Review: Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Episode 5

"The Grand Design" is a powerful, emotionally charged episode that doesn’t shy away from heartbreak or consequences. The show continues to push its characters to their limits, weaving together past and present in a way that makes every moment matter. Some knowledge and familiarity with the previous Netflix-era helps to frame the “flashbacks” in the episode, but there’s enough context for new fans of just the Disney+ series to understand the impact of these scenes. As in previous episodes without him, Mr. Charles’ omission was disappointing, though there were enough returning favorites here to more than make up for his absence.

Read below for our spoiler-heavy review:

Picking up immediately after last week’s tense cliffhanger, Vanessa is rushed into surgery, her life hanging by a thread. The Kingpin is reduced to a desperate husband, barely restrained as doctors fight to save her. The tension is palpable, and the performance from Vincent D’Onofrio shines as he embodies Fisk’s anguish and helplessness.

Officer Powell and the AVTF arrive to support Fisk, while Daniel Blake attempts to keep the press at bay, downplaying the severity of the situation. Vanessa survives surgery but remains unconscious, and Fisk waits anxiously at her bedside, determined she will recover. He orders Powell to bring Daredevil and Bullseye in alive if they’re found, setting the stage for a citywide manhunt.

Meanwhile, Daredevil and Bullseye have taken refuge in a restaurant kitchen, but Bullseye seems resigned to his fate, believing that some cosmic balance has been restored. Daredevil refuses to let Bullseye die, driven by his own need for redemption. The episode weaves their tense escape with the mounting chaos outside, as Fisk’s rage threatens to consume the city if Vanessa doesn’t make it.

The hospital scenes continue to build on the emotional stakes. Blake meets with BB who pushes him for updates on Vanessa’s condition. Their interaction is brief but seemingly heartfelt, culminating in a hug that cuts through their tension.

Fisk is visited by the doctor, who emphasizes the precariousness of Vanessa’s situation but promises to do everything possible. The vulnerability from Fisk is striking—he’s willing to do anything for his wife, showing a rare glimpse of the man behind the menace.

Flashbacks in this episode serve to enrich the character arcs and provide context for present-day events. Vanessa’s early days in the art gallery are explored, foreshadowing her connection with Fisk. We also see a pre-politician Kingpin and his former right-hand man James Wesley discussing ways to diversify his business. There are also poignant Matt and Foggy scenes highlighting their early legal careers and the moral dilemmas they faced. These moments flesh out the defining relationships and motivations of our main characters, making the present-day stakes feel even more tragic.

Daredevil and Bullseye’s journey continues with Bullseye’s health deteriorating. He grapples with guilt and questions Daredevil about Vanessa’s fate, tying his own survival to hers. Their exchange is raw, culminating in Daredevil choking Bullseye when Foggy’s name is mentioned—a callback to their fraught history and Daredevil’s unresolved anger.

Back at the hospital, a news report about Vanessa is shown. This leads to a tense sequence with Daniel and Buck Cashman involving a trip to Albany and cryptic discussions about following orders and past traumas. There’s a definite Sopranos-vibe to their scenes which is obviously fun seeing Michael Gandolfini a part of.

In a pivotal scene, Daredevil brings Bullseye to Clinton Church, seeking sanctuary. Both know that if Vanessa dies, nowhere is safe from Kingpin’s wrath. The Seminarian offers shelter, but the AVTF storms the church, forcing Daredevil and Bullseye to strategize for escape. Bullseye, wracked with guilt over Foggy’s death, insists Daredevil leave him behind. Daredevil, torn between duty and emotion, briefly considers leaving Bullseye to his fate. But ultimately he flees with him to his hideout shocking a waiting Karen Page.

The episode’s emotional crescendo arrives as Vanessa finally succumbs. Despite the doctors’ efforts, she flatlines, leaving Fisk devastated. The flashbacks throughout the episode underscore the loss and heartbreak with the final one to their very first scene from the original Daredevil series, completing the circle of their story.

This episode is full of tension, character development, and tragedy. It’s unflinching in its depiction of loss, guilt, and the consequences of violence. With Vanessa’s death, the stakes for Kingpin, Daredevil, and Bullseye are higher than ever, setting the stage for a dramatic fallout in the episodes to come.