Daredevil - a snatched masterpiece
- Srinjoy Majumdar
- Sep 15, 2019
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 18, 2022
If you've seen the show, then you're possibly thinking two things right now -
Shit, that's one hell of a theme song
Netflix, you clump of unmoderated, slimy, corporate arses. Why, oh why are you the way that you are? Why dement us? Why take that which we deserve?
Daredevil wasn't the generic Marvel action show that common media portrays it to be. Daredevil wasn't the accumulation of gory scenes that sensitive audiences thought it was. Daredevil wasn't a show that immature audiences could use to pass time. Daredevil was something greater. A symbol of excellence, not just in storytelling, through subtle visual techniques and well adapted character themes, but also in redefining modern tropes of the action/comic-book genre within TV, by crafting a piece of unappreciated art.
The show is based around the life of blind lawyer, Matt Murdock, forever resident of Hell's Kitchen, New York, with an expensive Columbia education and an affinity to help his society without self benefit. The premise of the show deals with Matt's secret life as a crime-fighting vigilante by night, dubbed 'Daredevil' by the local media, who uncovers a massive threat looming over his beloved city. But wait. He's blind, right? No, he isn't faking it. The show also deals with Matt's orphaned childhood as he struggles to grip with an unfortunate accident which blinds him but also leaves him with heightened senses.
In his adventures in the comics, Daredevil is often portrayed as a vigilante. His powers do not strike audiences as incredulous, even though they might seem as so. A blind hero with radar vision is quite unusual, even by Marvel's standards. So audiences usually interpreted his powers as his ability to be Matt Murdock, a righteous, morally-intact human, nothing more and nothing less (The Man Without Fear, if you will, a comic moniker). His powers relied on his humanity, more than his physical strength. After all, how far will martial arts, peak of human physical fitness, acrobatics and impeccable spatial awareness get you against the Kingpin. What the show does excellently, is realise this, and humanise Matt Murdock more than any other live-action portrayal before.
12 hours to the audition, Charlie Cox was unaware that he had to audition for the role of a
blind vigilante/lawyer. While this might seem as an unimportant anecdote, what this points to is an innate spontaneity and authenticity in his performance as Matt Murdock. Matt, is a representative of the good in people (in whatever sense of the word), faced with unfortunate circumstances yet striving to overcome them regardless of how battered his spirit may be. His performance is essential to the audiences understanding Daredevil's method and means however drastic they may be, as well as his purpose, be it to save his city from threats birthed by the city, mystical cults, or Daredevil himself. (Oh yeah; Season 3)
In an episode from the show, explaining Matt's origin and acceptance of his Daredevil persona, the audiences witness him deciding to use his extensive martial arts training and heightened abilities to stop a child-molesting pedophile from abusing his daughter. We see that in this vulnerable moment, Matt decides it is his responsibility to take action and rescind his city of the disgust and crime it is home to. Throughout, we see Charlie Cox's powerful performance as Matt Murdock debating the choices he makes as they rebel his faith, eventually accepting his destiny, and transitioning to a harbinger of justice.
What the show does excellently, is build and develop on the plethora of relationships forged by Matt and Daredevil, over the course of the 3 seasons. One of the most important and effective ones, is with Elden Henson's character of Foggy Nelson. Foggy Nelson, Matt's professional partner, and best friend since their law school journey in Columbia University, is portrayed as the steadfast, humorous and willing side character, always ready to do anything for his friend. Foggy's interpretation of Daredevil, is rather a humorous one, as he initially loathes and criticises the unlawful vigilante act until he realises what his blind friend does with his spare time.
The friendship of Nelson and Murdock provides an essential platform to the viewers to understand Matt's righteous and good-willing personality, especially considering the struggle of his childhood. In one episode, Foggy realises Matt's secret identity, audiences are witnesses to perhaps a perfectly enacted fragmentation of a friendship where the emotional consequences of mistrust and betrayal are evident. Foggy is hurt, that despite all their years of sticking together, and all their adventures, they were just false promises in the eyes of a person who couldn't trust him. The excellence in managing to evoke and perhaps exploit that relatable feeling in many audiences around is why Daredevil makes for an amazing drama.
Every great hero needs an even greater villain. Vincent D'Onofrio performs in the series, as the overarching criminal mastermind, Wilson Fisk, more commonly known as Kingpin in the comics. Kingpin's constant presence throughout the course of the series, makes this the type of acclaimed thriller that audiences only get to witness in movies. Obviously a physically intimidating villain, the show emphasises on Kingpin's tactical excellence combined with a ruthlessness unlike any other live-action portrayal before.
Kingpin's character is an abused child, who murders his father after seeing him being violent with his mother, at the age of 8. He develops a talent for aggressive expansion, and uses his skills as a master manipulator and experience as a childhood resident of Hell's Kitchen, to become a powerful political figure in the society. D'Onofrio dominates every scene, and his acting makes it evident that Matt Murdock truly fears the character of Kingpin. Their plot is the most prominent one over the course of 3 seasons.
Murdock also has his typical love interest, as any other character on any other show. The show introduces Karen Page, vulnerable as ever, searching for the truth behind her life in Hell's Kitchen, eventually becoming a journalist at the local newspaper. Deborah Ann Woll goes against the comic accurate trope of the damsel-in-distress who often gets herself into unfavourable predicaments out of which only Daredevil can save her. Rather, Daredevil portrays her as someone with a mysterious past, an acute intellect and strong sense of self.
Where the show becomes unique is bringing out the comic themes, precisely as readers witnessed them in their first reading of a Daredevil narrative. Be it the Born Again storyline that is heavily recreated in the course of the show, the innumerable Bullseye fights, or the crazy leaps and fearlessness that made you believe in the character, Daredevil does it to perfection. And when I say precisely, I mean visually as well.
From Fogwell's Gym, to Nelson and Murdock and Clinton's Church, the accuracy in recreating these locations deserves a true hand to the set producers as well as the effortful crew. The iconic image below is the cover of a very memorable Daredevil adventure from the comics, and it is exactly as was done then. The use of lighting and colours in the show is immaculate. Certain scenes are so beautifully arranged and contribute to the general atmosphere and theme, that they will be hard to forget.
Apart from the aesthetic resemblance, the depth of comic accurate literary themes make for Daredevil to be a masterpiece. From the trauma of blindness and abandonment, the continual reference to the Murdock devil in the father and son, even the parallels between certain ideologically disparate characters, and the overt religious tones, the show makes Daredevil a reality from the pages. So if the show is all good, and assuming I'm not exaggerating, the question begs itself: Why cancel Daredevil?
Normally, now is when I would tell you what a huge mistake it was that Netflix and Marvel were once again, like their whiny corporate selves, unable to adhere to the audience's wishes and keep Daredevil alive. However, I will not. I will borrow from Matt Murdock's wild faith of every decision being an act of will that is necessary for what must happen. I will borrow from Daredevil's crazy belief that everything in life serves a purpose and a destiny. I will believe that Daredevil, I daresay has fulfilled its aim.
In Daredevil, we saw the potential and the means for legendary television through the excellent performances, the thrilling stunts, and the unforgettable storytelling. Why that was necessary, is because no one knew that a show about superhero could be so much. Yet as all good things before it, the end was imminent, regardless of how abrupt and destructive. The loss of the show taught us how much we really needed Daredevil. Just as The Man Without Fear accepted his legacy, we must strive on and accept ours, and vow to never err again, especially not for getting TV shows cancelled.
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