‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Episode 8 Review - Taking a Bullet for the Enemy

Daredevil: Born Again regains most of its charm in this sinewy, seductive eighth episode. The show, after a long time, feels assured and calm. Perhaps what was missing from the other episodes was the presence of a strong, assertive filmmaker. Directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, after the season debut, return for the eighth episode, and they make you wonder how good, how effective this season could have been if they had directed all the episodes (Benson and Moorhead have also directed the finale episode). Every moment in the Isle of Joy brims with slow tension. The scenes flow smoothly, and beautifully. There is no flab and no uneven bumps. Most importantly, Benson and Moorhead display a sense of timing. Everything arrives on cue - it's clockwork precision. This is why it doesn't seem discordant when the aspect ratio is playfully changed towards the end. You see what the directors are trying to do, and you embrace their decision with open arms. The episode deserves its title. There is so much joy to be found here.

Sheila, Wilson's mayoral campaign director, turns out to be one of the sources of joy early in the episode. Look at her face when the mayor appoints Daniel as the Deputy Mayor of Communications. Her reaction, a mixture of shock and confusion, made me laugh. The amusements don't end here. Sheila puts forward her opinion regarding Daniel's incompetence, but not before telling him to not take offense. And Daniel, indeed, doesn't take offense. What a character! With zeal in his eyes, Daniel says to Wilson, "I will burn for you." We nod in agreement. Daniel is the epitome of a totally brainwashed fan of a celebrity, a politician. Wilson could stab him with a knife, and he would still find meaning in this work. Daniel is a knucklehead who's totally devoted to his mayor. Bad politicians thrive because of such admirers who spend their lives justifying their idol's terrible decisions. Daniel is turned on by Wilson's power. If the Fisk couple had sexual problems similar to that of Chloe and Greg in The White Lotus, Daniel would have instantly agreed to satisfy all the cuckoldry fetishes.

Then again, the man who touched Vanessa was brutally tortured by Wilson. Isn't it funny that the name of the person who slept with the First Lady is Adam? Episode 8 reveals that he's still alive. Adam begs for his freedom, but soon, Vanessa kills him with a gun. This act finally repairs Wilson and Vanessa's relationship, which means, "Goodbye, Ms Heather Glenn." When the camera concentrates on Heather and Matt's relationship, it feels as if the therapist needs a therapy session. Heather accuses Matt of being physically and emotionally distant, and at the same time, Matt becomes... distant (he tries to focus on a conversation between Wilson and Jack Duquesne/Swordsman). The lawyer/masked vigilante remains quite distracted throughout the episode. First, he comes to know that his girlfriend is not a fan of Daredevil. Second, he realizes that Wilson might be one of her clients. Third, he meets Poindexter - the man who killed Matt's best friend in Episode 1. So, that brings old, painful memories back to his head. Matt, however, also inches closer to the truth. He figures out that someone wanted to shut up Foggy for good, and then, in the end, he catches the character who hired Poindexter for Foggy's murder. Episode 8 ends on an interesting note. I am curious to see how Matt's action would affect Wilson's behavior in the next episode. And since the finale is directed by Benson and Moorhead, the excitement is at its maximum.

Final Score- [8/10]