This week, Daredevil: Born Again delivers a powerful back-to-back showcase of what makes Matt Murdock such a compelling character. While episodes 5 and 6 don’t form a two-part story, their combined release creates an exciting viewing experience. The first offers a gripping, tightly contained narrative, while the second brings Daredevil’s long-anticipated return in thrilling fashion. After several episodes of buildup, fans are finally getting exactly what they’ve been waiting for.
Episode 5 unfolds almost entirely within a bank during a tense hostage situation orchestrated by a cunning criminal who always seems one step ahead of law enforcement. While Murdock still refrains from donning the Daredevil suit, he can’t resist stepping into danger to protect innocent lives. Even without his superhero persona, his fearless nature shines through. The episode masterfully showcases his ability to handle the crisis using his sharp legal mind and heightened senses, all while trying to stay under the radar—resulting in thrilling and unexpectedly amusing moments.
Everything about this episode is executed brilliantly. It’s been a while since a Marvel show delivered this level of pure enjoyment, keeping the excitement high from beginning to end. More importantly, it accomplishes something crucial — highlighting what makes Matt Murdock such a remarkable and distinct hero, even without the Daredevil suit.
This episode features the show’s most direct tie to the wider MCU with the appearance of Yusuf Khan (Mohan Kapur), the father of Kamala Khan, also known as Ms. Marvel. Here, he takes on the role of an assistant bank manager helping Murdock with his loan. While the Ms. Marvel references may feel on-the-nose, Yusuf’s charm makes it work. Kapur brings plenty of humor and warmth to the role, and his mildly offended reaction to Murdock not recognizing his daughter’s superhero identity is priceless. Once the bank robbery begins, his lighthearted nature provides a fun contrast to Murdock’s serious demeanor.
As the police break up the heist and the leader attempts to escape in disguise, Murdock pursues him while donning a red mask taken from another robber. The ensuing fight is intense, fast-paced, and packed with tension. After everything Murdock endured at the hands of this criminal during the heist, seeing him finally take him down is immensely gratifying. That brutal knee stomp is unforgettable—both chilling and deeply satisfying at the same time.
Credits: Disney+
Episode 6 takes a different but equally gripping approach, as the serial killer, Muse, becomes a major threat to both Mayor Fisk and Murdock, pushing them to opposite extremes. Watching Fisk struggle to handle a villain is a fascinating shift, testing him in ways never seen before. In the end, he seizes the opportunity to form a task force of corrupt officers—devoted Punisher fanatics—further solidifying his grip on the city. On a more personal front, he gives the imprisoned Adam a brutal chance to fight for survival. While Adam’s character remains underdeveloped, the sheer savagery of the scene is unsettling. Despite the respectable image he presents as mayor, Fisk remains the same ruthless force of nature—only now, his monstrous tendencies are kept behind closed doors.
Muse targeting Angela del Toro becomes the final straw for Murdock, forcing him to embrace his Daredevil persona once again. While the buildup to his return is intense, the moment he makes the decision feels underwhelming. The contrast between the long, brooding internal struggle and his almost casual remark when finally suiting up creates some tonal dissonance. Given how much time was spent watching him wrestle with grief over Foggy’s death and his fear of losing control, a more solemn and emotionally weighty moment would have been a better fit for his transformation back into Daredevil.
Overall, Born Again makes a triumphant return with two standout episodes that perfectly capture what makes the character so compelling, both in and out of the suit. The bank heist episode is a surprising gem, packed with inventive storytelling and fresh ideas. While the wait for Daredevil’s comeback was long, it paid off in full.
‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 1 Episode 5 & 6: Tensions and Revelations
Episodes 5 and 6 of Daredevil: Born Again deliver a compelling showcase of Matt Murdock’s character, with the former featuring a gripping bank hostage situation where his intellect shines, and the latter marking the thrilling return of Daredevil as he confronts a new threat. 1 While the buildup to Daredevil’s return in episode 6 felt slightly underwhelming, both episodes ultimately provide an exciting and satisfying viewing experience for fans.
