This week’s episode of Daredevil: Born Again is by far the season’s most gripping and suspenseful installment. Storylines set in motion in the premiere finally pay off in this thrilling penultimate chapter, as Matt Murdock faces the consequences of everything that’s come before. Above all, the episode showcases exactly why the rivalry between Daredevil and Kingpin remains one of the most iconic and compelling hero-villain pairings in all of comics.
Bringing Bullseye back into the mix feels like a jolt of pure adrenaline for the show. From Matt’s intense and ruthless interrogation to Bullseye’s wild (and weirdly impressive) escape involving spitting out a tooth to his dramatic infiltration of the gala, the episode delivers a nonstop string of standout moments. Watching Matt juggle the urgent threat of Bullseye while also trying to unravel Fisk’s bigger scheme is Daredevil’s absolute best.
The only odd thing is that Matt waited this long to investigate Bullseye’s reasons for killing Foggy. That delay makes a lot more sense when you realize that the first episode, along with episodes eight and nine, were created by the new team that took over and reworked the series. Still, at least the show is finally addressing it—better late than never.
Speaking of the show’s earlier creative direction, Vanessa’s relationship with Adam is clearly a remnant from the previous writing team. It’s easily one of the season’s least compelling arcs, coming across as a discarded plotline that the new writers didn’t invest much time or energy into developing. Thankfully, this episode wraps it up dramatically and violently, giving it a fitting (and overdue) ending. While Adam’s fate might’ve hit harder if we’d spent more time getting to know him or understood his relationship with Vanessa more deeply, the real focus seems to be the tension his presence caused between her and Fisk. Now that the two have reunited, their bond is stronger—and more dangerous—than ever. Vanessa’s entrance at the black-and-white gala, clad in a striking red dress, perfectly captures their ominous power as a united front.
The episode also revisits the wealthy elites who rejected Fisk’s Red Hook Project, but the subplot feels rushed and underdeveloped. Jack Duquesne lands in Fisk’s crosshairs, though his limited screen time may leave viewers unfamiliar with Hawkeye confused. Meanwhile, BB Urich steps into a more prominent role with some revealing insights, and while her arc deserves more attention, these developments still hit with overdue impact.
Credits: Disney+
The true standout moment is Matt crashing Mayor Fisk’s lavish event. It was one of the gutsiest moments that Marvel has delivered in a while. We have not felt such suspense since Agatha Harkness unveiled her true self to Wanda in WandaVision. As Fisk continues to tighten his grip on power, Murdock prowls around the edges, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The tension hits a boiling point when Matt interrupts Fisk and Vanessa’s dance, boldly stepping in and accusing her of orchestrating the hit on Foggy Nelson. After a season of keeping their distance while closely monitoring each other, seeing Matt and Fisk finally come face to face makes for an electrifying and nerve-wracking showdown.
Everything reaches a frenzied climax when Matt makes the shocking choice to take a bullet for Fisk. It’s a jaw-dropping moment that adds a powerful new layer to their complicated relationship—now, Fisk owes his life to the man he despises most. The show does an incredible job of contrasting their public identities with their true selves, and at this point, every part of their lives is so tangled together that it’s impossible to pull them apart. It sets the stage perfectly for the season finale.
Overall, this electrifying episode delivers one standout scene after another, as Matt Murdock faces off against his two most dangerous enemies—not as Daredevil, but as a blind lawyer and public defender. Long-awaited revelations and fiery confrontations finally come to light, making this a deeply rewarding installment that ties back to the series’ earliest threads. With Fisk stronger and more untouchable than ever, and his grand scheme nearing completion, the season is racing toward its finale with incredible momentum.
‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Episode 8 Review: The Gala Showdown
Episode eight of Daredevil: Born Again delivers one standout scene after another as Matt Murdock faces off against his two most dangerous enemies—not as Daredevil, but as a blind lawyer and public defender. Long-awaited revelations and fiery confrontations finally come to light, making this a deeply rewarding installment that ties back to the series’ earliest threads. With Fisk stronger and more untouchable than ever, and his grand scheme nearing completion, the season is racing toward its finale with incredible momentum.
