REVIEW: 'Daredevil: Born Again' Season 1 Episode 8: Shots Fired

The penultimate episode of Season 1 of Daredevil: Born Again, “Isle of Joy,” does the heavy lifting to set up the season finale after many of the prior episodes were occupied with detours around the central conflict. With the return of a major villain and new light shed on past events, the story is gaining the momentum it needs, although it’s still holding back some of its key elements.

Disclaimer: This review contains minor spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again Season 1.

In Daredevil: Born Again Episode 8, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) is dealing with some fallout from his showdown with Muse in last week's episode. Although he arrived — suited up as Daredevil — in time to rescue his girlfriend Heather (Margarita Levieva), she doesn’t know about Matt’s dual identity and still sees vigilante activity in New York City as a problem. Much like Matt’s nemesis Mayor Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), Heather won’t draw a line between Daredevil and Muse.

While the narrative doesn’t ask the audience to take a side between Matt and Heather, it’s clear that his nerves are fraying due to his awareness of dangers that she can’t see. Heather’s own secret is that she’s the counselor for Fisk and his wife Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer), both of whom only become more dangerous as their relationship with each other improves.

Dodge This

The murder of Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson) in the series premiere has been resonating throughout the season, while details about the circumstances have remained muddled. His killer, Benjamin Poindexter/Bullseye (Wilson Bethel) has been out of sight serving a life sentence, but now he’s back. Bethel’s performance as the cold-blooded Bullseye, whose deadly aim with any kind of projectile strains belief but looks awfully cool, is always a rush and it’s exciting to have him back on the playing field.

After initially dismissing Poindexter’s request to talk to him, Matt spends most of the episode putting together pieces about Foggy’s death. Eventually, this leads him to attend the Fisks’ fancy gala event as Heather’s guest, intent on questioning Vanessa but unaware that Bullseye has escaped from prison and is seeking revenge on someone at the same party.

Red, White, and a Dash of Blue

This episode makes the most of its visuals, using the gala setting to showcase the cast in formal outfits. The color-coding of certain characters is never an accident: Wilson Fisk wears an immaculate white suit, and although red is usually understood to be the signature color of Daredevil himself, this time it’s Vanessa in a scarlet dress, set off against Wilson like the spray of blood on their treasured white painting. Blue has now been added as another theme color, reserved for Bullseye’s scenes.

In between Matt’s struggles, a handful of supporting characters get some attention, including Ben Urich’s niece BB (Genneya Walton) and Chief Gallo (Michael Gaston). It looks like the whole gang is inadvertently coming together, though right now it’s not clear how each of them will be relevant.

To really build anticipation for the finale, we end on a cliffhanger, with Matt taking a bullet for Wilson Fisk of all people. This episode walks a fine line, being mostly set-up for the next, but still leaving a lot to be addressed. It can’t stand alone enough to feel satisfying, but it’s got the right amount of tension to ignite the end of the season.

Rating: ★★★★☆

About Daredevil: Born Again

Premiere Date: March 4, 2025.

Episode Count: 8

Executive Producer/Showrunner: Dario Scardapane

Writers: Dario Scardapane, Brad Winderbaum

Directors: Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, Michael Cuesta, Jeffrey Nachmanoff, David Boyd

Production: Marvel Television, Disney

Distribution: Disney

Cast: Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Margarita Levieva, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Zabryna Guevara, Nikki James, Genneya Walton, Arty Froushan, Clark Johnson, Michael Gandolfini, with Ayelet Zurer and Jon Bernthal

Synopsis: In Marvel Television’s “Daredevil: Born Again,” Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a blind lawyer with heightened abilities is fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) pursues his own political endeavors in New York. When their past identities begin to emerge, both men find themselves on an inevitable collision course.