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| source// Lionsgate |
It is not for nothing that Daredevil has become arguably the most acclaimed superhero TV series around at the moment. The first season knew just what the viewers wanted, delivering a tight, exciting drama that was grounded in real life as well as being unafraid to show its comic book roots. The second season had a lot to live up to, then, but – though reviews have been a little more mixed – most are of the opinion that it manages to reach the heights of the first.
For those of us who have already binged watched the new season, it’s impossible not to wonder what is next for the show. Certainly, season two built on the first by giving us even more of the things that fans were craving – the Punisher, Elektra, the Hand, even some surprise appearances from the Kingpin – but there are still a few things that we can’t wait to see on the show, as well as some elements we really want them to follow up on in season three.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some things that have to happen when Daredevil next returns. Inevitably, some spoilers for season 2 follow…
8. Elektra’s Return
This is less something that we really hope will happen and more something that is bound to happen, as Elektra’s resurrection was teased by the final shots of season two. However, we also do really want this to occur. Not just because it would be a dramatic new complication in Matt Murdock’s ever-problematic life, but also because it could go some way to fixing perhaps the biggest deficiency of the last season.
While Elodie Yung was terrific as Matt’s wayward ex-girlfriend and the character was a fantastic addition to the series, the plot thread of Elektra being the mythical Black Sky – the living weapon that would apparently grant the Hand omnipotence (I think) – was unfortunately underdone and less than brilliantly executed. While we obviously haven’t had all the information yet, the storyline still should have been able to stand on its own.
As such, if Elektra was resurrected in season three, we would get some further exploration of this somewhat half-baked plot thread and a chance to have it resolved. Largely, though, it would just be great to have more Elektra.
7. The Hand’s Plans Explained
Moreover, another thing that needs to happen in season three is for the overarching plot of The Hand to finally reach its conclusion. Throughout the last two seasons of the show, the mystical ninja clan The Hand have been plotting away in the background. Right now, all we know of their scheme is that it mostly revolves around the aforementioned Black Sky and, for some reason, a massive pit in Hell’s Kitchen.
While it obviously is impressive that the show-makers have such long-running plans themselves, to draw the story out even more might have the effect of leaving us hanging just a bit too long. While season three will no doubt bring some new elements to the show, one of the things that it must do is return to the Hand and wrap up their plotline.
And also, it would be cool if – despite his decapitation at the hands of Stick – Nobu returned from the dead once again. Even if it was just for a quick cameo to confirm that he is the series’ incarnation of Kirigi, the head of the Hand in the comics.
6. Matt Meets His Mother
At the start of season two’s episode three, we see a flashback to Matt’s childhood where a kindly nun is tending to him. Now, this could be a throwaway scene (pfft!) but comics fans will know that this is much more likely setting up an important character to be picked up in the show’s future. Here’s hoping that this character is introduced in season three, as they would be an interesting addition to the show. So who is this mysterious nun? It is almost certainly Matt’s mother.
In the comics, Maggie Murdock suffered from post-natal depression after giving birth to her son, even being driven to try and hurt the baby boy. Terrified by her actions, she left her family and hid herself away in a convent. Just from the point of view of the characters, introducing Maggie in season three would be a great move – because basically Matt needs some good news right now. After Elektra’s death, the guy could do with having his mother back in his life.
Also, the introduction of Matt’s mother in the comics happens in seminal storyline Born Again, which fans have been dying for the show to adapt since season one. Could season three finally tackle it?
5. Karen’s Past Revealed
Karen Page is definitely not your average legal secretary who is romantically involved with a masked vigilante – she is actually someone just as enigmatic and secretive as the superhero of the title. Not only is she the murderer of Fisk’s assistant Wesley, she also has a dark event in her past that has been alluded to over the past couple of seasons.
Clues for this tragedy include the fact that she is unusually proficient at firearms – so much so that she impressed that massive gun-nut the Punisher – and that she used to have a brother. Our biggest hint at her secret happened when Ellison showed Karen what Ben Urich had researched about her before he died. A newspaper clipping outlining the event can only be glimpsed on screen for a second but, with the amazing power of the pause button, we can see that the headline reads ‘Mystery Accident Causes Teen Fatality.’ Presumably, the ‘teen fatality’ refers to Karen’s brother – and you can bet that the ‘accident’ was actually caused in some way by Karen.
As Matt has now divulged his greatest secret to Karen – the fact that he is Daredevil – hopefully she will do the same with him and reveal the full details of this accident.
4. Nelson & Murdock Reunite
After Foggy found out about his best bud’s alter ego late on in season one, things have been fraught between the partners of Nelson & Murdock. However, while the end of that season saw the pair patch things up, season two left the fate of the firm in question. Currently things look bleak for the lawyers, as Foggy has been poached by Jeri Hogarth’s company. However, here’s hoping that the avocados at law make it up in season three.
It wouldn’t be a Daredevil story if things at Nelson & Murdock were always hunky dory, but overall the firm should always stay together. If Foggy does go over to Hogarth’s company, the show will lose the great angle of these two small but good-natured lawyers taking on a big case. Plus, we really need to see more of Nelson and Murdock working together in court. Currently, we have seen a lot of Foggy being a great lawyer, but Matt is often busy being a superhero.
Daredevil hasn’t so far been the sort of show to simply hit a reset button on the characters’ problems, so we shouldn’t expect the firm to be up and running right away. The most likely scenario is that Nelson & Murdock reuniting will take a large chunk of the series, as Matt and Foggy rebuild their friendship.
3. The Defenders Unite
Right now, we are unsure just when we will actually see Daredevil season three. Currently, Marvel’s plan is to release Iron Fist and The Defenders next year, which would leave season three at least two years away. Whatever happens, though – whether this stays the same or if The Defenders is pushed back to accommodate another season of Daredevil – Matt Murdock’s fellow superheroes should definitely make appearances on the show.
The finale of season two finally gave us a proper crossover between Daredevil and Jessica Jones, as the aforementioned Hogarth turned up. By the time of season three, we will have got to know Luke Cage more thoroughly and met Danny Rand. So if The Defenders have yet to team up by then, we really need to see the seeds of this being sown.
And if season three does happen after The Defenders, then there is no excuse for the characters to not appear on Daredevil (like how the Avengers started turning up for cameos in each other’s films after the first Avengers movie). Come on, Marvel, you know it’s what we want.
2. The Kingpin Out Of Jail
One of the best surprises of season two was the return of Wilson Fisk – as he acted as the devil on Frank Castle’s shoulder, manipulating him into thinning out the competition. Even though he is in prison, Fisk is arguably stronger than ever. He has already risen to the top of the pile and – in a moment that caused fans to squee – has even sort of started referring to himself as the Kingpin.
As such, season three has to see Fisk get out of jail and resume his quest to tear down Hell’s Kitchen. There was a hint in season two that he had even started to suspect that his two greatest enemies, Matt Murdock and Daredevil, were one in the same (he asked his aid for files on Murdock after being punched by the lawyer).
If season three saw Fisk properly back on the scene and fully aware of Daredevil’s identity, it would surely make for some explosive drama. Also, this is basically the premise of Born Again, which as I’ve already said is ripe for the series to adapt.
1. Bullseye Must Appear
Ever since it was announced that Daredevil was getting his own TV show, fans have been theorising about how his nemesis Bullseye would be adapted for the series. While Kingpin is Matt Murdock’s most evergreen foe, and was rightly the one to be used first, Bullseye is the character who hits Daredevil where it hurts most. For instance, Bullseye is the killer of Elektra in the comics. His absence was sorely felt in season two when another character filled this role, in what should have been one of the villain’s iconic moments.
As such, Bullseye is overdue an appearance on the show. While we understand that the series has been packed with enough great characters so far, he can’t be held off any longer. Actually, some think that he has already appeared in the show, as one of Fisk’s snipers in season open had a playing card on his person – something that Bullseye has memorably turned into a deadly weapon in the comics. If this is him, it will be even easier to introduce him into the fold.
Like we needed the Daredevil TV show to cleanse the palette after the misguided 2003 movie, we need a new Bullseye to wash away the memory of the character’s, let’s say, larger-than-life portrayal at the hands of Colin Farrell in that film. How about Jason Statham, who was linked with the show prior to season 2?
What else should happen in Daredevil season three? Let us know in the comments?
