Martin Carr reviews the tenth episode of Daredevil season 3…
Shouldering the burden of responsibility is a common thread which defines more than a few of the characters in Daredevil. In episode ten we finally get backstory from one of the most overlooked protagonists in this biblical fable of broken homes, inviting us to watch in on and ultimately draw conclusions about a Karen Page we barely know.
Deborah Ann Woll does well to separate herself from the present day incarnation through a combination of alcohol consumption, snorted Peruvian marching powder and that pervading air of crushing resignation. Divulged in short hand over thirty minutes of screen time touchstones include a failing business, family tragedy and unfulfilled potential, which segues into a casting out and permanent paternal support. Something which fills in the gaps and ensures Page joins Murdock and Nelson as either irreparably damaged, or perpetually saddled with weaker family members. However what Karen also does is give the audience respite from her current situation delaying resolution, which has continued to ramp up as Poindexter and Murdock close in from either end of the city.
For those girded for a confrontation between these two there will be some enjoyment to be garnered, but in the main Karen gives such considerations short thrift. By purposely splitting this episode into distinct timeframes, it remains apparent that character still drives this series forward. In all honesty its rigid structure which only made itself apparent here also contains a singular slip from the writing perspective, which stands out as it represents obvious expositional spoon feeding. Wedged in with no subtlety it interrupts the flow briefly before things return to normal. Bethel and D’Onofrio remaining magnetic even if the latter is saddled with dialogue which sits awkwardly despite an emotional delivery.
Murdock meanwhile through a fragile and low key performance from Charlie Cox still garners all the empathy, while his inherent vulnerability keeps you engaged. After this insight into Ms. Page there is also the realisation that Foggy maybe our only bastion of honesty left. His transgressions by comparison are only measurable through a blind complicity and loyalty to his friends. For Nelson that’s as far as his guilt stretches. As Karen and Matt stand together in those final moments with Poindexter and Fisk having dealt another blow, even a house of God proves no match for the earthly interventions of a Kingpin, with the personification of fury and retribution by his side.
Martin Carr
Originally published October 28, 2018. Updated January 8, 2019.
