Originally published May 3, 2016. Updated July 9, 2019.
Samuel Brace with 5 things we want to see from Daredevil season 3…
Daredevil has been an unequivocal success. The once forgotten blind vigilante has quickly become a house hold name, turning a second string hero into a true fan favourite thanks to the quite remarkable Netflix series. Capitalising on our so desperate urge to binge, this dark crime drama has captivated us for two whole seasons — long may it continue. Matt Murdock’s newly found resonance among pop culture has led to spin-offs, Funko’s, minimates, t-shirts, sunglasses and even an online pokies game. Whatever Netflix and Marvel were aiming for when this venture launched, they surely couldn’t have hoped for this. But what’s next? What can we expect now from the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen? More importantly, what do we want to see from Daredevil season 3? Honestly, five things standout above all others.
Punisher Cameo
With Punisher now successfully introduced and his own solo Netflix series on the way, Punisher now needs to be used rather smartly as a cameo type character within DD. We don’t need fully fledged adventures, just little drop ins, his involvement obscure. Daredevil and Punisher could be after the same foe, with Matt becoming frustrated after constantly being second to every crime scene he visits, only finding dead bodies once he arrives. Of crucial importance, is that Punisher doesn’t take over like he did last season — a hard task to achieve as Jon Bernthal cuts such a compelling figure. Yes, Punisher and Bernthal will make anything they are a part of innately better, but this is a show about Daredevil. We ought not to forget that. So, yay to a cameo and a nice dose of bloody justice, but nay to another Punisher miniseries embedded in a Daredevil season 3.
Return of Kingpin
Wilson Fisk returned in spectacular fashion last season on Daredevil, and we need him back again, but this time as a free man, fully adopting the name Kingpin, providing Matt with a true villain to battle. After their brief reunion in season 2, we know Fisk is also after Matt the man as well as his crime fighting alter ego, which will provide a whole new danger for our hero. But this needs to be a new Fisk, a smarter Fisk. Embracing his role as the ultimate puppet master, his own brute strength has to be a last resort, only to be implemented once all else has failed. Becoming the man behind the curtain, we need to see Fisk employ some of New York’s most nefarious criminals to take down the devil of hell’s kitchen and those that he loves. To do this, Fisk will need help, the average hired gun won’t do the job, Daredevil will fight to the death to protect his civilian life and those in it, this particular job will require someone special…
Bullseye
When contemplating potential new villains for Daredevil to tackle next, only one name really makes sense — Bullseye. You may remember him from that film… actually, never mind. Bullseye is an assassin, as deadly and accurate as his name suggests. This is guy is a sicko and fits in perfectly with the Kingpin storyline previously pitched. With Fisk on top of the criminal underworld, and every goon he sends after DD ending up in the hospital, Bullseye will be the man he resorts to. The final card used to kill the devil. Sending this man after Matt, having him perhaps take out someone he loves first, will provide that emotional and personal stake this show needs to blossom further. It would be truly surprising if this dude isn’t a third season feature. Much like Punisher and Electra, this is a no brainer.
Real Consequences
Consequences. Oh god, are they important, crucial really to any show. Without real genuine stakes and repercussions for actions taken, a show can quickly fall apart. We need to know that the characters we love (and hate) can perish, they can’t be untouchable. They can’t be invincible. Game of Thrones is a show that executes this wonderfully and DD can learn something from it. We don’t need a huge body count, but having a death take place, an important one that means something to us and to Matt, will help propel this show from something we love, to something we can’t be without. Electra did perish last season, but with the tease that followed, she will surely be returning. This can’t become a recurring theme. If Fisk sends Bullseye after Matt’s loved ones, having an actual death, indisputable and undeniable take place, is an absolute must. It will drive the story forward; it will heighten existing drama, and enhance our enjoyment heading into future seasons. Simply knowing that from this point, our favourite characters are never safe, will take this show to another level.
The Breaking of Matt Murdock
I am sorry to say it. I love the guy. I admire the guy. But we need to break Matt Murdock. A big part of his character, and indeed a big theme of last season, is his decision not to kill those that he goes after. It’s the biggest, most important principle he holds dear. In season 3 of DD, we need to see that principle broken. Punisher pushed him virtually to the limit in season 2, and if they are smart, next year’s story will see him pushed over the edge by Kingpin and Bullseye. That is where this underlying narrative has to be heading. Matt, exhausted of all other choices, broken by the murder of a loved one, puts aside his code, his religion, any pretence of honourable justice, and executes the man responsible. Talk about stakes. Talk about consequences. It all builds to this. Sure, it will probably mean the death of Bullseye, but it means his character will have had an enormous impact on the narrative, the show, on us and on Matt. This doesn’t mean Daredevil has to become the Punisher, not forever, just the once, once all else has failed, once the law has abandoned him, once his fists have proved ineffective. A broken Matt Murdock, in this scenario? Now that’s what I call television.
Samuel Brace
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