I know that I wrote in my review of the penultimate episode of Daredevil: Born Again that I was excited for the season finale because it's also directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. Yet, I felt quite underwhelmed by Episode 9, which mostly comes across as a teaser for the second season. It's hard to put your finger on one specific thing that went wrong in this episode (or even series) when everything seems disposable, disjointed, and uninteresting. I have mentioned in one of my episodic reviews that Daredevil's main strength lies in its action scenes, which is something this season largely relegates to the sidelines to focus more on political intrigue (there is, of course, not much intrigue in the politics). The source of this decision comes from the death of Foggy, and now, we finally know who killed him and why. The answer, though, is pretty generic. One can't help but see this "revelation" as an excuse to split the story (there will be a second season). Season 1 says that criminals who get a seat in the arena of politics cannot be defeated through legal, democratic means. Clearly, the show is giving a statement to the real world about our current state of politics, but intentions alone do not compensate for a dull story and dull filmmaking.
Born Again has its moments where it shines, but these instances are few and far between. Overall, it's meh, or if you want to be a little polite, it's okayish. There was zero chemistry between Matt and Heather, and Episode 9 makes you realize there is also zero chemistry between Matt and Karen. The actors give this angle some weight, or else we would have laughed at Born Again's attempts at generating an atmosphere of romance. What's so terrible about watching Episode 9 (and most episodes of this series) is that it makes you feel nothing. There is no sense of wonder or intrigue. The images merely depict what's written in the script instead of arousing the viewer's curiosity. How did Poindexter escape? Why doesn't Wilson ever talk about grabbing the man who tried to kill him? We do not see him giving the AVTF special orders to grab Poindexter, nor do any of the men consider Poindexter a priority. Wilson asks Sheila to offer him a list of men who aren't on his side. The non-supporters are locked inside cages, while the devotees wreak havoc on the streets at night. Sheila becomes so afraid of Wilson that she snitches on Commissioner Gallo, which gives rise to that "head smashing" scene. Sheila's decision, though, doesn't feel very shocking. There is no weight in her guilt because Born Again never gives this character a life, and it also doesn't establish a meaningful connection between her and the commissioner who dies.
If Born Again had the courage to be different and disruptive, it would have also executed The Punisher. He's kept alive for the fans (by the fans of this vigilante). Unfortunately, he adds little value to the show, and his grouchy demeanor isn't even entertaining. One can only hope that in the next season, he gets to be involved in some thrilling action scenes because action is the only thing Daredevil gets right. Now that the series has dabbled in some (hit-or-miss) political commentary, it should let the masked men take the wheel.
Final Score- [4/10]