Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Review: Street Level MCU Gets More Brutal, Bolder, and Bloodier

Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 left many fans wondering how the street-level side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe can still prosper. Fortunately, Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 answers that calling with a genuine return to form for the Man Without Fear.

The big problem that seemed to linger over Season 1 was the fact that it tried to moved beyond the Marvel Netflix shows. Although it introduced a new roster of characters, the original characters of Daredevil series were simply too iconic to be left behind.

Not only does Season 2 bring out the best of what made Daredevil special, but the story is much more cohesive and character-driven.

If there’s one thing that makes Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 great, it’s the deep performances of Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio. Both of them gave good performances back in Season 1, but there’s something about their chemistry here that’s more compelling.

Fisk already knows Murdock’s secret identity as Daredevil, but he constantly seeks to legally impose himself to uphold his anti-vigilante vendetta. As for Daredevil, the inner turmoil of wanting to end his enemy’s lives gradually presents itself throughout Season 2.

Cox and D’Onofrio continue to give amazing performances, allowing Murdock and Fisk’s grievances and determination to do what they believe shine through the cracks. Their in-depth understanding of this dynamic adds to the complexity of Season 2’s morality problem.

Whereas Season 1 saw Murdock trying to separate his two lives, Season 2 deals with the overlapping in methodical ways. Even though his circle of trust has expanded to certain characters, like Angela del Toro and her aunt, the mystery of his heroic persona is still in question.

That’s because Murdock, Page, and their allies have gone into hiding, which is explored in the first three episodes. These first episodes may be somewhat slow as they see the Hell’s Kitchen resistance investigating a secret shipment that’s definitely linked to Fisk.

Much of Daredevil: Born Again Season 2’s first act is relegated to readjusting the new characters with the Netflix-esque tone of this story.

There’s a certain priority placed on certain ones, specifically BB Urich and Daniel, who spend time trying to keep their relationship and philosophies separate. They do have some interesting moments that tie into that idea of testing allegiances, but they are mostly there for exposition, initially.

The expositional tie-in comes through the Max Headroom-inspired Fisk impersonator, who causes issues for both BB and Daniel. Although the main story points viewers in a certain direction, I feel like it does make it clear who it really is, even if they have doubts about their actions.

As one of the more surprising parts of Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, it also tries to form a friendship between Daniel and Buck Cashman. It seemed like they were at odds with each other, but the way they try to find common ground is interesting as they start off harshly.

Yet, as Season 2 moves forward, it makes one think that Daniel and Buck are actually getting along by Episodes 4 and 5. However, the way that it pays this storyline off is absolutely shocking, perhaps even more so than when Karen killed Wesley on Daredevil Season 1 Episode 10.

That brutality extends to Kingpin’s inner circle, specifically with Vanessa Fisk. Even though Fisk does love his wife, there’s this testing of power with the state’s governing authority to suggest otherwise. Yet, in the moments Fisk and Vanessa share together, it seems all but solidified.

On the other end, Daredevil faces his most challenging test of all: penance and punishment. If one were to think Daredevil holds back here just like he did in Season 1, he goes all out. Further into Season 2, Murdock goes to new lengths that have never really been explored before.

One of these lengths involves Bullseye, who Daredevil still despises because of Foggy’s death. Although he still hates Bullseye for what he did, there’s a slight change in both characters’ morality that allows them to better understand each other.

What results from this intertwining of philosophies is a genuinely interesting conundrum for Bullseye. Throughout Season 2, he wants to do “one good thing” that may just forgive his lifetime of bad. Of course, he’s still a bad guy, but this new route offers to make him a questionable antihero.

These psychological and emotional tests really help create that tension needed for Season 2 to go bigger. However, the character that gets tested the most, besides Daredevil himself, is Karen Page.

It certainly feels like Karen has been convinced by the Punisher to go all in against Fisk. Although she plays it cool for the first three episodes, the cracks really start to show once Daredevil brings his unlikely ally into the fold.

There’s a moment in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Episode 6 that truly allows Karen’s real thoughts to be let out and it’s done in the best way possible. With this episode, Woll undoubtedly proves herself to be a great actress by giving Karen that breath of fresh air.

For fans who want more of classic Daredevil, showrunner Dario Scardapane presents one of the most tragically satisfying stories with Season 2 Episode 5.

Aside from the familiar visual aesthetic this episode mirroring the original series, this backstory-centric episode adds much needed history to connect both the original and new shows together.

It uses a simple setup, but expands upon it in a natural way that allows old faces to naturally reintegrate themselves into this world. Those faces include a returning Wesley, who’s got a unique connection to a new character, and Vanessa Fisk as well.

It also wouldn’t go without saying that Jessica Jones’ return was welcome. Although she’s here for the action and the iconic Daredevil team-up, she makes a big impact in the finale. It does feel like these episodes were Chip Zdarsky-inspired, which is a good thing.

Without a doubt, Krysten Ritter still rocks as the superheroine. Yet, it feels like Jones’ involvement does leave a certain door open for a Defenders-esque spinoff. I will say that Season 2 didn’t bring Jessica Jones back for no reason since it drops a few teases to those things.

Scardapane and producer Sana Amanat have created a more cohesive story that blends everything from Season 1 and the original series quite well. The first three episodes are definitely a slow burn, but that makes the rest of Season 2 more thrilling and intense.

This also means that some of the new characters, like Heather, Cherry, and Kirsten, take a backseat for the returning stars. Although Season 2 does some narrative things with them, they don’t necessarily impact the story until the endgame.

Yet, it still feels like Season 2 is a major upgrade thanks to the strong connections to the original series unlike Season 1. Without the worry of having to rehaul much, the team does what it does best: bring the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen back in the spotlight.

Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 is a massive step forward with its deeper themes, familiar aesthetics, and powerful performances from its cast. Even though Season 1 was touted as the rediscovering of Daredevil, Season 2 is the real return of Matt Murdock.

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Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 premieres Tuesday, March 24, on Disney+. New episodes release weekly.

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