Daredevil - S2E8 - Guilty as Sin

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Previously on Daredevil, “Semper Fidelis”

“So… who wants to get the hell out of here?”

“Guilty as Sin” picks up immediately after the end of the previous episode with Matt surmising (based on how long it took to finally hear his stick reach the bottom) that the hole must be at least forty stories deep. They’re soon ambushed by ninjas that quickly make short work of Matt and Elektra before Stick makes a dramatic entrance to rescue their sorry hides. Surprisingly enough, none of these ninjas tried to toss them into the pit though. That’s…. shockingly uncharacteristic, I suppose?

Nevertheless, may I simply register my delight in the fact that the show didn’t resort to the tired old trope of having the ninjas attack them one at a time. Matt can’t even hear their heartbeats- which means that he doesn’t know where they’re standing—which means that all his hits have ZERO chances of landing. Elektra is stabbed with a poisonous blade and barely survives to see the light of morning were it not for Stick’s timely intervention.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it was only a matter of time before the show started diving headfirst into the mystical and Asian-inspired storylines established thus far, what with the Punisher’s vigilante justice arc and now the trial of Frank Castle taking up a bulk of the season. For anyone familiar with the source material, Elektra’s introduction into the show merely heralded the eventual introduction of Marvel’s take on a ninja death cult.

“The big bad Punisher. Well here I am. I AM THE PUNISHER!”

Setting aside the Elektra/Stick/The Hand drama for now, the episode returns to the centerpiece of the show thus far: The Trial of Frank Castle. Matt is arguably at his best when he’s in the courtroom. He’s been a terrible friend and neglectful partner so far this season so it’s refreshing to actually see him pulling his weight on the case that will either make or break Nelson & Murdock. Matt works so hard to put a halo on Frank’s head by calling his former commanding officer (played by Clancy Brown) as a character witness and to recount the events that led to his Medal of Honor.

A brief outburst from the son of one of his victims even provides a sobering moment for Frank, who hasn’t really been given much screen time to reflect upon the consequences of his bloody crusade. Of course, Matt’s efforts to cast his client in a more sympathetic light are rendered moot when Frank is called to the stand. He explodes in front of the entire courtroom, boldly admits his guilt, and declares that he’d murder these people all over again if he had to. So much for a lighter sentence.

In the end, this episode felt like a long setup for the big reveal at the en,d but the pay-off was well worth it. Because… WILSON. FISK. IS. BACK.

WILSON. FISK. IS. BACK.

This is not a drill. Bring on the next episode.

Side Notes and Memorable Quotes

Quote of the Week: “I see you got my message.”- Wilson Fisk

• These Ninjas have no heartbeat! Take from that what you will.
• Stick’s story about the origin of The Hand and The Chaste would’ve been much more interesting with visual aids instead of the sound of swords clashing in the distant background.
• A blind man should never get behind the wheel no matter how skilled he is with multiple weapons AND a crossbow.
• Why was Stick’s car the only one on the road during the chase? This is New York City! I mean…that was oddly convenient.
• I love how Stick makes Matt fix him a cup of tea while he tends to Elektra’s wounds—as if the fate of the world relies on him being able to enjoy the comforts of a hot beverage.
• “I’m smack-dab in the middle of my right goddamn mind.”- Frank Castle
• So Clancy Brown makes his debut in a seemingly minor role as Frank’s former commanding officer. By virtue of the casting choice alone, I know that there’s something else about this guy. Colonel Ray Schoonover, you’re on notice.
• What was Karen thinking when she walked into Matt’s apartment to see Stick and Elektra there? Does she think that Matt was having a threesome? Ugh. Just tell her the truth already!