Season two of “Daredevil” brings the heat to Hell’s Kitchen.
Marvel’s “Daredevil”, based off of the 1964 comic book by Stan Lee and Bill Everett, follows the story of Mathew Murdock, a lawyer from a fictitious place in New York called Hell’s Kitchen. Murdock was blinded by the untimely spill of radioactive chemicals, and never regained his sight. However, Murdock soon realized that his exposure to radioactive chemicals heightened his other senses. Murdock uses these superhuman senses to piece together a picture of his environment, so technically he sees without his eyes.
His day job as a lawyer forces him pretend that he is normal, but when the sun sets, and the thugs of Hell’s Kitchen roam the streets, Murdock assumes his role as Daredevil and uses his superhuman senses to fight back and save his beloved city. The comic was interesting because it shows a lawyer using extralegal measures to capture criminals. So when Netflix decided to create a series based on Murdock, Marvel fans eagerly awaited the arrival of season one.
Season one of “Daredevil” introduced viewers to the characters, while the plot focused on Daredevil’s antagonistic relationship with Wilson Fisk. At the end of season one, Fisk went to prison, but with Fisk gone, a power vacuum appeared that led to the rise of new and even more dangerous enemies.
Season one was definitely all about taking the viewers’ hand and walking them through Mathew Murdock’s life and transition into Daredevil. For fans familiar with Marvel’s Daredevil, the season was a drag, but season two breathes life into the characters.
Right off the bat, season two draws viewers back into the corruption and violence of Hell’s Kitchen. There is no build-up, nor is there a mundane dialogue that briefs viewers on what happened in season one; instead, viewers will be welcomed with blood, gunshots and a new and dangerously alluring character.
The Punisher is a major character in season two and contrasts with Daredevil’s morals, even though they are both ruthless vigilantes. Most viewers probably have a tough time deciding whether they agree with the idea of having a masked vigilante roam the streets at night, so introducing The Punisher only deepens the moral complexity of the show. The Punisher and Murdock play into the overarching theme of the show that seeks to define justice and morality.
Season two also fleshes out characters such as Karen, Murdock’s assistant. Karen takes a more aggressive role in the cases, and, while her inquisitive nature is annoying and overbearing at times, it prevents the show from being solely about Murdock. Karen and other characters, such as Foggy, give viewers a break from Murdock and provide a different perspective on his character.
As if having The Punisher wasn’t entertaining enough, the show finally introduces Elektra, who has a swanky European accent, which makes her character even more exotic and enticing. Elektra is a notorious temptress who has an intricate relationship with Murdock and his mentor, Stick. “Daredevil” isn’t known for its humor, but Elektra’s quirkiness and playful nature breaks up the heavy blanket of darkness that envelopes the show.
Without giving too much away, the romance is heavy in season two, and viewers will have to make choices between who they think is a better suited love interest for Murdock. And, while the show packs on the love and emotions, it doesn’t detract from any of the action. The fighting scenes in season two rival any Jet Li or Sylvester Stallone movie you’ve ever seen. For example, in one episode, Daredevil and Elektra clash with a group of people whom they assumed were from the Japanese yakuza gang. So not only were punches and kicks being thrown around, but the gang members also showcased their enviable swordsmanship. With sharp blades and daggers being catapulted through the sky, it comes as no surprise that season two is just as grisly and gruesome as season one.
This is the major selling point for the show; the stunts in “Daredevil” overshadow the uninteresting dialogue and keeps viewers’ eyes glued to screens. The show successfully maneuvers between justice, pragmatism and superhero antics.
Season two of “Daredevil” creates new alliances with old enemies, and, as the season winds down, viewers will be surprised to know how little things have changed from season one. Season two shows viewers that maybe Murdock’s predicament is unavoidable, given the type enemies that he has amassed.
Netflix’s “Daredevil” is sinfully entertaining and will tug on viewers’ heartstrings as they try to decide whether to love or hate Murdock. The season finale is revealing and will leave viewers upset that season three is not already available. Hopefully, there’s a season three, and fans will get to see more of the favorite characters and new enemies because, based on season two, it’s clear that the writers of “Daredevil” have done their research.
