As good as the first season was, "Daredevil: Born Again" kicks things into higher gear with its second season. While most of last season was about establishing characters old and new and sounding the drums of war, Murdock and Fisk escalate their feud into a battle for the soul of New York City with a constant back and forth. Along with "Superman", I believe "Born Again" is the most relevant superhero project from the big two of the last couple of years as the revival series continues to hold up a mirror to society in terms of the power of the government and of the people.
If there's a theme to this season, it's anger. With Matt, his fighting style has reached new heights of brutality akin to Batfleck (which is fitting given Frank Miller's influence on both characters). Daredevil has become a symbol of resistance and embodies the growing anger of the people of New York toward Fisk, who himself becomes more dangerous than ever in the second half of the season. The struggle against a blatantly corrupt politician and a system building around it continues to reflect our world. But while last season could relate to people's fears about how bad things would get, season two's release comes at a time where we're indeed seeing how bad things are getting and are just as pissed as the people in the show. But the important thing Matt and the show conveys is not to let that anger poison you as well. While it's hard not to root for Bullseye as he's dealing with AVTF troops in his own deadly fashion, there's still a need to believe the world can change for the better because of the best that people have to offer. And isn't that the idea of superheroes like Daredevil? Despite being fictional, they offer hope in people during the darkest of times.
I'd consider episode five, "The Grand Design", to be the best of the season. Part of it involves flashbacks to just before the original Netflix series and they do a good job recapturing the gritty feel of it, even down to the framerate. It also allows Elden Henson to return as Foggy and I swear the man doesn't age. The episode is also a highlight for Vincent D'Onofrio as he portrays Fisk at his most emotional, even dropping the gruff voice the character's known for.
Matthew Lillard joins the cast as the mysterious Mr. Charles from the CIA. Not much is known about him other than he works with Fisk as a middleman for Valentina Allegra De Fontain and another of her shady operations. Charles has a similar charisma as Val and it makes me think that if Val is the Fury to the Thunderbolts*, then Charles could be seen as her Coulson (and by extension, Mel is her Hill). It'll be interesting to see where Charles may appear next in the MCU.
After seven years, Krysten Ritter makes her grand return as Jessica Jones, aiding Matt in the war against Fisk during the second half of the season. Without spoiling much, there's a new maturity present in Jess compared to when we last saw her, but she still has that edginess that made fans fall in love with her character. There's more to dig into what's happened since the end of not just her series but the other two Netflix heroes yet to be touched upon, but this season just gives us a taste before we get the full Defenders reunion next year.
Between eleven years and now five total seasons, Daredevil fans should continue to expect to be eating good as "Born Again" wraps its initial story and sets up a new status quo for the next season.
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