Daredevil: Born Againhas started strong, but two subtle details in its first three episodes have hinted at how the newMCUshow will end. Marvel Studios has handled Daredevil excellently so far, withDaredevil: Born Againbeing lavished with praise. Whether it matches up to its predecessor, the Netflix-basedDaredevil, is a hot topic of debate, but it is fair to say that both are amongthe best productions ever released by MarvelStudios.
This is largely thanks toDaredevil: Born Againremaining faithful to the comics. Marvel Comics aficionados have already been predicting how the first season will end based on comic book precedent, with one of the prevailingtheories centering on Foggy’s deathand whether it will be reversed down the line. Whatever the case, this incident has caused Matt Murdock to seemingly turn over a new leaf, though it is how the show frames this “new” Matt Murdock that clues us into how things will end for the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen in season 1.
Daredevil’s First Episodes Promised A Very Different Daredevil & Kingpin
Both Have Sworn Off Violence
After spending severalyears betweenDaredevilandDaredevil: Born Againin operation, as illustrated by his run-in withEchoin her self-titled debut show, and aiding Jennifer Walters with some street-level vigilantism in LA inShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Daredevil has relinquished his mantle. This is because “A line was crossed” when Daredevil attempted to murder Benjamin Poindexter - who has yet to be ascribed the Bullseye moniker - in retaliation for Foggy’s death.Matt Murdock has now spent an entire year suppressing his Daredevil persona, sidestepping the call to aid those in need with violence.
As if to stress his newly nonviolent persona, Wilson Fisk looks more diminutive than ever, with Matt Murdock acknowledging, “You’ve lost weight” during a civil meeting that further illustrates how they have changed.
Kingpin has mirrored this suppression. InDaredevil: Born Again’s first episode, Fisk asserts, “I’m not that man anymore,” when Vanessa tells him not to kill the mysterious “Adam,” with whom it is implied she had an affair. As if to stress his newly nonviolent persona, Wilson Fisk looks more diminutive than ever, with Matt Murdock acknowledging, “You’ve lost weight” during a civil meeting that further illustrates how they have changed. His assertions are betrayed, however, by shots of his bloodied fists, though the cause is yet to be revealed. His ultimate fate, alongside Daredevil, is further exposed by cinematographic decisions.
Daredevil’s Subtle Color Tease Hints At His Fate
Matt Murdock Is Bathed In Red Lighting
Matt Murdock has been struggling to suppress his violent urges throughoutDaredevil: Born Again. At a pivotal moment during Daredevil’s retirement,Matt is forced into lashing out at a couple of corrupt cops, including the one that framed White Tiger for murder, Officer Powell. Matt is also seen entertaining a return to his vigilantism as he fondles a horn from his Daredevil suit while sitting in an empty courtroom. Then, there are additional, more subtle hints at Daredevil’s return to form in the show’s artistic direction.
Daredevil: Born Again Is Setting Up An Incredible Story For Punisher When He Returns
The Punisher is looming in the background of Daredevil: Born Again, with the show setting up the perfect comeback story in the meantime.
Namely,there are moments where Matt Murdock is bathed in red lighting. Such scenes arise early on in the show as Matt wanders the streets of New York in the wake of Wilson Fisk’s Mayoral victory. He is visibly perturbed by Fisk’s new position of power, and shots of him being lit by the colors of his super-suit indicate his urge to respond with a return to vigilante justice.It shows how the Daredevil mantle is inescapable for Matt and foreshadows the show ending with him fully embracing the identityonce more, no doubt alongside a showdown with Fisk.
Kingpin’s High Perch Reveals He Can’t Escape His Past
Wilson Fisk Is Shot From Below
Similar decisions have been made with Wilson Fisk. Fisk returns to the small screen after starring alongside the titular hero inEcho, whereEcho’s powers were able to probe his mindand subdue him after witnessing his childhood trauma. Whether this has influenced Fisk’s purported pacifism remains to be seen -particularly as his fists belie his assertions- but the new Mayor of New York certainly wishes to be seen as a less violent figure, as his aforementioned insistence to Vanessa would indicate.
Wilson Fisk is additionally seen in several reflections that turn him upside-down, as if to illustrate how his newfound penchant for peace flips the character on his head.
Nevertheless,Kingpin’s villainy shines through in early shots of him being seen from below. This typically villainous framing is somewhat synonymous with Fisk, with similar shots being used throughout Daredevil to emphasize his imposing stature and domineering nature as he looms over the streets of New York. It seems as thoughDaredevil: Born Againis hammering home the inevitability of Kingpin’s return to his old ways. In fact, if the implication that Fisk put out a hit on White Tiger is vindicated, it looks as if he might already be there.
