It took me a long time to get here, longer than I'd like to admit. I have always been such a huge fan of the MCU that I thought watching the Marvel Netflix shows would ruin it for me. I knew they wouldn't have the budget and the insane cast so I've gone years ignoring everyone's advice to start watching the Marvel Netflix originals (not to much Iron Fist but hey I'll make up my own opinion on that eventually). When it comes to Daredevil specifically, that's the one everyone loved and raved about, but I figured Ben Affleck had ruined the character for me for good. However I am not above admitting that I am wrong. I have finally binge watching Daredevil season 1 and I can't believe I didn't think to watch it sooner. The show is full of surprises and as close to "The Wire" as Marvel is going to get. This is such a pronounced departure from everything Marvel has defined itself by since the birth of the 'Marvel Cinematic Universe' that it's virtually unrecognizable as what we've come to know as a Marvel 'product'. Daredevil might just be one of the most elegant entry points for a superhero in live-action that I've ever seen. The basics plot, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) is on the surface a young, blind lawyer working with his partner Foggy Nelson (Elder Henson) to defend the underdogs of Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan. Catch Matt at night, and you’ll learn that he’s also a masked vigilante looking for justice on his own terms. Despite the extrasensory talents developed after his loss of sight, that’s a tough battle given that Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) is looking to take over the criminal underworld of New York one bomb or brutal murder at a time.
Strong, grounded performances, smart writing, and hard-hitting fight scenes immediately helped elevate Daredevil above fans' expectations. Charlie Cox is utterly convincing as both Matt Murdock and Daredevil, playing the latter without the benefit of a padded suit of armour, or even a particularly colourful costume. There are no gadgets, no growly vigilante voices, and no flashy representations of superpowers. In fact, his superhuman abilities are never overtly referenced by any character. Yes, he's blind, and he's got enhanced senses. But there's no expository dialogue to clue you in and no visual representation of his 'radar'. Even in the middle of a fight (and there are plenty of wonderful fights), all of this is accomplished by subtle audio cues. We see Matt constantly wrestle with how far he should morally go as a vigilante, Cox handles things with care and relatable concern. Matt is willing to do just about most everything else under the sun to achieve his goals, including maiming, torturing, and knocking people into comas, however he still has a hold of important moral values as he refuses to kill or even use weapons. He even, on a few occasions, threatens to kill villains via not saving them from their serious injuries. It was enough make one easily believe that all of this would weigh heavy on a Catholic's conscience while also working to create a very different, coarse "PG-15" world for Daredevil. Marvel movies are violent, but not in this way. In fact, the beatings and near-fatal thrashings that Matt took himself are probably the "violence" that most separated this show from other Marvel properties.
We don't get to spend an awful lot of time with Vincent D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk in these early episodes, but he's a masterclass in underplayed menace. D'Onofrio is perhaps less physically imposing than his comic book counterpart (indeed, or even Michael Clarke Duncan in the 2003 film), but he more than gets his point across. Don't worry, he gets a typically 'Kingpin' moment that should silence any lingering doubts, although I can't imagine there are any. Fisk is portrayed as a very vulnerable man. A seriously dangerous one, no doubt, but also one who came with his own formative backstory and current web of lies and betrayals. Also, surprisingly a love story. Fisk's moments spent, early on, wooing and doting upon Ayelet Zurer's art gallery curator Vanessa was a daringly wonderful way to introduce us to the character. Especially since Fisk had remained off-screen for a few episodes while the show built him up as a Voldemort-style boogeyman. D'Onofrio performance as Fisk is one of the best parts of the show. A man who almost seems to be learning the actual mechanics of how to speak to other people every time he opened his mouth, Fisk's shyness/awkwardness helped not only separate him from most crime boss cliches, but also helped us understand why a man as lonely and isolated as he was would become so lethally attached to Vanessa. While also seeing someone like Wesley, his right hand man, as a "true friend." Despite them never showing any real bonds of brotherhood. Just an intense, loyal employer/employee relationship.
Every member of the supporting cast does some heavy lifting. I really liked that this season didn't go the trite, soapy "love triangle" route with Matt, Foggy, and Karen. There was some flirting, and a few seeds planted here and there for possible romantic tension - but the show politely waved at the idea while graciously passing it by. Rosario Dawson makes Claire Temple a far more lively, crucial character than you might have expected, and Vondie Curtis Hall is perfect as Ben Urich. There's also some real magic and apparent spontaneity happening with Elden Henson and Deborah Ann Woll as Foggy Nelson and Karen Page. Deborah Ann Woll's Karen was to be no one's prop. And she wouldn't seek solace "in the arms" of another. And she'd fight back, on whatever level was available to her. Also, Elden Henson's Foggy Nelson was able to equally provide humor and drama in his fresh take on the "sidekick" role.The bulk of the villainous screen time in the first five episodes comes from Toby Leonard Moore as Fisk's right hand man, Wesley, who is a suave and nasty piece of work.
Daredevil is a fun, ferocious look at Marvel's own city-saving vigilante. Similar to DC's Batman and Green Arrow, Matt Murdock loves his city. Even more so, the neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen which was hit hard by the Chitarui attack - one of the show's only mentioned connections to the MCU. In place of a crime-ravaged Irish immigrant-heavy neighborhood, the choice was made to portray the square mile of crowded city as "mostly good people on hard times due to recent alien events." Still folksy, but more modern. A smart move that helped tie Daredevil to the rest of the MCU happenings, despite the fact that the show is the grittiest, most violent entry into Marvel canon so far. Daredevil may have spun a few wheels while trying to figure out its endgame, but overall it was a thrilling, ultra-satisfying take on Daredevil's material and lore. One that, like Favreau's first Iron Man film, helped breathe new life and fandom into a somewhat B-tier Marvel character. Despite the almost polar opposite tones. It's beautifully shot (if a bit dark at times), it even feels more cinematic than several of Marvel's theatrical offerings. The first two episodes, for example, are directed by Phil Abraham, who has several episodes of Mad Men to his directing credit, but who also served as cinematographer on dozens of episodes of The Sopranos, which may help explain this show's distinctly HBO-ready look. If this is the level of quality I can expect from the other Marvel Netflix series AKA Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and The Defenders, then I suspect I'm in for a busy December. Daredevil is the first superhero TV project that truly feels like it's aiming higher.
Easter Eggs
#1 Avengers References
In episode 1 "Into The Ring" the "incident" that is referred to is of course the Battle of New York featured in The Avengers. This is much more than a mere reference; but is actually a driving force in most of this shows plot. The punching bag moment in the same episode is very reminiscent of Captain America’s intro in The Avengers. Though instead of him thinking back to things he’s done and missed, Murdock is thinking of the things he’ll have to do. In episode 10 "Nelson V. Murdock" the framed articles in Ben’s office are Battle of New York – again, The Avengers – and Terror in Harlem. This is a direct reference to The Incredible Hulk film, which is cannon despite the role of Banner changing.
#2 Karen's Dark Past
In episode 4 "In The Blood" Urich’s quick comment about looking into Karen’s ‘dark past’ is the first hint at Karen not being as innocent as Matt first thought. In episode 5 "World On Fire" another reference to her 'dark past' is her ability to speak fluent Spanish. Later on in series 1 we get an even bigger insight in episode 11 “The Path Of The Righteous” when Karen says: “Do you really think this is the first time I’ve shot someone”. Remember Karen’s comment about giving up drinking and moving onto the hard stuff? By episode 12 “The Ones We Leave Behind” you can recognize the hints at Karen’s ‘dark past’; as well as the hints about her dark future.
#3 Civil War References
This may or may not be a set up for Civil War or just a good showing of Daredevil’s own mentality, but in episode 6 "Condemned" there’s a poster that reads “You don’t have to reveal your identity to stop violent crime”.
#4 Character References
“If he had an iron suit or a magic hammer maybe that would explain why you keep getting your asses handed to you.” The henchman in episode 4 "In The Blood" makes a nod to both Iron man and Thor. We get another fun nod to Tony Stark in episode 5 "World On Fire" “You have a job or something to get to or are you one of those billionaire playboys I’m always hearing about”. In episode 9 "Speak Of The Devil" we get a more obvious reference to Steve Rogers “Yah I could say I’m Captain America, but that doesn’t put wings on my head”.
#5 Stan Lee Cameo
It’s not a Marvel product without a Stan Lee cameo, and Daredevil waited for the last episode to throw it in. Whereas Stan Lee didn’t cameo live, a photo of him as an honored cop can be seen hanging in the Police Station during Episode 13 “Daredevil”.
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