Friday 28 May 2021

Dare-Devil SEASON Three

 Arguably this is the pinnacle season, with the conclusion of the Defenders all the principle characters have continued a three season arc that have left them  no where even remotely to the resembled characters they once where in the first season. All are much more self aware of who they are , the environment in which they live and the conflict they find growing from within and around them.  Most importantly its the show's star Charlie Cox who shines the brightest here having to portray and deliver scenes with sometimes no dialogue or just an off-sided glare to convey the most subtle current of emotion or a tide of the story. The bases of Daredevil has been about justice, a lawyer by day, vigilante by night, all to protect the people's of hells kitchen, in a bid to do god's work. The rule is simple thou shall not murder,  while preventing others to covet illegal criminal actions.

Daredevil himself as said by Wilson Fisk in Season One, over a walkie talkie conversation, and echoed more profoundly by Punisher over the rooftops in Season Two. Daredevil is seen has a half measure, his crusade lacks the conviction to do what is really necessary to affect real and lasting change.  Matt himself  battles with his faith over what can be done; the straight line is not always the easiest path, to paraphrase a statement Matt gave in an opening arguments is an earlier season court case. The events of Defenders has left Matt Murdock the loss of hearing in one ear and a tremendous build up of blood and sot in his sinuses, to render all his unique sensory gifts null and void.  Matt no longer serves God, unlike  the biblical character of Job, who as a loyal follower went above and beyond in his devotion and love for god, and in return god tested his faithful servant to unspeakable depths.  Matt a soldier of god feels abandoned, and now who only serves Daredevil as he removes all contact and association to those he has loved, and plans to die as the Devil of Hell's kitchen than live another day in the life of Matthew Murdock.



Season three introduces us to Sister Maggie and re-establishes Matt's ties to Father Lantom; we see Matt's return to his black  outfit.  Conversely we met a new Daredevil of hell's kitchen in the red suit, but this devil is devoid of Catholicism, the rule of law, and remorse. We see how daredevil would be if he was released by the very things that kept him in check.  Matt who is back in black, which is also a state of mind, fights that duality both metaphorically and physically. His sanity comes into question as the devil on his shoulder comes in the form of Wilson Fisk dressed in white to remind him of his failures. Karen faces the sins of her family's past, and Foggy goes back home to save the family business and carve out his future as dignified lawyer. 



The spectre of Ben Urich still exists at the New York Bulletin surrounding Ellison and Karen as the power of will to seek the truth and tell the story. Karen and Foggy now know the truth about Daredevil going into the start of the third season, and how they've continued down the righteous path though beset on all side by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men.  A good man like Agent Nadeem can be corrupted, a troubled man like Agent Pointdexter can be coerced into a dark reality, an upstanding citizen like Vanessa Marianna can be seduced by the Power of Fisk, A lawyer like Benjamin Donovan can protect the morally reprehensible at the right price, a simple man like Melvin Potter will destroy his own life from betrayal, and a lawyer Marci Stahl will walk away from hers at a crisis of faith.


Its a strong recommend to read Frank Miller's " Man without Fear" followed by "Born Again",  after watching all three seasons of Daredevil to fill in some blanks not necessarily realized  in the telling of these stories and providing more insight into characters like Sister Maggie who offer a pivotal revelation in Matt's life.


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