The second season of Daredevil: Born Again kicked off with an adrenaline-fueled sequence, featuring the Man Without Fear infiltrating a military-grade weapon shipment as it approached the Brooklyn docks. The resulting skirmish in the ship’s bowels was claustrophobic and intense, culminating in a daring escape for Daredevil as the captain, under orders from New York’s corrupt new mayor, scuttled the vessel.
Yet, following that explosive start, the narrative momentum faltered. Despite Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) spearheading a crusade against Mayor Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), the titular character has frequently felt sidelined by subplotting centered on less compelling supporting players—the excessive screen time afforded to therapist Heather Glenn being a prime example. However, the fifth episode, “The Grand Design,” finally shifts the series into a much-needed higher gear.
Image: Marvel Studios
Picking up from the cliffhanger of “Gloves Off,” where Bullseye (Wilson Bethel) launched a violent assault on Fisk and his wife, Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer), at a boxing exhibition, the stakes are immediately elevated. While Vanessa clings to life in a hospital, Matt finds himself tending to a critically wounded Bullseye at a local sanctuary.
The episode skillfully utilizes flashbacks to parallel the present-day struggles. We revisit the origins of Fisk’s relationship with Vanessa, while Daredevil’s narrative arc marks the emotional return of Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson). In a poignant flashback, we see the firm representing a mobster from Foggy’s past; while Matt favors justice, Foggy’s push for redemption leaves an indelible mark on Matt. Consequently, when confronted with the dying Bullseye—who once murdered Foggy—Matt chooses mercy over vengeance, honoring his late partner’s legacy.
Image: Marvel Studios
These reflective moments highlight just how vital Elden Henson’s absence has been to the show’s struggle to find its footing. While Nikki M. James (Kirsten McDuffie) tries to fill the legal partnership void, the organic, lived-in chemistry of the original Netflix duo remains unmatched. We never tuned in for the courtroom procedural elements; we stayed for the profound bond between Matt and Foggy.
Elsewhere, the subplot involving Deputy Mayor Daniel Blake (Michael Gandolfini) is surprisingly effective. Caught in a web of betrayal, Daniel’s terrifying ride with Fisk’s henchman, Buck Cashman, carries the unmistakable, ominous DNA of The Sopranos—a fitting stylistic nod, given the actor’s heritage. It is a high-tension sequence that adds a layer of dread to the episode.
Images: Marvel Studios
The episode concludes with the tragic demise of Vanessa Fisk, a catalyst certain to push Kingpin into a state of volatile, unhinged fury. If this shift in the status quo holds, the remainder of the season promises a level of intensity that finally does justice to its legendary source material.
Source: Polygon
