Daredevil: Born Again Ep 3 Breakdown
“Daredevil: Born Again” episode three took viewers to a whole new level. The excitement from the first two episodes was further amplified in this one. While people were skeptical about whether the courtroom drama could maintain the same momentum, it proved to be more than just a brilliant courtroom thriller.
The episode starts with the opening of prison gates, where we see Matt Murdock talking to Hector Ayala. During this conversation, Hector talks about his ‘frog,’ which disturbs some people with its sound, but for Poto Ricans, it’s like heaven. The performance by actor Kamar de Los Reyes was exceptional in this scene. Even though Hector’s character has only appeared in three episodes so far, his depth and Reyes’ performance have made us deeply connect with him.
Meanwhile, there’s an interesting conflict between Wilson Fisk and Vanessa. Vanessa, who’s eager to control the mafia world, contrasts sharply with Fisk, who has a bigger vision for the future. He sees beyond their present struggles, focusing on a greater plan. In this episode, a painting from 1969 by Francis Bacon is mentioned, which mirrors Fisk and Vanessa’s relationship, where Fisk attempts to show off his knowledge, but we know that he can’t hide his cruelty, even when alone.
Another intriguing moment comes when a police officer, who Matt had brutally attacked the previous night, still approaches him and asks how he fights so well. This scene deepens Matt’s inner struggle, as he’s grappling with his darker side. He’s seemingly trying to avoid falling back into his old ways, but it’s almost like an addiction.
Next comes the courtroom trial, which was brilliantly executed. Hector Ayala finds himself in deep trouble, as he faces threats of violence in prison. The conversation between Matt and the District Attorney highlights the grave risks Hector faces. We also see another character, trying to help Hector, but things take a turn for the worse. The courtroom drama captivated viewers, making the episode one of the best in the series so far.
Matt, who had lost his way as Daredevil, now seeks a new path. He exposes Hector as the ‘White Tiger’ to the world, a move that temporarily works in Hector’s favor. However, this decision does not sit well with the court, as Matt had previously promised not to reveal the White Tiger identity in court. In this episode, we see how Matt’s decisions and frustrations, as he struggles to protect Hell’s Kitchen, become more complex with every move he makes.
A new threat emerges as Hector Ayala, now identified as White Tiger, is shot and killed by someone wearing a Punisher vest. This raises a major question: was it actually the Punisher, or is someone else mimicking his methods? It’s possible that some corrupt police officers are using the Punisher’s name to carry out their crimes, as hinted in the show.
This episode is multi-layered, addressing deeper issues, particularly the relationship between the Punisher and the police. It reflects how some law enforcement officials have taken the law into their own hands, idolizing Punisher, a meta reference to real-world movements like Blue Lives Matter, where some officers used Punisher’s symbol as a rallying cry. This deeper exploration in the show cleverly parallels real-world issues.
The episode concludes with a touching tribute, effectively portraying Hector’s death. This episode also made us aware of the internal and external struggles that Matt faces. The series has proven that it’s not just a superhero story, but a nuanced narrative about characters’ inner conflicts, decisions, and the complexities of life.
This episode not only pushed the courtroom drama forward but also propelled an intriguing story that keeps the viewers excited for what’s to come next.
