On April 10, 2015, Marvel released the first season of Daredevil, and television changed forever. The show marked the beginning of a long partnership between Netflix and Marvel. Unlike typical superhero stories, Daredevil focused on crime, justice, and corruption, featuring a compelling hero, a terrifying villain, and intense action sequences.
Now, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) and Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) are returning in Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+. The show has new leadership this time but remains connected to the original Daredevil series.
With its mature rating and commitment to deep storytelling, it feels like a continuation of the original show. Some pacing issues and underdeveloped moments exist, but the return of Hell’s Kitchen’s vigilante is strong and dramatic.
Also Read: All the Marvel Movies and Shows You Must Watch to Understand ‘Daredevil: Born Again’
Bullseye Seeks Revenge, Bringing a Devastating Loss
The first episode begins exactly where Daredevil Season 3 ended. Matt, Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson), and Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) are now part of the law firm Nelson, Murdock, and Page. The three friends spend an evening at their favorite bar to celebrate the retirement of their detective friend, Cherry (Clark Johnson).
During their night out, a news broadcast reveals that Daredevil is no longer the only vigilante in Hell’s Kitchen. Another crimefighter, White Tiger, is making a name for himself.
However, Hell’s Kitchen soon lives up to its reputation. Foggy gets a call from a friend, and Matt immediately senses something is wrong. At that moment, a paperclip flies through the air with deadly precision, killing a fly. A gloved hand, marked with a bullseye symbol, unscrews a lightbulb. These signs confirm that Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter, also known as Bullseye (Wilson Bethel), has returned for revenge.
Matt suits up as Daredevil and follows a lead, but Dex has set a trap. Meanwhile, as Karen and Foggy wait outside the bar, the night takes a horrifying turn. A gunshot rings out, and Foggy collapses, mortally wounded by Dex. As Karen desperately tries to help him, Matt arrives and battles Bullseye in a brutal fight.
The scene is long and chaotic, filled with destruction and violence. Civilians are caught in the crossfire, and Dex shows no mercy.
Matt gets the upper hand and pushes Bullseye off a rooftop, nearly breaking his moral code against killing. Unfortunately, Foggy does not survive his injuries. His death is a heartbreaking loss for Matt, setting up a painful and emotional journey for him.
Matt Murdock Leaves Daredevil Behind as Wilson Fisk Gains Power
A year later, Matt is still struggling with grief. He decides to leave his life as Daredevil behind and focus entirely on his career as a lawyer. He opens a new law firm with another attorney, Kirsten McDuffie (Nikki M. James).
Foggy always believed in the power of the legal system, and Matt hopes to honor his best friend by continuing that work. Even though Bullseye has been sentenced to life in prison, Karen does not believe the justice system is enough. She knows that criminals will always find ways to escape punishment.
At the same time, Wilson Fisk has been recovering after the events of Echo. While he was away, his wife Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer) successfully ran his criminal empire. Now, Fisk is ready to make his move. Instead of returning to his old ways, he launches a campaign for mayor of New York City.
His team includes a rising young political figure (Michael Gandolfini), who even drops the show’s first F-bomb. Despite his long history of crime, Fisk is leading in the polls. His campaign and slogan strongly resemble a real-life American political figure, making the show’s social message very clear.
Matt has no desire to return as Daredevil, but Fisk’s rise is impossible to ignore. Kirsten tries to help him move on by setting him up on a date. However, Matt’s mind remains focused on Fisk’s growing influence. He eventually confronts Fisk at a diner, and their conversation is surprisingly calm.
After years of being bitter enemies, both men seem to appreciate the familiarity of their rivalry. Fisk insists that he had nothing to do with Foggy’s murder and claims to have changed. He promises to leave crime behind and focus on making the city a better place. However, he still despises vigilantes and is determined to outlaw them if he becomes mayor.
Wilson Fisk Becomes Mayor, Bringing a New Era of Fear
The final minutes of the episode confirm what many feared—Wilson Fisk wins the election and becomes the new mayor of New York City. His supporters celebrate in the streets, wearing baseball hats with his campaign slogan. The show’s political themes are direct, making it clear that Fisk’s rise mirrors real-world events.
Not everything is perfect for Fisk, though. He hints that Vanessa may be having an affair. While many would expect him to react violently, he surprisingly remains composed. He assures Vanessa that he will not harm the person involved—at least for now.
Meanwhile, Matt tries to enjoy his date with Heather Glenn (Margarita Levieva), the therapist Kirsten introduced him to. However, the reality of Fisk’s election weighs on him.
With Fisk in power, New York City will have a dark future. The episode ends on an ominous note, leaving viewers wondering whether Matt will finally put the Daredevil suit back on.
The first episode of Daredevil: Born Again is filled with grief, loss, and difficult choices. Although Foggy’s death happens early, it has a lasting effect on Matt’s journey. Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio return to their roles as if they never left, delivering strong performances.
The action scenes are brutal, and the show uses clever visual techniques to highlight Matt’s abilities. The new series is off to a powerful start, promising an intense and emotional story ahead.
New episodes of Daredevil: Born Again premiere every Tuesday on Disney+.
