Episode Four, ‘Sic Semper Systema’ is the best one yet
From the beginning, we knew that Daredevil: Born Again would be a waiting game. No matter how much they want to change, it was really only a matter of time before Matt and Fisk started to revert back to their violent former selves given the turbulence of their lives.
Despite not having any interactions since the first episodes, Matt and Fisk have been travelling parallel paths—thematically, anyway—which has simply been a joy to watch. The writers’ ability to consistently remind the audience of the similarities between these two men with nothing but unspoken theme and visuals is impressive.
With episode four—‘Sic Semper Systema’—now in the rear-view, it’s clear that Daredevil is in good hands writing-wise. I finally feel like I can relax. Daredevil: Born Again is different from the original show, but has been consistently impressing me to the point where I was grinning like a madman for much of this episode.
After successfully finding Hector Ayala not guilty only for him to be shot dead in the street, Matt is forced to contend with the failings of the justice system. Meanwhile, Fisk’s frustration at the red tape and meaningless ceremonies that come with the Mayor’s office is pushing his patience to the limit.
So, let’s talk about Muse. Muse is a relatively recent addition to Daredevil’s rogues gallery and appears early on in the episode for a brief moment, and again at the end for an equally short span of time. I’m delighted to see the show incorporating such a new (and profoundly disturbing) villain, but his inclusion in this episode felt somewhat incomplete.
I get it. The writers wanted to show that Muse was operating in the shadows (he’s an artist, and we even see some of his murals in the background), but there was no story to these scenes—just him carrying his victims to his lair and looking spooky.
I’m nitpicking though—Muse is not the focus of this episode, and we’ll surely see more of him soon. This episode is all about Matt and Fisk losing their grip on their new identities. Matt’s already tilted from Hector Ayala’s murder, and his new case doesn’t help things.
Charlie Hudson III plays Leroy Mancini, a man arrested for stealing some caramel corn and he is so good. I was sceptical of where this story thread was going at first. Indeed, it’s not likely to play any grander role in the narrative of the season, but Hudson gave such a good performance and the whole sequence tied perfectly into Matt’s greater arc that I was ultimately won over.
Fisk’s got problems, too. His whole ‘I get things done’ mantra is running up against a level of bureaucracy he normally never had to deal with in his past life, and it’s beginning to affect him. Fisk’s storyline this episode actually got several laughs out of me, which was a delightful surprise. He might be a power-hunger former mob boss, but it’s easy to relate to his plight in ‘Sic Semper Systema’.
His marriage problems are also serving as a great insight into his psychology—especially when we find out what he’s not being entirely truthful about… Which I suppose leads us into the spoiler-filled section!
There were plenty of great moments in this show but let me start with the moment where Fisk descends into his secret lair. Getting a brief glimpse of his favourite art piece, Rabbit in a Snowstorm (complete with the splash of Fisk’s blood it was stained with back in Daredevil season three), was a nice touch, but the coup de grâce was his dinner.
Wilson Fisk eating a rich meal of pasta and sausage in secret when he only eats healthy, dainty meals in public is all we need to see to know that he’s both lying to himself and the public about who he really is… The fact that he’s been keeping Vanessa’s affair partner, Adam, in a cage, is really just the cherry on top.
The true highlight of the episode, though, was the (re)introduction of Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, a.k.a. The Punisher. We knew he was coming at some point in the series, and the anticipation as Matt tracked down his lair was real. It’s just so exciting that he’s back. Bernthal as The Punisher is a highlight of the original Daredevil show, and I’ve rewatched the first four episodes of season two that introduce his character many times.
Much like Cox, Bernthal hasn’t lost an ounce of his Punisher juice over the years, and even though he’s only in one scene this episode, I think it might be the best scene in Daredevil: Born Again thus far because it’s all about Matt’s internal war. Frank proves to be far more perceptive than his “fanboys” ever could be, pointing out the flaws in Matt’s new strategy of letting the system handle things.
It’s an explosive scene. Matt striking Frank in a fit of uncontrolled rage and apologising while holding back tears because he simply can’t process Foggy’s death is simply an immaculate blend of writing and performance. Bernthal moves like a caged animal and strikes this perfect blend of both animosity and respect for Matt.
Ultimately, the problem that Matt’s having with corrupt, Punisher-worshipping cops hasn’t been solved in the slightest, but after his conversation with Frank, the needle has been pushed. Matt’s inching closer and closer to his old self. It was hard not to feel a little giddy seeing all of his masks lined up during that final scene where he lets himself practise with his billy club.
Overall, I think Daredevil: Born Again is doing a fantastic job of being both episodic while continuing to build towards a greater climax further down the line. It’s not making a secret of where it’s heading, but the anticipation it fosters for that destination makes the week-long wait between episodes increasingly difficult.
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