Daredevil: Born Again Episode 4 Review – Enter The Punisher

Here’s my Daredevil: Born Again Episode 4 review and this week it’s enter the Punisher….and Muse, finally. Folk’s this is a spoiler free review, so I’ll be talking themes of Episode 4 and what I liked, not no specific advancements on the plot.

Episode 4 continues to revolve around the lives of mainly Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk. Matt is handling day to day lawyer business, but with the spectre of last week’s final moments eating him up. Meanwhile Fisk continues to try and play straight and get things done, whilst trying to repair his marriage.

One of the themes presented and explored this week is ‘the system’ and its flaws and benefits. It’s takes a certain type of person to be patient enough with the machinations of local government. The people want results now, the bureaucracy however slows the process down. As for the justice system, well we don’t need this show to tell us it’s got it’s own issues at times. Through the lens of Matt defending a petty criminal, and Fisk trying to improve the city we see the issues both are faced with. Yet, these are issues we all deal with in real life every day. It’s not fantasy, it’s simply reality.

Of course the question this show poses also, is what happens when people decide the system isn’t working and bypass it. Fisk’s frustration is palpable and in this state we do see a glimpse behind the door, at his darker side, as he’d call it. Equally Murdock’s frustrations at the system push him towards a chat with an old ally, Frank Castle.

RELATED: Daredevil: Born Again Episode 3 Review – Courtroom Episode

Castle and Murdock have one scene together, and it’s in the vein of what I spoke about above. I won’t get into specifics but both Bernthal and Cox are brilliant together as always. Equally I’m really enjoying the scenes between Fisk and Vanessa this season as they work through their issues. Like Cox and Bernthal, these are just actors who have chemistry together.

Of course, we all know where this is going. Eventually, both Fisk and Murdock are going to bypass the system and take things into their own hands. That’s kinda what we’re all waiting for. We see that path begin to be laid out for us, partly due to several unforeseen catalysts, but it was always coming. The only question was how we would get there?

We also get a small tease for a new threat, to both Fisk and Murdock. Muse we all knew was going to be a villain in Season 1. So far we’ve had little if anything, but we get our first proper tease this week of what is to come. I look forward to seeing more.

Daredevil is a property which is tailor made to explore these kind of systemic issues. However, it’s also about why we do need the system and why ultimately Matt never goes as far as Frank does. Frank is gone, gone man. Where Matt teeters on the edge of the abyss, Frank is in the maelstrom.

Episode 4 was slower again, but the tension is building and this episode shows that growing malice well. Good acting and some interesting moral dilemma’s, albeit familiar. I enjoyed Episode 4.

GRADE: B+

Interesting, with a progressive tension and quality acting, it makes for a better episode for me than last week. However, once again, some Marvel fans might find it too slow. Not one for the kids I feel this show. Enter the Punisher!

I do also want to lament some online opinions I’m seeing saying that Wilson Fisk has been neutered by Disney. Folks, he’s trying to play straight, he promised Vanessa some things (spoilers) and he thinks he’s changed. If you’re waiting for the real Fisk to show up, just be patient. A virtue Fisk lacks and it is this which is going to send him back down a dark path. It’s in the post, clear as day. However, Born Again is an adult drama. Let the character develop, or devolve one might say, naturally and stop worrying.

What do you think of my Daredevil: Born Again Episode 4 review? As always, leave your own thoughts in the comments below. (though no name calling this week regulars!!)

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