Daredevil: Born Again seems to have reached its predetermined point. When Matt Murdock took off his mask and suit after the death of his best friend, we merely shrugged at his decision. Like a con/spy/hitman, a superhero never actually retires from their profession. Matt tried to tackle crimes through the legal route, but we all knew that Daredevil would be born again. I expected him to return at the end of the first season. The masked vigilante, however, comes to the surface in Episode 6 itself. Two episodes - 5 and 6 - have been released simultaneously this week, and both are...meh. Except for the premiere episodes (1 and 2), nothing else in Daredevil: Born Again has managed to raise my interest. What's worse is the terrible quality of the images. They are dark, dull, mucky. The day scenes, too, are flat. The series is impersonally lighted. There is no texture or vigor in the images. Hence, New York City looks like a cheap green screen creation. Characters gravely talk about a serial killer - a graffiti artist whose work contains the blood of his victims. But who cares who lives or dies in the NYC of Daredevil: Born Again? The crowd on the screen doesn't seem so different from those NPCs you smash in video games.
Nonetheless, the fifth episode is a bit bearable, thanks to Yusuf Khan - Kamala Khan's father. Things do get annoying when he's required to tick the Marvel checkbox by talking about Ms. Marvel. Still, Yusuf and Matt share good chemistry. They add a mischievous touch to the episode. Episode 5, in fact, is like those yellow candies that are kept in a bowl on Yusuf's table. It's sweet and forgettable. The sixth episode, though, is just forgettable. When Vanessa helps Wilson put on his suit, it gets torn, and he comments that his suits don't fit him anymore. If Matt had been present in this scene, he would have said, "Same pinch, Mr. Mayor." Wilson becomes Kingpin and fights with Adam. At the same time, Matt becomes Daredevil and beats the serial killer. Wilson chooses violence because a man laid his hands on the woman he loves (Vanessa). Matt chooses violence because a man lays his hands on a girl he cares for (Angela). Daredevil: Born Again makes sure we notice these parallel tracks. It almost rubs your face in its "artistry," forcing you to praise its efforts.
The most laughable part of this series comes during the opening scene of the sixth episode when Matt's portentous thoughts jolt our senses. Sample: "Thou did establish Saint Ives as a judge amid his brethren, making him a friend and advocate of the poor." No one told me that apart from superhuman agility and enhanced senses, Daredevil's superpower also includes... Shakespearean contemplations? Art thou kidding me? What a revelation 'tis! Apart from courtroom and crime scenes, Matt should also go to literature festivals.
Final Score- [3.5/10]