fisks. He needs Daredevil if he is to get revenge on the Mayor and his nefarious wife, so keeping the hero in the game was crucial.
