Into the Ring

This should be a benchmark for what a superhero-based TV series can achieve in its first season. The goal of this show wasn't just to pay tribute to fanservice, or introduce a ton of characters into the Marvel world; rather, what we get is a heart-wrenching exposition spread out beautifully that tells us everything we need, and want, to know about Matthew Murdock. Beyond this, we are introduced to one of the most terrifying comic-based villains there is, King Pin. D'onofrio's ability to have you on the edge of your seat by just by existing in a scene is textbook. Another key element to this show is that whenever we're introduced to a new character on the side of the good, or even the bad, we get to know about the connections they have. We learn about what's important to them, what drives them, and what they will strive for no matter the danger that lies ahead. And this danger is not something that's cheap, as we find in multiple parts of this season that no character is in fact safe. It's always sad to see characters we learn to love and root for get taken out in brutal ways, but I appreciate that plot armor will not be found in Hell's Kitchen.... well except on Mr. Murdock perhaps. Overall, this first season does a great job introducing us to the charismatic Matthew Murdock, and the highly skilled, relentless Daredevil, along with a studded cast of exciting and lovable characters. Being able to have this strong of a storyline in a superhero based TV series that lasts almost twice as long as most others in the same realm is truly an impressive accomplishment. Foggy is just the cherry on top, too.

"Into the Ring" is the pilot that kicks off this show and gives first impressions. With Marvel recently just aired Agent Carter which was received very well and of course the still ongoing Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. which has gained quality in its new season however many are still divided towards it. Meanwhile, DC in TV has been excellent, they have a huge audience with them and they have been completely destroying Marvel in TV standards. Marvel had to step up their game in TV, sure Agent Carter was a step up, but they needed more to compete with DC. Then came this show which I gave a shot as I want to see Marvel's go at a show now focusing on a main superhero, and boy did I like this one.

The episode instantly starts with (of course) the origin story. I thought that the origin story was gonna take about 1/4 or 1/2 of the episode and it would just drag on. But then something magical happened, it didn't. Just like the Flash, the origin was sped up (pun intended) and they cut the crap and basically said: you know the basics, he's a guy who's blind, a vigilante, he's skilled, you've seen this a lot of times, now shut up and enjoy the episode, and I particularly liked that about the episode. The audience don't need another extremely long origin, you know what'll happen it's basic stuff. To fill in those minor gaps and add depth to Matt Murdock, the episode also uses flashbacks to develop and get to know things in life that might be valuable in times of danger and I'm sure there'll be more flashbacks in more episodes. Charlie Cox was okay as Daredevil, I can't say much since it's his first episode so far, but eventually he will warm up to me and he will improve even further. The action sequences are one of the highlights of the episode. They were shot well and thank god for minimal shaky cam. The choreography was a lot like from Captain America: The Winter Soldier and that's saying a lot because the action in that movie was mind-blowing and intense especially in hand to hand combat action. The episode also gives you a look through the crime world wherein Matt Murdock lives in especially towards the end of the episode. With brilliant editing and brilliant music, it truly brings you in to the crime world that you are about to witness through this show. The episode also feels like a crime thriller rather than a superhero show. It's like The Dark Knight wherein it focuses more in the world of crime and corruption with Batman thrown in it, the same is the case for Daredevil. I'm not saying it's bad or anything, but it's special since shows like The Flash or Arrow are purely superhero shows and focuses on the superhero and comical stuff. While this show focuses on the atmosphere and crime world that makes it different from these DC shows. I'm excited for this show and potential is very strong within it. DC's army should get ready, Marvel has a Daredevil in TV now.

+Taking cues from DC shows and Marvel movies, +It cut the crap, you know the basics of Daredevil, +Flashbacks, +No overly long and dragged origin story, +Good Daredevil, +Excellent and intense hand to hand combat action Sequences, +A crime thriller.

Verdict: 9.4/10

I fell in love for this series right at the very first episode. Such a strong start, I can say. Unlike its movie counterparts, this one's gritty and has some darkness in it. Loved how the very first episode delivered a handful of reveals without too much spoiling about the rest of the series. Its still building up right where it started ablaze. The backstories are properly placed and well-executed. I'm loving the fact this episode isn't compressed about his trainings and growing up alone. Major characters' expositories are really well-inserted, and the fight sequences are beautifully choreographed! For a TV series, this an overwhelming feat. I'm loving the show's dynamics. One of this best origin stories I've seen, so far. Can't wait to have more of it, I might finish the whole series in no time! :)

So I finally got around to watching the first episode of one of the most buzzed about TV shows, at least of superhero shows. After the Ben Affleck debacle, which was not his fault by the way, I wasn't too interested in another adaptation of the man without fear. This new take on Marvel's blind superhero seems to take the character in a different direction. The opening episode is by far the darkest thing that the Marvel universe has done. It's definitely an advantage of having the show on Netflix as opposed to network television.

We begin with the initial accident to Matt Murdock and the tragic but interesting consequences it has on him. We also get introduced to what we can assume will be on his team come the rest of the season, Karen Page and Foggy Nelson. I thought Deborah Ann Woll's performance as Page was the highlight of the episode. There was absolutely nothing fake to her performance and didn't come off as damsel in distress like female characters in superhero movies/shows often do. Nelson brought comedic relief but so far, I can do without. We only got a glimpse into Wilson Fisk's AKA Kingpin's plan but I love the way Hell's Kitchen was set up. One of the criticisms of Arrow was that they failed early on at showing the brutally despicable sides of the Glades in Starling City. But Daredevil seemed to understand how to set up a city that does indeed need saving.

The show is more graphic and realistic than the movies or TV shows of the universe has done so far. So I'm not to keen on the full on crossover just yet. In fact the show only hints at the events of New York as 'the incident'. But those events did pave the way for Fisk's business plans. Murdock springs into action against Fisk's associates a few times during the episode, in his cloth like costume. The fight sequences are absolutely incredible. They make even Winter Soldier seem like works of a semi-pro. I also really enjoyed the opening credits as it seemed Girl with a Dragon Tattoo like. The show has a lot of promise so far, and can be something fresh Marvel can put out every year. So I'm really looking forward to watching the rest of the season in the coming days.

+Setting up the team

+Opening credits

+Action sequences

+Hell's Kitchen seems like Hell's Kitchen

8.4/10

It cannot be understated just how good episode 1 of Daredevil really is! The flashbacks to Matt Murdock's childhood is beautifully done and adds so much to the overall story. This episode is a great introduction to Matt Murdock/Daredevil (Charlie Cox), Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson) and Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll).

Here Murdock and Foggy are on their first case as lawyers and the first person the ever defend is Karen page. Things look pretty cut and dry that Karen murdered her employee, the police find him stabbed to death with Karen covered in his blood and holding the murder weapon, but only Matt believes her because of his ability to sense weather she is telling the truth or not through her heart beats. Gradually more and more unravels and things are not as they seem.

It is also the first and certainly not the last time we see James Wesley (Toby Leanard Moore). You see right away that he is not just a henchman to a notorious crime boss, but he is sly and ruthless in his own right and will sink to evil depths to blackmail someone and use them for his own gain.

The fight scenes look so stylish in this series, you see exactly what motivates him to fight criminal gangs and mobs, you see him get hurt time and time again and I love the scene where he gets up and you just see his blood dripping from his mouth as he gets up in the pouring rain. It is a gorgeously shot series with awesome use of shadows and light really setting the tone and atmosphere perfectly. It is movie quality in my opinion. A fantastic start to a series that makes an impression from the start.