Daredevil: Born Again maintains the strong momentum of its first two episodes. Last week, we were introduced to White Tiger in live action, with the late Kamar de los Reyes bringing depth to Hector Ayala, portraying him as a hero driven by a need to help others—standing in stark contrast to Matt Murdock’s choice to leave Daredevil behind.
A major criticism of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law was its ineffective courtroom scenes, raising concerns about Daredevil: Born Again. Given that Matt Murdock’s role as a lawyer is central to his character and that the courtroom moments in Netflix’s Daredevil were among the series’ strongest, anything less than exceptional would have felt out of place. Fortunately, those worries proved to be unfounded.
After discovering that Hector is White Tiger and still choosing to represent him, episode 3 explores the consequences of that decision. White Tiger’s murder trial unfolds as a gripping legal battle filled with unexpected twists, with Matt fighting to defend his client while facing relentless opposition from the prosecution. The most pivotal aspect of the trial revolves around Nicky Torres. In episode 2’s climax, Matt rescued Nicky and instructed him to seek protection from Cherry, his P.I. However, despite being a target for corrupt officers, Nicky manages to find his way into the courtroom.
Overwhelmed by fear, Nicky succumbs to the pressure of the corrupt officers, his anxiety driving him to lie in their favor. At that moment, it appears as though all hope is lost, leaving Matt with no clear path forward. However, he has one final move left—revealing Hector’s identity as White Tiger and using it to strengthen his defense. This strategic turn shifts the trial’s momentum and highlights the episode’s most compelling aspect: a thought-provoking debate on morality framed within a superhero narrative.
In the show’s premiere, Matt distances himself from his superhero identity following Foggy’s death. Since making that choice, he has found financial success, new friendships, and even a romantic connection. This makes it difficult for him to understand why Hector Ayala insists on continuing as White Tiger, even after being cleared of all charges and having his identity exposed to the world. The episode presents a powerful philosophical debate on possessing the ability to save lives yet choosing not to act. White Tiger’s conviction is bound to leave a lasting impact on Matt’s path as Daredevil.
Credits: Disney+
The tragic ending of episode 3 is impossible to overlook. The events of this hour deliver a devastating blow to Matt’s belief that justice can be achieved solely through the legal system, reinforcing the idea that abandoning Daredevil may not be enough. After securing Hector’s acquittal, Matt sees him immediately return to the streets as White Tiger. However, before he can truly reclaim his role as a vigilante, an unknown figure bearing the Punisher’s symbol ambushes him and kills him in cold blood.
With Daredevil: Born Again already establishing that corrupt officers bear tattoos of a modified Punisher skull, it becomes clear that those Matt defeated in court found another way to exert their power outside the law. Despite Matt’s efforts to defend Hector, the outcome remains unchanged—White Tiger is dead. This leaves a haunting question: was it all worth it? As the season unfolds, the weight of that loss will undoubtedly shape Matt’s perspective. The episode’s credits drive the tragedy home, playing the sounds of a Puerto Rican beach—Hector’s favorite place—creating a somber and chilling final note.
The only low point of this episode is Kingpin’s plotline, where things are kind of dragging. Fisk takes a backseat as his relationship with Vanessa continues to deteriorate, and his former allies from his criminal days refuse to let him move on from his past. It’s evident that Vanessa longs for her former position at the helm of their criminal empire, but Fisk reminds her that they have larger ambitions. The five families are beginning to turn on each other in the absence of a leader, a fact Vanessa highlights. However, Fisk remains unfazed by their infighting, suggesting they let them destroy each other since they are insignificant. Vanessa counters, warning that whoever survives will eventually come after him, but Fisk reassures her that their petty feuds are not worth worrying about.
After their dinner conversation, Buck is sent to speak with the families to ease the tensions, and it is revealed later that Vanessa directed him to do so.
Fisk is not pleased when he learns about Vanessa’s attempt to smooth things over and tells her that her efforts will not be successful. Vanessa explained that she had sent Buck to help calm things down and expressed her discomfort with the situation falling apart. Fisk counters by telling her that sometimes chaos is necessary to create a stronger order, but for Vanessa, it feels more like he’s punishing her for Adam.
Although the show keeps teasing the identity of Adam, it’s evident that the man Vanessa turned to for comfort during Fisk’s absence is the primary source of tension between them. Since his name keeps coming up, it seems likely that he will make an appearance this season. It will be intriguing to see how much is revealed about Vanessa and Adam’s relationship and what ultimately happens with him.
The third episode of Daredevil: Born Again may not quite match the intensity of the action-packed premiere, but it still offers a compelling storyline. The trial of Hector Ayala catalyzes Matt Murdock’s self-reflection, and Kamar de los Reyes delivers an outstanding performance, bringing depth and emotion to his character. While the focus on legal drama might not be as thrilling without Daredevil in action, the episode sets up exciting future conflicts, capped off by a jaw-dropping ending that leaves viewers eagerly anticipating what’s next.
‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 1 Episode 3: Vigilante Justice
Daredevil: Born Again episode three delivers a compelling legal drama with unexpected twists, highlighting a powerful debate on morality through White Tiger’s trial and tragic demise, ultimately forcing Matt Murdock to confront the legal system’s limitations. Despite a slower subplot involving Kingpin’s power struggles, the episode’s gripping courtroom scenes and shocking conclusion propel the narrative forward, leaving viewers eager to see how these events will shape Matt’s path.
