I’ll be honest—I’m playing catch-up with Daredevil: Born Again. Life got in the way, and before I knew it, I was three episodes behind. So, I did what any reasonable person would do: I binge-watched them all in one sitting. Now that I’m finally up to speed, I figured it’s best to focus on the latest episode—Episode 4—because this is where things start getting really interesting.

The Duality of Daredevil and Kingpin

At its core, Daredevil: Born Again thrives on two constants: Matt Murdock will always be Daredevil, and Wilson Fisk will always be Kingpin. No matter how much they try to change, they are doomed to revert to their true selves. This episode highlights that tragic inevitability, showcasing both men struggling against their nature, only to ultimately give in.

Wilson Fisk is now the mayor of New York, attempting to operate within the confines of political structure, but his old instincts never truly leave him. Meanwhile, Matt Murdock is desperately clinging to his role as an attorney, believing in the system—but his faith is crumbling fast.

Fisk’s Struggle with Forgiveness

A major revelation in this episode is Vanessa’s affair with Adam, a sensitive artist completely removed from Fisk’s criminal world. Vanessa’s infidelity isn’t just an emotional betrayal; it’s a test for Fisk’s evolution. Can he truly embrace change and learn to forgive? That’s the question hanging over the episode.

Vanessa’s past trauma plays a key role in her actions. Her father’s absence and self-destruction shaped her perspective on relationships, and when Fisk became emotionally unavailable, she sought comfort elsewhere. Fisk, for his part, claims to have had a “clarifying dialogue” with Adam, explaining his feelings about Vanessa in a composed manner. But of course, we find out later that Adam is locked away in a secret cell, his fate uncertain.

Fisk may talk about forgiveness, but his actions tell a different story. Can a man like Fisk ever let go of a betrayal? Or is his sense of pride too deep-rooted for that? Even more chilling is the question of whether he could ever harm Vanessa. So far, we’ve never had reason to doubt his devotion to her, but even she isn’t sure if she should still feel safe. The re-emergence of Adam is a stark reminder that Fisk remains a dangerously unpredictable man.

Matt Murdock’s Breaking Point

While Fisk wrestles with his personal demons, Matt faces a more systemic crisis. His belief in the justice system is shaken to its core after the death of Hector Ayala, an innocent man who was supposed to prove that the legal route could work. Instead, corrupt cops ensured that justice was never served.

When Matt meets Hector’s niece, Angela, her rage and grief are overwhelming. She knows the truth, and she knows that the system failed her uncle. How is Matt supposed to look her in the eye and tell her to trust in the law? The whole situation forces Matt into an existential crisis. He wants to be a lawyer, but how can he keep defending a system that repeatedly betrays the people it’s supposed to protect?

The case of the week—Leroy Bradford, a man arrested for stealing caramel corn—further reinforces the hypocrisy of the system. The evidence is clear: Bradford stole it. But is ten days in jail really the right punishment? The cost of prosecuting him far exceeds the value of what he stole. The law isn’t interested in rehabilitation; it’s interested in locking people away. This realization pushes Matt even closer to his breaking point.

The Return of Frank Castle

Then there’s the big surprise of the episode: Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, makes his return. Jon Bernthal steps back into the role effortlessly, reminding us why he’s the perfect embodiment of Frank’s brutal philosophy.

Matt visits Frank seeking answers after discovering a bullet casing with the Punisher logo. What follows is a heated exchange that calls back to their clashes in Daredevil Season 2. Matt still sees Frank as a monster, but Frank knows better—Matt is only a few bad days away from becoming just like him.

The scene gets even more intense when Frank brings up Foggy. Matt hasn’t truly processed Foggy’s death, and his unresolved grief is driving him toward self-destruction. Frank knows it. Matt knows it. And when Matt finally loses his temper and takes a swing at Frank, he proves Frank’s point. No matter how hard he fights it, violence is in his nature.

The Unavoidable Return of Daredevil

The final moments of the episode seal Matt’s fate. Unable to sleep, he returns to the rooftop, picks up his batons, and embraces the identity he’s been resisting. Meanwhile, Fisk speaks about forgiveness, but we all know that’s a lie—his actions will always betray him.

This episode makes it clear: Matt and Fisk are trapped in an endless cycle. They can never truly change. As long as one exists, the other will always be there to oppose him. And with a new threat lurking in the shadows—one with a disturbing fascination for draining blood—it looks like things are about to escalate in a big way.

I’m finally caught up, and I have to say, Episode 4 has me fully invested. While it’s not quite as gripping as the premiere, it sets the stage for something big. With Frank Castle back in the picture, Matt falling deeper into his Daredevil persona, and Fisk struggling to maintain his facade as a “changed” man, Daredevil: Born Again is finally heating up.