[ad_1]
When Netflix took its first slice of the rich comic-book-adaptation pie back in 2015, it scored a palpable hit among genre fans with Charlie Cox Matt Murdock a.k.a. the Man Without Fear a.k.a. Daredevil. The streamer nabbed an even bigger victory with its second attempt, Jessica Jones, which proved to be a hit only with fans, but also with critics who might otherwise turn up their noses at superhero stories. Sadly, these Netflix shows have been in a decline ever since. The back half of Luke Cage'S first season was messy. Last summer's crossover event, The Defenders, should have landed with an Infinity War-Some smash but, instead, managed barely a whimper. Jessica Jones, Daredevil, and Luke Cage all dropped in their second seasons and Iron Fist, unpopular from the start, was recently canceled by Netflix.
But good news, Daredevil fans, the third season-which drops in its entirety this week-is genuinely good again thanks in no small part to the return of Vincent D'Onofrio as the devilishly menacing Kingpin. If you're daunted by the Marvel Netflix Daredevil Seasons 1 or 2, we have covered you. Whenever has a franchise too heavy crossover heavy it risks alienating viewers. Some Daredevil fans do not want to be required to watch all of these other things in the world of Hell's Kitchen – exactly what's happening Netflix is hoping you'll do. The good news? There is not That much to catch up on. While Matt's friends have dropped by other shows for the first time, they are in a position where they are in season 1. (That might be part of the larger problem, actually.) Matt, Karen, Foggy, Wilson, et al. have been doing for the past three years.
What Matt Murdock's Been Up To: Most superhero stories are at their core, about balancing two worlds. This is the case for Matt Murdock who is a compbadionate, kind lawyer and a rough and tumble vigilante at night. He's the angel of the courts and the devil of Hell's Kitchen. In last year's crossover event, The Defenders, Matt was dead-set on giving up his crime-fighting life and reconciled with the two faces of his day job that matter most: Foggy Nelson and Karen Page. But it's been a long time ago, and it's a big fight involving the whole group. Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist are all involved.
Though he was presumed dead, the last seconds of the The Defenders showed Matt waking up in a convent as someone called out to fetch Sister Maggie. (More on her and the Born Again-Comic story line at the bottom of this post. Season 3 trailers show Matt now is coming to Daredevil, leaving his lawyer behind him. When Season 3 opens it's been presumed dead for months. Matt may need to focus on his vigilant lifestyle because of his biggest (literally) enemy is back and fighting mad.
What the Kingpin Has Been Up To: One of the reasons for the Netflix-Marvel series has gone downhill in quality is that the TV franchise suffers from a villain problem. Daredevil Season 1 came out swinging with the introduction of Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk a.k.a. the Kingpin. Jessica Jones Season 1 delivered another chilling threat David Tennant's Purple Man and, for half a season, Mahershala Ali's Cottonmouth felt like a worthy foe in Luke Cage. Since then, no one has been able to effectively threaten these street-level heroes-not-even Sigourney Weaver. So the ounce-incarcerated Kingpin back to the center of the action makes all the difference Daredevil Season 3. Thanks to us, we know that Kingpin has taken control of the prison power structure (we would like any less of him?) And that he still carries a torch for his Season 1 love Vanessa Marianna (Ayelet ZurerWho, thanks to Fisk, is on the run from the law.
Matt briefly poked the bear in Season 2 by threatening Fisk while demanding some inside intel on how to Frank Castle a.k.a. The Punisher (Jon Bernthal) escaped from prison. Murdock got his head slammed into a table for his trouble while Fisk vowed revenge on both Matt and Foggy. The Kingpin is never one to forget a vow.
What Foggy Nelson Has Been Up To: All you really need to know about Matt's sweet-faced best friend is that Foggy has moved on from his pro-bono days to become a legal power player hooking up professionally with Jessica Jones attorney Jeri Hogarth (Carrie-Anne MossMarci Stahl (and romantically with fellow upscale lawyer)Amy Rutberg). This is the only way to help Karen and Matt, but also means they would be rubbed shoulders with other New York movers and shakers would be District Attorney Blake Tower (Stephen Rider) during cameo appearances in the second seasons of both Jessica Jones and Luke Cage.
What Karen Page Has Been Up To: Karen's most significant non-Matt developments have involved her New York Bulletin. It's also important to remember the various skeletons in Karen's closet the man she killed in Daredevil Season 1. The Castle gives Karen a reason to appear as a supporting character The Punisher Season 1 while her journalism career gives her an excuse to poke her nose into mysteries cropping up around the town including the potential aftermath of the climactic event The Defenders where, I repeat, a building literally fell down on top of Matt and Elektra. Speaking of Matt's favorite ex, despite Elektra's hold on Matt, Karen still seems to carry something of a torch for her ex-boss. He does not seem to be immune to Karen's charms.
What Elektra Natchios Has Been Up To: Did I mention a building fell down on top of her? If you missed it, it was a dangerous, violent-addicted girl who had irresistible to Matt. She's sometimes a villain but after she died at the end of the second season she was brought back to life. . . until Matt got to her. . . and then that building cam crashing down. But do not be fooled for a second. Elektra's supernatural resurrection is similar to Those characters proved unkillable by any method other than decapitation. So unless that building fell directly on top of Elektra's head, I doubt we've seen the last of her.
Some extra comic-book info below Daredevil'S new take on the long-awaited Bullseye villain. Consider this your spoiler warning.
Comic-Book Extra Credit
Who is Bullseye a.k.a Benjamin Poindexter? Comic-book fans and lovers of bad movies Colin Farrell's infamous take on the can't-miss badbadin in the movie 2003. Farrell played a hulking, unhinged bully with a literal bullseye emblazoned on his forehead. That version of the villain may be why Jason Statham Was rumored to be circling the role for some time around Daredevil Season 2. But cast all visions of Stathams and Farrells Daredevil Season 3 has gone into a different direction for this much anticipated foe.
In contrast to the Kingpin's bulk we have Hart of Dixie star Wilson Bethel who is no one's idea of a spine-crushing villain. This is genius casting on the Netflix series. The wiry Bethel is known for his irresistible charisma and easy Daredevil Season 3 brilliantly warps and weaponsize the way Jessica Jones Season 1 did with the lovable Tennant. This more cerebral take makes this bullseye infinitely more interesting than just a repeat of Fisk's angry brute force.
Who Is Sister Maggie? Daredevil scores another casting win with Willow star Joanne Whalley as Sister Maggie. Comic-book readers will know immediately that Maggie is not only a nun, she's also Matt's mother. But he does not know that. The slow revelation of the motherhood of the Netflix series follows Born Again comic plot with Kingpin Matt's life on every level. Whalley's trademark no-nonsense is the perfect flavor for a woman who will be able to make a success.
Get Vanity Fair's HWD Newsletter
Sign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.
Source link
