What is it, to be a cheesy voiceover montage at the end of a season finale? Do you have to try to sum up an entire season's worth of themes using vague doublespeak and an army of cliches? Will you narrate over clips of our heroes looking vaguely sad or frustrated in the vain hope of wringing some pathos out of this big hunk of corn pone? Must you include strange or cryptic teases for future seasons or shows? Or can you just speak in platitudes about heroism and strength and hope that somewhere in that stew of hokum you stumble onto some mild profundity?
That closing sequence fit well with an episode that felt very much like the close of a second-rate action movie instead of the heady-if-pulpy superhero drama the show is when it's at its best. There was a big final puzzle to solve, a big final fight, and big crazy death to try to retroactively give stakes to a fairly perfunctory battle with an undifferentiated pack of ninjas.
To that end, the second that Daredevil told Elektra that when they got through this big fight, he would leave New York and they would run off together, I knew that Elektra was done for. Elektra may as well have said that she was one day from retirement, but just had to take care of one last fight before she was out of the game for good. I'm not saying that she shouldn't have kicked the bucket in the fight with The Hand necessarily, though that has its own issues. The problem is that this type of conversation between Matt and Elektra is so generic, and so telegraphs that they'll never get to follow through on these plans that when The Big Event happens to prevent it, there's no surprise or tension to it. It's an eye roll-worthy foregone conclusion.
Nevermind the way that The Punisher is awkwardly shoehorned into the finale. Why was he only able to take out those last four ninjas? Did he have trouble getting a cab? Or is it just narrative convenience rearing its ugly head in a very blatant way. His cheesy nod to "Red," is the stuff facepalms are made of, and sent the most interesting new character of this season out on a sour note.
And of course, we get some kind of closure on the whole "no kill code" theme that Daredevil has been putting forward throughout this season. He, like Frank Castle, is suddenly willing to use lethal force on the man who killed the woman he loved after seeing her lie dead in his arms. Even he has his limits. It's a pretty unsatisfying finish to what was the most meaty thematic throughline for Season 2. In defter hands, it could have been an exploration of the idea that even the noblest hero has a third rail that can set them off, but here, the execution felt like the standard "girlfriend dies, hero rages with grief" tableau.
It might have helped if Elektra were a more interesting character, or her connection to Matt had been developed or conveyed better, or if Nobu and his ninja henchman seemed like anything but a crop of faceless mooks fresh from the Halloween store. Instead, Daredevil crossing that line doesn't feel like the culmination of his meditations on lethal force as reflected in foils like Punisher, Elektra, and Stick. It just feels like a thin excuse for him to go tough guy hero on a collection of undifferentiated mooks and their stock-bad guy leader. There's some symmetry to the idea that Daredevil thought he was pure and ends up killing someone, and Elektra thought she was bad but ends up being willing to sacrifice her, but it's weak broth in the face of the other problems in the end game.
The episode isn't all bad though. Seeing Foggy sit across the table from Jeri Hogarth is a minor thrill, and while their exchange veers a little too far into cheesy wink-wink territory, it's still nice to see two good character bouncing off one another. At the same time, Foggy's interaction with Matt at the end of the episode puts the right button on Nelson & Murdock with a recognition that their friendship is compelling, but also destructive. What's more, Stick and his wry directness are always pleasant to have around, and his no-nonsense slaying of Nobu after the hero's had his day puts him into some nice Giles from Buffy territory. And as always, even when the material doesn't give her much to work with, Deborah Ann Woll puts in a good performance that manages to sell both Karen's strength and her distress in a given moment.
There's the hint of quality thematic storytelling to the relationship element of the episode, with Matt telling Elektra that he wants to be with her because she knows his whole story and all of who he is, with the tag of Matt hoping to forge a more real connection with Karen by showing her the other half of his life. But really, this entire Betty and Veronica routine with Karen and Elektra has been a crock from the start. Never mind the fact that his divided affections have undermined the moments where he's professed to caring about either of them, but neither pairing works as well as it needs to, and in the end, feels like a minor, inconsistent subplot rather than the vital part of the overall season arc it's meant as.
Overall, this episode is something of a cliche-ridden mess, and it cements the downward trajectory of Season 2 of the show. The first season wasn't perfect, but there was a relative realism to it and a directness to the Fisk storyline that helped the show stay grounded and focused even as it encompassed more characters and intersecting plots. Here, the Punisher story and the Hand story mostly felt as though they were on parallel tracks and on the few occasions when they would cross paths, they made for strange bedfellows. Punisher is a clear highlight, even if his ending too was underwhelming, but the vague mysticism of The Hand and the undercooked Bad Seed routine with Elektra fell flat. The finale, which did its best to smash all these concepts and stories together, comes off appropriately lumpy and convoluted.
So what is it, to be a bad finale? Does it give even the better elements of your season a disappointing aftertaste? Does the failure to nail the landing on your thematic elements make your prior exploration of them seem shallow? Does it require a corny op-ed delivered in voiceover to try to sum up your show's jumbled conclusion? Look in the mirror. You're a bad finale. You're another superhero show that's bitten off more than it could chew. This is your corner of the MCU. Welcome home.
Since the start of this season I've been waiting to see Daredevil and The Punisher team-up and here It come :D.
This season has a perfect ending even if the story keep getting worse.
I can't wait for the next season.
Those suits don't really work well so they? DD still gets shot through shoulder and Elektra stabbed after going through all trouble designing bullet & knife proof clothing.
Totally ninja. I mean, literally.
I knew the season was getting progressively worse ever since Frank was released from prison, but I still expected more from this finale. Very poor indeed, I truly hope they don't make the same mistakes with the next season of Jessica Jones.
I've waited two whole seasons for the events in the last minute or so of this ep.... and they cut the scene short with no reaction AARRRGGGG!!!!
Why just 13 episodes? I want moreee
The ending was quite predictable and the plot became quite messy, but the action scenes and cast were superb.
awesome show should have had more episodes
Sweeeeeet ending. And in the same time so frustrating.
Elektra, I was sad losing her but also annoyed getting her back on the wrong side I guess.
Hope Daredevil will team up with Frank Castle aka The Punisher. This could be an awesome squad.
Let's... wait.
Season 1 was fluid in every aspect. Season 2 was packed with a lot of overlapping story lines that were never truly given enough justice due to the short episode count of 13 which is why I believe many feel it was rushed and a bit disjointed. The action scenes are remarkable and the ending is definitely leading into the whole arc across shows. Still a win!
A blind man once said when you go blind use blindness as a strength - Stick
This last episode were my favorites.
So much suspense, action, drama. It was awesome.
I'm sorry but I don't like Karen, she's annoying.
I like Claire and Elektra more. They're badass.
I hope to see more Foggy is the next season.
What's gonna happen with Elektra now??
Is it just me or anyone noticed that little tiny scene about Jessica Jones? Cause Nelson's meeting up for a new job with Jeri (Carrie-ann Moss) made me think that! It'd be marvellous!!! :)
Why does it have to end there? I. Want. More.
Amazing season! Punisher and Elektra need their own shows.
Not my favorite season. But good overall. Ironically enough this seems like a loose adaptation of Born Again in and of itself.
It wasn't a finale on the same level as the season but it was a good episode
Disappointing season finale. I can overlook the cheap platitudes and lazy writings that made me feel like I was watching a B movie, but what the heck was that cheesy monologue at the end? Sounded like someone was drunk when they were writing those lines.
I love the article Karen Page wrote at the end of the episode.
I’m glad I’ve stuck with this show finally. The first couple of times I watched, I got bored in the first season and abandoned it. It’s shaped up to be pretty darn incredible.
Great season finale. I'm watching the MCU stuff in order and if it wasn't for that, I wouldn't have given this show a chance. I'm glad I did!
really that is how it ended i cant believe it im glad that Karen is a reporter that is her true calling. Elektra kudos to her for being there for Matt even at the risk of her own life. Glad that Stick killed Nobu it was about time the fact that Frank came through for Matt was so epic i loved it but i didnt like the fact that Matt revealed his secret to Karen and i didnt even get to see her true reaction to it is she going to be accepting of it or be like Foggy when he found out in Season 1
This is a part of me that I need. And you're the only one who gets it. Without this, I'm not alive. I'm not. Not really.
I do know that I'm free with you. Like with no one else.
Guh, seeeeee. This is what I've been saying. They are the heart of the show. Which is what it needs, more heart, less ninjas.
I truly hate that Daredevil revealed his identity to Karen. I don't think she earned that.
Phenomenal season Finale. The ending was foreseeable but great nevertheless. Elektra will sure be the villain in The Defenders.
This is what happens when you rush intelligent story. First season was awesome because they had unlimited time to think about it. Second season was made in less than a year. Too bad.
Elektra dying was so fucking obvious, I'm a bit disappointed with the last 6 chapters of this season. I hope Daredevil improves in the next one
I usually don't have any ships, maybe one or two but now I got a new one: Matt and Frank!
great season finale, fights, symbolism, death, confessions. Looking forward the season 3
Alrighty, I always like noir-like wet streets roof-top fights at night like these. It's the perfect setting for a final fight. But I wish it was a little more atmospheric and cinematic. Like the end scene in the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie; nothing can beat that! Either way, I still enjoyed it, and ends on a good note. It really reminds me of the Arrow series. Welp, I guess I'll be catching up on them Punisher movies until next season shows up..
See you around, Red!
All in all a fun season that introduces two important characters: Elektra and The Punisher, the latter which is very well done in my opinion and perhaps my new favorite character of the show... hell, they can even make a spin-off with him.
Only downside is the horrible Japanese used by the Hand: the pronunciation is all wrong and there were even some funny mistakes in the text, where we would laugh instead of being caught in the seriousness of the moment. That really breaks the flow of the show. Would it really hurt to use ACTUAL Japanese actors instead of asian actors who mimic Japanese words?
Good season with some great characters, but the endgame was quite bland
They were REALLY forcing that Karen and Frank relationship....
I expected more of a badass team up with the punisher, elektra and the devil himself. However still they finished good.
Well...this show used to have a mucher better script quality than CW channel series...
The whole Elektra plot is a letdown.
The only real good think in this season is Jon Bernthal as Punisher.
Hope season 3 got a better story and script.
Amazing season! Can't wait to see Elektra vs. Daredevil in season 3.
Just finished watching daredevil after a week of marathon watching season 1-2. And I have to say this is an awesome show!!! Especially this last episode and punisher appearing at the end to help DD with his new skull vest and rifle!! Very awesome!'
I liked this season, though I think it had a lot of subplots and they got a bit confusing. Geez well, I think that at least next season will be really interesting, there were a lot of things left unresolved.
I hope that they aren't watering down each of the Marvel series in order to have time to add to the television universe (e.g. Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Defenders, etc.).
What an ending! More please!
A lot of great episodes throughout, but like some have been pointing out, many storylines and not as much development. I mean, we kinda get a lot of knowledge 'bout what's going on, but it didn't have a very smart build up.
The plot became predictable and, as much as some people say it, I don't think Elektra was that great, here.
Actually, it was a real nuisance for me the "I'm totally in/I'm hella out" behaviour by Matt with Elektra.
Best thing: Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle/Punisher. He is perfect for the job.
The best episodes, in my opinion, are the first ones, before Castle goes to prison... the show kinda lost its way beginning there.
I'm excited for the next season or Defenders, anyway. It seems that, just like Jessica Jones did, Luke Cage is going to be a refreshment for the formulae.
One thing I enjoy, though, is to see the small crossovers between this and Jessica Jones. Really small thing, I know, but it makes everything so much more real. A name drop there, a character that appeared there being really used here and vice-versa.
I still like it. It just didn't pack the same punch as before.
Buen final de temporada, la mejor serie de superheroes de largo. Lo de Fisk... el desarrollo del personaje es cada vez mas perfecto junto con el de Karen Page.
Shout by Jim222001VIP 6BlockedParent2016-03-19T23:09:51Z
A bit of an unfocused season with a scattered plot and many scenes with DareDevil vs ninjas. DareDevil however, still remains the best thing Marvel has going on.