7 Daredevil Episodes You Need to Rewatch Before Born Again Premieres

The upcoming series titled “Daredevil: Born Again” will carry forward the exploits of The Man Without Fear, with certain episodes from Netflix’s Daredevil proving especially significant for it. Originally introduced on Netflix in 2015 as Marvel’s initial street-level hero on their streaming platform, Daredevil completed a run of three seasons along with the crossover series The Defenders. After a considerable wait, Charlie Cox will reprise his role as Daredevil for another solo show, having made appearances in Spider-Man: No Way Home, She-Hulk, and Echo more recently.

Originally, the Marvel-Netflix series had a slight separation from the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, during production, Daredevil: Born Again underwent a substantial change to align more closely with the Netflix version of Daredevil. In essence, this reworking transformed Born Again into what is essentially Daredevil‘s fourth season. With the connection between the two shows strengthened, it’s recommended that fans rewatch seven episodes from the original Daredevil series before the premiere of Daredevil: Born Again.

“Cut Man” (Season 1, Episode 2)

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’d say the second episode of “Daredevil”‘s inaugural season, titled “Cut Man,” is undeniably the one that truly catapulted the series to its acclaimed status. This captivating installment primarily revolves around my character, Matt Murdock, embarking on a harrowing mission to rescue a kidnapped child. The narrative masterfully underscores the immense physical strain Matt endures, as he relentlessly presses forward despite suffering a stab wound and multiple cracked ribs.

The climax of the episode arrives with an electrifying, uninterrupted hallway fight sequence that pays homage to combat scenes from “Oldboy” and “The Raid.” This pulse-pounding display of action single-handedly established “Daredevil” as an immediate sensation in the superhero genre.

Influenced greatly by “Man Without Fear,” the character, single-take fight scenes became a recurring element in seasons 2 and 3 of the series, Daredevil. The relentless resilience of Matt, wounded yet battling multiple adversaries while grimacing in pain beneath his mask, not only solidified Daredevil’s identity but also differentiated it from the lighter tones of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) on the big screen. It demonstrated that its fight scenes were unique compared to those within the MCU. With another one-shot fight scene expected in Daredevil: Born Again, fans of the Man Without Fear should revisit where it all began.

“Daredevil” (Season 1, Episode 13)

In the final episode of Season 1, the character Matt Murdock dons his iconic red suit with horns for the first time, and the title even reveals his official superhero name. This episode is overseen by the Season 1 producer Steven S. DeKnight. The climax of Daredevil Season 1 finds Vincent D’Onofrio’s character Wilson Fisk being arrested by Matt Murdock, but true to form, Fisk puts up a fierce resistance before his ultimate confrontation with Daredevil on the streets of Hell’s Kitchen.

In subsequent seasons, the Daredevil suit may have been improved, but nothing beats the excitement of seeing Matt Murdock put on his iconic red suit and horns as seen in the comics. This moment comes at a fitting climax against the Kingpin, saving it for the finale of Season 1 demonstrates just how impressive Matt’s black ninja suit has been all along. The riveting monologue by D’Onofrio’s villain from inside an armored police van and the mesmerizing final fight between Daredevil and Kingpin make Daredevil Season 1 a memorable ending that is definitely worth revisiting before Daredevil: Born Again.

“New York’s Finest” (Season 2, Episode 3)

Apart from advancing Matt Murdock’s tale in Daredevil Season 2, it also set the stage for the Netflix series, The Punisher, acting as a hidden audition. The central theme of this season revolved around Matt Murdock and Frank Castle’s contrasting views on crime-fighting. This conflict is most evident in Season 2’s third episode titled “New York’s Finest,” which primarily features a discussion between Daredevil and Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) about the ethics of killing criminals, with Daredevil trying to persuade Frank that there are alternatives to lethal force in combating crime.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I can’t help but admire the mesmerizing blend that “Daredevil” offers – the electrifying action sequences are indeed captivating, yet it’s the poignant human drama that truly cements its success. Coined as “New York’s Finest”, this moniker aptly represents Daredevil and The Punisher as Marvel’s intriguing yin and yang duo.

Daredevil embodies an optimist, clinging to the hope that even the most sinister of villains can find redemption. Conversely, The Punisher sees such idealism as a lost cause, believing it puts innocent lives at risk. This compelling dynamic adds depth to both characters and keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

To further heighten the tension, “New York’s Finest” culminates in the breathtaking one-shot fight scene during Daredevil Season 2. Matt faces off against more than a dozen adversaries within a confined stairwell, delivering an exhilarating brawl that leaves fans craving for more action.

“A Cold Day in Hell’s Kitchen” (Season 2, Episode 13)

In the second season of Daredevil, the character Matt Murdock reconnects with his former love, Elektra Natchios (played by Elodie Yung). However, Matt is hesitant to work together with her and his old mentor Stick (Scott Glenn) to combat the dangerous ninja group called The Hand. The storyline reaches its peak in the season finale “A Cold Day in Hell’s Kitchen,” where Matt and Elektra face off against The Hand in a fierce battle that results in Elektra’s demise during their confrontation on a rooftop, leaving Matt to deal with the aftermath.

The episode titled ‘A Cold Day in Hell’s Kitchen’ is a significant one within the series Daredevil, carrying weight on several fronts. It delves into the complex dynamic between Daredevil and Elektra, portraying them as both partners and lovers. This installment also underscores Matt’s deep emotional ties to these characters, showcasing his trust issues and respect for Stick as his martial arts instructor.

In addition, this episode marks the culmination of Daredevil and The Punisher’s final meeting in the Marvel Cinematic Universe before their reunion in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’. As Frank Castle departs, he tells Matt “See you around, Red”, making ‘A Cold Day in Hell’s Kitchen’ an episode that fans may want to revisit before they witness another encounter between Matt and Frank in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’.

“Resurrection” (Season 3, Episode 1)

In the continuation of the Marvel-Netflix crossover series, The Defenders, Daredevil’s Season 3 commences under the title “Resurrection.” Following his apparent demise, this season depicts Matt, who has sustained physical injuries and a broken heart due to Elektra’s transformation into a villain. During his recovery at a local Catholic Church, Matt rediscovers his heroic determination and fighting spirit throughout “Resurrection.

In a fresh and accessible rephrasing:

Season 3 of Daredevil delved deeply into the comic book lore of The Man Without Fear, drawing heavily from Frank Miller’s renowned story “Daredevil: Born Again” and introducing Sister Maggie (Joanne Whalley) as Matt’s mother. Despite the high benchmarks set by its first two seasons, Daredevil Season 3 commenced with great intensity in its premiise episode titled “Resurrection.” This opening episode emphasized the internal struggle of Matt Murdock, grappling with his despair and using sheer effort and determination to emerge from it, although he doesn’t fully regain his light until later in the season.

“The Devil You Know” (Season 3, Episode 6)

In Daredevil Season 3, the enigmatic and deadly marksman known as Bullseye (played by Wilson Bethel) made his appearance as a formidable adversary for Matt Murdock, also known as The Man Without Fear. In this season’s interpretation of “Born Again,” Ben Urich’s character, Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter, is portrayed as an FBI agent who eventually becomes Wilson Fisk’s trusted ally and even adopts a red suit similar to Daredevil’s, aiming to incriminate Matt. The sixth episode of the season titled “The Devil You Know” features the first intense fight between Matt and Bullseye, with their battle unfolding in the office of the New York Bulletin newspaper.

In the thrilling series “Daredevil”, the fight choreography is expertly amplified, reaching a peak level of intensity. The storyline in “The Devil You Know” resembles a nerve-wracking horror film’s cat-and-mouse game, set against the backdrop of a dimly lit office environment. Bullseye, with his chilling ability to transform any item into a lethal weapon, significantly heightens the suspense in Daredevil’s combat sequences like never before. Fans eagerly anticipating Daredevil’s confrontation with Bullseye in “Daredevil: Born Again” might want to revisit their initial encounter as a refresher.

“A New Napkin” (Season 3, Episode 13)

In the season finale of “Daredevil,” titled “A New Napkin,” our hero, Daredevil, faces off against the Kingpin in an intense and climactic battle. This battle, which also involves Bullseye, results in a thrilling three-way fight. The martial arts sequence is one of the show’s finest and most significant, setting the stage for “Daredevil: Born Again.” This epic confrontation not only marks the end of Season 3 but also serves as a direct prelude to the upcoming series.

In the fight, it appears that Fisk inflicts a spinal injury on Dex, leaving him immobile. However, the last scene of the season hints at Bullseye undergoing surgery to enhance his powers, posing a threat to both Fisk and Daredevil once more. This setup will finally unfold in the much-anticipated series, Daredevil: Born Again. The choices Matt made – choosing not to kill Fisk, their tentative truce as Fisk goes to prison, and his powerful declaration that “This city rejected you, it beat you! I BEAT YOU!” – will all significantly impact their encounter in Daredevil: Born Again. Particularly interesting is the fact that Fisk becomes the mayor of New York City between the end of Daredevil and the start of Born Again. If Daredevil fans are looking for an episode to refresh their memory before the release of Daredevil: Born Again, “A New Napkin” is certainly worth revisiting.

On March 4th, “Daredevil: Born Again” will debut on Disney+, and you can also stream all three seasons of “Daredevil” on the same platform.

2025-01-19 20:10