Born Again Season 1, Episode 1 & 2: "Heaven's Half Hour" & "Optics" (SPOILERS)

[Flint Marko]

I’m pleasantly surprised that the overall response here is similar to my own.

Some of the choices (one big one in particular) aren’t ones I necessarily would have made and I am disappointed that the series looks noticeably worse than it did on Netflix but outside of those 2 relatively minor quibbles, I’m 100% into it.

Really excited to see where this goes and glad the reviews are overall painting a promising picture.

 

[Weather Witch]

Well,

Spoiler

I think Cobie Smulders would like a word with you on that one.

I'm still angry about what they did in Secret Invasion.

 

[donuts]

What is most surprising is the lack of thematic depth and the lack of attention to the moral dilemmas that have always characterized the character.
You can't make a bold choice like the one in the opening sequence and not develop it by focusing on the emotional and moral consequences.
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I don't even want to dwell on the qualitative difference from a purely visual point of view (or on the terrible CGI in the swing sequences) because the gap is so wide that it's not even worth dwelling on.
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It isn’t a total disaster like the majority of MCU Disney+ shows, but it's definitely disappointing in every aspect.

I made peace with the fact that this isn't Netflix's Daredevil.

I'm still angry about what they did in Secret Invasion.

Secret Invasion may take the cake as the worst thing Marvel Studios has ever done.

 

[Flint Marko]

I’d say it’s Secret Invasion or Brave New World. Even the old school Marvel letdowns like Iron Man 2 or Dark World had standout action and performances, whereas those two had neither I’d argue.

I hope Reborn is truly Marvel understanding how to get out of a slump. There’s room for improvement but it does feel like they’ve listened.

 

[Kane52630]

If anyone wants a new avvy

 

[donuts]

If anyone wants a new avvy

This was a great shot

 

[DyeLorean]

Secret Invasion may take the cake as the worst thing Marvel Studios has ever done.

100%

 

[Pennywise]

Spoiler

 

[blueharvest]

Spoiler

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Spoiler

So he faked his own death so he wouldn't have to pay off the rest of his student loans or something? Very relatable.

 

[Punisher_MAX]

I'm digging the show so far, that last scene in the 2nd episode was *chefs kiss*

This definitely looks more "cinematic" as if they are filming it like a movie. The Netflix show definitely looked gritty and grimey. If Daredevil is going to be doing more comic book stuff I guess it makes sense that it looks like a comic book.

 

[The Duh]

I'm amused by the amount of F-bombs casually being dropped here.

Ep 1 was definitely "rushed" in order to provide context for the new status quo established by Born Again. I wished we spent at least 2 episodes before settling in, though with eps 2-7 being the old filmed material and 8-9 being new, hopefully this season remains consistent throughout. Good start so far.

 

[Iceman]

I enjoyed those first 2 episodes. Feels like a legit continuation of the Netflix show, although still have to wait and see how wide the quality gap is after a few more episodes land. Feels very introductory so far.

 

[kguillou]

I know I shouldnt pre judge things and just wait and see for mysef but as good a start as this was, i have legitimate big concerns going forward from what I’ve heard from critics who’ve seen the whole season:

1) Very little Daredevil. Now in theory this shouldnt be an issue as long as the story is engaging. Matt suited up very little in OG series too but I was hoping we’d get more of him as a superhero in this series.

2) The violence and gore. A LOT of reviews say this season is about to get very gory especially when Muse shows up and while i absolutely dont mind some bloody violence in my Daredevil show, I dont want it to go full on horror either to the point where its just offputting and not fun to watch the show anymore. But lets see how its executed.

 

[Breogan]

Spoiler

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For what it's worth the capture shows number "468"
The comic shows Daredevil #88 - featuring the story titled "The Secret Life of Foggy Nelson."- Where Foggy fakes his death and goes into witness protection.
Which is supposedly issue #468 using the comic's original numbering. Which did end with issue #380
I like it, that's a pretty round-about connection.
Yet there are other links substantiating the conclusion.

Spoiler

 

[psylockolussus]

I'm digging the show so far, that last scene in the 2nd episode was *chefs kiss*

This definitely looks more "cinematic" as if they are filming it like a movie. The Netflix show definitely looked gritty and grimey. If Daredevil is going to be doing more comic book stuff I guess it makes sense that it looks like a comic book.

Well the way it is filmed, doesn't look like a typical tv series. But it looks like if Lionsgate is still making Marvel movies. I don't miss the "digicam" look of the Netflix series but I expected the cinematography to be more cinematic. This looks like a budget film for a Marvel Studios/Kevin Feige production.

With the new cast, I instantly recognized the woman from Revenge. It is kinda taking me out.

 

[Iceman]

I’m pleasantly surprised that the overall response here is similar to my own.

Some of the choices (one big one in particular) aren’t ones I necessarily would have made and I am disappointed that the series looks noticeably worse than it did on Netflix but outside of those 2 relatively minor quibbles, I’m 100% into it.

Really excited to see where this goes and glad the reviews are overall painting a promising picture.

Yeah, I'd consider these first 2 as a sufficient base from which they could get really good (or of course fail to improve). No disaster at all but not enough yet to even start comparing it to the Netflix stuff beyond having a lot of the same characters reprising their roles. I would have taken this start if someone had offered it to me ahead of time. A year or so ago it felt like there was a real chance Marvel might stuff this up completely but fine so far.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I'm amused by the amount of F-bombs casually being dropped here.

Ep 1 was definitely "rushed" in order to provide context for the new status quo established by Born Again. I wished we spent at least 2 episodes before settling in, though with eps 2-7 being the old filmed material and 8-9 being new, hopefully this season remains consistent throughout. Good start so far.

I almost would have preferred the show come out like...3 months from now to make the CG on that opening look better. It was very rough

 

[Flint Marko]

I almost would have preferred the show come out like...3 months from now to make the CG on that opening look better. It was very rough

I loved finally seeing some proper comic book DD swinging, along with the improved costume, but yeah. Overall a letdown compared what I know they could do if they put the proper time and money into it.

Hopefully the rest of the series has some comparable action sequences that live up to the expectations.

 

[NewYorkSpider]

Spoiler

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What interesting about this is that.....

Bullseye always went for head shots when using a gun, even in the Netflix series. Foggy's is the only one he shoots in the chest during his kills. Now he could have possibly done that to make Matt suffer through Foggy's slow death, but I think there's more at play here.

 

[emc5466]

The first episode was great and captured the spirit of the truly excellent Netflix series pretty closely. The second episode was a step back, Deborah Ann Woll is extremely missed and the White Tiger legal stuff did not work for me at all.

 

[Gu3ree]

Watched episode 2 last night. Glad they decided to do a 2-episode premiere considering the second episode was the weaker episode, and slightly boring by comparison. Wonder if that's the case for one of the double-episodes scheduled to release later (episodes 5-6).

It was still okay. I did watch Hawkeye and Echo, however I can't remember how Fisk got out of prison--or if he escaped? I also don't recall but...oh. Did he just escape because he survived the snap? (Thanos)

Having rewatched the opening of episode 1, that camera narrative, bumpy and unstable...can't say I like it. I want to be able to see the fight more clearly. The running on the rooftops looked fakey. The running looked too smooth, as did the way DD slid up with his cane/glider. Seems like they could save more just by using actual stunts. Some of Bullseye's fighting movement looked fake too, like animation. I mean when he tossed his knives or blades at civilians. Essentially I couldn't feel all the hits unlike the Netflix series. I feel like Netflix could have made it look better even with their limited budget.

Onward, but most likely probably not until next season, I hope they just go for a more formal approach to the camera narrative, and not hand-held or artificial-like with the camera movement.

That kid advisor looks like he could be Wilson Fisk's son. Young Tony Soprano.

 

[BobJM]

If you rewatch episode 1, Cherry seems to imply there’s corruption within the NYPD which leads to him quitting / retiring early. Then, you’ve got two crooked cops kill a guy on the subway platform with a Punisher tattoo on their wrist.

It definitely makes sense why Foggy would be in Witness Protection. I could see his client Benny wrapped up in this bigger corruption

 

[Gu3ree]

Can anyone tell me in the comics why Foggy faked his death? Can we assume Foggy will actually be returning...?

I was surprised by the f-bombs but only slightly. I hope it is a minimum of at least 3 per episode, but it doesn't need to be forced. 3 isn't a lot anyways.

 

[blueharvest]

Can anyone tell me in the comics why Foggy faked his death? Can we assume Foggy will actually be returning...?

Apparently he did it to go into Witness Protection:

Spoiler

View attachment 124951

For what it's worth the capture shows number "468"
The comic shows Daredevil #88 - featuring the story titled "The Secret Life of Foggy Nelson."- Where Foggy fakes his death and goes into witness protection.
Which is supposedly issue #468 using the comic's original numbering. Which did end with issue #380
I like it, that's a pretty round-about connection.
Yet there are other links substantiating the conclusion.

Spoiler

 

[Filmfan93]

This was amazing.

Carries the tone, atmosphere and character work straight from the Netflix show.

Loved seeing the larger budget and better visuals on screen too.

Can't wait for next week!