Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio face off in Marvel’s superb new Disney Plus series.
Can a leopard change its spots?
A tragedy shakes up everything around Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), leaving him to practice law in New York City in partnership with Kirsten Mcduffie (Nikki M. James), a former Assistant District Attorney. Having left behind his masked Daredevil persona, Matt fights for justice the old-fashioned way: in the courts.
Emerging from the shadows, Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), begins a campaign to become major of New York City, with a supportive staff in tow: experienced Sheila Rivera (Zabryna Guevera), shadowy Buck Cashman (Arty Froushan), and eager young Daniel Blake (Michael Gandolfini). Having left behind his criminal Kingpin persona, Wilson fights for justice the old-fashioned way: with big, blustery, deceptive talk.
Created by showrunner Dario Scardapane (Netflix’s The Punisher) and the team of Matt Corman and Chris Ord, who were the original show runners before creative differences arose, the first episode accomplishes a great deal, story-wise. The directing team of Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead helmed the pilot episode, setting a gritty, shadowy, action-filled, yet unhurried tone that’s distinctly different from the work they’ve done on Marvel’s Moon Knight and Loki.
The Netflix iteration, created by Drew Goddard, ran for 39 episodes from 2015 to 2018 and was very successful in establishing a darker tone, led by a dynamic leading man in Charlie Cox, who erased all memories of the character’s cinematic forebearer, and Vincent D’Onofrio as the wiley, very dangerous criminal adversary Wilson Fisk. The new version revolves around the two titans again, but it immediately places them into much different circumstances.
The essential question throughout the first season is: can these two leopards change their spots? Matt Murdock has resolved to never again put on his Daredevil mask; Wilson Fisk publicly proclaims his love for the city and determination to root out all ‘masked vigilantes.’ When they meet in a diner, they each make a vow to one other that is part promise, part threat: resume your old activities and I will take you down.
Vincent D’Onofrio is a towering figure of fear as Wilson Fisk, yet he is also able to evince the character’s softer side in his relationship with his wife Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer), who took over running their criminal empire while Wilson Fisk recovered from injuries sustained during Echo, last year’s series, in which he was a supporting character. His return, and surprising decision to run for Mayor, has brought new wrinkles and tensions in their relationship.
Charlie Cox continues to explore new dimensions in his character, especially as he gets to know Heather Glenn (Margarita Levieva), a therapist and author with her own strong, independent views on life. And, it turns out, she has a different perspective on vigilantes.
The supporting cast is quite good, turning up the heat or lightening the moment as needed. Clark Johnson is always a pleasure to watch, even in limited screen time, as Cherry, a former NYC detective who does investigative work for Matt’s new firm. Michael Gandolfini is outstanding as Daniel Blake, especially in an upcoming episode in which he makes a spellbinding case to Wilson Fisk. Genneya Walton is also quite good as BB Urich, an independent social-media journalist who is not the typical social-media type depicted nowadays.
The action sequences are crisp and plentiful. The dramatic scenes build tension, even as they reveal new facets of the characters. The narrative arc of the series is very strong. Through all nine episodes, the show remains tightly coiled and entirely gripping.
(The first two episodes of Season 1 are now streaming on Disney Plus. Subsequent episodes will debut every Tuesday evening. I’ve seen all 9 episodes. Season 2 is planned to release next year)
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