Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 premiere just dropped on Disney+ and a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it audio cue has officially tied Wilson Fisk to the highest levels of the MCU’s shadow government.
In a post-premiere breakdown with The Wrap, showrunner Dario Scardapane and executive producer Sana Amanat pulled back the curtain on the episode’s biggest Easter egg: the off-screen presence of the MCU’s shadiest normy,Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.
The moment happens in Wilson Fisk’s mayoral office in Gracie Mansion. As Fisk is being lectured by high-ranking government officials, Matthew Lillard’s Mr. Charles abrubtly enters the room. When one of the officials receives a phone call that instantly flips his hostile tone into one of total submission, he addresses the caller as “Miss de Fontaine.”
Scardapane confirmed to The Wrap that this wasn’t just a random name-drop. “Mr. Charles has a boss!” he teased, finally confirming that Lillard’s character is an asset reporting directly to Val. Sana Amanat explained that the Easter egg was designed to “create space” and remind the audience that these street-level stakes exist within the larger MCU ecosystem, even if Val doesn’t physically walk into Gracie Mansion.
We wanted to put Mr. Charles in that world. We wanted to kind of connect those two. Her showing up in our world would be the best, but a lot of the times, we’re siloed in this, you know, pretty rich world of characters and where those crossovers are.
-Dario Scardapane
As tantalizing as the tease was, Amanat clarified that fans should NOT take it as an indication that it’s anything more than an it’s-all-connected Easter egg. “There’s no need for that,” Amanat said when asked if the mention was teeing up another project. “I feel like these stories are so rich on their own that we are able to tell the stories we need to, especially with Daredevil, because there’s so many different kinds of characters.“
However, informed fans know that Val has her hands into more dirt than just smuggling weapons which means, by extension, so does Mr. Charles…and his MCU story is just beginning.
The Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer didn’t just give us our first look at Peter Parker’s post-memory-wipe life; it gave us a voice that has been haunting the fandom since the drop. While the footage was a whirlwind of Scorpion, Punisher, and Hand Ninjas, the most compelling story was hidden in the narration.
Fans believe that the gravely, authoritative voice narrating part of the trailer belongs to Keith David and have begun to theorize that he isn’t just lending his legendary pipes to a trailer; he’s playing the man who will finally bring the Clone Saga to the MCU: Dr. Miles Warren.
The trailer is anchored by a monologue that sounds less like a superhero speech and more like a lecture from a world-weary biologist.
Spiders have three life cycles. When between cycles, it can leave the spider vulnerable to threats. And for those spiders who make it through… it amounts to a kind of rebirth.
This isn’t just flavor text. It’s a clinical observation of Peter’s glitching DNA. In the comics, Miles Warren, aka The Jackal, is an evolutionary biologist and professor at Empire State University. The way David delivers those lines—with a mix of clinical fascination and cryptic warning—fits the profile of a man who sees Peter Parker not as a hero, but as a biological specimen.
As noted earlier this week, director Destin Daniel Cretton is leaning heavily into the 90s animated series. In that show, Miles Warren was the man Peter turned to when his mutation went out of control. Having Keith David—a veteran of that same animated universe—play the live-action Warren would be serendipitous meta-casting.
The trailer shows Peter’s neogenic nightmare is already in full swing. In the comics, Warren’s obsession with Peter’s DNA is what leads to the creation of clones. If Peter’s body is already “between cycles,” he would provide the perfect target for a Warren…who would likely be a colleague of Bruce Banner at ESU, allowing him to potentially get his hands on Parker’s test results and DNA. If the film ends with Peter overcoming his biological breakdown, Miles Warren is the guy holding the vial of DNA that leaves the door open for the new trilogy to adapt the Clone Saga, one of the most controversial arcs in the history of Marvel Comics.
If the new Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer felt a little familiar to you, it’s probably because director Destin Daniel Cretton is tapping into a very specific era of Spidey lore. While the movie takes its name from the 2008 comic reset, the footage is screaming “Neogenic Nightmare”—the infamous Season 2 arc from the beloved Spider-Man: The Animated Series.
Cretton has previously cited the 90s cartoon as his definitive version of the wall-crawler, and the trailer confirms he’s bringing that show’s brand of genetic anxiety to the MCU.
In the 14-epiaose second season of the animated series, Peter’s greatest enemy wasn’t a guy in a suit; it was his own DNA. And from what can be gleaned from the long-awaited first trailer, that seems to be the case for Tom Holland‘s Peter in Brand New Day.
Faces with a problem he can’t handle on his own, Peter isn’t seeking help from a wizard this time; he’s going to Bruce Banner. We see Banner warning Peter that if his DNA continues to mutate, it will be “enormously dangerous.” The decision echoes Peter seeking out help from Charles Xavier, who is something of an expert himself on mutations, in “The Mutant Agenda” episode.
While some of the information about the plot of the new film leaked some time ago, fans theorized that Peter’s transformation wouldn’t actually take place in the film but was rather a hallucination caused by Jean Grey, who is reportedly being played by Sadie Sink. However, the trailer explicitly shows Peter waking up in a web-like cocoon and realizing he’s developed organic web-shooters. In the 90s show, these power upgrades were among the terrifying first symptoms of what was to come.
Between a beleaguered Peter collapsing and the life cycles monologue from Tombstone, the trailer is heavily foreshadowing a physical transformation. If Peter’s DNA is truly mutating as Banner says, it seems as though the Man-Spider won’t be far behind.
To further the similarities, Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle makes his long-awaited film debut here, though his role seems to be far different from the one in the animated series in which the Punisher hunts Spidey.
By blending the forgotten man status quo of the comics with the genetic tragedy of the 90s show, Cretton is truly cooking with some special gas. Simply put, the more time Peter spends as Spidey, the more he becomes the Spider. And without his friends to ground him in a world where nobody remembers him, Brand New Day looks to be a desperate race against time to stop Peter from turning into something unrecognizable.
Sigourney Weaver’s role in The Mandalorian and Groguhas proven fertile ground for theorizing about her character’s potential for betrayal. Reports indicate that her Colonel Ward is the one who pushes Mando in the direction of Jeremy Allen White’s Rotta the Hutt, effectively using the Mandalorian as a heat sink to draw out rival syndicates while she quietly consolidates power for the Imperial Shadow Council. But thanks to a massive new feature in the May 2026 issue of Empire Magazine, we finally have the lore bomb we’ve been waiting for and some compelling evidence she may indeed be one of the good guys!
It turns out Ward isn’t just a new face in the New Republic—she is a foundational piece of the Rebellion’s history who, quite literally, went through it alongside the galaxy’s most sacred legends.
“We Go Way Back”: The Leia Connection
The headline-grabbing quote from the Empire feature comes directly from Weaver herself. When asked about her character’s history before the events of the film, Weaver dropped a bombshell: “We go way back,” she said, referring to her character’s relationship with Princess Leia Organa.
According to Lucasfilm President–and the architect of the New Republic era–Dave Filoni, Colonel Ward belongs to an elite cohort of female leaders who were instrumental in dismantling the Empire. Filoni explicitly named Ward in the same breath as Mon Mothma, Hera Syndulla, Amilyn Holdo, and Leia Organa.
As Filoni puts it, these women formed a “fearless backbone” of the Rebellion. They weren’t just politicians; they were “crack pilots” and “military leaders” who survived the darkest days of the Galactic Civil War. By placing Weaver‘s character in this specific group, Lucasfilm is instantly giving Colonel Ward a level of Rebel Cred that usually takes three seasons of a TV show to establish.
The “70s Unrest” Inspiration
One of the most interesting aspects of the interview is how Weaver connects her Star Wars debut to her own real-world history. She compared the energy of the early Rebellion to the social unrest of the 1970s—specifically the protests against the Vietnam War.
To be playing someone who is from that time, and from that history, who would have been a cohort of these guys, is a great honor. The ’70s, all the unrest, fighting against the [Vietnam] war. People had that sense of unity. It clicks into a whole thing for George Lucas, and I’m the same generation.
-Sigourney Weaver
George Lucas has stated in the past that he originally modeled the Rebel Alliance in part on the Viet Cong and the anti-war movement. By casting an icon of that exact cinematic era, Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni are tapping into the DNA of the original trilogy. Colonel Ward isn’t just a character; she’s a personification of the grit it took to topple an Empire.
So, how does a friendship with Leia Organa affect a movie about a Mandalorian and his foundling? It all comes down to trust.
In the film, Ward is the one who recruits Din Djarin for what Weaver describes as a “very tricky, very hard commission.” She chooses the Mandalorian not because the New Republic is lazy, but because she—as a veteran who has seen the true face of war—understands that the peace they currently enjoy is fragile, as Filoni so aggressively made clear in Season 1 of Ahsoka.
While the New Republic Senate, likely led by a frustrated Mon Mothm, is busy with bureaucracy, Ward is the action-oriented leader who knows that the Imperial Shadow Council is a cancer that needs to be cut out. Her history with Leia suggests she possesses that Organa-style pragmatism: sometimes you have to break the rules to save the galaxy.
While Filoni and Weaver are painting a beautiful picture of Rebel sisterhood, we cannot ignore the persistent rumors of a “Third Act Betrayal.”
If Ward is as close to the Rebel founding mothers as they say, her being a secret Imperial mole—or a First Order sympathizer—would be among the most devastating blow Lucasfilm has ever dealt to the fanbase. Imagine the fallout if the woman who “went way back” with Leia turns out to be the one who sells out Grogu to the Remnant.
Whether she’s a hero or a hidden villain, the choice to tie Ward to Leia is a nice touch of world-building. It gives the film an emotional anchor to the original trilogy and raises the stakes for everything Din Djarin is about to do.
If you think Sigourney Weaver joined the Star Wars universe just to play a generic mentor for Din Djarin, you may have been successfully misdirected by the Lucasfilm marketing machine. While the early promotional material paints her Colonel Ward as a hero of the Rebellion and a decorated leader of the Adelphi Rangers, emerging evidence has lead to theories that she is actually the ultimate Trojan Horse for the Imperial Remnant.
Weaver’s casting was originally reported under the character name “Colonel Bishop.” Given Weaver’s position as the OG Queen in the world of sci-fi, that name may well be portending a betrayal. Just as the android Bishop in Aliens subverted expectations about artificial persons, Weaver’s role in The Mandalorian and Grogu could subvert everything Mando thinks he knows about his new New Republic employers.
The core of the theory that Ward is a Traitor stems the nature of the missions she’s assigning. Reports indicate that Ward is the one who pushes Mando in the direction of Jeremy Allen White’s Rotta the Hutt, effectively using the Mandalorian as a heat sink to draw out rival syndicates while she quietly consolidates power for the Imperial Shadow Council.
Given the long form narrative that has unfolded over three seasons of The Mandalorian, such a betrayal could very well be more than just a theory—it would be the logical endpoint of the New Republic rot that was first introduced with the Elia Kane reveal on Coruscant. If Ward represents the cancer within the New Republic military, by the time the third act hits, Mando won’t just be fighting droids and Hutt mercenaries; he’ll be fighting the very woman who gave him his orders.
Don’t get attached to the idea of Sigourney Weaver as a New Republic icon. If she’s the woman who sells out the galaxy’s favorite duo, and the fallout from her betrayal is going to chart the course for the entire future of the MandoVerse… especially if it sets them on a collision course with Grand Admiral Thrawn.
One single line from the first teaser for HBO’s Lanterns has sent the internet into a tailspin as the first cracks in the continuity of the all-new, all-different DCU could be showing.
In a world where Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner is already an established, public-facing hero–as seen in last year’s Superman–why is Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan acting like he’s the only human to ever touch a power ring?
The Line That Launched a Thousand Theories
The moment in question occurs early in the teaser when Hal Jordan refers to himself as the only human Green Lantern in a conversation with new recruit John Stewart.
For the casual viewer, it’s a line that establishes Hal’s veteran status. For the die-hards who just watched Guy Gardner trade quips with David Corenswet’s Superman, it’s a massive continuity red flag. As seen in Superman, Guy Gardner is not just a Lantern; he’s a celebrity. So, did Marvel’s “Quality over Quantity” rival just make its first major continuity blunder?
Probably not. Knowing James Gunn, the answer is either a very specific character trait or, more likely, a shift in the timeline.
The Case for the Prequel
The leading theory—and truly the more interesting one—is that Lanterns is a prequel set years before the events of Superman.
The official synopsis for the show repeatedly refers to John Stewart as a “new recruit.” If the show were set in the current DCU timeline (late 2025/early 2026), John would be joining a world already populated by Guy Gardner and potentially other Earth-based heroes.
As has been widely discussed since the teaser debuted, Hal’s gear looks ancient. It’s weathered, tactical, and looks like it belongs in a world where the Justice Gang doesn’t exist yet. Setting the show in the early 2010s or 2020s would allow the “Earth-based mystery” to feel isolated and high-stakes without the interference of other caped icons.
While Nathan Fillion is confirmed to appear in the series, his role has been described as “smug and devious.” Fillion himself recently teased in Gizmodo that “Guy Gardner is no longer comfortable” by the end of the show. Could this suggest that Lanterns may also be Guy’s origin story—perhaps a moment where the ring chooses him after Hal’s era comes to an end?
The “Hal is a Jerk” Alternative
Of course, there is a second, much more “Green Lantern” explanation: Hal Jordan is just being Hal Jordan.
In the comics, Hal’s relationship with Guy Gardner is defined by mutual loathing. Hal famously views himself as the True Lantern of Earth. It’s entirely possible that Lanterns takes place in the present day, and Hal simply refuses to acknowledge Guy Gardner as a legit Lantern. To Hal, a loudmouth like Guy is a glitch in the system, not a partner.
However, this doesn’t explain why John Stewart—a man who presumably watches the news—wouldn’t mention the flying ginger with the bowl cut who just helped save Metropolis.
3 CENTURIES AGO, the first superpowered beings, known as METAHUMANS, appeared on earth, ushering in a new era of GODS AND MONSTERS.
3 DECADES AGO, an extraterrestrial baby was sent in a spacecraft to Earth, and adopted by Kansas farmers.
3 YEARS AGO, the baby, now grown, announced himself as SUPERMAN, the most powerful metahuman of all.
3 WEEKS AGO, Superman stopped the country of BORAVIA from invading JARHANPUR, sparking controversy around the world.
3 HOURS AGO, a metahuman called THE HAMMER OF BORAVIA attacked Superman in the city of METROPOLIS.
3 MINUTES AGO, Superman lost a battle for the first time.
From a production standpoint, the prequel angle is the smartest play for HBO. The key to prestige TV is making the story feel standalone, and setting Lanterns before Superman–especially when it’s been established that metahumans have been known for some time–opens some intriguing doors.
By setting Lanterns in the past, Gunn, Chris Mundy, and Tom King can deliver a True Detective style thriller that isn’t burdened by the “Where was Superman during this?” question. It allows the Hal/John dynamic to be the center of the universe, building the foundation of the Green Lantern Corps lore before we see them fully integrated into the larger DCU battles of 2027 and beyond.
And then it leaves plenty of room to ask questions about why neither Hal nor John are present in Superman. Do Hal and John get wrapped up in something that takes them both into space to investigate further? Or maybe just John?
Whether it’s a prequel or just a case of selective memory from a jaded Hal Jordan, the mystery is officially part of the marketing and the human Lantern discrepancy is likely the first breadcrumb in a trail that leads directly to the ancient horror at the heart of the series.
Tomorrow is the big day. We’ve been talking about the shift from space opera to “Earth-based mystery” for over a year, and now we finally get to see if James Gunn’s “Gods and Monsters” gamble pays off. But don’t let the Nebraska setting fool you—this show is intended to be the connective tissue for the entire DCU.
As you’re watching the footage tomorrow, here is exactly what I’ll be looking for:
1. The “Ancient Evil”
James Gunn has been very specific about Hal and John finding an “ancient horror” on Earth. Rumors have been swirling about everything from The Centre (from New Frontier) to The Rot. Look for any imagery that feels Lovecraftian or out of place in a small-town murder mystery. If we see something that doesn’t look like a typical alien, it’s a sign that the DCU’s overarching big bad is closer than we think.
2. The Suit (or Lack Thereof)
There’s been a lot of internal chatter about whether the Lantern suits will be practical or CG. Given the leaked first look at Hal’s brown(?) suit, we may see much for of him and John them in plain clothes with the rings glowing, indicating that DC Studios is leaning into the Supercop grit rather than the superhero spectacle.
— Green Lantern DCU Updates (@LanternUpdates) March 4, 2026
We have a few other Lanterns peppered in there but this is really a terrestrial based TV show which is almost like True Detective with a couple of Green Lanterns who are space cops watching over Precinct Earth in it they discover a terrifying mystery that ties into our largest story of the DCU.
-James Gunn
3. Ch’p and the Weirdness
You can’t have a Tom King/James Gunn project without a dash of the weird. Reports have suggested that the fan-favorite squirrel Lantern, Ch’p, might get a name-drop or a brief cameo. If a talking rodent shows up in a gritty HBO procedural, you’ll know exactly whose fingerprints are on the script.
4. The “Hal is a Jerk” Factor
Showrunner Chris Mundy has described Hal Jordan as having a “Chuck Yeager vibe”—someone you’re not sure if you want to hug or punch. Keep an eye on the friction between Chandler’s Hal and Pierre’s John. If the teaser emphasizes their bickering over their heroics, it confirms the buddy-cop dynamic is the real heart of the show.
5. Sinestro’s Shadow
We know Ulrich Thomsen is in the mix as Sinestro, but will he be a friend or foe yet? Look for any purple-tinted shadows or a mention of the Yellow spectrum. If he’s still a Green Lantern in this teaser, it sets up a massive fall from grace arc for later in the series.
The Multiverse is a fickle beast, and if the latest round of rumors circulating about the plot of Avengers: Doomsday are to be believed, its greatest protector might just be its new enforcer. While Benedict Cumberbatch has spent the last year playing coy with the press—famously telling Variety that Doctor Strange is taking a “hiatus” because the character “didn’t align” with the new post-Kang pivot—insiders are spinning a different yarn.
The Third-Eyed Sheriff
Fresh reports from industry insiders Daniel Richtman and Jeff Sneider suggest that Robert Downey Jr.’s Victor von Doom won’t be conquering the Multiverse alone. According to Richtman, Doom is flanked by a “Wizard Sidekick” who wears a variation of the Latverian mask, featuring a distinct slot on the forehead for a third eye.
This wizard reportedly wields a Sling Ring with lethal precision, acting as Doom’s primary enforcer and multiversal navigator. While Cumberbatch’s name wasn’t on the initial official cast list, multiple sources now claim he has filmed “pivotal, high-security scenes” in the UK under a production codename.
Why the Betrayal?
To understand why Stephen Strange would align with a tyrant like Doom, we have to look back at the ending of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Strange ended that film with a third eye, a physical manifestation of Darkhold corruption), and left with Clea to fix an Incursion he caused. Perhaps during their adventures, Strange and Doom crossed paths and a corrupted Strange chose to team up with Victor.
On the other hand, in Jonathan Hickman‘s 2015 Secret Wars, Strange serves as the “Sheriff of Agamotto” under God Emperor Doom because he believes Doom is the only one capable of saving any reality from total collapse. If this is the case, Avengers: Doomsday would likely include a flashback that might show us how the unusual pairing of sorcerers came to be.
Of course, there’s also a strong possibility that the “Wizard Sidekick” isn’t 616 Strange at all, but a variant—perhaps the “Sinister Strange” we met in the Incursion-ravaged universe—who survived and found a new master in Doom. But having such a character hidden behind a mask only to reveal he’s not “our” Strange wouldn’t really drop much of a hammer on the audience.
Murphy’s Theory: The Secret Wars Setup
If Strange is indeed the “Wizard Sidekick,” it reframes the entirety of Avengers: Doomsday. Instead of a standard hero-vs-villain romp, we are looking at a tragedy. The Avengers won’t just be fighting a man who looks like Tony Stark; they’ll be fighting a man they fought side-by-side with and trusted to hold the fabric of reality together.
This betrayal likely serves as the cliffhanger for the film. Imagine the Avengers finally unmasking Doom’s right hand, only to find a corrupted, third-eyed Stephen Strange staring back at them. It sets the stage for a redemption arc in Avengers: Secret Wars, Strange must answer for his choices…just like in Hickman’sSecret Wars.
In 2019, Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian debuted on D+, launching the studio’s streaming era. The Jon Favreau-led franchise introduced a pair of characters who were quickly embraced by fans and allowed for many characters from beloved animated series to make the jump to live-action. Through three seasons, the adventures of Din Djarin and Grogu have carved out a significant corner of the galaxy far, far away and six-and-a-half years later, Lucasfilm is returning Star Wars to theaters with The Mandalorian and Grogu.
The Mandalorian–with help from The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka and Skeleton Crew–has revealed that the New Republic is far from a peaceful era but rather a transitional one in which disparate Imperial remnants sow discord, the Shadow Council seeks to consolidate power and, most terrifyingly, Grand Admiral Thrawn has returned from exile, ready to claim his title as Heir to the Empire. As if that wasn’t fertile enough narrative ground, Din Djarin’s past as a bounty hunter will also play a major role in the film as two ghosts of the Clone Wars have re-emerged from the Outer Rim to appear in the film: Rotta the Hutt, the only legitimate heir to Jabba’s fallen empire, and Embo, the legendary Kyuzo hunter.
Between a growing number of adversaries and a new galactic war stands the Clan of Two. To understand the collision course set for May 22, 2026, fans must look back at the scars of Mandalore, the secret cloning projects of the Empire, and the blood-soaked history of the Bounty Hunters’ Guild. Truly, The Mandalorian and Grogu looks to be one of the final of nearly two decades of Dave Filoni-era storytelling. And so, to help you fully embrace and enjoy the first Star Wars story to hit the big screen since 2019, we present The Ultimate List of What to Watch Before The Mandalorian and Grogu…
📂 Intelligence Dossier: The Path to The Mandalorian and Grogu
Subject: Tactical Prep for the May 22, 2026 Premiere
Briefing: The collision of Mandalorian Creed, Hutt Succession, and New Republic Jurisprudence.
The core narrative of Din Djarin and Din Grogu establishes the father/son dynamic of the Clan of Two.
Series / Chapter
Chapters
Thematic Notes
Runtime
The Mandalorian Season 1
1–8
The Creed, the Client, and the discovery of Grogu.
4h 55m
The Mandalorian Season 2
9–16
The search for the Jedi and the return of the Darksaber.
5h 15m
The Book of Boba Fett
5–7
The Reunion How Din got his N-1 and why Grogu is back.
2h 20m
The Mandalorian Season 3
17–24
The Siege of Mandalore and the official adoption of Din Grogu.
5h 50m
TOTAL PHASE I
18h 20m
To understand the movie, you must know the history of Din Djarin and his foundling, Grogu. This includes all three seasons of The Mandalorian as well as the “hidden” Season 2.5 found in The Book of Boba Fett.
The Mandalorian: Season 1
The Child and the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) in THE MANDALORIAN, exclusively on Disney+
Chapters 1–8: The discovery of Grogu, the betrayal of the Guild, and the first showdown with Moff Gideon.
Analyzing the lethal history of the movie’s primary hunter.
Series / Episode
Title
Thematic Notes
Runtime
The Clone Wars Season 2, Episode 17
Bounty Hunters
Intro to the shield-hat and pet Anooba.
22m
The Clone Wars Season 3, Episode 4
Sphere of Influence
Establishes Embo as a high-level political mercenary.
22m
The Clone Wars Season4, Episodes 15-18
Obi-Wan Undercover Arc
Survival training alongside Cad Bane. Peak tactical feats.
1h 28m
The Clone Wars Season 4, Episode 20
Bounty
Working with a young Boba Fett as part of Krayt’s Claw.
22m
The Clone Wars Season 4, Episode 22
Revenge
Underworld alliances and high-stakes melee combat.
22m
The Clone Wars Season 5, Episode 1
Revival
Tracking the shift in criminal power during the Sith rise.
22m
The Clone Wars Season 6, Episode 5
An Old Friend
The Scipio snow-chase vs. Anakin.
22m
TOTAL PHASE II
4h 00m
As rumored last year and confirmed in the trailer, the deadly Kyuzo bounty hunter Embo will be featured as one of the film’s primary antagonists. Embo isn’t just a villain; he’s a veteran who has been active since the Clone Wars. These key episodes from the beloved animated series show why he is a physical match for a Mandalorian.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Animated Series
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 2, Episode 17 “Bounty Hunters” (21 BBY)
Embo makes his first appearance in an episode dedicated to the memory of legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, admired greatly by George Lucas and whose work significantly inspired The Creator’s vision for Star Wars.
After a crash landing on Felucia, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka seek aid from the local spice farmers only to learn that the villagers are the ones who are in real need. Beset by Hondo Ohnaka and his band of pirates, the farmers have contracted four bounty hunters to protect them.
-Official synopsis via StarWars.com
The death toll rises! As the battles intensify, and threaten a growing number of Republic worlds, planets are left to survive on their own. While the Jedi struggle to fight a war on many fronts, a series of medical stations have been established as a lifeline for those in need, but the facilities are easy prey for Separatist attacks. After losing contact with the medical station orbiting Felucia, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano are sent to investigate…
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 3, Episode 4 “Sphere of Influence” (21 BBY)
Though it’s just a cameo appearance, the episode establishes Embo’s decades-long relationship with the Hutts.
Chairman Papanoida’s daughters, Chi Eekway and Che Amanwe, are kidnapped and held for ransom and it’s up to Ahsoka Tano and the Senator from Pantora, Riyo Chuchi, to aid the new chairman and his son in recovering their family members.
-Official synopsis via StarWars.com
Pantora in peril! The newly elected Chairman of Pantora, Baron Papanoida, is caught in a deadly political game. The Trade Federation has blockaded Pantora and suspended all commerce with the system. Isolated from the rest of the Republic, the people of Pantora are beginning to rally against the Senate, who have seemed unsympathetic to their plight.
To make matters worse, Count Dooku has come forward offering aid if Pantora joins the Separatist Alliance. Chairman Papanoida has dispatched Senator Chuchi to Coruscant with the hope that she can motivate the Senate to act in favor of Pantora before Lott Dod can legitimize the blockade….
In addition to those individual episodes, a classic arc also helps to establish Embo’s status among the galaxy’s hunters.
Obi-Wan Undercover
Though he only appears in two of them, this four-episode arc establishes Embo as one of the galaxy’s preeminent bounty hunters.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 4, Episode 15, “Deception” (20 BBY)
When the Jedi learn of a Separatist plot to kidnap Chancellor Palpatine, one of them must go deep undercover as a hardened criminal to extract information from the conspirators.
-Official synopsis via StarWars.com
A terrorist threat! Moralo Eval, mastermind of a Separatist plot to kidnap Chancellor Palpatine, has been captured by Republic forces. But even with the criminal behind bars, rumors swirl in the underworld of Coruscant that Moralo’s plot has already been set in motion.
With precious time running out, the Jedi Council hatches their own plot to keep the Chancellor safe….
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 4, Episode 16, “Friends and Enemies” (20 BBY)
Fleeing across the galaxy with criminal fugitives, a disguised Obi-Wan, Cad Bane and Moralo Eval are tenaciously pursued by Anakin and Ahsoka, who have no idea they’re chasing their friend.
-Official synopsis via StarWars.com
Fugitives on the run! Disguised as Jedi killer Rako Hardeen, Obi-Wan Kenobi works undercover to solve a Separatist plot against Chancellor Palpatine. Obi-Wan meets the plot’s mastermind, Moralo Eval, breaking him out of jail to gain his trust. But now Kenobi faces another obstacle: bounty hunter Cad Bane.
Can Obi-Wan Kenobi overcome Bane’s suspicions? Or will the ruthless criminal see through his disguise and expose the Jedi? Only time will tell….
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 4, Episode 17, “The Box” (20 BBY)
The disguised Obi-Wan accompanies Cad Bane and Moralo Eval to Count Dooku’s home planet of Serenno, where they enlist in a brutal competition with other bounty hunters from around the galaxy to determine who will participate in a plot to kidnap the Chancellor.
-Official synopsis via StarWars.com
Obi-Wan Kenobi in disguise! Working undercover as assassin Rako Hardeen, Obi-Wan leads a secret mission to uncover the Separatist plot against Chancellor Palpatine. Using cunning and courage, he gains the trust of bounty hunter Cad Bane and criminal mastermind Moralo Eval, earning him entrance into the stronghold of Separatist leader, Count Dooku. Now, it is here, on the beautiful planet of Serenno, that a barbaric contest will determine the fate of Obi-Wan Kenobi and possibly the Republic itself….
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 4, Episode 18, “Crisis on Naboo”
The Chancellor travels to Naboo to preside over a public ceremony, guarded by Jedi Knights. Dooku and his bounty hunters — including an undercover Obi-Wan Kenobi — launch their kidnapping plot.
-Official synopsis via Star wars.com
Supreme Chancellor in peril! After surviving the ordeals of the Box, Obi-Wan Kenobi — working undercover as assassin Rako Hardeen — is invited to join Count Dooku’s plot against Chancellor Palpatine. Working with a team of deadly bounty hunters, Obi-Wan travels to the planet of Naboo, where the Chancellor will preside over the Festival of Light. Now, as the Jedi Council and Count Dooku finalize their respective plans, a deadly confrontation seems inevitable….
Embo makes two more brief appearances in Season 4 that reveal his association with Boba Fett and Tatooine’s hive of scum and villainy, Mos Eisley.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 4, Episode 20, “Bounty” (20 BBY)
Forced into exile, an aimless Asajj Ventress joins a team of bounty hunters under the leadership of young Boba Fett. On an alien world, they undertake a dangerous but profitable mission that tests the strength of Asajj’s character.
-Official synopsis via StarWars.com
Abandoned! After an assassination attempt by his forsaken apprentice, Asajj Ventress, Count Dooku launches a brutal counterattack against the Nightsisters, massacring the entire clan. Forced into exile, Ventress wanders far into the Outer Rim, among the castaways and vagabonds of the galaxy, seeking her new life that was foretold by Mother Talzin….
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 4, Episode 22, “Revenge” (20 BBY)
Savage and Maul, now reunited, pursue Obi-Wan Kenobi in search of revenge, and the Jedi Knight finds himself forced to unite with a surprising ally to defend himself.
-Official synopsis via StarWars.com
Brothers reunited! Darth Maul, the sinister Sith thought to have been destroyed so many years ago by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, was found alive by his brother, Savage Opress, and taken back to Mother Talzin on Dathomir.
Though Darth Maul’s memory has yet to be fully restored, his need for vengeance has awakened, more powerful than ever….
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 5, Episode 1, “Eminence” (19 BBY)
Hired by the Hutts to take out Maul, Embo also tangles with Mandalorians and the Shadow Collective, deepening his ties to the action in The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Savage and Maul forge an alliance with Death Watch to target a common enemy: Obi-Wan Kenobi.
-Official synopsis via StarWars.com
Evil alliance! Darth Maul and Savage Opress escape Obi-Wan Kenobi’s assault once again. With their plan to build a crime organization in peril, the brothers’ fate is about to be changed forever as they drift barely alive, through unknown space…..
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 6, Episode 5, “An Old Friend” (19 BBY)
Embo is the primary physical threat in this episode and the “Scipio Snow Chase” is widely considered one of his best moments in the entire series. Embo is hired to assassinate an old friend of Padme’s, Senator Rush Clovis, on the planet Scipio to prevent him from exposing the Banking Clan’s corruption. He manages to kill Padmé’s aide, Teckla Minnau, with a sniper shot and then engages in a high-speed chase with Anakin, Padmé, and Clovis. Using his hat as a snowboard/sled to pursue their speeder down a mountain, Embo actually survives a direct confrontation with Anakin–a rare feat for any bounty hunter.
While on Scipio, Padmé Amidala is called upon by an old friend, Rush Clovis, to help uncover corruption in the Banking Clan. They must evade the bounty hunter Embo to escape the planet with the incriminating information.
-Official synopsis via StarWars.com
As the war between the Republic and the Separatists intensifies, many are driven from their home planets, and it is up to Senator Amidala to secure aid for them. All eyes turn to the Banking Clan and the planet Scipio. In an effort to remain independent from the Republic and the Separatists, all operations are divided, and money transactions are performed in a neutral zone surrouding the main vault. For operations to continue, there must be no war on Scipio. However, worry about the stability of the Banking Clan is brewing within the Republic as the wellspring of money may be in jeopardy….
The history of the Hutt throne and the lineage of the asset, Rotta.
Title
Source
Thematic Notes
Runtime
The Clone Wars
Film (2008)
Origin: Anakin and Ahsoka rescue baby Rotta.
1h 38m
Return of the Jedi
Episode VI
The Power Vacuum: The fall of Jabba the Hutt.
2h 11m
The Book of Boba Fett
Chapters 1-4
The Rivals: Introduction of the Twins and their claim.
3h 10m
TOTAL PHASE III
6h 59m
After 25+ years on the sidelines, the sole legitimate heir to the throne of Jabba the Hutt, his son, Rotta, returns to the Star Wars universe. Voiced by Jeremy Allen White, Rotta will appear much changed in The Mandalorian and Grogu and is rumored to be central to the plot. It is believed that Embo will be hired to take out Rotta and that Din Djarin will be stepping in to save Jabba’s Pedunkee Mufkin–though it isn’t exactly clear who either employs either hunter. However, with Boba Fett occupying his father’s palace and serving as the Daimyo of Mos Espa, Boba may have some role to play.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars 2008 film (22 BBY)
Rotta’s story begins here, as a pawn in the Confederacy of Independent Systems’ plot to use trade routes running through Hutt Space. Kidnapped by pirates at the order of Count Dooku and at the behest of his uncle Ziro, Rotta is rescued by Anakin and Ahsoka.
A galaxy divided! Striking swiftly after the Battle of Geonosis, Count Dooku’s droid army has seized control of the major hyperspace lanes, separating the Republic from the majority of its clone army. With few clones available, the Jedi generals cannot gain a foothold on the Outer Rim as more and more planets choose to join Dooku’s Separatists. While the Jedi are occupied fighting a war, no one is left to keep the peace. Chaos and crime spread, and the innocent become victims in a lawless galaxy. Crime lord Jabba the Hutt’s son has been kidnapped by a rival band of pirates. Desperate to save his son, Jabba puts out a call for help—a call the Jedi are cautious to answer…
Rotta’s only other appearance comes in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 3, Episode 4, “Sphere of Influence”, which is listed above.
Star Wars: Episode VI-Return of the Jedi (4 ABY)
The death of Jabba left a void that Bib Fortuna, the Mining Collective and the Red Key Syndicate all tried to exploit. Should Rotta return to Tatooine and claim his throne, he could unite the Hutt Clans, making the Outer Rim less friendly to the Shadow Council.
The Book of Boba Fett also introduced the Hutt twins, who debuted alongside fan-favorite Wookiee bounty hunter Black Krrsantan. Chapter 2, “The Tribes of Tatooine”, and lay claim to their cousin Jabba’s empire. They eventually left the planet but they are set to return in The Mandalorian and Grogu and could have a fat hand in the plot against Rotta.
Though it’s not confirmed, Boba Fett may be intimately involved in the resolution of the main conflict in The Mandalorian and Grogu. By the end of The Book of Boba Fett, Din Djarin and Boba Fett are essentially brothers-in-arms. Any threat to one is a threat to both. And if the movie deals with a Hutt succession crisis on Tatooine, Boba is no longer just a cameo—he is the local sovereign. After serving as Fett’s lieutenant in Krayt’s Claw, Embo could find himself at odds with Boba in the film.
The background of New Republic heavy-hitter Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios.
Series / Episode
Title
Thematic Notes
Runtime
Rebels Season 1, Episodes 1-2
Spark of Rebellion
Introduction to the Bo-Rifle and Lasat combat style.
44m
Rebels Season 2, Episode 17
The Honorable Ones
Zeb’s moral core and his capacity for unlikely alliances.
22m
TOTAL PHASE IV
1h 06m
After making his live-action debut in Season 3 of The Mandalorian, Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios returns in a supporting role in The Mandalorian and Grogu. Zeb has been established as a pilot and soldier for the New Republic based out of Adelphi Outpost. His involvement in the film almost certainly coincides with the official government response to the Imperial Remnant’s activity. While everyone should watch Star Wars Rebels in its entirety, here’s a primer for those unfamiliar with everyone’s favorite Lasat.
Star Wars Rebels, Season 1, Episodes 1 and 2, “The Spark or Rebellion”
It is a dark time. The Jedi are no more, and the Empire rules the galaxy with an iron fist — bringing tyranny to the Outer Rim world of Lothal. Their ominous presence is a cloud over the planet, squashing any hope of freedom or a better life, especially for 14-year-old orphan Ezra Bridger. But the young con artist soon finds that destiny has other plans for him, as he encounters a small band of rebels who dare to strike back against the Empire.
-Official description via StarWars.com
Star Wars Rebels, Season 2, Episode 17, “The Honorable Ones”
Zeb and Agent Kallus find themselves stranded on an icy moon of Geonosis after a failed Imperial ambush of the rebels. Bitter enemies, they must put aside their differences and work together in order to survive.
-Official description via StarWars.com
📉 Final Journey Metrics
Grand Total Runtime: ~30 Hours, 25 Minutes
Core Episodes: 43
Feature Films: 2
With the return of Rotta the Hutt and the relentless pursuit of Embo, The Mandalorian and Grogu is doing more than just continuing Din Djarin’s journey—it is reconciling the lawless legacy of the Clone Wars with the fragile peace of the New Republic. Since 2019, fans have watched the “Mandoverse” through the lens of individual survival. But should the Hutt Twins move to reclaim Jabba’s throne and the Adelphi Rangers continue to struggle to maintain order, the stakes have shifted, especially with the Heir to the Empire having returned. We are no longer just looking at a bounty hunter and his foundling; we are witnessing a fight for the soul of the Outer Rim and, by extension, the rest of the galaxy far, far away.
About The Mandalorian and Grogu:
Directed by Jon Favreau, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu also stars Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White and is produced by Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Dave Filoni, and Ian Bryce, with music composed by Ludwig Göransson.
The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu.
Like Castle, Jones will be teaming up with Daredevil to take on Wilson Fisk as Mayor Kingpin looks to tighten his grip on New York City. If you’re looking to catch up on some of the major storylines that might intersect during the new season, we’ve got you covered with…The Ultimate List of What to Watch Before Daredevil: Born Again Season 2!
Daredevil follows Matt Murdock, attorney by day and vigilante by night. Blinded in an accident as a child, Murdock uses his heightened senses as Daredevil, fighting crime on the streets of New York after the sun goes down. His efforts are not welcomed by Wilson Fisk — aka Kingpin — and others whose interests collide with those of Daredevil. Though Murdock’s day job portrays a man who believes in the criminal justice system, his alter ego suggests otherwise, as he takes the law into his own hands to protect his neighborhood.
_Official synopsis for Daredevil, via Disney Plus
Wilson Fisk isn’t just a crime boss anymore; he’s an institution. In Season 1, we saw him consolidate power and launch the Anti-Vigilante Task Force (AVTF). Heading into Season 2, he is no longer running for office—he is running the city, and his first order of business is ensuring there is no room left for a Devil in Hell’s Kitchen.
Daredevil, Season 1 (2015)
🍅 99%
In the inaugural season of Daredevil, Wilson Fisk wasn’t just a villain; he was a dark mirror held up to Matt Murdock’s own ambitions for Hell’s Kitchen. If you’re tracking the DNA of the current Mayor of New York, it all starts here, in the shadows of a city he claimed to love while simultaneously tearing it apart.
When we first meet Fisk, he is a ghost—a name that causes men to commit suicide rather than speak it. He isn’t interested in being a crime lord in the traditional sense; he views himself as a visionary philanthropist. His goal in Season 1 was to gentrify Hell’s Kitchen by any means necessary—extortion, murder, and the systematic demolition of the neighborhood’s soul to build something pristine in its place. The most critical thread from Season 1 that weaves into Born Again is his relationship with Vanessa Marianna. She is the anchor that prevents him from being a mindless beast and instead turns him into a calculated tactician. His vulnerability through her is exactly what Matt Murdock eventually exploits, leading to the “mutually assured destruction” pact that defined their rivalry for years. Long before he was a politician, Fisk was practicing his stump speech. In Season 1, he attempted to step into the light as a Good Samaritan to counter the narrative of the masked vigilante. This was the beta test for his 2026 Mayoral campaign. He learned early on that public perception is more powerful than even his brute strength.
Runtime: 11 hours and 40 minutes
Murphy’s Memo: If you want to understand why Fisk is so effective as Mayor, watch 1.08, “Shadows in the Glass.” It’s the definitive look at the trauma that shaped the monster that now runs the greatest city in the world.
Daredevil, Season 2 (2016)
🍅 81%
While Season 1 was about Fisk building an empire, Season 2—specifically his stint in Ryker’s Island—was about him mastering the art of the long game. Even behind bars, Fisk proved that a cage is just another room to run a business from. Indeed, Wilson Fisk’s Season 2 arc may ultimately have proven to be the secret ingredient to his eventual Mayoral win.
Fisk begins Season 2 at his lowest point, but he doesn’t stay there long. This season is a masterclass in institutional capture. He doesn’t fight the prison system; he buys it. By the time Frank Castle arrives on the scene, Fisk has already turned the guards into his personal security detail and the inmates into his infantry: he is the Kingpin of Ryker’s. The most pivotal moment for the future of the MCU’s New York happens in a blood-soaked prison hallway. Fisk manipulates the Punisher into eliminating a rival, effectively handing Fisk total control of the prison’s black market. This taught Fisk a lesson he uses as Mayor: vigilantes are tools. He realizes that a man of action like Castle can be pointed at a problem to solve it, a tactic we see him replicate in Born Again by weaponizing official task forces to do his dirty work under the color of law. The brief, violent meeting between Matt and Fisk in the prison visitation room is the spark for Born Again. When Matt threatens Vanessa’s safety, the Good Samaritan facade officially dies. Fisk doesn’t just want to beat Matt anymore; he wants to destroy the very idea of a hero. This interaction is where Fisk realizes that to truly win, he has to change the rules of the city so that Matt’s brand of justice is no longer just illegal, but obsolete.
Runtime: 12 hours and 15 minutes
Murphy’s Memo: If you’re short on time, skip toEpisode 9, “Seven Minutes in Heaven.” It’s the definitive look at Fisk’s transition from a businessman to the Kingpin. It’s the blueprint for how he eventually treats New York City: as a prison where he holds all the keys.
Daredevil, Season 3 (2018)
🍅 97%
In Season 3, Fisk orchestrates a move from Ryker’s to a luxury penthouse by turning the FBI into his personal concierge service. He paints himself as a victim of the system and a cooperator helping the government take down even worse criminals. He realizes that if you can control the narrative, you don’t have to hide in the shadows. He begins to position himself as a man who was unfairly persecuted by vigilantes and a corrupt legal system—a platform he eventually rides all the way to City Hall.
Of course, Fisk’s greatest achievement in Season 3 wasn’t beating Daredevil; it was corrupting Benjamin Poindexter. By turning a decorated federal agent into a mass murderer dressed as Daredevil, Fisk effectively turned the public against their hero. The season ends with Fisk back in a cell, but the damage was already done. He had successfully mapped out the corruptibility of every major institution in New York—the courts, the FBI, and the press. When he returns to the public eye in Born Again, he isn’t trying to corrupt the system from the outside anymore; he has become the system.
Runtime: 11 hours and 15 minutes
Murphy’s Memo: If you want to see Fisk at his most terrifyingly brilliant, watch Episode 4, “Blindsided.” It’s the famous one-take prison riot, but more importantly, it shows the sheer scale of his influence. It proves that even when he’s losing, Wilson Fisk is always three moves ahead of the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen.
Hawkeye (2021)
🍅 92%
Following the events of DaredevilSeason 3, Fisk was supposedly neutralized. Matt Murdock had him pinned with a mutually assured destruction pact involving Vanessa. But as we’ve seen in the MCU, the Blip changed the rules of the game. While the world was mourning half its population, Fisk was quietly rebuilding. By the time we catch up with him in Hawkeye, he’s no longer just a rumor in Hell’s Kitchen; he’s a man looking to reclaim a city that belongs to him.
After the chaos of the Blip, Fisk didn’t just survive; he adapted. While the world was reeling from the Snap, Fisk was rebuilding his empire from the ground up, using the Tracksuit Mafia as his blunt-force instrument. In Hawkeye, we see a Fisk who is less concerned with “Rabbit in a Snowstorm” and more concerned with territorial dominance. He’s grittier, he’s wearing the comic-accurate Fat Man floral and he’s more physically imposing than ever. The finale of Hawkeyesaw Fisk take an arrow to the chest and survive a massive explosion, establishing his increased durability in the MCU. But more importantly, it provided the physical scar that fuels his platform in Born Again. When he’s shot in the eye by Maya, it doesn’t break him but rather gives him a visual receipt of the vigilante violence he promises to end as Mayor.
Runtime: 4 hours and 2 minutes
Murphy’s Memo: If you’re watching for the lore, pay attention to the Eleanor Bishop connection. It proves that Fisk’s reach extends into the highest levels of New York’s elite social circles. He isn’t just a criminal; he’s a partner to the city’s power brokers. Watch Episode 6, “So This Is Christmas?”—it’s the moment the Kingpin officially became a Big Game player in the Disney+ era.
If Hawkeyewas the physical return of the Kingpin, Echowas the psychological rebirth. The Marvel Spotlight series took Fisk away from the skyscrapers of Manhattan and dropped him into the dust of Oklahoma, forcing him to confront the one thing he can’t control: his own legacy. His appearance in Echo ultimately serves as the origin story of Mayor Fisk.
In Echo, we see a version of Fisk that is deeply unsettled. His obsession with Maya Lopez isn’t just about power; it’s about his desperate need for love and validation. When Maya uses her ancestral powers to force Fisk to relive his childhood trauma—the hammer, his father, the blood—it doesn’t cure him. Instead, it strips away the last of his hesitation. He leaves Oklahoma with a singular focus: if he cannot be loved as a father, he will be feared as a ruler. While Fisk was away chasing Maya, New York was falling apart…at least that’s what he took away from the news. The series subtly establishes that the city is exhausted. The street-level heroes are scattered, and the public is tired of the collateral damage. Fisk realizes that the city doesn’t need a savior; it needs a manager. The real catalyst for Fisk’s political career happens in the back half of a private jet. After a brutal psychic and physical confrontation with Maya Lopez in Oklahoma, a battered Fisk is seen watching NY1. The anchors are discussing the lack of a “fighter” in the upcoming New York City mayoral race—someone who isn’t a career politician, someone who understands the pain of the people.
Runtime: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Murphy’s Memo: Do not skip the Episode 5 post-credits scene. It is a true prologue to Born Again. It turns a series about Maya Lopez into the definitive launchpad for the next five years of the MCU’s New York. It’s the moment Wilson Fisk decides that instead of breaking the law, he’s going to BE the law.
Season 1 of Daredevil: Born Again wasn’t just a revival; it was a total restructuring of the power balance in New York City. The second half of the season serves as the immediate prologue to the chaos of Season 2; it’s where the Cold War between Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk finally went hot and the series turned back to its Netflix roots.
The most shocking element of Season 1 was the dismantling of Matt Murdock’s support system. The loss of Foggy didn’t just break Matt’s heart; it broke his faith in the legal system and became the reason behind the more aggressive stance Matt seems poised to take in Season 2. Without Foggy to act as his moral North Star, the Devil is less interested in courtrooms and more interested in the rooftops.
Runtime: 7 hours and 6 minutes
Murphy’s Memo: Fisk returns to New York with a refined strategy. He leans into his history not as a criminal, but as a survivor and a builder. His platform is simple and terrifying: Anti-Vigilantism. He frames heroes like Daredevil and the Punisher as the source of New York’s chaos. Fisk isn’t just making local laws; he’s trying to set a national precedent. If he can prove that New York is safer without vigilantes, he becomes a candidate for the White House, though it’s clear his rise to political power will not go unchallenged. Watching Episode 9, “Straight to Hell”, may indeed be all you need to prepare for Season 2.
When a tragedy puts an the end to her short-lived career as a superhero, Jessica settles in NYC and opens her own detective agency, called Alias Investigations, which seems to be called into cases involving people who have special abilities. Suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome, Jessica wants to do good, but her primary interest isn’t in saving the world, it’s saving her apartment and getting through each day. Based on a graphic novel intended for adults, this is not a superhero story for the kids.
-Official synopsis for Jessica Jones, via Disney Plus
Jessica Jones, Season 1 (2015)
🍅 94%
In Season 1, Jessica wasn’t trying to save the world; she was trying to survive a predator. Her battle with Kilgrave was a masterclass in how power—specifically the power to control others—destroys lives. In Born Again Season 2, Wilson Fisk has the legislative power to ruin anyone who speaks out and his jackbooted group of Anti-Vigilante Task Force goons to enforce his law. Jessica understands the mental toll of fighting an untouchable monster, making her a perfect ally for Matt.
As a lawyer, Murdock looks for evidence in a courtroom; as a P.I., Jones looks for dirt in the gutters. Season 1 established Jessica as the ultimate investigator—someone who can find the unfindable skeletons in a powerful man’s closet. With Fisk running a clean administration in the public eye, Jessica’s ability to dig through the trash is exactly what the Resistance needs to expose the corruption behind the Mayor’s Safe Streets initiative.
One of Jessica’s greatest strengths in Season 1 was her refusal to play by the rules of heroism. As Fisk tightens the legal noose around vigilantes in Born Again, Jessica’s cynicism and ability to operate in the grey area, and in a city where being a hero is a crime, will be of use to Matt’s army.
Runtime: 11 hours and 10 minutes
Murphy’s Memo: If you only have time for one episode, make itEpisode 7, “AKA Top Shelf Perverts”. It perfectly illustrates Jessica’s no-nonsense approach to systemic corruption and her willingness to go to the darkest places to get the job done.
The Defenders (2017)
🍅 78%
While the individual seasons of th bNetflix series show us who these characters are, The Defenders is the only reason Born Again Season 2 works as a team-up. It’s the vibe check” for the Matt and Jessica partnership.
The chemistry between Ritter and Cox catalyzed the crossover series, providing most of the memorable moments, including the first meeting between Matt and Jessica in an interrogation room.
The Defenders took on the Hand which was an organization that owned the city’s boardrooms, police, and real estate—much like Wilson Fisk does now. The Defenders showed Matt and Jessica that they can’t beat a massive organization by playing by the rules. They had to go underground, use unconventional tactics, and rely on a found family of heroes. This playbook makes need to get pulled back out when Fisk’s Anti-Vigilante Task Force puts a target on their backs.
Murphy’s Memo: If you’re short on time, just watch Episode 3, “Worst Behavior.” The hallway fight is great, but the real gold is the banter between Matt and Jessica. It’s the definitive street-level dynamic. If Born Again Season 2 revisits that interrogation room energy, fans will find some favorite moments outside of the brutal fights sure to take place.
Runtime: 6 hours and 30 minutes
Jessica Jones Season 2 (2018)
🍅 82%
Season 2 pulled back the curtain on IGH, the shadowy organization that gave Jessica her powers through illicit medical experimentation.
Much of the second season of Jessica Jones focused on Jessica trying—and failing—to save her mother, Alisa. It was a season about the collateral damage that follows “super” people. This is a goldmine for Wilson Fisk’s propaganda machine in Born Again Season 2.
Fisk weaponized the narrative of “vigilantes causing more harm than good” to justify his crackdown at the end of Season 1. Jessica has lived that failure; she knows what it’s like when a “heroic” intervention ends in a body bag, making her a more grounded and cynical counterpoint to Murdock’s idealism.
Though it was certainly not the strongest installment in the Defenders-verse series, Season 2 tapped into Jessica’s fear that she was becoming a monster like her mother. In Born Again, Fisk will try to convince the world—and the heroes themselves—that they are the villains. Jessica’s struggle with her own identity makes her immune to Fisk’s gaslighting.
Murphy’s Memo: Take another look at Episode 11, “AKA Three Lives and Counting”. It captures Jessica’s internal struggle with the hero pabel better than almost anything else. Perhaps her appearance in Born Again isn’t so much joining Matt because she wants to save the city; she’s joining because she’s tired of people like Fisk deciding who the monsters are.
Runtime: 12 hours and 5 minutes
Jessica Jones Season 3 (2019)
🍅 73%
The final season of Jessica Jones was a masterclass in the gray areas of morality, centering on the question: “What does it actually mean to be a ‘hero’?” Though it seemed to give Jessica somewhat of a happy ending”, it could serve as connective tissue to Born Again Season 2 because it leaves Jessica at a crossroads—one that leads her straight back to the streets of New York just as Wilson Fisk is taking over.
Jessica faced Gregory Salinger, the Foolkiller, sort of, a villain who didn’t have powers but had a twisted, intellectual vendetta against gifted people. He viewed heroes as frauds who “cheat” at life…the same rhetoric used by Fisk uses in his Mayoral campaign. Salinger was the prototype for Fisk’s propaganda—proving that you don’t need a super-suit to dismantle a hero; you just need to prove they are unfair to the common man.
The series ended with Jessica at a train station, ready to leave the city behind, only to hear Kilgrave’s voice in her head telling her to give up. In an act of pure defiance, she turned back. She chose to stay and fight. By the time we see her in 2026, she has been operating in the shadows of Fisk’s New York for years, likely as one of the few unregistered P.I.s still digging for the truth.
Murphy’s Memo: Go back and watch the Series Finale (“AKA Everything”). That final shot of Jessica turning back toward the city lights is everything. It tells you that she isn’t coming back to Born Again because she’s a sidekick; she’s coming back because New York is her city, and she’ll be damned if a man like Wilson Fisk is the one who gets to save it.
We’ve got the supernatural angles, we’ve got the street-level with our announcement of Daredevil, and of course, Spidey going into the street-level heroes.
I’ve made it no secret that I’m a huge fan of Tatiana’s and the fun we had on She-Hulk was some of the best fun I’ve had as that character. I thought she was amazing as Jennifer Walters and I would be a huge… certainly an advocate of her showing up in our show if she’s free and available and willing and all of those things. So I would love for that to happen. I have no idea if that is possible.
–Charlie Cox on the possibility of She-Hulk appearing in Daredevil: Born Again
While Matt Murdock appeared in Spider-Man: Far From Home, Daredevil didn’t make his MCU debut until the final two episodes of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. While some fans bristled at the more carefree vibe Cox brought to the role in his appearance, it certainly fit the tone of the series, though at this point, it seems as though Marvel has decided they’d rather have Matt suffer than find happiness in the warm embrace of Shulkie.
Runtime of Episodes 8 and 9: 1 hour and 11 minutes
The Fast Track
Today is February 10, 2026, and the clock is officially ticking. With the premiere of Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 set for March 24, 2026, you have exactly 42 days to conquer your 98-hour watchlist. To make this happen without losing your job or your mind, you need to average about 2.3 hours of Marvel per day. Here’s your Street-Level Resistance training schedule to hit that 98-hour goal by premiere night.
About Daredevil: Born Again Season 2
Season 2 of Marvel Television’s stars Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Wilson Bethel, Deborah Ann Woll, Margarita Levieva, Krysten Ritter, Matthew Lillard and Ayelet Zurer.
Mayor Wilson Fisk crushes New York City underfoot as he hunts down public enemy number one, the Hell’s Kitchen vigilante known as Daredevil. But, beneath the horned mask, Matt Murdock will try to fight back from the shadows to tear down the Kingpin’s corrupt empire and redeem his home. Resist. Rebel. Rebuild.
-Official synopsis for Daredevil: Born Again Season 2
The second season was created by Dario Scardapane, Chris Ord and Matt Corman. Episodes were written by Dario Scardapane (201, 202); Heather Bellson (203, 207); Chantelle M. Wells (204); Jesse Wigutow (205); Devon Kliger and Jesse Wigutow (206); Dario Scardapane and Jesse Wigutow (208) and directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (201, 202); Solvan “Slick” Naim (203, 204); Angela Barnes (205, 206); Iain B. MacDonald (207, 208).
David Chambers is producing with Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Sana Amanat, Dario Scardapane, Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, Iain B. MacDonald, Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio executive producing.
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2 years after last activity
__utmt
Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests
10 minutes
__utmb
Used to distinguish new sessions and visits. This cookie is set when the GA.js javascript library is loaded and there is no existing __utmb cookie. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
30 minutes after last activity
__utmc
Used only with old Urchin versions of Google Analytics and not with GA.js. Was used to distinguish between new sessions and visits at the end of a session.
End of session (browser)
__utmz
Contains information about the traffic source or campaign that directed user to the website. The cookie is set when the GA.js javascript is loaded and updated when data is sent to the Google Anaytics server
6 months after last activity
__utmv
Contains custom information set by the web developer via the _setCustomVar method in Google Analytics. This cookie is updated every time new data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
2 years after last activity
__utmx
Used to determine whether a user is included in an A / B or Multivariate test.
18 months
_ga
ID used to identify users
2 years
_gali
Used by Google Analytics to determine which links on a page are being clicked
30 seconds
_ga_
ID used to identify users
2 years
_gid
ID used to identify users for 24 hours after last activity
24 hours
_gat
Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests when using Google Tag Manager
1 minute
Marketing cookies are used to follow visitors to websites. The intention is to show ads that are relevant and engaging to the individual user.
Pinterest Tag is a web analytics service that tracks and reports website traffic.
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