Optics

So it seems like the biggest problem I had with the first episode that I talked about a lot in my last review was improved here, and the second episode is thankfully way better paced and they don't throw 10 different plot points and important events at your face at the same time.

Although the problem of (for me personally) constant music over each and every scene still remains, (and it looks like they went to Christopher Nolan's school of soundmixing), at least the choice of music was better this time round. But I still feel that many scenes here would've worked much better if they didn't have music or the music wasn't so loud. The Wire made an entire 5 seasons of a show work without using any music during its scenes. So I'm pretty sure you don't actually need a full orchestra accompanying every scene of your episode.

Anyway, this episode sets up the season much better than the first one, with the new court case Matt takes upon himself. And I'm interested to see where they're gonna take this storyline from here, which they hinted at with the wrist tattoo.

All in all, this episode was better paced compared to the first episode and the scenes lingered more, and there was some breathing room between scenes, and most importantly, the action wasn't as CGI-heavy or fake-looking as that awful-looking smoke scene in the first episode. Although the CGI blood is still very noticeable and annoying, but the action here felt more like Daredevil compared to the first episode.

After episode two there is no doubt that this show continues on the level of the original. Fisks first days as mayor he learns that it is not easy to push his agenda. Especially his relationship to Vanessa is a problem. His absence for years broke it. Now he wants to fix it and therefore goes to the therapist Murdock is dating. This will be interesting.

He also meets the daughter of the journalist he killed in the original show. I am curious what they will make out of that. And then Fisk does Fisk things. The commisioner threatens him to do everything to get him out of service and later resigns his office, but Fisk was prepared. He uses his not legal son to blackmail him. Incredible, after a few days he already has them in his pocket!

In the meantime Murdock takes a new client who turns out to be the White Tiger vigilante. There is clearly a conspiracy behind it, the cops are tring to kill a witness so Murdock has to let the devil out and kills them!

Daredevil will be born again. It is inevitable.

Not gonna lie, I wasn't a fan of the first episode and in my review of it, I left it so. However this episode is a major improvement over the first, dialogues are more nuanced, things the characters do are far deeper reaching making connections to the greater narrative, fight scenes and fight choreography are amazing, almost reminiscent of the original netflix show in their executions.

Twists and turns everywhere in the story, show returning to its grittier and darker roots when to comes to storytelling and action.

A bit of wishful thinking, if only the entire season released at once, sucks waiting for new episodes after a banger like this.

Whose idea's was to put over-the-top Bollywood/Jason Bourne-esque grotesque cuts in the middle of good action ??? All the scenes, even if minimalistic, were honestly not bad. But somehow someone thought it would be a good idea to mask those scenes with a thousand cuts, making them disgusting to look at, it's just horrible, there was absolutely no need to do that after episode one. That factor unfortunately deems the episode BAD in the action department, this was truly truly atrocious, whoever directed this should not come back to any future marvel projets, especially ones with hand-on-hand brawls that require good actors, stunt doubles, coreography and directing to work, this was an immense disappointment after the first 3 seasons and episode one. Can't give it more than a seven with that insane butchering of one of the serie's main premises ( fighting )

When "Daredevil: Born Again" was first announced, it was intended to be a fresh take on the Man Without Fear, a reinvention rather than a direct continuation of the acclaimed Netflix series. However, midway through production, Marvel pivoted, choosing to embrace the legacy of the original show rather than fully start anew. The first episode felt very much like a bridge between the two versions, laying the groundwork for Matt Murdock's return while respecting the history that came before. Episode 2, "Optics," begins to carve out a more independent path while still maintaining the essence of its predecessor, balancing character-driven storytelling with compelling ethical dilemmas.

This episode dives deep into the legal and moral complexities that made the original "Daredevil" series so engaging. Matt's decision to defend Hector Ayala, a vigilante accused of a crime he didn't commit, reintroduces the procedural elements that always gave "Daredevil" an extra layer of depth. Justice and corruption collide in gripping fashion, forcing Matt to confront the blurred lines between law and morality. Meanwhile, Wilson Fisk's new role as mayor presents its own set of challenges, highlighting both his strategic brilliance and the vulnerabilities that come with his thirst for control. These intertwining storylines make for a tense and thought-provoking episode that stays true to the show's thematic roots. The character development here is particularly strong. Matt's return to legal defense feels like a natural progression, showing how his two identities - lawyer and vigilante - continue to be at odds with one another. Fisk's storyline, meanwhile, effectively showcases his ability to manipulate those around him while also revealing the cracks in his foundation. However, not every character gets the same level of attention. Some figures remain in the background, not yet fully stepping into their roles within this new iteration of "Daredevil." While this is understandable given the pacing of a serialized story, it does leave certain supporting characters feeling somewhat underdeveloped at this stage. What truly elevates "Daredevil: Born Again" is its cast. Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio once again prove why they are the definitive Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk, respectively. Their performances bring a weight and prestige to the material, making even the quieter moments compelling.

"Optics" is a solid entry that continues to refine "Daredevil: Born Again"'s identity. It honors the legacy of the Netflix series while also hinting at the show's original vision, creating a unique blend of the familiar and the new. With strong performances, compelling ethical dilemmas, and a deeper dive into the consequences of justice and corruption, this episode keeps the momentum going.