Daredevil Born Again: Isle of Joy review S1 E8
Isle of Joy was not as happy an occasion for at least a few characters in this episode with an ending that leaves one key cast member fighting for their life. Isle of Joy also has by far the season’s most satisfying payoff to a subplot while setting the stage for the final episode.
Bullseye is in his solitary confinement cell when word comes down that he is being sent to gen pop. That’s not gonna work out well…for them.
One potential reason for this particular episode title is the Fisk little Isle of Joy namely his waterfront property project, which just got the go ahead to move forward. He’s ready to tell Vanessa everything now in full transparency and brings her to Adam’s cell. Adam pleads with her for a while, but Vanessa is so over the tryst that she coldly shoots him several times. No more love triangle. And the Fisks are tighter than ever.
As for Born Again’s other happy couple? Now that she’s out of the hospital, Heather is back on her vigilante soapbox writing both Daredevil and Muse off as underdeveloped boys. Matt tries to at least get her to acknowledge that Daredevil saved her. Heather retorts that “I saved me. They were both out there for themselves.” That’s certainly one way to look at it, Heather.
Buck comes by Matt’s asking about Heather, which puzzles our intrepid attorney since he didn’t know Heather knew the Kingpin’s right-hand man. Naturally this revelation of Heather’s ties to the Fisks sends Matt in a slight tizzy. “You don’t understand if Fisk is a client he’s in our life.” Technically, Matt he’s never left your life. Heather is just the new arrival. And she’s just been invited to the new mayor’s black and white ball. Matt isn’t interested in being her plus one though as he refuses to dance at Fisk’s request.
Things aren’t anymore joyful for Matt at work as Kirsten says Poindexter/Bullseye wants to talk with Matt. As expected, Matt is not thrilled with the prospect of this encounter and goes by Josie’s bar, which has been closed for some time. Josie just so happens to be there. The booze is still good so it’s a small party, but it’s good enough for Matt.
Matt is convinced Fisk is behind Foggy’s murder (that’s not the kind of thing you just let go) when Josie mentions Foggy was drinking his celebratory drink that fateful night in the bar. Matt realizes he knew he was gonna win, which means Fisk knew Foggy was onto him. That’s enough incentive for Matt to visit Bullseye. It doesn’t take long for Bullseye to goad Matt into smashing his face in bad enough that he has to be sent to the medical ward’s doctor.
As the doc starts fixing up his stitches, Bullseye pulls out his now loosened tooth and spits it through the guards’ eyes. This dude is a straight up menace! He boards the bus with the guards and is back on the lam.
One guy who might want to be concerned about his escape is Fisk, who appoints Daniel his new deputy mayor of communications. Naturally that doesn’t sit too well with Sheila, but she’s politically savvy enough not to stir up too much now.
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Now it’s time for the big moment of truth (literally) in Isle of Joy. Daniel blows off Sheila to holler at BB. That’s just sensible, but he keeps acting like she’s interested in him for more than the occasional exclusive. Jack aka Swordsman is here as well. When it’s time for their big moment together, Fisk steps out in a white tuxedo no doubt to get millions of fanboys (present company included) hyped to see Kingpin in his comic-accurate attire.
Matt does make it to the gala but uses it as more of a fact-finding mission than a make good with Heather opportunity. It’s a shame that it’s not raining so he can’t Affleck Daredevil see her in her ballgown. Listening in to Fisk and Jack, Matt catches Fisk clueing Jack in that he knows about his activities as Swordsman, the vigilante. That’s not a threat from Fisk, but a warning. This is bad timing for Matt as now that he’s decided to return as Daredevil his number of potential allies are dwindling.
Police Chief Gallo tries to stop Fisk’s Task Force from abusing their power, but he knows he’s in a losing battle. He does find a potential ally in BB, who reveals she’s only been hanging around with Fisk’s inner circle so she can get tangible info on Fisk being behind her uncle’s murder. Way to tie in a storyline from the first season!
Gallo has more intel for her namely files on every crook with a badge that Fisk has on his task force. That would be helpful information for someone concerned with spreading the truth…
Vanessa spots Matt leading Heather to Fisk and she sets up a spotlight for them to do their first dance. This sets a beautifully shot sequence that’s not just a highlight of Isle of Joy, but the season in general. Matt dances with Heather as Fisk taunts him in whispered tone. It’s the kind of thing that a hero’s archenemy should do in this kind of position.
Fisk doesn’t realize he’s the one vulnerable as Buck gets the call that Bullseye escaped and he’s already at the gala. Vanessa has something to tell Fisk just as Matt whisks her away. He knows the truth now. Fisk asks Heather if she knows why Matt is so interested in vigilantes, which seems like a complete jerk move that I can appreciate from Wilson.
He doesn’t get to spill the beans, tea or anything as Bullseye has taken a sniper position and nearly takes Fisk out. If it weren’t for that Good Samaritan who took the bullet for him. Attorney Matt Murdock. Cue the end credits.
Isle of Joy sets up the season finale in epic fashion with Matt getting gunned down by a dude who can use his own tooth to kill someone. Things aren’t looking good for the devil of Hell’s Kitchen, but it is making for a tremendous cliffhanger.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Photo Credit: Disney
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