‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2 Episode 5 Recap: Vanessa’s fate sparks chaos—Fisk nears breaking point
'Daredevil: Born Again' episode 5 dives straight into action in the aftermath of last week's cliffhanger ending, which saw Bullseye gravely injuring Vanessa Fisk during her husband's boxing match. The skilled assassin escapes the building in time with a gunshot wound, with Daredevil chasing him down in the final moments of episode 4. This week's episode, titled 'The Grand Design,' dropped on Tuesday on Disney+ and saw Bullseye's attack start a chain reaction that could force Mayor Fisk to unleash his fury and vengeance like never before. The episode features flashback scenes of Matt and Vanessa, showcasing events from their lives before 'Born Again.'
The episode of the neo-noir thriller begins with Daredevil tracking down Bullseye, and the two vigilantes coming to blows again. Matt is consumed with anger for failing to stop his rival from taking Vanessa out. But his moral compass doesn't allow him to seek revenge, so he drags the injured Bullseye through the city's underground tunnels to the church to tend to his wounds. As Fisk's anti-vigilante task force is hot on their heels, Matt fears Fisk unleashing his revenge by using the brutal police force to crack down even harder on citizens.
The episode then delves into Vanessa's life before she met crime lord Wilson Fisk and became an accomplice in his crimes. In a flashback scene, the then-Vanessa Mariano is seen setting up her art gallery when she first catches Wilson's eye. This brief encounter signals the start of their love story that culminates in marriage. The flashback scenes add another layer of nostalgia as characters who were killed before 'Daredevil: Born Again' Season 2 make a comeback (of sorts) to fill in the missing pieces of the narrative puzzle.
Furthermore, Elden Henson returns as Matt's best friend and law partner, Foggy Nelson, who was killed by Bullseye at Vanessa's orders at the start of Season 1. Several years ago, Matt and Foggy worked on a case involving the latter's childhood bully, Lionel McCoy. They tried to get him a lenient prison sentence for the crimes he committed while working for the Kingpin. However, McCoy was well aware that Fisk would find a way to kill him in prison, and so he insisted on avoiding prison time altogether. In the end, the duo managed to get him off scot-free due to a clerical error, and Foggy offered him money to escape Hell's Kitchen and start his new life away from the Kingpin's reach. Matt is reminded of his friend's selflessness and his commitment to justice when he considers leaving Bullseye behind to face the Anti-Vigilante Task Force alone at church. He changes his mind and drags his archenemy to his Karen Page, who is understandably upset to see him.
Meanwhile, the press gets wind of Vanessa's attack after the Deputy Mayor, Daniel Blake, informs the reporter, BB Urich. Buck Cashman, Fisk's right-hand man, and Blake drive into the woods in Albany with Buck, who has brought a saw and shovel with him. For a moment, Blake fears the worst, but Buck asks for his help in disposing of the body of Christofi Savva, whom he had murdered in last week's episode. Savva was the First Mate of the Northern Star ship and had approached Karen with evidence of the Kingpin's criminal activities.
The episode finally gets into Vanessa's current state towards the end of the hour. She is rushed to the hospital, and she wakes up from the surgery, to Wilson's great relief. The emotional couple reminisces about their past as Vanessa asks her husband to recall their first meeting. Fisk recounts the moment he first saw her at the art gallery, getting nostalgic over her beauty and radiance. It's clear he can't bear the thought of losing her. But the tender moment gives way to confusion and panic when Vanessa asks him the same question again, this time with a slurred voice. She collapses moments later, with doctors rushing in to revive her. Fisk screams uncontrollably, watching the love of his life die in his presence. Watch the latest episodes of 'Daredevil: Born Again' Season 2 on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. on Disney+.
