Marvel’s Daredevil Returns In Violent Glory
The streets of Hell’s Kitchen are once again in peril as the third season of Marvel’s Daredevil arrives on Netflix.
I’ve been a huge fan of the show since its 2015 debut and I ironically fell off the Marvel on Netflix train after the first season of Marvel’s Jessica Jones, but the shows always kept my interest. After getting advanced screenings of the first six episodes from Netflix, I was hesitant because it’s been about two years since I watched anything to do with Daredevil as I had missed the team-up series, Marvel’s The Defenders. But luckily, it was easy to slip right back into the show with its well-written characters, engaging action and captivating plot.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the show would have to be the storyline for the season. After the events of The Defenders, Matt Murdock is recovering from his injuries and trying to rebirth himself as a vigilante. It’s almost a new slate for the character and is very refreshing to see a reestablishing aspect in a show. Although that leads to a bit of a slower pace throughout the first two to three episodes, a slow burn is always welcome if the show stays compelling — which, thankfully, it does. A smaller aspect that I’ve always appreciated is how Matt’s religion plays into his identity, with the third season leaning into it more so than ever before.
This season brings in new faces like Wilson Bethel’s villain, Bullseye, last seen in the 2003 film adaptation portrayed by Colin Farrell. Bethel delivers an interesting portrayal, starting off as straight-laced FBI agent who gradually loses his way. It’s a fascinating character study, especially once his backstory is revealed. Another new character is Maggie Grace (Joanne Whalley), a nun who nurses Matt back to health and just brings another delightful look into Murdock’s psyche and may have more to do with his past than he believes. Finally, while not completely absent from season two, his presence was missed — Vincent D’Onofrio returns as the terrifying and calculating, Kingpin. D’Onofrio, always delivering powerful performances, leaves nothing off the table, making it possibly his greatest season yet.
It wouldn’t be an action show without some awesome fights and epic cinematography, both of which the show wholeheartedly delivers. Martial arts, gunfights and superhero justice is just a fraction of the action season three brings. Viewers can expect some top-tier fight choreography (courtesy of Chris Brewster), with the show’s signature one-take hallway fights making an always welcome return. Bloody knuckles, broken bones and bruised bad guy faces are always consistently fun to watch throughout, making the season violently entertaining.
This season offers a great extension to the ever-interesting plot, great characters old and new and blood pumping action that always kept me glued to the screen. With the recent cancellation of Marvel Netflix shows Iron Fist and Luke Cage, I would truly be distraught if this show suffers the same Thanos snap as the other two.
