Martin Carr reviews the eleventh episode of Daredevil season 3…
Atonement has been practiced for hundreds of years. Since the idea of a deity existed and original sin recognised, people have been trying to avoid atoning wherever possible. However without the moral compass of one character in particular this week things could have turned out differently. With blood hounds crawling all over the church, escape routes cut off and everything surrounded options for our captive duo were limited.
Poindexter maybe bruised, bloody and unbalanced yet remains stable enough to pressgang Nadeem into decisions he is not comfort with. Of all the episodes thus far you might consider this the breather, as immediate threats are lessened and fortune seems to be favouring our trio. There are still angst ridden conversations, close calls and jet black humour but Murdock is not punching his way out of things for once. Reunion employs brains rather than brawn meaning that on more than one occasion Fisk is foiled by regulations, rather than bloodletting and flying fists.
Having moved beyond the confines of prison fatigues into bespoke suits and armed guards Fisk is starting to earn his monocle of Kingpin. Civilised, cultured and not beyond asking nicely flashes of extreme violence still remind you of the monster beneath. For the second time this season there is a sense of things being manipulated story wise, yet this in no way detracts from the drama. With the chink in his organisation slowly realising that family and integrity are more important than personal safety, it is that need to atone which swings the scales back.
Moments of enlightenment also carry historical burdens as we are given a look into the past of Fisk’s beloved painting. Dark, merciless and morally vacuous best describe previous owners, yet it is here we see that shred of humanity which keeps Fisk free of caricature. His understanding of love and how that ties him to Vanessa experience an epiphany which sees him grow emotionally. Vincent D’Onofrio has mastered the combination of hair trigger violence and childlike compassion so eloquently, that there are few barring Charlie Cox who come close in terms of presence.
As the trio finally comes together and a plan is formulated there is the realisation that ‘Reunion’ has given everyone the room to act. Bloodshed and reaction shots have combined with histrionics and bombast from one quarter or another since episode one. Yet as we near the conclusion of what many are already calling historic television, it is proof that these character actors can combine acting and action seamlessly. Exhausting, energising and memorable beyond measure the gauntlet has been thrown down and any critics summarily silenced. If there was doubt it is gone as I guarantee you will remember this Daredevil.
Martin Carr
Originally published October 29, 2018. Updated January 8, 2019.
