Martin Carr reviews the seventh episode of Daredevil season 3…
As Fisk continues to tighten his noose there is an emotional circling of wagons, interrogations which cast aspersions and psychological mind games running rampant. Aside from the restricted opulence which Wilson Fisk surrounds himself with this episode allows us a closer look into his methods of deception. His demands are no less extreme than you would expect but that unwavering arrogance and self-assurance makes him seemingly impregnable.
Over the course of ‘Aftermath’ there are revelations which cast light into dark corners as suspicions turn from unsubstantiated whispers into concrete fact. Agent Nadeem, Franklin Nelson and Matt Murdock all have their own individual eureka moments that add fuel to a fire never lacking in potency. Moments between Matt and Sister Maggie add heart breaking pathos whilst his own internal conscience throws in an unwanted opinion, which is both a voice of reason and prophet of doom. Used to great affect previously this trick is most impactful when employed sparingly and the dialogue between both sides of Murdock’s subconscious continues to prove insight.
As is apparent from the title card episode seven is about the emotional debris left in the wake of an engineered attack. There is finger pointing, accusations levelled and disembodied family members who make their presence known through blinking smartphones, enquiring text messages and urgent call backs. It is a contemporary reminder that these actions resonate beyond the people on screen. That is perhaps the underlying message being passed on from Fisk ensconced in his penthouse high over a city which he manipulates. Which in turn feeds into the self-doubt manifested through Murdock’s subconscious which keeps driving him forward. That is why we get moments of contact between Karen and her parents plus minutes within the Nadeem household that combine cliff hanger conversations to create context.
As I have pointed out previously this campaign is no longer about Matt Murdock, Daredevil, Fisk or the FBI. This season could be construed as a sly pop at the American political system and its inherently corrupt nature. Now this is not to say that the whole system is corrupt because that would be slanderous and grounded in an allegation without substance. Yet one individual against an entire government not only seems like a fair allegorical comparison, but also demonstrates the stubborn bloody mindedness of a person when they feel justice is worth fighting for. Beaten, bloody, outnumbered and facing a seemingly superior opponent that noose might be tightening and breath may now only come in gasps, but those wagons are circling, reinforcements are being mustered and Murdock, Nelson and Page are far from finished.
Martin Carr
Originally published October 25, 2018. Updated January 8, 2019.
