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.