DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN: SEASON ONE
Starring: Charlie Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Margarita Levieva, Michael Gandolfini, Genneya Walton, Michael Gaston, Will Fitz, Mark Geller, Nikki M. James, Wilson Bethel, and Jon Bernthal
Creator: Dario Scardapane, Matt Corman, and Chris Ord
NICK
There was apprehension about how violent and gritty Disney could make Daredevil: Born Again but by the conclusion of the first season, any doubts are washed away. This really does feel like a continuation of the beloved Netflix series (with an added MCU tie-in of course) and a return to form for Charlie Cox as a deeply conflicted Matt Murdock in an unraveling Hell’s Kitchen. Although it takes a little bit to fully settle in, by season's end it's clear there are zero limitations being put on showrunner Dario Scardapane and that's a very exciting place to be leading into Season Two.
QUENTIN
Born Again works well as a continuation of Netflix’s Daredevil and a soft MCU reboot for Daredevil/Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) and Kingpin/Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio). Thankfully, it maintains its predecessor’s dark, gritty, and violent tone instead of glossing it up to match Daredevil’s appearance in She-Hulk. That said, the series takes a minute to find its footing, and given the creative overhaul that went down mid-production, a few subplots feel Frankensteined together. Plus, this is more Lawyer Murdock’s and Mayor Fisk’s story than Vigilante Daredevil’s and Crime Boss Kingpin’s. Still, it’s very good, and is set up for an even better Season Two.
AMARÚ
I want to thank the Born Again showrunners for all the reshoots that had to happen to get these versions of Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) and Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) into the MCU. Both characters are gritty and complicated, and this first season seamlessly blends the Netflix seasons’ tone into the universe on the strength of their shoulders. Focusing on the emotional layers of Murdock and Fisk’s intertwined lives creates such a deeply rich show that it doesn’t even need their better-known monikers to suck you in. So, when their alter egos do emerge, it’s that much more earned. Season Two can’t come soon enough.
ROBERT
As the MCU TV portfolio has been middling, at best, Born Again was intended to be the savior, and it does admirable work to convey its intentions to be different. While I appreciate the craftsmanship and the commitment to uber violence, I thought it was clearly uneven, and sometimes soulless as its first season played out its nine episodes. Unlike the Netflix iterations, which started its own universe, this feels like a cog in a greater machine. Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio do impeccable work, especially together, but a clear vision seemed to be missing overall.
