Rob Reviews: Daredevil: Born Again, season 2 episode 1 “The Northern Star”

The Recap & The Setup

The episode wastes no time reminding us of the high stakes from Season 1: the tragic death of Foggy Nelson, Wilson Fisk’s ascent to Mayor of New York City, and the implementation of martial law enforced by his brutal Anti-Vigilante Task Force (AVTF).

We open with a segment of “The BB Report,” hosted by BB Urich (niece of the late Ben Urich). It’s framed as a fluff piece for the Fisk administration, making New York look “cleansed,” but the cracks are already showing.

Episode Beat-by-Beat

• The New Status Quo: Seeing Matt Murdock operating in a more “polished” downtown New York is a bit of a shock to the system compared to the grime of Hell’s Kitchen. He’s upgraded—and finally, we have the double-D insignia on the suit!

• The Infiltration: Daredevil breaks into a freighter (The Northern Star) and discovers a massive stockpile of weapons. Interestingly, he’s rocking an all-black suit here—a sharp inverse of his classic comic colors.

• Symbolism in the Credits: The opening credits feature iconic NYC landmarks and Daredevil artifacts crumbling, only to reassemble at the end. A perfect visual for the “Born Again” theme.

• The Resistance: Matt and Karen are officially a couple and waging a two-person war against Fisk. Karen is even seen doing some heavy-duty training; she’s clearly done being a victim and is ready to fight back physically.

• The Political Web: AG Steverud meets with Fisk to discuss state oversight. After a mysterious phone call from “Miss de Fontaine” (Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus), his tone shifts instantly to total support. Fisk doesn’t just have the city; he has the Feds.

• The “Brown Shirts”: The AVTF is portrayed with heavy real-world analogies, echoing the tactics of ICE or historical paramilitary groups. We see them raiding Detective Cherry’s apartment, throwing constitutional rights out the window.

• The Cliffhanger: During a rescue at Cherry’s apartment, Matt is unmasked by AVTF goons. Just as things look dire, he’s saved by a signature throwing knife. The calling card? A note that reads “You’re welcome” with the Bullseye logo. Poindexter is back.

My Take: The “Tricorder” Perspective

Overall, this was a powerhouse premiere. Moving Daredevil “uptown” changes the aesthetic, but the story remains grounded in the terrifying reality of Fisk’s “Iron Fist” rule.

What Worked:

• The Politics: The Trump/Populist analogies are laid on thick, but they work for this version of Fisk. He’s not just a mob boss anymore; he’s a demagogue.

• The Acting: Vincent D’Onofrio remains the gold standard for MCU villains. He commands every frame.

• The Connections: Dropping Val’s name and bringing back Bullseye right out of the gate proves this season isn’t pulling any punches.

The Lingering Questions:

I’ve heard Jessica Jones is slated to return this season, and I’m curious to see how she fits into this “Resistance” Matt and Karen have built. As someone who has watched since the early Netflix days, I do wonder how many times Matt and Fisk can do this dance before it gets stale—but if episode one is any indication, they’ve still got plenty of moves left.

Final Grade: A- A grit-filled return that proves the “Born Again” title isn’t just about the name—it’s about the mission.

Daredevil: Born Again and Daredevil are currently streaming on Disney+

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