The upcoming Daredevil: Born Again series brings back Charlie Cox as Daredevil/Matt Murdock and Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk/Kingpin.
It also reintroduces Jon Bernthal as The Punisher, also known as Frank Castle. Bernthal first played Castle in Daredevil Season 2 before starring in his own show, which had two seasons on Netflix. Fans are excited to see Frank Castle return alongside Daredevil.
Before this new chapter begins, let’s look back at how The Punisher Season 1 ended. Frank Castle continued his battle for justice after his family’s brutal murder.
Also Read: ‘Daredevil’ Season 2 Ending Explained: Matt Murdock Faces Ninjas, Love, and The Punisher
Frank Castle and David Lieberman Uncover a Dark Secret
The Punisher Season 1 picks up after the events of Daredevil Season 2. Frank Castle hides from the world, staying off the grid. He soon meets David Lieberman, also known as Micro (played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach), a former NSA analyst.
Together, they uncover a secret illegal government operation called Operation Cerberus. This operation was led by CIA Director William Rawlins (Paul Schulze), also known as Agent Orange.
Rawlins used CIA resources and military forces to kill people in Afghanistan without approval. He funded these illegal actions by smuggling heroin into the U.S. inside the bodies of fallen American soldiers.
Frank discovers that Rawlins ordered the murder of his family. This shocking truth fuels his rage. As Frank and Micro get closer to exposing the truth, Frank realizes that his old friend, Billy Russo (Ben Barnes), was part of this operation. Russo knew about Rawlins’ plan to eliminate Frank and his family but chose to stay silent.
As the season nears its end, Rawlins and Russo capture Frank Castle during a risky trade-off to save Micro’s family. They take Frank to Micro’s hideout, where Rawlins tortures him.
However, Russo no longer trusts Rawlins, who holds a personal grudge against Frank. In a brutal fight, Frank breaks free and takes his revenge by stabbing Rawlins repeatedly before killing him by jamming his thumbs into his eyes.
Russo tries to finish off the badly injured Frank, but Homeland Security agent Dinah Madani (Amber Rose Revah) arrives just in time. She has been investigating a murder linked to Rawlins’ crimes. She helps Frank survive, and he prepares for his final battle—a showdown with Billy Russo.
Frank Castle Faces Billy Russo for the Last Time
Billy Russo becomes a fugitive as the federal government hunts him down. Desperate, he seeks out Curtis Hoyle (Jason Moore), another former Marine and Frank’s friend. But Frank is waiting. Using his sniper rifle, he forces Russo to meet him at the Central Park Carousel, the place where Frank’s family was murdered.
What follows is a bloody and brutal battle. Frank unleashes all his rage on Russo, dragging his face across shattered glass. Russo begs Frank to kill him, but Frank refuses. Instead, he smashes Russo’s face into a cracked mirror, ensuring he will always remember this moment every time he looks at himself. Russo passes out from his injuries but survives.
Frank makes it clear that Russo will never forget his actions. The disfigurement and trauma will haunt him forever. This moment shows Frank’s sense of justice. He believes that death is too easy for Russo, and the true punishment is making him live with the consequences of his betrayal.
Frank Castle Gets a Second Chance, but Peace Still Feels Distant
Frank survives and wakes up in a hospital. He meets with CIA Deputy Director Marion James (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) and Homeland Security Operations Director Rafael Hernandez (Tony Plana).
They decide to wipe his records clean and grant him a full pardon to cover up Rawlins and Russo’s crimes. Madani personally ensures that Frank’s fingerprints and DNA are erased from all government databases.
Hernandez reveals that Russo is alive but in a coma. His brain damage and physical scars will transform him into Jigsaw, a major villain in The Punisher Season 2. Meanwhile, David Lieberman finally reunites with his family. After spending years in hiding, he gets his life back.
Frank chooses not to join David’s family celebration. He knows that while David can return to a normal life, he cannot. His past still haunts him. He walks away, knowing that his fight is not over.
Frank realizes that even though his enemies are gone, he still feels empty. He expected revenge to bring peace, but it has not. The burden of his past remains, and he does not know what comes next. The government offers him a clean slate, but the weight of his actions cannot be erased so easily.
The Silence When the Gunfire Ends
In the season’s final scene, Frank attends a veterans’ support group run by Curtis Hoyle. For the first time, he admits that he has no war left to fight. He feels anxious and scared, realizing he does not know how to live without a battle.
Jon Bernthal delivers a powerful performance in this moment, showing Frank’s deep emotional scars. Even though he has taken down those responsible for his family’s deaths, he has not found peace. His struggle is far from over.
As he speaks, Frank reveals that silence is what frightens him the most. He is used to conflict, violence, and war. Now, with nothing left to fight for, he feels lost. This moment shows that his journey is not just about revenge but about finding meaning in a life without war.
Fans can watch both seasons of The Punisher streaming now on Disney+ in the U.S.. Daredevil: Born Again, featuring Jon Bernthal’s return as The Punisher, premieres on Wednesday, March 5.
Frank Castle’s story continues, but whether he will ever find peace remains uncertain. His past shaped him into The Punisher, and his future may hold new battles he never expected.
Also Read: Daredevil Fights Again, Karen Page and The Punisher Return for ‘Born Again’ Season 2
