Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 Episode 1-2 recap

The first two episodes of Daredevil: Born Again are finally here, and the first episode, "Heaven's Half Hour" opens with a heartbreaking death. The episode opens with Matt, Karen, and Foggy in the frame. However, minutes later, at Josie's Bar, Benjamin Poindexter/Bullseye kills Foggy Nelson for an unknown reason. This happens within ten minutes of the first episode.

Foggy's death sets up a new status quo and vibe for the series. Foggy's death also leads the way to a new opening to the series, with a modified version of the old John Paesano music. After that, the episode shifts to a year later, and things have changed completely. This synopsis teases what we can expect from this season of Daredevil: Born Again:

"In Marvel Television’s 'Daredevil: Born Again', Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a blind lawyer with heightened abilities, is fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) pursues his own political endeavors in New York. When their past identities begin to emerge, both men find themselves on an inevitable collision course."

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Daredevil: Born Again Episodes 1 & 2 recap:

As stated earlier, the first episode of Daredevil: Born Again features an awesome and brutal fight scene between Bullseye and Daredevil. However, as they fight, we also hear Foggy Nelson's heart slowly fade. This leads to the first shocking scene of the series as Foggy Nelson dies:

• Matt almost breaks his cardinal rule:

Bullseye/Poindexter fight on the rooftop as Foggy Nelson is slowly dying on the street below. After Foggy's heart stops beating, Matt throws Bullseye from the roof intending to kill him. But Poindexter survives the fall but he is injured. Because he considered killing someone, Matt decides to retire as Daredevil and become a full-time lawyer.

Matt appears in court as a witness for Benjamin Poindexter's hearing for the latter's attack on Josie's Bar, for which he is declared guilty.

• Matt and Karen are having troubles:

Foggy's death was a huge blow to Karen and Matt's relationship in Daredevil: Born Again. Turns out Matt mourned Foggy's passing by isolating himself and shutting out Karen. Later, she ignored his calls and moved to San Francisco (like Matt did for a while in the comics). She returns to Poindexter's hearing in the first episode, and Matt and Karen talk outside the court. But, she doesn't return in the second episode.

• There is a new Kingpin in town and it isn't Wilson Fisk:

Wilson Fisk isn't the Kingpin for now. In fact, the new Kingpin is none other than his wife, Vanessa Fisk. Wilson tells her that he is going to run for the Mayor of New York, but for that, he tells her that, he shouldn't be linked to anything illegal or even grey. Vanessa is displeased but supports him anyway. But unlike in seasons 1 and 3, their relationship is going through some troubles.

They even attend couples therapy in the second episode of Daredevil: Born Again. Speaking of the therapist:

• Matt's new girlfriend:

Matt's new girlfriend in Daredevil: Born Again is Heather Glenn, played by actress Margarita Levieva. In the comics, she has an on-again and off-again relationship with Matt. However, we don't know if the show will go down that path. She is also revealed to be Wilson and Vanessa's couple's therapist in the second episode of Born Again.

• Matt and Fisk's Diner conversation:

The entire trailer of Daredevil: Born Again was set around this tense conversation between Matt and Fisk. This conversation takes place towards the latter half of the first episode. One of the scenes not seen here is the one in which Fisk warns Matt about not resuming his vigilante activities. Matt also warns Fisk that if he feels that the Mayor is crossing the line, he will be there.

• Enter White Tiger:

Episode 2 of Born Again opens with a memoriam title card honoring actor Kamar de los Reyes, who sadly passed away in December 2023. He is playing the character of Hector Ayala, who is also the vigilante White Tiger. While this episode doesn't show him in the White Tiger costume, it does hint at his mystical powers. He is Matt Murdock's client.

Ayala sees two men attacking a man in a subway station and decides to step in to defend the one being attacked. One of the attackers tries to hit Ayala, but he trips and is hit by the train. The men attacking turn out to be cops, and they arrest and brutally beat Ayala. Matt hears Ayala getting beaten up, and he offers his services.

The case is strong against Ayala, Matt manages to find the witness, i.e., the man whom Ayala was trying to protect. Matt and his associate also learn that his client is The White Tiger and reveal it to the D.A. Matt manages to convince the judge to overlook Ayala's activities as The White Tiger and just focus on the case at hand.

• Muse is introduced:

In the closing moments of the first episode, we are given a glimpse of this season's central antagonist (probably), Muse. He is introduced as a hooded figure who paints Wilson Fisk as a two-faced figure on a wall after Fisk is declared New York's new mayor. In the comics, he is a Banksy-inspired muralist and a serial killer who paints his art using the blood of his victims.

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Daredevil: Born Again is now available to stream on Disney+, and will consist of 9 episodes.