Daredevil Born Again: Optics review S1 E2
Optics doesn’t let up much from Born Again’ shocking kickoff. The show has just gotten underway and is already gunning for the title of the best season of Daredevil yet. Until Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 of course.
It’s New Year’s Eve. Rather than spend the time out with Heather, or some of the gang at Murdock & McDuffie, Matt is on the couch listening to Fisk addressing the city. Of note, Fisk reiterates his stance on vigilantes directly referring to The Punisher, Daredevil and Spider-Man (!). This is the first time we’ve gotten a Spider-Man mention from the now proper MCU Kingpin.
As the festivities begin to wind down, Hector Ayala (Kamar de los Reyes, All-American), stops two dudes from beating up a guy in the subway station. They keep trying to double team when he manages to kick one off and get free of the other one. The force sends the guy into an oncoming train. A stunned Hector can barely react when the other guy announces that he is a cop and that Hector is under arrest. Yep, Optics goes for a knockout shocking moment just like its predecessor.
Optics is also the start of a curious subplot involving Wilson Fisk. As Matt noted, he’s lost a considerable amount of weight and Fisk’s meals that barely cover his plate seem to attest to his efforts to be more health conscious. There’s also the very weird sight of his bruised knuckles — a stark contrast to the kindler, gentler Wilson Fisk he’s exhibited to the public since the start of his mayoral campaign. His chief of staff, Sheila Rivera, keeps it real and asks what’s up with Vanessa, who’s largely stayed out of the limelight since Wilson was elected.
BB gets a sit-down interview with Fisk on the suggestion of one of Sheila’s junior staffers Daniel Blake (Michael Gandolfini). She cautions Fisk about the rumblings of the police commissioner (Michael Gaston) not being a fan and threatening to resign. If Fisk loses the police commissioner, he’ll lose the police and likely the city. The commissioner runs down Fisk’s criminal past stating his goal is to make Fisk resign. “See ya round, Kingpin.”
Fisk isn’t used to someone being do disrespectful and starts taking steps to address his commissioner. First, he shuts down all of the commissioner’s request for overtime, extra pay and more manpower. Naturally, this prompts the commissioner to announce his resignation. Fisk won’t take it though as he starts talking about cheesesteaks — one in particular has some great subs. The commissioner takes a closer look and sees a picture of his son. The message is quite clear. It’s all about the optics. You can take the Kingpin to the mayoral seat, but you can’t take the Kingpin out of Wilson Fisk.
Murdock & McDuffie have taken on the seemingly hopeless case of defending Hector. This was after Matt heard police beating Hector in a holding cell. And the one quick discussion that lets Matt know Hector is indeed innocent.
Daredevil is a Marvel series where the writers actually understand how to write compelling legal drama making for a welcome contrast to the superhero vigilante drama. Right away, Matt realizes this is going to be tough as the judge barely wants to hear his argument with Hector should be allowed to go home on bail ignoring the clearly visible bruises on his face and hands.
Kirsten and Jerry talk to Hector’s wife, Soledad and Jerry discovers the secret Hector was withholding from Matt. He’s the White Tiger. That could prove very problematic in the case especially with the new mayor’s vow to shut down any and everyone engaged in vigilante activities. Optics keeps layering in elements to show this take of Daredevil is clearly part of the MCU as Hector mentions he didn’t even have his magical amulet on him in the subway.
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Matt desperately wants to keep Hector’s secret identity safe, but Hector isn’t worried. The people need a hero — someone willing to step up. Charlie Cox does an excellent job of showing Matt bristle at the notion of someone else having to be the hero of New York because he won’t return as Daredevil.
Recognizing the prosecuting attorney, The Hawk, will have a field day knowing he’s going after The White Tiger, Matt tells him and the judge in the judge’s quarters. Matt stresses to Jerry the importance of finding the man Hector saved otherwise he has no case.
The BB on the Street segments really add a fresh layer to the Daredevil presentation. They’re just regular people providing commentary on what’s going on in NYC and how that’s impacting the major players in Born Again.
Heather has a book signing for ‘Live Without Fear’ where she’s approached by two interesting characters. One is a dude who clearly seems unwell and in need of some serious therapy. The other is Buck Cashman, Kingpin’s right-hand man, with an interesting proposition — Fisk wants her to be the marriage counselor to help him and Vanessa get back on track. Optics plays this out so well that it doesn’t come off like a ridiculous coincidence that Matt’s new girlfriend is the Kingpin’s therapist.
The police have found the witness, Nicky Torres, and are coming to kill him to ensure he doesn’t reveal the truth of what happened on the platform. Matt’s radar hearing gives him a head’s up allowing him to get to Nicky first. There’s no time to convince Nicky to trust him as some of the dirty cops are already entering his apartment. Nicky escapes while Matt stays behind to delay them.
These officers are definitely not of the serve and protect variety and immediately start threatening Matt. One of the officers has a familiar-looking skull tattoo (!) on his wrist. They start beat Matt up and then one goes for the kill shot. Whoa. Matt pleads with them not to, but when the officer goes to pull the trigger, Matt’s feral instincts kick in and he proceeds to thoroughly beat them down. Yeah, he might be dressed in red and rocking horns, but these officers certainly brought out the devil here and they’re starting to see the optics of their actions.
Horrified that he lost control again, a battle Matt has fought so hard to win after Foggy’s assassination, he lets out a guttural yell. The devil of Hell’s Kitchen just might be back.
Optics replaced knives, bullets and Billy club action for highly engaging legal drama with a side of kicks, punches and broken bones. Born Again is off to a riveting start and seems poised to only get better as the action intensifies.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Photo Credit: Disney
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