Bang - this is the one word that can best describe the second season of Netflix's Daredevil. Basically, it’s like the first season, but on steroids. It’s much more violent and explicit in its violence, louder, at times (intentionally or unintentionally) confusing, and so on. Basically, just like a gunshot.

So, in a way, it can be said that the second season pushes the boundaries of this dark part of the MCU even further. Matt Murdock reveals himself as being more than a flawed character whenever he doesn't don the Daredevil suit; Foggy Nelson can be best described as Matt’s anchor in everyday life, who keeps him from losing himself completely in his superhero alter ego; and Karen Page struggles to become anything other than the damsel in distress (fortunately for her and for the series, she manages that).

If you were to watch this second season for one single character, that character would be the Punisher, despite his overly convoluted backstory. As expected, Jon Bernthal delivers and then some, stealing the show every time he appears on the screen.

On the other hand, we cannot say the same about Elodie Yung's Elektra. While the first four episodes are centered on the Punisher and feel like a roller coaster ride, the following four episodes focus mainly on Elektra and seem mellower. They don’t actually give the actress the chance to shine. There are some very intense scenes with her, nonetheless - but only in flashbacks.

Stick returns, we find out more about Black Sky, the Hand is revealed as being behind everything happening in Hell's Kitchen, an old villain pops in the most unexpected (and satisfying) way, and so on. Check out the reviews for all of the episodes - but expect quite a few spoilers!

Bang

Unlike the first season, when the pace of the series was gradually increased, Daredevil's Season 2 begins with a literal bang, with the introduction of the Punisher (many believed that he would be the main antagonist of the season).

Of course, the episode doesn't focus just on this. In fact, we get to see how the Matt/Foggy/Karen trio manages the law firm, which is considered the best for those who can only pay with produce. From this, you can guess that this won't end too well, since the law firm must make some money in order to be functional - but they’re still considered heroes.

The relationship between Karen and Matt is also moving forward, with some tension being sensed between them. On the other hand, Foggy is the one who basically runs the firm, while also having to look after Matt Murdock.

All in all, the characters aren't stagnant, and their story moves forward.

In the wake of Wilson Fisk's removal, the biggest threat of the season is the Irish mobsters, who want to take their neighborhood back. This doesn't go as they intend - as it is later revealed, they are aware that some lunatic is gunning down mobsters, and they come to their meeting prepared (with lots of firepower and bulletproof vests). The Punisher mows them down - literally.

Grotto seems to become one of the future supporting characters, being a somewhat reformed criminal (spoiler - he won't become one) who asks the help of Murdock and Nelson. Injured, he is taken to the hospital where, in pure Punisher style, Frank Castle arrives.

What follows is the first showdown between Daredevil and the Punisher. Which ends with a bang - though we cannot understand how in the world Matt Murdock didn't see the gun. Thus, the Punisher shoots Daredevil in the head.

Take that for a cliffhanger!

What do we think? This is the best way in which the second season could have started! And it is very good to see that the powers that be didn't settle on copying the first season’s formula - the main secondary character is introduced from the start, to the fans' delight.

Furthermore, the pace is simply incredible - without neglecting the character development.

Of course, it can be said that the villains (who are just some gang members) are rather incompetent (just cannon fodder). But that ends fairly quickly, since the Punisher arrives and obliterates them.

Dogs to a Gunfight

After Daredevil gets shot in the head, what happens next? Well, it is up to Foggy to come to his aid and deliver some pretty wise words (though a bit too cheesy for our liking). And this is also the moment in which Matt Murdock realizes that a choice must be made between living a normal life and being a full-time vigilante.

There is one trope common to most superhero flicks that could have been skipped in Daredevil - the superhero loses his hearing, temporary. Taking into account that he is also blind"¦Fortunately, this inconvenience doesn't spread throughout the entire episode, which ends with a cliffhanger.

Karen expresses her disapproval of vigilantism, while also having doubts about the Punisher's reasons (though she seems to also become closer to Grotto). She also tries to find more about the new vigilante, while also suggesting that Daredevil's actions inspire copycats. And this is, as far as we are concerned, a very nice touch, since it develops her character even further, showing how resourceful and insightful she can be. Also, her relationship with Matt progresses.

Foggy negotiates a deal for the mob enforcer with Reyes (who also appeared in Jessica Jones), though he doesn't suspect that he will be double-crossed. Also, his character is again the one who reminds the fans that Daredevil's alter ego is a lawyer and that the law firm must actually work for the cover to remain intact. Foggy kicks ass, even if in a different manner than his friend.

As far as Reyes is concerned, her character seems to have been drawn out pretty hastily, since it is too obvious (very obvious) that she has something to hide.

It is also revealed that the Punisher actually didn't intend to kill Daredevil, which further suggests the outcome of the series (after all, they are both vigilantes, even if their way of imparting justice is totally different).

It can be said that this second episode is a bit slower - but that’s just because it’s placed between two very intense ones. Furthermore, some exposition was also needed. And, quite frankly, the Punisher deserved even more than this. Thus, we find out that his killing of the Irish mobsters was part of a plan to take down three gangs from Hell's Kitchen.

Also, he just cannot let evil-doers walk away. Even if this means bashing some shady pawnbroker’s brains out, after the guy accepted stolen money from Frank for some police scanners. Also, he saves a dog after killing his owners, which says a lot about him - even if it is hard to believe that he has a moral code, he actually does have one.

The episode also ends with a cliffhanger, with Punisher once again beating Daredevil because of that common superhero trope.

All in all, even if most say that this episode could have been better, we say that it was more than necessary. And, besides some lines here and there, and some actions that seem out of place (why the hell would that pawnbroker sell a menacing Frank Castle kiddie porn?!?), we enjoyed this one as much as the previous.

New York Finest

The season's finest episode - New York Finest tries to recreate the epic hallway fight from season one, and it manages to do so. And it does that against the background of an intense ideological fight (so to speak) between the Punisher and Daredevil. None of them budge (poor Grotto - actually, good for him, as it’s revealed that his search for redemption is only motivated by fear), which sets the tone for the future encounters between the two.

Basically, Daredevil and the Punisher are two sides of the same coin. They both deliver justice. However, if one of them still trusts the system, the other one is judge, jury, and executioner. Which further emphasizes the idea that there is a thin line between vigilantism and crime. But we still root out the devil of Hell's Kitchen.

Question: Did Frank Castle actually intend to kill the old veteran if Matt was discovered chained on the rooftop? We guess he wouldn't have"¦But we only guess.

Oh - we almost forgot: this isn't the entire episode, although we would have enjoyed the conversation between them even if it lasted for a whole hour. What else happens? Well, Foggy talks down a gang fight in the hospital, Claire teases a Jessica Jones episode in which she helps Luke Cage, Karen continues her investigation of the Punisher's past, and so on.

You can check out the stairway fight below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0CvkiPS5Ks

How will they outdo this one in the next season?!? Without a doubt there will be one, unless Netflix and Marvel are planning to unite Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist against the Hand, thus making a third season unnecessary).

As said, from all points of view (the story progresses nonetheless, even if the action is in the spotlight), this is the best episode of season 2. Furthermore, we can say that the subtle hints toward the TV side of the MCU work much better than the clunky references to Iron Man and the other Avengers. After all, even if set in the same shared universe, the Netflix series are much-much more adult-themed.

Penny and Dime

While Frank Castle will do anything to punish wrongdoers, the viewer cannot fail to empathize with him. And Karen is the one who expresses this in the bluntest of all ways (later on, though, in Semper Fidelis) - to have to relive the same tragic moment over and over again, while also knowing that all of the vengeful acts, no matter how violent, won't bring back the ones who were lost.

Pretty much like Nolan's Memento - the Punisher can only find momentary peace in killing villains.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Karen goes snooping in Frank Castle's house, in an episode which serves best as the vigilante’s origin story. She realizes that the war hero lost his family (wife and two kids), and that someone wants to keep this story out of the light (as said, some characters are too obvious in their actions). And this is the perfect way in which Karen's character can be served - even if, later on, despite her detective and intuitive skills, again and again ends up in need of saving.

Also, she becomes even closer to Matt, and there is chemistry between the two actors. Nonetheless, it’s more than obvious that it isn't going to work. First of all, it is pretty clear at this point that Matt needs to be Daredevil. Secondly, he has too many secrets that he doesn't want to share with Karen. But we guess we'll see (and we saw it).

The episode also benefits from the presence of Tony Curran, as a brutal Irish mobster who catches the Punisher (or, better yet, who believes he’s caught the Punisher). Unfortunately for him, Frank Castle is willing to hide a razor in his own flesh, and to have his foot drilled in the most explicit manner, in order to get his revenge - and he gets it in the end, with a shotgun blast to the face.

If the New York Finest rooftop dialogue was top notch, the monologue delivered by Jon Bernthal in Penny and Dime is even better. It creates a perfect contrast between exterior action and violence and interior softness and helplessness. As expected, this episode (which concludes the Punisher-focused arc of Season Two) sheds light on Frank Castle's real motivations, ones with which anybody can empathize.

Lastly, for a perfect ending, Daredevil delivers Punisher to the police. But he doesn't take the credit. Instead, the police need to be the ones who caught the villain, in order to gain the trust of the people. We did see this happening before, but it simply doesn't matter - it is the perfect ending for another perfect Daredevil episode.

Wait - this wasn't the ending. The ending brought Elektra.

Kinbaku

Elektra’s appearance was the cliffhanger in Penny and Dime - breaking into Matt's house to request his help with some legal issues (oh, the irony). Obviously, that wasn't the reason why she came back, but hey, does it really matter at this point?

Elodie Yung's Elektra is the perfect combination between sexiness, playfulness, and lethalness. And this is better revealed in a flashback scene (the episode is riddled with them, providing the necessary backstory), when she takes Matt to the house of the man who killed his father. Quite frankly, that flashback is the best scene with this character, since it perfectly captures her excitement when it comes to killing.

And this once again shows that Matt isn't going to break his no-killing rule, even if he is (in some way and to some degree) in the same position as Frank Castle.

Her intentions are slowly revealed, since she wanted from the beginning to attract Daredevil (she knows Matt's secret identity) into a fight with the Yakuza (she also knows that the Yakuza is actually the Hand). Unfortunately, or at least to our disappointment, the cliffhanger of the episode is not what we expected - a fight with the ninjas. Instead, it just shows them all prepped up for the fight.

The relationship between Karen and Matt is also moving forward, and they try to go out on a date. It doesn't work out at the fancy restaurant, since Matt believes that cheaper is always better. And this goes to show that he is in no way like the bigger superheroes of the MCU - he is just a guy, trying to make a living while also protecting his neighborhood.

Karen can now be considered a full-fledged detective, since she digs even deeper into the past life of the Punisher, with whom she actually agrees (or, at least, she isn't certain that Frank should be blamed for his actions). She also comes to suspect that there is a cover-up in progress as far as the Punisher killings are concerned - yes, some characters were too obvious in their actions.

Also, some references are made to the larger shared universe. But they don't overdo it. Which is, yet again, very nice. We believe that, as much as possible, these storylines should be self-contained. And it isn't just because a series (or movie) should be understood only by watching it alone. But also because, in this way, the material doesn't become too dense and overcrowded (yes, even the absence of characters who are just mentioned can be a form of overcrowding).

Regrets Only

Unfortunately for Foggy, who really grew since the first season, he doesn't have too much to do. Even if he secures Frank Castle as a client for Nelson and Murdock, he cannot get closer to the Punisher. Instead, the latter sees something in Karen and chooses her to be the one to talk with (as it will later on be revealed, it is just a form of manipulation since, well, she is a woman - and, as we all know it, women are easier to manipulate, since they are the more sensitive ones. Yes, this is sarcasm).

His backstory is further explored, though not too much, and Reyes' motivations become even more obvious. Even if the Hand is now revealed, she still seems to be the big baddie of the season (although she isn't - she is just an antagonist for Punisher).

Once again, Karen is written perfectly, while also being written in a flawed manner.

So Frank is now defended by Nelson and Murdock, with the intention of pleading guilty to avoid several life sentences. However, since he also suspects that someone is covering up his family’s murders, enraged in Reyes' presence, he says he isn’t guilty and goes to trial. Obviously, now he has the chance to prove who is behind his tragedy.

Matt Murdock, although he stands up to Reyes, isn't actually too involved in this issue, even if he was the one to want to defend the Punisher. And that is because he is also Daredevil, and he’s now involved with Elektra. So, if he isn't shot in the head, he still has some other reasons to fail his friends.

And this leads many to believe that he is some sort of douche. But we don't really believe that. He is actually a flawed superhero, living in the real world. And here is where his choice seems the most obvious - even if he will disappoint those closest to him, he’ll still be the Daredevil.

This is especially obvious when he fails to tell Foggy that the secret, and rich, client he has is Elektra (Foggy knows that he is Daredevil, and that he had a relationship with her).

There are some action scenes in this episode as well, but they’re pretty forgettable (even if the setting might not be). The choreography works very well, but we would have liked to see some more. You know what we mean. On the other hand, the escape from the Roxxon building is actually quite enticing.

All in all, while the story progresses (with the Hand being explicitly revealed), and while the Punisher becomes even more fleshed out and even more humanized, this was one of the lesser episodes of Daredevil's second season.

Semper Fidelis

While this episode isn't as intense as the others, this doesn't mean that the story doesn't progress. The defense intends to blame the Punisher’s actions on PTSD, he doesn't want that, so the defense searches for a loophole (which pretty much resembles PTSD). Karen grows even more attached to Frank, though it is pretty ambiguous as to why all of them want to defend him.

Foggy is clearly convinced that the Punisher should be kept off the streets, while it can be said that Matt (who is actually absent from the trial) is defending himself, in a way, since he is also a vigilante. As far as Karen is concerned, her attitude towards Punisher's crimes is even more twisted, since she also shot someone in the first season.

Which leads to the first signs of trouble in her relationship with Matt. Still unaware that he is Daredevil, she defends the Punisher-type of vigilantism. Basically, by defending Punisher's actions, she defends herself, even if Matt doesn't know about her little secret. Obviously, Matt takes offense at this, since he is on the other side of the barricade.

So he invites her out, without even a goodbye kiss.

Elektra ruins the defense - which leads to a fight (a verbal one, of course) between Matt and Foggy, with the latter realizing who the rich client is. And since all that he knew about Elektra is how she influenced Matt in the past"¦

There is some ninja action, as well - no, there isn't, though Daredevil and Elektra do have some nice fights over a rail car full of dirt. The two seem to get closer to each other, despite their ideological differences. Returning to that ninja fight that doesn't happen, this is the second episode that ends with such an unsatisfying cliffhanger.

But, before that, there is something else which should be mentioned - that big hole in the ground. We will just mention it, since its importance (or why the Hand dug it) isn't revealed during this season.

All in all, Semper Fidelis is the Daredevil episode that suffers the most. And, even if we liked it (the terrified witness, Karen delivering her speech about what the Punisher feels, THAT HUGE HOLE IN THE GROUND, and some other things), we didn't like it as much as the others.

Guilty as Sin

Stick is back! The blind swordsman comes to the aid of a gravely injured (and poisoned) Elektra and a defeated Daredevil. Scott Glenn is 75 years old - but he is so badass! He takes the two back to Matt's house, where he attends to Elektra's wounds.

It is revealed that he also trained her, as he trained Matt, to the surprise of the Daredevil. It is also revealed that the Hand is opposed by the Chaste - but Matt refuses to believe it, saying that it is all a story made up by an old man who doesn't feel relevant to those around him.

Which is something pretty weird to say, given Daredevil's past encounters with the Hand (even if he didn't know it was them), the very suspicious cargo from the first season (Black Sky), and some others.

The predictable happens, and Karen arrives in what seemed to be the middle of a pretty weird orgy. What we cannot understand is why she doesn't let Matt explain himself. Of course, we know that she knew he had some secrets, but given their relationship and the chemistry between them, her refusal to listen is completely out of place.

The Punisher's sense of morality can be seen erupting again, influenced also by a guard who promises something in return (obviously, something related to his family's death). So, even if the trial goes as smoothly as possible, he ruins everything by saying he would kill again if he had the chance and that all those who are morally corrupted should fear him.

It’s pretty weird Matt doesn't do anything to prevent this, especially since he overheard the guard. So maybe this is one of those little things that simply doesn't make sense in the economy of the series. Why would that guard choose to whisper something incriminating to Frank then and there, when he could do it anywhere else? It’s more than obvious that they’ve talked about it before. Stick and Matt's arguments go in the wrong direction, and Elektra, supported by Matt, asks their mentor to go away. From a certain point of view, this is where Elektra's story becomes more interesting. In a way, she wants to fight her own impulses and become a better human being. Stick, who taught her to be violent, is obviously blamed - so she chooses. However, another ninja appears and, after he is subdued by Daredevil, she slits his throat.

The biggest twist comes in the end: Fisk has returned, and he’s the one who convinces the Punisher to throw away his defense.

Seven Minutes in Heaven

Now, this is what a carefully constructed season should look like. Even if plenty of backstory is revealed via flashbacks, it still doesn't feel out of place. Furthermore, there are two villains - the Hand and Fisk, and it still doesn't feel overcrowded. If we also count Reyes, the revealed Blacksmith, and the other ones, we can say that Daredevil is not one of the best superhero series of all times: it is one of the best series, period.

There is a lot of exposition for Fisk in here, mainly for what he does to seize power in the prison. While some things might be out of place (the mention of a kingpin several times during the episode), these flashbacks show that he can manage himself even without the influence he once had.

And the best way to do that is to manipulate Frank Castle into killing the kingpin of the prison. This next fight rivals the stairway one, though it is way more brutal, while also overcomplicating Punisher's backstory. So check it out below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNHgLkNIZt8

So the Blacksmith is revealed to be the hidden mastermind behind Frank Castle's tragedy. And the Punisher learns this the hard way, in a corridor filled with inmates and with guards waiting at the end. But Karen also manages to find this out, by simply playing detective/journalist.

Still, men around her feel the need to protect her. And, again, this bothers us.

Matt and Foggy repeat their on again-off again relationship from season one, though this time the split seems to be more definitive, with Foggy shutting down the law firm (which means that Karen will become a full-time journalist, Matt will have to make do, while Foggy will start working with Jeri Hogarth). Apparently, the team is now split.

There is one other character brought back from the dead - literally. And that is Nobu, teased to have lived more lives than a normal man. And here is where the mystical reappears in Daredevil, after the hole in the ground, after the Black Sky from the first episode, with the teens strapped and bloodied. The fight is pretty intense, to say the least.

All in all, this is yet another Daredevil episode that had us at the edge of our seats. However, right now, there seem to be more missing puzzle pieces than otherwise. And, as revealed later on, Elektra's backstory will also become overly complicated (and this seems to be the downside of the entire season).

The best part of this episode comes with Fisk. But it isn't when he apologizeds to Castle for trying to kill him, it isn't the motive behind the Punisher’s release, it isn't even the short scuffle. Instead, it’s when he leisurely eats his steak while the former kingpin is dying. This Fisk is way more interesting than the one in the first season - even if that doesn't say too much, given the fact that he was already the MCU’s most interesting villain.

The Man in the Box

Matt finds himself once again defending his alter-ego, Daredevil, this time in another top-notch dialogue with Claire. It is pretty clear that he has chosen - though it can be said that his breaking up with Foggy is also a means of defending his friend against all the enemies he has made. Most obviously, Matt realizes that someone will eventually find out who he is. Therefore, he needs to separate himself from all of those who are close to him - which is exactly what Stick wanted in the first place.

And this works out just fine - if he listens to Claire's reasoning, he won't be prepared for the Hand attack on the hospital (later on in the season).

What bothers us the most was how Elektra discovers that Stick has sent someone to kill her. There was something that felt quite off in the way the reveal was made - furthermore, this preparation for the big reveal of the season gave away a bit more than it should have. Yes, she kills the assassin - but the fight just doesn't work too well.

Another thing that felt off was the death of Reyes, as well as that of the doctor. We know we were supposed to believe that the Punisher was behind them - but, just like Karen, we saw from a mile away that this wasn't his style, exactly. Yes, the deaths seemed as brutal as when the Punisher mowed down the Irish mobsters. But he would have questioned Reyes before killing her.

The highlight of the episode was the meeting between Fisk and Matt (though we can’t understand how foolish the latter must have been to meet the kingpin). This meeting, besides its intensity, also plants the seed for the future return of Fisk. Furthermore, we guess that this is the moment in which Fisk starts to realize who Matt Murdock really is in his free time.

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For the detective she is written to be, Karen makes quite a few rookie mistakes - meaning that she goes with the Punisher, even though everybody knows by now that he always has a hidden plan of his own. But that makes the conversation between the two at the restaurant even more interesting. Besides giving us a glimpse into who Frank Castle is, it also shows the lengths he goes in order to get his revenge - manipulating and using as bait even the most innocent of all characters (so to speak).

And this is also when Karen realizes how brutal the Punisher is.

Switching back, Stick is portrayed as if he is the secret mastermind behind all the hell in Hell's Kitchen - he might work with the Hand (after all, he tried to kill Elektra), while at the same time he might be the Blacksmith (the way he sharpens his sword). And this is once again something that feels out of place - such a big reveal, even if a fake one, should have been hinted at throughout the entire season (even his reasoning for killing Elektra is off, from this point of view).

Ultimately, the Hand manages to take back the kidnapped teens, who seem to be possessed, the Punisher demonstrates that he deserves his name and then he apparently dies, Elektra and Matt are again at odds, and Karen finds herself yet again in a dangerous situation, revealing once again her fragility (and need for help).

As always when the Punisher is on the screen and the camera just listens to him, his conversation with Karen was the best thing of the episode.

The Dark at the End of the Tunnel

We also get some flashbacks in this episode, which bring the big reveal of the season: Elektra is the Black Sky, whatever that may be. But, even so, even if she is supposed to become the weapon of the Hand, Stick's assassination attempt still seems to be out of place.

And is it just us, or did the young Elektra's fight scenes seem better choreographed than Elodie Yung's?

Also, the fact that she refuses Nobu's offer is something we wouldn't have expected, even if it brought her redemption. Thus far, she tried quite a few times to fight who she was (even if she didn't know who she was, exactly), so it has become tiresome to see her trying and failing again and again.

We don't know about you, but we actually hate the reveal of the Blacksmith as someone close to the Punisher - someone he actually trusts. Just like with everything that feels out of place this season, there wasn't enough preparation, and it came out of nowhere. Even if his conversation with Karen, with her realizing who he is, was again beautifully written.

Were we expected to believe that Frank would think twice about killing him? Maybe that is it - but we didn't doubt for a second that the Punisher will punish.

Lastly, we cannot believe that he is the Blacksmith, and not just a lieutenant. And we are actually expecting the Punisher to get his own solo series (as he deserves) and find out who was actually behind everything that happened to him.

The highlight? The Punisher creates his iconic vest!

A Cold Day in Hell's Kitchen

Here we are at the end of a season, a very, very good follow-up of the first excellent first one. But, while last year (almost) all of the loose ends were taken care of, this year the season ends with a cliffhanger - if we were in Karen's place, we wouldn't be so happy about being lied to for so long.

This is the end of Nelson and Murdock, with Matt embracing his Daredevil persona, Karen becoming a full-fledged journalist (complete with writer's block), and Foggy being hired at Jeri Hogarth's law firm. Punisher finally completes his arc, going home, even if just to blow it up, while Elektra seemed like a perfect love interest for Daredevil.

Obviously, she is killed - and we saw that miles away, as mentioned, given her oscillation between good and evil. But, most importantly, her death shows that Matt can break his rule - and the Punisher did say that crossing the line just once is impossible. After all, Daredevil didn't actually know that Nobu will survive (and he did survive, until Stick decapitated him).

The Hand is still alive, though, because the final scenes show them having dug up Elektra's body and having her placed in that weird container. As said, the Black Sky isn't necessarily Elektra (her personality or even her skills). And we believe that it will later on be revealed that mystical entities are at work (or, at least, alien ones).

Will that happen in a third season of Daredevil? It might. But as it all played out until now, we strongly believe that the Hand will play the antagonist role when the Defenders arrive.

Was the second Daredevil season worth our while? Hell, yeah! Even if it had its low moments, it was still one of the best things we’ve seen on TV in quite a while. And, if you’ve become a fan of Netflix's Marvel shows, you are also looking forward to Luke Cage - you can watch the first teaser trailer below!

Made you look!