"Shoot the Moon" was written by Dario Scardapane and directed by Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead
The narrative never wants the characters to feel too confident. That feeling should permeant throughout the audience as well. Two episodes are released this week. It's a little random. Yet it builds off the idea that the show has a lot of characters to juggle. It doesn't even trim its ensemble. Cherry survived his heart attack. He's surrounded by officers loyal to the resistance. They keep him safe. Meanwhile, Angela returns seeking help after her aunt is arrested by the task force. She wants to preserve her community. The invaders threatening her are law enforcement. Fisk has freed the task force from having to preserve civil liabilities. He doesn't want them to be shackled by any laws. The narrative even tries to provide more dimension to a couple of faces amongst this horde of officers. They can strike at any moment. Innocently walking into a store to get a snack becomes dangerous. Matt and Karen aren't safe at Josie's Bar. They are being hunted. Fisk declares Matt as a hero. He saved his life. He must be found to receive all the glory. Meanwhile, Matt doesn't know what Fisk and Dex are doing. He's not sure if Dex saved his life or incriminated him in the murder of multiple task force members. Vanessa knows she's being hunted. She fears for her safety. She isn't hiding away. She remains paranoid and on alert.
The narrative never wants the characters to feel too confident. That feeling should permeant throughout the audience as well. Two episodes are released this week. It's a little random. Yet it builds off the idea that the show has a lot of characters to juggle. It doesn't even trim its ensemble. Cherry survived his heart attack. He's surrounded by officers loyal to the resistance. They keep him safe. Meanwhile, Angela returns seeking help after her aunt is arrested by the task force. She wants to preserve her community. The invaders threatening her are law enforcement. Fisk has freed the task force from having to preserve civil liabilities. He doesn't want them to be shackled by any laws. The narrative even tries to provide more dimension to a couple of faces amongst this horde of officers. They can strike at any moment. Innocently walking into a store to get a snack becomes dangerous. Matt and Karen aren't safe at Josie's Bar. They are being hunted. Fisk declares Matt as a hero. He saved his life. He must be found to receive all the glory. Meanwhile, Matt doesn't know what Fisk and Dex are doing. He's not sure if Dex saved his life or incriminated him in the murder of multiple task force members. Vanessa knows she's being hunted. She fears for her safety. She isn't hiding away. She remains paranoid and on alert.
Vanessa needs to believe she and Fisk could survive outside of the empire they've built. Otherwise, she would have to recognize that she would die in the course of this business. That's not a fate she is willing to accept. She imagines a future away on an island with Fisk. He remains ambitious. He needs to grow his sphere of influence. He can't allow New York City to forget. He must stand tall in their memories. He's building a legacy. That can't be disrupted. He's enraged whenever he doesn't get what he wants. He doesn't tolerate any mistakes. Sheila and Daniel know what will happen if they let him down. They aren't allowed to express any reservations about what they're doing. Daniel warns BB about leaking. Fisk will kill both of them if he learns about the smear campaign. That warning doesn't deter BB. She's still out to get justice for her uncle's death. She knows Fisk was responsible. She needs Daniel for access. Meanwhile, Daniel wants to protect Fisk. He's the only one worthy of that. Others have far-reaching goals. Daniel remains focused on Fisk. He can't even worry about himself. Of course, everyone needs to be prepared to jump into action at a moment's notice. Action hasn't particularly been Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead's strong suit as directors. The culminating moments of this episode show growth. It's an impressive scene while also advancing the plot for what Karen is willing to do to help Matt achieve his goal.
Grade: B
"The Scales & the Sword" was written by Heather Bellson and directed by Solvan "Slick" Naim
The tribunal was going to find Duquesne guilty no matter what defense Kirsten mounted. Hochberg could schedule the trial whenever. Nevertheless, Kirsten is granted entry into the Red Hook detention facility. Hochberg still believes some appearance of legal process is necessary to make the case legitimate. Kirsten fails in the courtroom. The sounds she heard guide Daredevil directly to the detainees. He infiltrated the facility on a mission. He wanted to stop the weapons from entering the city. He decided he couldn't allow the people to remain imprisoned for committing no crimes. He leads an epic prison break. It's the most impressive sequence of the new season so far. Matt remains conflicted over how far he is willing to go to stop Fisk. He understands that killing Fisk or Vanessa won't actually make the situation better. Many people are complicit with this takeover of the city. They've been given authority and freedom to do whatever they want. The criminal justice system is crumbling. Matt believes some system will ultimately prevail. He knows the legality of the Red Hook operation only lasts until the governor rescinds the charter. The governor needs to know she has that authority. She's a boring politician with no skeletons in her closet. She represents a threat. She doesn't immediately act. She opts to get closer to Fisk to better understand his plans with the Safer Streets Initiative.
The tribunal was going to find Duquesne guilty no matter what defense Kirsten mounted. Hochberg could schedule the trial whenever. Nevertheless, Kirsten is granted entry into the Red Hook detention facility. Hochberg still believes some appearance of legal process is necessary to make the case legitimate. Kirsten fails in the courtroom. The sounds she heard guide Daredevil directly to the detainees. He infiltrated the facility on a mission. He wanted to stop the weapons from entering the city. He decided he couldn't allow the people to remain imprisoned for committing no crimes. He leads an epic prison break. It's the most impressive sequence of the new season so far. Matt remains conflicted over how far he is willing to go to stop Fisk. He understands that killing Fisk or Vanessa won't actually make the situation better. Many people are complicit with this takeover of the city. They've been given authority and freedom to do whatever they want. The criminal justice system is crumbling. Matt believes some system will ultimately prevail. He knows the legality of the Red Hook operation only lasts until the governor rescinds the charter. The governor needs to know she has that authority. She's a boring politician with no skeletons in her closet. She represents a threat. She doesn't immediately act. She opts to get closer to Fisk to better understand his plans with the Safer Streets Initiative.
Karen sees Frank Castle's approach as more sensible. He has no qualms about killing. He doesn't view himself as a hero worthy of idolizing. His actions motivated other cops into action. He inspired those who serve on the task force. He takes no credit for that. He escaped. He hasn't made contact with Matt or Karen. He's not helping them in the resistance. They don't know why. However, they amass an army of allies now. Everyone freed has a personal motivation to stand against Fisk's tyranny. Angela wanted to rescue her aunt. They're reunited. Angela also takes on the White Tiger persona from her late uncle. She helps Karen find a vehicle capable of getting everyone out of detention. They are successful. They're going someplace safe. It's a victory. Matt and Karen should feel good about what they've accomplished. They've foiled Fisk's plans. And yet, Fisk detonates the Northern Star just like was planned. The crew onboard are casualties to his mysterious plan with Mr. Charles and the weapons. Fisk remains powerful. He still knows how to shape the narrative to his will. In fact, the prison break will allow him to exploit the explosion. The events will be connected. They will fuel his stance against vigilantes. They will become even more like terrorists. That panic will allow him to operate even more skillfully through the city.
Grade: B+
