Daredevil: Born Again – Ethical Analysis and Critical Review
In this episode of Superhero Ethics, host Matthew Fox and comic book expert Jessica Plummer dive into their critical analysis of Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+. As longtime fans of the original Netflix series, they explore how the new series departs dramatically from what made the original show compelling, starting with the shocking early death of Foggy Nelson.
What fundamental character changes undermine the new series?
The hosts discuss how Matt Murdock’s willingness to kill represents a complete departure from his core character. In the original Netflix series, Matt’s refusal to kill was central to his identity and moral code, particularly highlighted in his philosophical clashes with the Punisher. This sudden shift feels unearned and betrays the character’s established ethics.
How does the show mishandle Wilson Fisk’s character?
Matthew and Jessica examine how the show’s portrayal of Wilson Fisk in therapy with Vanessa misunderstands what made the character compelling. They argue that Fisk’s pure devotion to Vanessa was his most humanizing trait, and the new series undermines this by creating relationship problems that feel inauthentic to the characters.
Is the political commentary coherent?
The conversation tackles the show’s attempt at political commentary through Fisk’s mayoral campaign, which appears to be a Donald Trump allegory. Jessica argues that the show’s politics are incoherent, particularly how it perpetuates right-wing talking points about crime rates while seemingly trying to critique right-wing figures.
Other topics covered in this episode:
- The strange diner scene between Matt and Fisk that contradicts their established relationship
- How the show handles the White Tiger character and vigilantism
- The inconsistent portrayal of police in the series
- Continuity issues and what viewers are expected to remember from other MCU properties
- The production challenges that likely contributed to the show’s problems
The hosts conclude that Daredevil: Born Again suffers from fundamental incoherence in both storytelling and themes. Whether from creative committee decisions or production challenges, the result is a show that misunderstands what made the original Netflix series resonate with fans, leaving Matthew and Jessica disappointed with this new iteration of a once-beloved property.
