Daredevil: Born Again – Sic Semper Systema review S1 E4
Following last week’s stunning cliffhanger, Sic Semper Systema keeps the momentum rolling for Born Again. The title is fitting as it roughly translates to Thus always to tyrants. Hector’s murder felt like a big win for the corruption in the city and it all starts at the snake’s head with Wilson Fisk as the mayor. But maybe there’s some light at the end of the tunnel?
Matt is at the morgue as the medical examiner explains how Hector was killed. He barely manages to beat Hector’s niece, Angela, coming to see her slain uncle with his costume in hand. This is solid foreshadowing for comic fans as Angela would eventually take up the mantle of The White Tiger and follow in Hector’s footsteps after he was gunned down.
Angela is already keenly aware of the corruption within the city. She knows the police are cooked, but what Angela hates the most is that nagging sense that no one in the city is going to ever do anything about it. That just twists the guilt in Matt who is starting to feel convicted that New York truly does need Daredevil to return — even before the death of his fellow vigilante, The White Tiger.
A BB News video finds BB interviewing a man on the street who says he loves vigilantes and wishes he could be one too since they’re the only ones who get things done.
Matt takes another case involving a man, Leroy, arrested for stealing some snacks from a convenience store. Leroy’s question of “could it have been a Skrull?” might have been the best reference and use of the Skrulls in the MCU. Since Leroy’s theft was caught by the surveillance camera, Matt doesn’t have much to work with here, but he does speak with one of the city prosecutors, Sofia, about reducing his sentence. Matt might have earned some brownie points by shouting out that she’s celebrating Latvian Heritage Day. Hey, what despot hails from Latvia? Sic Semper Systema was a pretty sneaky way to work in a Doctor Doom nod.
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Leroy isn’t entirely thrilled to get 10 days to Matt’s surprise, but Leroy shares his hard luck story. It is pretty tough, and Leroy does sound like he’s been dealt a bad hand. There are far worse criminals running around the city while a guy like Leroy who’s just trying to catch a break has to waste time behind bars. To further frustrate Matt, Officer Powell legitimately doesn’t know who was responsible for killing Hector.
Meanwhile, another costumed individual is running around. He seems a bit more sinister as he’s wearing a mask with bleeding red eyes. And the fact that he’s got a body slung over his shoulder is a pretty good indicator that he’s not a good guy.
Fisk and Vanessa are still in therapy with Heather where he admits having a “clarifying dialogue” with Adam, the man who kept Vanessa company while she was lonely. Buck advises Fisk that the underbosses at the docks are going to continue being problematic, but so far Fisk isn’t bothered. He is more annoyed at having to smile and nod while the Latvian Embassy serenades him while he pays his respect for Latvian Heritage Day.
Fisk has a minor issue as Daniel blabs to BB about some union issues. Initially, he’s upset, but Fisk takes a beat and realizes that people are unreliable but a loyal soldier like Daniel is valuable.
Starting anew, Matt goes back to the crime scene for some evidence or the shell casing that killed Hector. He does find it in a very creative showcase of his abilities. Daredevil is one of the few superhero shows that can get away with having the hero out of costume thanks to the genuinely engaging alter ego drama.
Matt goes down into a long winding hallway and stops once he arrives at the lair of a familiar face — Frank Castle aka The Punisher. Matt’s hyper senses detected that the shell casing had Punisher’s logo on it. Fully on brand, Frank scoffs at his imitators calling them “fanboys.”
The two have a fantastic debate about the justice system, Daredevil, The Punisher and Foggy. It sure feels like Sic Semper Systema has to come sooner than later with Daredevil and he Punisher on the same page. In one of the better exchanges, Matt says he did do something in bringing Bullseye to justice and let the system take care of the rest.
“He got life” Matt yells followed by a gut punch remark by Frank “How about ol Foggy? Did he get life?”
This one scene in Sic Semper Systema shows the stark differences between Daredevil and The Punisher. It sure feels like Frank has a stronger case than our attorney by day, Matt Murdock.
At least Matt can take some solace having Heather sleeping over. She’s made for such a surprisingly welcome new love interest. One that’s more stable than Elektra and less annoying than Karen.
Still somewhat bothered by all the recent events, Matt goes up to the rooftop and trains again with his grappling hook on his Billy club. This is the first sign in Born Again that Matt is seriously considering stepping back into the ring.
Sic Semper Systema keeps playing up the duality of Matt and Fisk. This time Fisk descends as Matt goes up to sit down for a real meal — unlike those bird veggie plates he’s been eating in public. He’s eating this delectable meal in front of a chained and imprisoned Adam. That discussion went really well apparently.
While this is playing out, the white clad man has another victim…and he’s taking his blood.
Sic Semper Systema was another excellent episode in a season where that’s become the norm. Anytime Matt and Frank face off it’s a highlight and the philosophical discussion over Foggy was intense and tremendous television. With Fisk’s secret basement pastime revealed, things are heating up in Born Again.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Photo Credit: Disney
Check out the landmark Daredevil: Born Again comic book storyline in this new trade paperback collection available now on Amazon.
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