Daredevil - S2E5 - Kinbaku

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Previously on Daredevil, “Penny and Dime“

“Hello, Matthew.”

Before we discuss the sassy and seductive Greek heiress in the room, let’s quickly talk about the other events that occurred in this episode. The B-plots were a step back from the high-octane events of the previous episodes. There was a lot of table setting with Foggy and Karen where pieces were slowly being put into place. The consequences of which will undoubtedly bear fruit as the season moves along.

Now on to Elektra Natchios.

Perhaps I’m a product of the Frank Miller era of Daredevil comics, but Matt Murdock’s world just isn’t complete without her. It’s like Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy (or Peter Parker and Mary Jane), Clark Kent and Lois Lane, Dante and Beatrice, and Tom and Jerry. This portrayal of the character, while not entirely a faithful adaptation, is a shift in the right direction—a shift away from the Elektra Natchios portrayed by Jennifer Garner in the widely-panned Daredevil and Elektra films of the early 2000s.

Elodie Yung breathes new life to the character with her (more accurate) portrayal of the iconic Daredevil love interest. First off, bravo for casting a woman of mixed French and Cambodian heritage to play Elektra Natchios, a Greek woman. There’s something (and pardon the pun) electrifying about her when she enters a room that’s augmented by her poise, her subtle facial expressions, and that sexy foreign accent. Mind you, she’s never over-sexualized in this episode and proves that you never need to bare all in order to seduce the senses. The chemistry between Elodie Yung and Charlie Cox is intoxicating, especially when compared to Matt’s scenes with Karen that are woefully devoid of the witty repartee that characterizes the Matt/Elektra relationship. While I’m not a fan of the budding Matt/Karen romance this season, the chemistry that Charlie Cox and Deborah Ann Woll are trying to sell us just comes out a tad bit forced. Their date was so saccharine to the point of being cringe-worthy.

“You desperately want to belong somewhere with someone.”

Nevertheless the seductive illusion of Elektra is destroyed when they break into Roscoe Sweeney’s home and she goads Matt into taking the life of the man responsible for his father’s death. Suddenly it becomes clear that she’s not just a bored rich girl living for the thrill, she’s a textbook psychopath who thinks that Matt is a kindred spirit. It’s in that moment that Matt perhaps makes a definitive stance that shapes his moral code as we know it. And it’s in that moment we realize why Matt has such a negative Pavlovian reaction to Elektra’s sudden return into his life. For anyone that has ever had to contend with a psycho ex-lover, the baggage between the two becomes so much more relatable. And as the two prepare for the impending attack by the Yakuza goons, one can’t help but feel excited for the next episode as Elektra pulls a ninja mask over her face and prepares to bring the pain.

Side Notes and Memorable Quotes

“Why is it gray?”- Foggy “One of life’s mysteries.”- Josie

I couldn’t stop laughing.

“Despite your artisan tequilas and your charm school manners, despite being richer than God and having the whole world in your fingertips, you’re just bored.”- Matt

“You’re dying on the vine of this tight-ass party because daddy’s money can’t buy you the one thing you really need… the unexpected.”- Matt

Let’s play a game. Pour yourself a shot every time Elektra throws shade at Matt. Are you drunk yet?

Marcy got a job at Jeri Hogarth’s firm! I hope we see more of her in the next season of Jessica Jones.

Of course D.A. Reyes is using her capture of The Punisher as a platform to launch her mayoral campaign. Commence eye-roll sequence in 3…2…1.

The Matt and Elektra sex scene in the boxing ring was relatively tame when compared to the sex scenes of Jessica Jones and Luke Cage.

Call me a hater, but Karen’s B-plot where she plays the investigative reporter just made me miss Ben Urich so much more. And I still blame her for his death last season.

Roscoe Sweeney is still a tool. Funny how things haven’t changed.

I want to eat cheese off of Charlie Cox’s abs.

Fun Fact and Food For Thought: The director of this episode, Floria Sigismondi, also directed the music video for Marilyn Manson’s “The Beautiful People.”

Fun Fact: “Kinbaku” is the Japanese art of erotic rope bondage. Take from that what you will.