Daredevil: Born Again S2E7 Review: “The Hateful Darkness” Pulls Everyone Into Matt Murdock’s Abyss

Welcome back, Hell’s Kitchen faithful! Daredevil: Born Again season two continues its relentless march towards a fiery finale, and “The Hateful Darkness” pulls no punches. This penultimate episode is a stark reminder of Matt Murdock’s ultimate moral quandary: getting close to him is a guaranteed path to pain.

Matt’s charm and unwavering ethics are undeniable, yet his strident Catholic guilt often leads him down self-destructive paths, dragging everyone he cares about along for the ride. Episode seven, directed by Iain B. MacDonald and written by Heather Bellson, masterfully traces this grim fallout.

Karen Page is locked up, a consequence of her fierce resistance, while Kirsten McDuffie navigates the legal battle of her life. Even Jessica Jones finds herself unwillingly pulled back into the chaotic superhero scene of New York City, demonstrating the wide ripple effect of Matt’s crusade.

“The Hateful Darkness” largely serves as a chess board setup for next week’s explosive finale. Pieces are meticulously moved into place, or tragically, in the case of some characters, removed from the board entirely.

• Karen’s prison arc: Deborah Ann Woll shines as Karen confronts her sentence with fierce resolve. She stands firm against Fisk’s shadow, even taunting Matt’s ex Heather Glenn with tales of enduring love, showcasing an inner strength that hints at a larger plan against the Fisk administration.
• Political maneuverings: Mr. Charles, regrettably underutilized this season, reveals the US government is abandoning Fisk. Governor McCaffrey also attempts to dethrone the Kingpin, only for Bullseye, freshly freed by Matt’s questionable choices, to inject a dose of chaotic violence.
• Daniel Blake’s tragic end: A genuinely good kid seduced by Fisk’s power, Daniel’s attempt to reclaim his decency is met with brutal finality. His friendship with BB was his last tether, but alas, it was too late – he pays the ultimate price with a bullet from Buck Cashman.

Matt Murdock’s knack for terrible decisions continues as he emerges from hiding to co-counsel for Karen. This courtroom reveal, while dramatically indulgent, quickly escalates into a parking garage brawl, leaving Matt wounded.

Charlie Cox delivers a powerful performance as a desperate Matt limps into a church, begging Saint Jude for “consolation for his tribulations.” The scene’s red lighting and Matt’s raw vulnerability, juxtaposed against Daniel Blake’s final moments, heighten the drama.

It’s a poignant moment that elevates “The Hateful Darkness” beyond mere place-setting, even with a few lingering uninteresting threads like Heather Glenn’s visions. Jessica Jones sidling up to Matt, ready for the fight, promises a spectacular, albeit painful, conclusion.

The Nerd Bureau Take:
This episode is a compelling critique of Matt Murdock’s self-sacrificing, yet profoundly damaging, brand of heroism in the superhero TV landscape. The question isn’t if more people will suffer, but how many. The stage is set for a truly brutal, and hopefully satisfying, finale to this Marvel series streaming on Disney+. Don’t miss it!