Fisk's long-awaited reunion doesn't go as planned. Nelson & Murdock take on a new client who holds key information on Kingpin.
In 2018, it makes no sense to provide full-length reviews of each individual episode for shows released all at once on the streaming services. Sure, there are some shows out there that value the power of the episode. They do make a point in differentiating each episode to ensure it's not just one big slog to the finish. However, the ability to watch the entire season at one's own viewing pace has largely changed the way we consume and discuss these shows. So, some brief summary thoughts are really all that's actually necessary with these seasons. As such, here are my latest thoughts on the next episode of Netflix's Daredevil.
"One Last Shot" was written by Sam Ernst and directed by Phil Abraham
After being referenced heavily throughout the season, Vanessa makes her grand entrance during the penultimate episode. It was always unclear if Ayelet Zurer would be returning to the show this season. Fisk talked about needing to protect Vanessa throughout the first half of the year. Then, the narrative shifted to show just how powerful and controlling he always was. He now has his freedom and his greatest love has returned to him. That's what makes it so painful when their connection isn't as strong as it used to be. There is an adjustment period to their relationship once more. But it's all rooted in Vanessa's own personal feelings of isolation and feeling like she's always kept out of the conversation. She doesn't want to be another beautiful thing on display for Fisk. She wants to be his partner in every sense of the word. That's absolutely chilling. She's the one who gives the order to have Ray killed. That proves that she is just as brutal and monstrous as Fisk is. That's why she was drawn to him in the first place. And that's what allows them to still be honest with each other about the numerous complications to their master plan. They know that Ray and Dex are problems that have to be dealt with. And all of this leads to Ray's death. That too is a shocking moment. He always felt like a character marked for death. But here, it also felt like he was having a major redemption moment by being the key to locking Fisk away for good. He was able to fight alongside Daredevil in order to give his testimony to the grand jury. He was willing to serve five years in prison as atonement for his own actions. And yet, all of this still doesn't work out for the heroes. They believed they found a way to ensure that justice prevailed in this case. But they've been defeated by Fisk once more. That's absolutely crushing. Foggy is playing up the idea of getting the old law firm back together. He enjoys working with Matt and Karen again. They aren't completely onboard with the idea yet though. When this plan fails, it sends Matt spinning right back to his belief that the only way to stop Fisk is to kill him. It makes it seem as if Matt was right all along. He has been struggling with his identity all season long. Even Ray wants to know how he managed to balance things when his life imploded after just a short time being deceitful to his family. Matt doesn't believe that he has carried this lie forward in a meaningful way. Foggy and Karen are the ones who keep choosing to come back. He believes he always puts them in dangerous situations. This isn't the first time they've almost died. As such, he believes he carries this burden to stop Fisk by himself. That's simply not true at all. And yet, the team is defeated at the moment. They lose their key witness. Ray is dead. He understands that it's the fate awaiting him. He's grateful that it's Dex who delivers the fatal blow. He doesn't make it easy for him. None of this presents as a solution that will work out for anyone involved. Ray's death could lead to even more scrutiny against Fisk. Being ordered to deliver that hit could make Dex realize that he too is expendable to his boss. Plus, it should inform the team that Fisk is still powerful enough to make all of their hard work seem irrelevant. The conclusion of this story couldn't be the same as the first season. But now, it feels like all of this is destined to end in some dark and tragic way.
