Daredevil Season 2. Go.
Did the Punisher truly get the best of the Man Without Fear? Will Karen and the law firm’s client run away together and elope? How close is Foggy to getting a second date with that limber barista?
Wait. Those last two don’t really apply, but Daredevil’s second season definitely starts off with a [wait for it] bang. Obviously, the Punisher didn’t really kill Daredevil, but how exactly did ole Matt survive that point blank shot to the noggin? “Dogs to a Gunfight” has the answer, and it’s mostly that if the Punisher really wanted Daredevil dead he would be.
Which One Is “Dogs to a Gunfight”?: Foggy rescues Matt and gives him a speech about leaving things to the authorities, which Matt possibly didn’t totally hear since his first encounter with the Punisher left him with a ringing in his ear. So he hangs out in his apartment alone for a day until his hearing comes back, getting up just long enough to flirt with Karen when she comes by to almost kiss him at his doorway and then to have his mask fixed what with there being a bullet hole in it now. Meanwhile, Foggy and Karen make a deal with the D.A.’s office for their client, but then that client is used as bait to attract the Punisher. Daredevil v. Punisher, Round Two. What a horrible time for that ringing to come back in Matt’s ears.
1. The Terminator Comparisons Are Really Mounting Here, Mr. Punisher
Doesn’t talk much? Check.
Wears functional, non-flashy clothes with a kickass coat? Check.
Calmly and methodically pursues his prey? Check.
Not above opening fire on his prey even if they’re in public buildings? Check.
Goes into a store to buy guns and other items. Kills store owner before leaving? Check. Except the Terminator just shot the guy instead of paying. The Punisher’s weapon of choice is a baseball bat, and in that scenario it’s because the idiotic owner tried to sell him kiddie porn.
2. Lawyered!
Called it! Good job internet!
If Arrow and The Flash are any indication, it is a natural progression that shows centered around superhero vigilantes will eventually drop any pretense of that central hero having a day job. Outside of his recent mayoral campaign, Oliver Queen is Green Arrow all the time now. Barry Allen presumably still works as a CSI for Central City PD, not that we ever see it, and for his part Matt Murdock is Daredevil all the time now.
Foggy, though, can’t quit his day job, and “Dogs to a Gunfight” featured him refusing to be pushed around by the D.A., standing his ground and lawyering her ass straight back to law school. Turns out, the D.A. has no power over witness protection, and can’t just waltz in and push a little law firm aside. Is that true? No idea. But Elden Henson sold Foggy’s conviction on that point beautifully.
So far, Foggy has been well-served by these early episodes.
3. Does Matt Sound Like an Abused Spouse?
When Karen comes to see Matt, she rejects his assurance that everything is fine, noting that she’s not stupid. She knows he’s blind, but she also knows she can no longer believe his excuses that his periodic bruises and scrapes are due to him running into walls or falling down stairs. So, Matt’s methods for explaining away the tell-tale signs of his vigilantism are the same basic lies told by victims of spousal abuse?
This is obviously an important scenes as it furthers the Matt/Karen sexual tension and introduces the self-reflection the entire team will have to undergo as they grapple with whether or not they’re in some way responsible for creating the Punisher. Still, the spousal abuse terminology jumped out at me.
4. Daredevil & Water
As soon as Daredevil and Punisher began their fight with water pouring down on them from above I flashed to this:
The water played no role in the fight. I was wrong. Daredevil lost. Again.
5. Those Cops Are the Worst Shots Ever
Daredevil and Punisher are fighting while sharpshooters are taking aim at them, and all that comes of it is one stray shot to Punisher’s arm. That’s it?
On to the next episode!
