Daredevil: Born Again, episode 6 review… Matt and Fisk use  “excessive force” to do what they think is right

Episode 6, the ambitious "Excessive Force," keeps Daredevil: Born Again in the world of dark, gritty storytelling while also being brave enough to balance the high-stakes tension with deep character exploration and thematic heft.

This episode proves to be a pivotal point for Matt Murdock as he plunges back into the role of Daredevil while Wilson Fisk wobbles on the precipice of his carefully-aged public persona, exposing his true, savage self.

Plot summary

We meet Muse, the sadistic serial killer who paints street art with his victims' blood. His arrival to Hell’s Kitchen sends ripples throughout the neighborhood, causing Matt Murdock to reconsider his choice to walk away from being a vigilante.

As Matt works to protect an acquaintance from being brought into his violent world, he’s approached by Angela del Toro, the niece of the late vigilante White Tiger, who begs him to investigate a series of murders that leads to an abandoned subway tunnel.

Furthermore, Wilson Fisk’s public office position is progressively becoming more unstable and spiraling toward his downfall. The mayor's failure at a bank theft occurred, and his connections were shown to be weak through Luca, who now was protesting his $1.8 million debt.

Fisk turns violent and assaults Adam, his wife's confidant. This event is crucial as it demonstrates the shedding of the last layers of Fisk's empathy and the grand reveal of Kingpin's intent to return in full force.

At the unfolding of the story, Daredevil and Muse are found in a fierce showdown that not only highlights the inner conflict of Matt – justice vs his ever-present hatred but also reveals his changeable temperament.

Character arcs & performances

Matt Murdock / Daredevil

Charlie Cox gives a commanding performance, depicting Matt's internal conflict in a real and emotional manner. The decision not to retire from the shield is, in his mind, not just a reaction to Muse’s brutal murders—but an affirmation that Daredevil is an inseparable part of him.

This part of the story underscores the point that despite Matt’s best efforts to leave, Hell’s Kitchen will forever be a place that attracts him.

Wilson Fisk / Kingpin

Vincent D’Onofrio delivered a performance in this episode that showcased his true talent. Fisk’s two-faced personality- the model city mayor vs. his true identity as a violent, greedy boss- is brilliantly emphasized.

The part where he savagely beats up Adam is proof that, besides his political dreams, he is indeed still the Kingpin of the past.

Muse (Antagonist)

Muse is one of the characters who most strongly represents disgust in Born Again.

His calmness is what makes him beyond scary, and his artistic yet ghastly manner of killing adds fuel to the fire. While he won’t be a part of the discussion, his actions will help make him appear to be a character that we will never see in a classical crime gang, as these people are governed by power or money only.

Themes & symbolism

1. Justice vs. Lawlessness – Both Matt and Fisk claim to be upholding justice, yet their methods vastly differ. The episode is fantastic for contrasting both their characters’ activities, indicating that Matt has issues with crossing his moral lines, but Fisk is definitely a person who accepts his darker side without thinking twice.
2. Identity Crisis – Matt’s decision to return as Daredevil is further proved when he realizes that some kinds of evil cannot be dealt with by the judicial system. Moreover, Fisk’s pursuit of recognition fails to withstand his nature.
3. The Cost of Vigilantism – Angela del Toro’s storyline gives us a cautionary message about the outcomes of trying to combat a crime that cannot be effectively managed by the law.

Cinematography & action

The use of lighting and the sequences is great in "Excessive Force," mixing dark, moody lighting with violent, action-packed scenes. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has had some great action sequences, one of them being the much-awaited fight between Daredevil and Muse in this episode.

The choreography of the fight and the atmosphere created are strikingly similar to hallway fight scenes produced by Netflix, but with a more polished and thespian presentation.

Strengths & weaknesses:

Strengths:

✔️ Exceptional acting by Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio

✔️ Brace yourself, the infamous Muse is now here

✔️ Really thrilling action scenes the franchise has seen

✔️ The episode explores themes of morality, justice, and identity with style

Weaknesses:

❌ The plot points (like Angela del Toro’s story) seem superficially addressed.

❌ Halfway through, the episode was paced slowly.

Final Conclusion

I'd have to give this episode a solid 9.5/10 ⭐

Episode six of Daredevil: Born Again is an intense, contemplative, and violent segment that re-establishes Matt Murdock as a superhero while also paving the way for an oncoming clash between Daredevil and Kingpin.