For the bulk of the first seven episodes of Daredevil: Born Again, the series felt as smoothly paced as any streaming series Marvel Studios has produced. While Netflix edge lords may have bemoaned the lack of gratuitous violence, it was rare that the first seven episodes felt either dawdling or rushed. Somehow, Dario Scardapane and Jesse Wigutow’s script for Episode 8, “Isle of Joy”, managed to accomplish both.
Despite some truly big league cinematography and a major surprise in the closing moments, Episode 8 slothfully moved through some truly meaningless ground while also tackling a half dozen or so subplots. Every second spent with Michael Gandolfini‘s Daniel and Genneya Watson‘s BB Urich feels much like the parts of the Netflix series that the new creative team seemed intent on eliminating. Meanwhile, the pieces to the puzzle the audience has been missing to fully understand Wilson and Vanessa’s plans are more-or-less “oh by the way’d” into the runtime.
Of course, without the ability to see the entire two-season plan, some of what took place in Episode 8–and in bits and pieces of other episodes–may still come into play in the future; however, it’s probably worth pointing out now that some moments that may have seemed to matter won’t be followed up on in Episode 9…and maybe never again.
With the season finale ahead and Matt having made the choice to be a good man and defend his enemies, as Bullseye said he should, the finale could prove interesting. Will Fisk’s near-death experience make him consider backing off his mission to put Daredevil behind bars? On his own and seriously injured, will Matt muster up the energy to put up a fight, as he always has? Will the Netflixers find themselves immersed in the darkness and blood that made them love Daredevil 10 years ago? Will you be able to see what’s happening in the episode of you’re watching in a room where there’s any natural light? We’ll all find out soon, True Believers!
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