Daredevil: Born Again “The Grand Design” Review

Season 2 Episode 5 – The Anti-Vigilante Task Force intensifies its search for Daredevil and Bullseye.

Please note, our reviews are based on likes and dislikes. These contain significant spoilers. If you haven’t already watched the episode, we recommend that you click off the article and come back once you have watched the episode. Enjoy!

What I Liked

1. Vanessa seemingly survives the shard in her head. Fisk is unnervingly calm after Powell walks in. He wants Bullseye alive. I’m still surprised she’s survived that so far.

2. Daredevil is still with Bullseye, and the conversations between the two are intense. Bullseye mentions Foggy, and Matt barely flinches before grabbing him by the throat, asserting that he doesn’t speak of his name again. The scene then flashes back to a moment when Matt and Foggy were lawyers. It’s damn great to see Foggy again!

3. Some of the flashback scenes are intriguing. How Fisk entered the art world and Vanessa’s introduction into that world. It feels at times like I’m watching the Netflix show all over again. Even the colour gradient of the series feels Netflix again, I’m not sure if that’s just me.

4. Daredevil explains to Bullseye the reason why he’s trying to save him is that he tried to kill him, and he’s making up for that. It’s what separates Daredevil from just being a vigilante to being a hero. I would’ve let Bullseye bleed out ages ago. I do like the slow burn of Bullseye becoming more of an antihero.

5. Daniel stupidly leaked to BB that Vanessa was in critical condition. It would seemingly come back to bite him, as Buck leads him to drive somewhere he’s not familiar with. This sequence feels intense. Buck goes into a shop and comes out with a shovel and a tool of sorts, suggesting something sinister. I can sense the fear in Daniel throughout this entire scene.

6. Daredevil and Bullseye end up in the church. Bullseye is bleeding out. The AFTV show up. The intensity ramps up. Daredevil has to put him down and get out before the AVTF infiltrates. However, the big change comes as the flashback shows Foggy giving mercy to his childhood bully. Daredevil heads back in and throws out a hand to Bullseye, which he takes. What an incredible moment this was. The flashback sequence, the handout, and the scene were brilliant.

7. The ending moments are also great. You think Daniel is about to be buried alive, but Buck seemingly tests Daniel and already has a body in the trunk. Daredevil manages to carry Bullseye to Karen. Vanessa wakes up, and there’s a fairly emotional moment between her and Fisk.

What I Disliked

If I am to be pedantic based on how we score episodes, this episode had a lack of action. However, it’s not something I cared for, as I feel like this particular episode didn’t need it.

Favorite Moment

Despite Vanessa and Fisk having a nice, touching emotional moment. You sense something’s off. Ayelet Zurer plays all of this like a dream, a complete acting masterpiece. Vanessa, unfortunately, succumbs to her injuries and seemingly passes away in the hospital. I never thought I’d genuinely feel bad for Fisk, but that hit hard.

Standout Character

I think it’s clear who I’m giving it to this week. Ayelet Zurer was incredible. Vanessa takes it for me. I felt like her life before Fisk was shown brilliantly, and how it ended up in the end. A great episode for her and likely the last based on how it ended.

Verdict

A flashback-type episode that combined a Netflix feel with the new style Disney era. Honestly, it worked. It was great seeing Foggy return in a flashback segment, along with Vanessa’s surgery. I even thought the sections with Buck and Daniel were brilliantly done as well. A solid episode this week.

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Rating 8.8/10

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