Charlie Cox
Deborah Ann Woll
Elden Henson
Toby Leonard Moore
Vondie Curtis-Hall
Bob Gunton
Ayelet Zurer
Rosario Dawson
Vincent D’Onofrio

Created by:
Drew Goddard

Action, Crime, Drama
2015-
Netflix

TV-MA

“Marvel’s Daredevil” is the first in a quintet of Marvel series developed exclusively for Netflix. The other four, in order of release, are “Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones,” “Marvel’s Luke Cage,” “Marvel’s Iron Fist,” and “Marvel’s The Defenders,” a miniseries that will focus on the team of superheroes that includes the principal characters from each of the other four series.

The first episode of this series is all about the setup. It provides parts of Daredevil’s/Matt Murdock’s backstory, which is woven throughout the series, and focuses on the start of his and his friend Foggy Nelson’s law firm. Unfortunately, it gets off to an underwhelming start. The rhythms are disjointed, and the writing is clunky. But it has an appropriate look: Daredevil is blind, so it makes sense that this show would rely on darker hues. Visually, this series would fit in with “Arrow” or “Gotham.” It’s closer to “Arrow,” though, both in style and certainly in tone. This show wants to be taken seriously.

In addition, the first episode’s fight scenes are solid, but largely unoriginal. The only twist is the use of Daredevil’s superhuman hearing. I liked that, but I don’t think that they used it as creatively as they could have. In subsequent episodes, his senses are explored with greater depth.

Charlie Cox, who plays Daredevil/Murdock, manages to come across as depressed yet likable. That works for the character. However, at times, he sounds like he’s swallowing his voice. As a result, he rarely draws you in. The rest of the cast (in the first episode) is mostly forgettable; but Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page, the target of a corporate crime syndicate who becomes the firm’s secretary, and Elden Henson as Foggy Nelson do what they can with what they’re given.

But there’s good news: This show starts to get better at the end of the second episode. The end of that episode features a truly exciting extended fight sequence. There are many other entertaining fights in the remaining episodes, as well. (Drew Goddard, who developed this show for Netflix, wrote the first two episodes but no others. Was his writing the problem? Or was the absence of Wilson Fisk the problem?) The third episode is when the show settles into itself. While the rhythms are still imperfect, the story develops rather nicely. It’s interesting, even when it moves a touch too slowly.

At times, though, the slower pace works – especially in any scene that features Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin/Wilson Fisk (he’s not called Kingpin in the show, not yet). The best part of the season is the unveiling of Fisk’s backstory. Instead of simply providing a villain, this series develops one. We understand his motivations, so it’s hard to hate him. A part of me feels sorry for him. This really is the reason, along with the fights, to watch the show. Also, D’Onofrio has such an effortlessly imposing presence. Plus, when he’s off-voice, it seems like a choice. He owns what he does.

In addition, Scott Glen, as Stick (Daredevil’s mentor of sorts), delivers a standout performance. His character is another entry into the “cool martial arts mentors with ice in their veins” category, which includes Pai Mei of “Kill Bill” and Hundred Eyes of this network’s own “Marco Polo.” Bob Gunton, a consummate professional, is in perfect rhythm as financier Leland Owlsley (he’s not referred to as Owl in this season). Rosario Dawson as Claire Temple and Vondie Curtis-Hall as Ben Urich are solid additions to the cast, as well. While I wouldn’t call their performances impressive, they get the job done without getting in the way. That’s more valuable than it might seem.

I’m glad that this show turned into something watchable after stumbling a bit at its beginning. It certainly has many flaws, but it has more going for it than it seemed to at its start. Of all of the superhero shows on TV today, this one has the most potential. I hope they don’t squander it.

Verdict: Good

About: (Source: daredevil)

“Marvel’s Daredevil” is a live action series that follows the journey of attorney Matt Murdock, who in a tragic accident was blinded as a boy but imbued with extraordinary senses. Murdock sets up practice in his old neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen, New York where he now fights against injustice as a respected lawyer by day and masked vigilante at night.