Warning! This article contains spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again.
Daredevil: Born Againhas had some phenomenal writing, as evidenced by some standout quotes that will echo long after the first season has ended. Going into the series,Daredevil: Born Againhad a lot to live up to in terms of writing, with the original Netflix show having some of the best dialogue in streaming history, let alone for a superhero show. The showrunner’s comments regarding less"navel-gazing"dialogue inDaredevil: Born Againwere a concern at first, but now that the series has been released, it’s safe to say it’s left behind some amazing lines.
Daredevil: Born Againmanaged to keep what made the Netflix series' dialogue so great, occasionally allowing itself to indulge in some more poetic, dramatic lines that truly drive home the themes of the season. Of course, smaller one-off lines that perfectly encapsulate a character’s personality or hint at some deeper meaning are great to see, as well. Overall, the show can go line-for-line with some of thebest quotes in the MCUas a whole.
Matt Murdock, Episode 8
Image via Disney+
Matt’s entire arc in the first season ofDaredevil: Born Againis all about coming back to being Daredevil after a lengthy hiatus following Foggy’s death.The senseless murder of his best friend left Matt completely disillusioned with hero work, not to mention his love of the work he did at a scrappy law practice helping the less fortunate he shared with Foggy. Now working at an ethical but still profit-oriented firm with Kirsten McDuffie, Matt does his best to defend both completely innocent and not-so-innocent clients.
This is the push he needs to begin working as Daredevil again, recognizing that the system he loves is corrupted, possibly beyond repair.
After blowing up at a meeting with one of the latter, Matt has an aside with Kirsten about his mounting frustration with the job. He begins to see the flaws in the system, recognizing that they can only barely put out fires without making a lasting positive difference. This is the push he needs to begin working as Daredevil again, recognizing that the system he loves is corrupted, possibly beyond repair.
9"I Was Raised To Believe In Grace, That We Can Be Transformed Into A Better Person, But I Was Also Raised To Believe In Retribution."
Matt Murdock, Episode 1
In all honesty, so many great lines come from Matt Murdock’s first meeting with Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. Kingpin, after so long.The last time they had seen each other, Murdock had put Fisk behind bars once again, and was still active as the vigilante Daredevil. In the wake of the tumultuous events of the Marvel Cinematic Universe andThanos' Snap, they are now both completely different people, with Murdock now a more successful lawyer and Fisk running for mayor of New York City.
Murdock’s line to Fisk draws on his Catholic upbringing, with his faith always being a huge part of his character.Murdock believes that Fisk is capable of going on the straight and narrow, but he also makes it clear that he won’t hesitate to come after him should he slip back into his old ways. He certainly makes good on this promise as the true details behind Kingpin’s bid for power unfolds over the course of the season.
8"It’s Hard To Come To Terms With Our Violent Nature."
Wilson Fisk, Episode 1
Again, the same diner conversation between the men who used to be Kingpin and Daredevil is endlessly compelling. Though they were once bitter enemies, it seems at the present juncture that the two of them have shed their more violent appetite, with Matt Murdock no longer acting as Daredevil and Wilson Fisk (supposedly) no longer engaging in organized crime.Wilson’s line here admits that he does have a deep well of violence within him, but he also posits that Murdock has one, as well.
This is the perfect spin on the classic “We’re not so different, you and I” kind of line that is pervasive in so many superhero stories.
Murdock doesn’t even argue with the sentiment, trying to say something like “I’m nothing like you!”, quietly admitting to himself that Kingpin has a point.Fisk’s assertions are proven true later on when Matt relishes in pain during his battles, soaking up hits he doesn’t need to just to feel alive again. There’s definitely something beyond altruism lurking in Murdock’s motivation to be Daredevil.
The Punisher, Episode 4
The return ofJon Bernthal’s version of The Punisherwas one of the more hotly-anticipated elements ofDaredevil: Born Again, and the series certainly delivered on the classic dynamic between Daredevil and The Punisher that fans of the original Netflix show came to love.Murdock comes face to face with Frank Castle for the first time in ages when investigating a bullet casing with his logo on it, unearthing his hidden hideout.He attempts to recruit the vigilante to help him take down the crooked cops using his symbol, but Frank has other ideas.
In episode 1, Daredevil came the closest he’s ever come to breaking his no-kill rule, pushing Bullseye off a roof with the genuine intent to murder him.Bullseye survived, but the urges to kill are more tempting for Daredevil than they’ve ever been in this series, and Punisher picks up on it right away. Even though Matt rebukes his assertions, Frank is completely correct, and some part of Daredevil might secretly wish Frank could convince him to shed his morals and start putting his enemies six feet under.
Matt, Episode 1
Though the series technically made good on its promise to bring Karen and Foggy back into the spotlight, neither of them stick around for very long.However, in her precious few minutes of screentime, Karen is able to make a big impression, delivering some cutting words to Matt that showcase her relentless optimism and spirit even in the wake of a tragedy as awful as Foggy’s death. In the months following the assassination, it seems as though Matt and Karen drift apart, with the latter going totally no-contact for a time and giving up being a hero.
Matt tries to reconcile, telling her that Foggy’s death doesn’t have to be the end of their relationship.
Karen is critical of Matt’s decision to stop being Daredevil, and more importantly, allow their own relationship to erode rather than being brought closer together by Foggy’s death.Later on, Matt tries to reconcile, telling her that Foggy’s death doesn’t have to be the end of their relationship. Her quiet response, “But it did”, is a true twist of the knife, but it’s hard to say Matt isn’t simply reaping what he sowed by cutting Karen out in the aftermath.
5"I’m Used To That."
Kingpin, Episode 2
Kingpin’s ascendancy to mayor certainly doesn’t come without its challenges. Few elected officials in New York City are able to so willingly forget Wilson Fisk’s past as an organized crime lord, having been imprisoned multiple times and only escaping nebulously in the aftermath of Thanos' Snap.Despite winning the popular vote, Wilson’s mayorship is fraught with enemies all around him, such as Commissioner Gallo, who see him as simply an up-jumped thug.
Sheila Rivera, the mayoral assistant, makes as much known in episode 2,Optics, sharing the frank opinion that most of the powerful people in New York City hate him.Wilson takes this in stride, simply responding"I’m used to that", echoing his history of never quite being the most likable person around, whether in his criminal life or in his business life.Kingpin as mayordoesn’t run on the necessity of favors, using brute force, blackmail, and even violence to get his way, meaning it doesn’t matter if people like him or not.
Devlin, Episode 5
Episode 5 is something of a fun bottle episode amid the plot-centric focus ofDaredevil: Born Againseason 1, with the Irish criminal Devlin and his crew robbing a bank for a valuable jewel on Saint Patrick’s Day. Detective Angie Kim does her best as lead negotiator to stall and keep a cool head, talking Devlin down from executing any hostages with some light banter revolving around his Irish accent. Though Kim tries to endear herself to Devlin and partially succeeds, he calls out her lock of knowledge on his particular background.
Devlin is apparently from Northern Ireland, the portion of the island still part of the United Kingdom that is largely Protestant rather than Catholic.As such, they don’t recognize Catholic holidays like St. Patrick’s Day, which Devlin seems to think of as a day like any other with no special significance to him. Considering how deep the divide is between Irish Protestants and Irish Catholics, it’s a chilling check for Detective Kim to be careful and not get too confident, as well as a nice tidbit of trivia for audiences unfamiliar with Irish culture.
Muse, Episode 7
Daredevil: Born Againintroduces a terrifying new villain with the inclusion ofMuse, a deranged masked serial killeroperating in New York City that has already claimed upwards of 60 lives by the time Daredevil becomes aware of him.Fancying himself an artist, Muse makes depraved murals using the blood of his victims as paint. His background is a big question mark until episode 7, where it’s revealed that Dr. Heather Glenn is acting as his psychiatrist.
Heather learns the terrifying truth during a particularly frightening session in which Bastian shows his true colors, creeping up on his helpless mental health care professional.The way he taunts her by reading her thoughts and mocking her hope of escape is downright spine-chilling, making him one of the most disturbing villains introduced into the MCU in a long time. Reads like this manage to keep Muse threatening despite him being a normal young man with no special powers.
White Tiger, Episode 3
Another vigilante with a white mask operating inDaredevil: Born Againis White Tiger, more or less the polar opposite of Muse when it comes to morals.White Tiger calls upon Matt Murdock’s help when he’s charged with killing a police officer, a crime that’s always next to impossible to be acquitted for. Matt does his best by revealing that Hector Ayala is indeed White Tiger, using an army of character witnesses to prove White Tiger’s altruism and willingness to step in and help the innocent.
When asked why he does the things he does,Hector consistently responds"It was the right thing to do". This simple but powerful refrain endears Hector to the jury, amazingly allowing him to be found not guilty.Sadly, Hector isn’t allowed to live as a free man for much longer, but his unshakable belief in helping people at least explains why he was willing to go out again as White Tiger literally the same night he was released.
The Punisher, Episode 9
One of the best things about season 1 ofDaredevil: Born Againis getting to see The Punisher take his revenge on those who would abuse his symbol.Thanks to a phone call from Karen Page, Frank is willing to help Daredevil defend himself against the corrupt task force officers who idolize him, though he asserts that he’ll be using his usual lethal methods. The way Bernthal is able to deliver this phrasing is peak Frank Castle.
Not only that, but this scene represents one of the few moments in whichthe MCU actually improves on the comics. In the source material, The Punisher simply gives corrupt cops using his logo a stern talking to, but the Disney+ series amazingly isn’t afraid to show him take a much harsher stance. It’s a testament to the integrity ofDaredevil: Born Againthat lines like this made it into the final edit.
