Daredevil (TV Series) Dogs to a Gunfight (2016) User Reviews

Crossfire

[ThomasDrufke · 8/10 · 21 March 2016]

Well, there's nothing like a good old fashioned cliffhanger to end an episode. If only I was able to watch the next episode immediately. A poor attempt at a joke, sure, but you have to love Netflix's style of TV. I love being able to watch the very next episode of this show with the click of a button. I've had my doubts about season 2, but it doesn't seem like it's going to let me down any time soon. Not only did we get yet another fight with the Punisher, but this episode put a few things that were unclear, into perspective. Another good episode for the Devil from Hell's Kitchen.

We began the episode with Foggy finding bloody Matt on top of the rooftop where Punisher left him. A bullet to the head didn't stop Daredevil from getting back up the very next opportunity, even if he is having some serious trouble with his hearing. It was nice to see Melvin Potter make an appearance in helping Matt with the suit and a good reminder as to the promise Matt made Melvin about protecting his family, something he's struggling with in general right about now.

But Foggy and Karen aren't doing a whole lot better. They got shut down by Reyes and her crew and their plan of getting Grotto into witness protection isn't fairing to well either. But I was happy to see Foggy attempt to step up his game against Reyes anyway. Karen's increasing curiosity surrounding Matt's whereabouts once again begs the question as to when she will find out about Daredevil. Matt's excuses are definitely getting pretty weak. It's a story line that has been done over and over again in the comics and in TV & film, so I just hope she responds in a realistic way and not a way that will just delay the inevitable.

The Punisher had another big episode as we got Jon Bernthal in full Punisher glory as he took out more of the Dogs of Hell and a store clerk who took his comments about young women a little too far with Castle. It's yet to be seen how close to his story in the comics they will stick to, but I think that moment alone says a lot about who Frank Castle is and his history. Overall, it wasn't a hugely eventful episode until the end, but it's hard to deny how well made this show is. Hopefully the episodes continue to be this good.

+Another Punisher/Daredevil fight

+Foggy stepped up

+Cliffhanger

+Punisher takes out the clerk

-Slow building

8.0/10

Amazing

[amindostiari · 10/10 · 30 March 2021]

A wonderful episode as always. Punisher is going to make this season attractive.

Sustainable, even if it revisits some of Season 1's encounters.

[ayushman98 · 8/10 · 19 March 2016]

While I previously stated that Episode 1 fueled the season with a whole lot of potential, episode 2 delivers on an entirely fair scale for enough entertainment, yet it tends to borrow some plots of Season 1, starting with Cut Man, where Matt Murdock is wounded pretty bad and found in a dumpster. This time, he almost gets taken out for good, except that Foggy finds him on a rooftop in broad daylight. The chances of not being compromised are nearly impossible but what puts the jigsaws back in the puzzle is the ongoing dynamic between Matt, Foggy and Karen. This episode is more attached in story mode as they escort Grotto to safety and try to nail the vigilante behind the attacks for good. Foggy's dialogue or monologue against Reyes is sure to set the benchmark. Jon Bernthal on the other hand gets a bigger role to play in this episode and the second faceoff between Daredevil and the Punisher does not disappoint, but then again, the creators of this show discussed something related to topping the hallway fight in Season 1, Episode 2. So I was kind of hoping this would serve as the worthy superior but that's unfortunately not the case. Regardless of that, we still have eleven episodes for discovering what else they have in store.

8/10

Shot dogs and "The Punisher"

[jpinedoyl · 9/10 · 30 January 2019]

Classic tropes of loss of powers, flavorful nods to the use of the word dog in the title, development of the relationship in our three main protagonists and a a second fight between DD and ....The Punisher (my attempt at being as dramatic as the assistant DA's reveal).

Let's start by just getting out where this area was lacking so I may get around to places it shined. The writing could have been better. As has been named in a review below, there were simply areas where disbelief could not be suspended (particularly in the end scene when many police snipers had open shots at the Punisher and could not seem to land even one; the grand total of their firing was one graze to the arm. And the fact that an injured Punisher was quickly able to carry DD's potentially resistant body away while injured himself).

What was great: Murdock really has to come to terms with sacrifice and the cost of being DD. When he was shot (in E1), could have been killed or found. We have our first loss of powers situation here and the most serious "concerned mother" Foggy we've seen hitherto this point. Matt has been reduced not only to human but to someone deaf and blind, helpless in his apt as he heals. Of course this doesn't last long.

The title is a clever nod to the dog Frank rescued from the Irish (who had bullet hole injuries), the Dogs of Hell he shot up and one who he sent in to bullets of the police via semi-truck cab, and the two main dogs in this episode, DD and Punisher, fighting on a rooftop while it's raining bullets on them.

This episode is an important lesson in the consequences of Murdock's haste and compulsion to put the suit back on without patience. He loses a second time to the Punisher, who perhaps this episode is more about in a way.

The dramatic scene revealing the nickname of the "hospital shooter" as the Punisher makes clear that he will be more important than just a character of two episodes. They set the stakes by showing that his work is tantamount to the work of a small, trained army, and the severity of his violence hanging on meat-hooks. And finally showing that hand-to-hand, this man has bested a suited MM (and eluded the cops at least) twice. And of equal importance, Frank Castle who clearly has the capacity, chose not to kill our main character twice now.

This episode is not the best of the season, and has its flaws for sure (how did DD get his powers back so quickly after being shot in the head? how does a man stand atop a water tower so near a high-level police sting and not get seen? Why do these cops lack the protocol, or sniper skill of cops in the real world?), but it is very important because of what it sets up...a very important conflict between DD and the Punisher, and an underlying philosophical contemplation about the nature of a hero.

Finally, I MUST name a crazy, potential foreshadow of 2019 Punisher season two. In the pawn shop scene, the store owner says (about the NYPD mobile communications rig) "it'll probably pick up the mayor banging his boyfriend". Well interestingly enough **Spoiler for Punisher Season two** one of the primary points of conflict for Punisher season two is a set of photos of politician David Schulz kissing a man at a funeral of which two powerful entities has interest in obtaining. By this time he is already a senator (who the Russians want to control before he becomes president), but it seems plausible that he could have been NYC's mayor first. To my knowledge the mayor hasn't been named in the Netflix MCU, but correct me if I'm wrong. Now to be fair, if this was soo secret, then there's no reason a random pawn shop owner should know it, but the writers certainly did, and perhaps they were dropping an oh so subtle egg to be found. If I'm right, you saw it here first.

Golden ticket to second life

[quincytheodore · 8/10 · 21 March 2016]

The hunt for mysterious assassin continues, in legally dubious way by ambitious district attorney Reyes who pressure and deceive Foggy and Karen into doing her bidding. Meanwhile, the effect of brawl with aforementioned assassin, has left lasting impression on Matt. The episode tone is made into grey area, and it creates a certain ambiguity about the nature of this antagonist.

The main premise of this episode is how far good people would go to help their less morally upstanding peer. Foggy and Karen try to get Grotto into a witness protection program, but considering his prior and the unwillingness of district attorney, this proves to be difficult. Grotto is rough around the edges, he appeals for compassion yet he does it not out of remorse but more for his self-preservation.

This ongoing theme, brilliantly established with only two episodes, also covers the Punisher himself, played by Jon Bernthal. He's a surprisingly good cast for the role, looking rugged and physically appropriate for the killer. We only catch glimpse of him, although his second encounter with Daredevil is drawing near.

These two polar opposite characters feed off each other, it's a really good development for Murdock since he needs to be tested after Fisk is gone and the Punisher provides that challenge. The collision eventually happens, in the midst of a coordinated manhunt from the DA office. The choreography is top notch as expected, it's a wonderfully executed clash for a prelude of even tougher night.

Not the Best But Still Good [7.8/10]

[panagiotis1993 · 8/10 · 17 May 2023]

Live Reaction / Review for Daredevil Season 2 Episode 2: I didn't get too excited by watching Episode 1, I gave it a 7.5/10, I hope E2 is much much better. Matt gets a serious beating once again. What is going on with Matt, is he dying or having a panic attack or something? There is so much sexual tension between Matt and Karen I think. I don't know exactly why but the fights between the punisher and matt could be better, like more brutal. They are a bit slow and many times its like they hit the air, they don't even touch each other like watching a WWE match or something. The episode ends with a a cool cliffhanger. Certain things didn't make sense, for example the snipers not being able to hit the target for like a minute but stil entertaining. My rating is 7.8/10.

Strong

[Leofwine_draca · 7/10 · 16 October 2021]

A strong second episode. We see more of the Punisher this time around and love every moment of his existence. The rest feels deeper and darker than before, particularly Murdock's increasing anguish.

Bad writing

[haydnlawrence-18649 · 2/10 · 20 March 2016]

***This contains spoilers*** This episode is absolutely horrific. I have only watched this episode the once and did not need to go back to find the glaring problems inherent in it, especially the ending.

Why would the cops fire on the truck (springing their ambush) immediately as there was no need and they didn't have confirmation of anything? This is factoring in the Punisher knew it was a trap. It was still inane to break their cover at that point.

How did four (or more) trained snipers miss the Punisher on the rooftop with little cover and for over a minute? How did the Punisher, with a shot arm no less, escape while carrying an either limp or fighting Daredevil when the place was surrounded by cops (there were many there)? The Punisher is good, but not that good.

I will give the season a chance as sometimes writers get lazy; however, this was very lazy/bad writing and I hope it does not continue. I had other problems with the Daredevil character development too, but that's opinion. I'm here to point out gaping story holes.