The seventh episode in Daredevil: Born Again features possibly the most extreme and dramatic moment of the season so far, and the soundtrack of the episode is incredibly crucial and adds to the overall impact of that moment.
One of the standout musical choices is 1966's "Please Stay" by The Cryin’ Shames, a hauntingly beautiful number that stands in stark contrast to the visceral violence being represented on the screen.
The manner in which this song is incorporated into the episode has several layers of meaning, serving to reinforce the emotional weight of the scene while also helping to deepen the show’s imitable cinematic style.
An Execution with an Ironic Soundtrack
The song "Please Stay" is played in a thrilling part where Buck Cashman, Fisk's vicious henchman, executes Luca in an Italian restaurant.
The leader of the Irish mob - Luca, the character who for a long time had been a thorn in Fisk's side. The tune's sad melody is still going all along with the act of Cashman, which clearly illustrates the transfer of power.
This scene is clearly influenced by vintage crime movies, especially the films of Martin Scorsese. A touching love song that serves as the soundtrack to a heartless act of violence sets a creepy atmosphere.
Instead of adding suspense to the scene with a dramatic soundtrack, the surprising pick of the music, which is of a leisurely pace yet full of emotions, actually makes the brutality even more disturbing.
The sudden change makes the viewers stay and think, thus the scene is greatly enhanced, and becomes more of a lasting impression and a subject that could trigger discussion among the audience.
Vanessa’s Betrayal and the Failed Assassination Attempt
In this particular storyline, the most significant part is Vanessa Fisk's audacious and risky act against her husband. The woman, who can no longer tolerate Fisk's overall madness and is convinced that he has become a burden, makes the first move to join the Irish mob boss, offering him the opportunity of sending the Kingpin to the next world.
Hence, she not only gives the head of the Irish mob Fisk's address, but also tells him to be ready for the first action, which goes in a roundabout way to overthrow the Kingpin. However, the plan does not go as expected.
The mob boss, having received the information from Vanessa, goes to the predetermined place, and with a gun, he is prepared to execute Fisk. The attacker, however, gets a different outcome; not only is he not the one taking Fisk's life, but he is confronted by Buck Cashman instead.
The loyal enforcer, a person who has been strongly loyal to Fisk, expects an attack and takes the opposite action. Upon the execution of the Irish mob boss. The song "Please Stay" in this situation has an even greater impact—Vanessa's plea for power over her own life is parallel to the unfulfilled desire for the song.
Yet, in this specific world, the traitors do not go without punishment and it is the botched killing of Fisk that may radically change the destiny of Vanessa though.
The Bigger Picture: How the Soundtrack Reinforces the Narrative
The sound has, since the days of Netflix, constantly been a vital part of Daredevil's storytelling, and this tradition is very well continued by Born Again. The show has not only chosen the song "Please Stay" that resonates with the power, disloyalty, and moral conflict themes, but has also done a more than decent job of it.
It's not just this specific scene that long-term, unobtrusive and background music (an outstanding mixture of classic and contemporary tracks) help to shape the atmosphere of the show.
Instead of merely taking the easy way out and using traditional orchestral soundtracks as other series do, the creators of Born Again turned to a more sophisticated filmic style of music, which only makes the show even more exciting for viewers.
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Conclusion
Sharing a less definite, more reminiscent melody for a brutal act like that of the show results in the sequence being unforgettable to the viewers long after the credits roll.
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