BY MARK O’CALLAGHAN
Co Arts Editor
In the past two weeks, “Iron Fist” and “Luke Cage” were canceled by Netflix leaving fans shocked. While this happened, season three of “Daredevil” premiered.
Often held up as the best MCU Netflix show, “Daredevil” set the trail of the grittier side of the MCU. With season three, they exceed all expectations to deliver a thrilling, emotionally charged season.
Set after “The Defenders,” Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) is left severely injured and experiencing a loss of faith. He believes that the Matt Murdock side of him has held him back and sets to become a vigilante full time. Meanwhile, Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’onofrio) is in prison and becomes an informant for the FBI. Yet, Murdock suspects Fisk is up to something that will threaten his city.
Before diving into the season, I thought Murdock’s dilemma would just last a couple of episodes and be done with. Instead, they stick to the theme of Murdock being broken and disillusion throughout the majority of the season. Charlie Cox does a great job conveying a sense of anger and being hurt after giving up so much and not seeing any results.
Yet this season’s MVP has to be Vincent D’onofrio as Fisk. He’s a fascinating multi complex character that’s sympathetic yet utterly terrifying. A big chunk of the season is set on the mystery of Fisk. Why is he helping the FBI and does he have an ultimate motive?
The supporting characters greatly round out the cast. Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson return to help empathize Matt’s old life. They don’t feel forced and work organically in the story. Another villain in the works is Dex Poindexter. To take a character like Bullseye and somehow turn him into a complex interesting character is hard. Yet, they knocked it out of the park. Wilson Bethel gives such a raw performance and this season does really take its time to flesh him out.
Now what makes Daredevil stand out from other superheroes is his religion.
Murdock is Catholic and it’s very important to him. So to see him experience a crisis of faith is fascinating to watch. A big chunk of this season takes inspiration from the comic arc, “Born Again.” The religion talk isn’t disrespectful and it helps establish why Daredevil is different from the rest.
The action still remains not just the best on Netflix but maybe the best in television. Every punch, kick and jab feel real as you feel the impact. They even top their tradition of having a one-shot scene with a ten-minute scene of a prison riot that you’ll playback over and over. Some highlights include the Daredevil and Poindexter fights. Both guys are highly skilled and unleash everything they have. Since Poindexter has highly good accuracy thowing skills, the creators get creative with his fights. From glass to pencils, everything becomes a weapon in his hands. Also, being back the original black suit from season one is such a cool touch. It has this grittiness from being homemade and looks great on screen.
Season three of “Daredevil” is a triumph for superhero television. It successfully continues Murdocks’s story and does a deep dive on his psyche. With a great villain and engaging supporting cast, there’s just a lot of talent on here. Combine that with great action, “Daredevil” is an immediate binge watch. Hopefully “Daredevil” doesn’t get cancelled like the other MCU Netflix shows. If it unfortunately happens, at least it ended on a high note.
