Daredevil Season 3 Review: The Highest Peak of Marvel TV

Warning: Season 1-2 spoilers abound below, if you haven’t seen these episodes, proceed with great caution.

Daredevil Season 3 Review

Netflix

Missing for months, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) reemerges a broken man, putting into question his future as both vigilante Daredevil and lawyer Matthew Murdock. But when his archenemy Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) is released from prison, Matt must choose between hiding from the world or embracing his destiny as a hero.

Marvel’s Daredevil season one and two blew us away several years ago, with it’s fresh approach to superhero TV programming. As the show felt like a motion picture, with immense acting and death-defying action that immersed us into the dark gritty world. Its success kickstarted the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Netflix programmes, which relied on the more obscure characters from the source material.

Sadly, ever since the first season's release - nothing has felt the same (the exception being Jessica Jones) as the showrunners just couldn’t match its quality. Luke Cage, Defenders and Iron Fist delivered okay experiences but never was able to match the storytelling found in the devil of the hell kitchens original programme.

But can Netflix regain that quality? Or just falter at the hinges with an over a complicated adaptation of Frank Millers iconic “Born Again” 1969 storyline. I’m proud to announce that Daredevil Season Three (2018) is not only the best Netflix offering in years - but proudly sits amongst Marvel’s greatest stories ever to be filmed. Daredevil Season Three takes a huge number of changes from its opening, which keeps audiences on their toes and doesn’t let up until the final episode.

A nice change up from the drab, slow-paced and boring filler episode which plagued previous iterations in the Netflix lineup of Marvel shows. In-between intense action scenes, Daredevil Season Three (2018) delivers some of the best dialogue-heavy moments in franchise history - with Vincent D’Onofrio (Jurassic World) and Charlie Cox (The Theory of Everything) exploding screens with their powerful tension. I loved the combination of series staple action sequences and long drawn out conversations which really get audiences immersed in Netflix’s world.

Netflix

Under the new direction of showrunner Erik Oleson (The Man in the High Castle), Daredevil Season Three gives fans an exciting tale which tackles strong themes including what it means to be a super-powered individual. Following up from the seeds planted in the previous season, it’s great to see an end result to the story which kickstarted at the 2015 show premiere. Picking up after the aftermath of The Defenders, in which Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock / Daredevil got buried under tons of rubble - somehow he survives under the care of Sister Maggie (Joanne Whalley). As ridiculous as the story sounds, Daredevil Season Three finds a way to balance proceedings.

Matt Murdock / Daredevil (Charlie Cox), returns in the titular role, after a short disappearance after Marvel’s Defenders (2017) - but returns to his crime-fighting roots after his arch nemesis Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio) who has teamed up with a masked man. Charlie Cox (Daredevil) gives another groundbreaking performance, sharing some outstanding scenes with the majority of the cast - It was great seeing him approach this iconic storyline with such class. Audiences who enjoyed the back to back dialogue between Kingpin/Daredevil will be all over this season, as these scenes are pushed to the max.

Both Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) and Foggy (Elden Henson) return as Matt Murdock’s friends - delivering strong performances as the side characters trie and find meaning without his influence. I adored seeing them carry on their lives despite the terrible circumstances. It made the whole experience more realistic and engaging for audiences. The show runner made sure their roles are crucial to the 13-episode storylines.

Kingpin / Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) returns after a brief stint in prison, looking to make his own revenge on archenemy Daredevil - by tearing him down for good and tarnishing his role as a hero. D’Onofrio brings him now iconic aggression and starkness back into the role, at points taking charge of full episodes. Kingpin doesn’t play this time around, as he gets down to business straight away after landing back in New York. He proves himself to be the best villain at Marvel’s Netflix Universe, as each scene feels intense

Wilson Bethel (The Young and the Restless) joins proceedings as the iconic Daredevil villain Benjamin Poindexter / Bullseye a twisted assassin linked with the powerful Kingpin Crime Family. Bethel melts in the role, bringing the villain to life - with his twisted background and intense sequences shared with Daredevil (Charlie Cox). Bringing fans one of the best villains in some time for Marvel’s Netflix Universe, and hopefully will be expanded upon during upcoming seasons.

Verdict

Daredevil Season Three does so many things right, with a complex villain and strong themes of self-sacrifice that sets it apart from previous Netflix offerings - Charlie Cox (Theory of Everything) provides his best performance as the character, with each scene hitting audiences with tension. The 13-hour season is without question worth the watch and never felt like a rushed adventure instead well-crafted.

Netflix does the unthinkable and fires on all cylinders, with enough drama to keep long-term Daredevil fans happy. Perfectly adapting one of the best storylines in Marvel’s rich history. I have to commend the showrunners involved in this great season of Netflix programming. We cannot wait for more adventures of the devil of hell’s kitchen.

Daredevil Season Three comes to Netflix on October 19th! Set the clocks for the latest crime drama.