With Daredevil: Born Again just around the corner, fans are gearing up for the return of Matt Murdock, Hell’s Kitchen’s blind defender. There’s no denying that Daredevil Seasons 1-3 told one of the best superhero stories on screen and so if you don’t have time to rewatch all 39 episodes before Born Again like me, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered.
Here’s everything you need to know about Daredevil’s journey so far.
Season 1: The Devil Rises
The first season of Daredevil introduces us to Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer by day and a vigilante by night, who is determined to clean up Hell’s Kitchen. His heightened senses—developed after a childhood accident—allow him to fight crime with near-superhuman precision. But unlike the Avengers, Matt isn’t dealing with aliens or gods; he’s battling the corruption and crime that plague his city.
At the heart of it all is Wilson Fisk, the man who secretly controls everything in Hell’s Kitchen. Unlike most comic book villains, Fisk isn’t just a brute force—he’s methodical, calculated, and, at times, even sympathetic. His love for art dealer Vanessa Marianna humanizes him, but his violent outbursts make it clear that he’s a ruthless monster underneath.
Throughout the season, Matt struggles with his dual life, trying to balance his law firm, Nelson & Murdock, with his growing presence as the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen. His best friend, Foggy Nelson, and their new assistant, Karen Page, become his closest allies, but neither knows about his secret life—at least, not at first.
After multiple near-death encounters, betrayals, and brutal fights—including that now-iconic hallway sequence—Matt finally takes Fisk down, leading to the Kingpin’s arrest. With his victory, he dons the red Daredevil suit for the first time, signaling that his war on crime has only just begun.
Season 2: War in Hell’s Kitchen
With Fisk behind bars, Season 2 shifts focus to two major threats: Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, and Elektra Natchios, Matt’s former lover with ties to a dangerous organization known as The Hand.
Frank Castle is unlike any adversary Matt has faced. A former Marine turned relentless vigilante, Castle wages a one-man war against crime, leaving behind a trail of bodies. His introduction is brutal—taking out entire gangs with military precision. But what makes Frank compelling isn’t just his violence; it’s his ideology. He and Matt share similar goals but vastly different methods. Their rooftop conversation about justice and morality is one of the show’s standout moments, showcasing why Frank Castle is more than just a mindless killer.
While Matt tries to bring Castle down, Elektra returns, pulling him into a war with The Hand, a secretive ninja cult that’s been manipulating events from the shadows. Her presence shakes Matt’s world, forcing him to question his purpose as both a hero and a man of faith.
By the season’s end, Matt is left shattered. Frank has fully embraced his role as The Punisher, Elektra has seemingly died (though not for long), and Matt’s relationships with Foggy and Karen are in ruins. The season ends with him revealing his identity to Karen, setting up the emotional fallout to come.
Season 3: Born Again, literally
Following the events of The Defenders, where Matt was presumed dead after a building collapse, Season 3 picks up with him barely alive, hiding in a church as he recovers. Stripped of his Daredevil suit and his faith in God, Matt is at his lowest point, believing that his mission as a hero was a mistake.
But Fisk, now out of prison and back in power, proves otherwise. This time, Fisk plays the long game, manipulating the FBI and turning public perception against Daredevil. Enter Benjamin Poindexter, an FBI agent with impeccable aim and severe mental instability. Fisk sees potential in him, grooming him into the perfect weapon—Bullseye.
Poindexter, dressed as Daredevil, goes on a violent rampage, framing Matt for crimes he didn’t commit. With the city against him and his friends in danger, Matt is forced to embrace his role as Daredevil once more. He sheds the red suit, returning to his black ninja attire, symbolizing his return to his roots.
The season builds to an explosive showdown between Daredevil, Bullseye, and Fisk in a brutal three-way fight in Fisk’s penthouse. In the end, Matt overpowers Fisk but chooses not to kill him, proving that he is more than just his anger. Instead, he forces Fisk to surrender by threatening Vanessa, the one thing Kingpin truly loves.
The season ends on a hopeful note—Matt, Foggy, and Karen decide to rebuild Nelson & Murdock, signaling a new beginning. But Fisk is still alive, Bullseye is undergoing experimental surgery (teasing his full transformation), and Hell’s Kitchen will always need its devil.
Where Daredevil Stands Now
After three seasons of brutal fights, moral dilemmas, and personal losses, Matt Murdock has been through hell—both figuratively and literally. He’s faced crime lords, deadly assassins, and his own inner demons, but he’s always come out the other side, bloodied but unbroken. His story has been one of resilience, sacrifice, and the never-ending battle for justice in a city that never stops pushing back.
With Daredevil: Born Again set to release on March 4, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how far Matt has come and what makes him one of the most compelling heroes in the Marvel universe. Whether he’s in the courtroom or the streets of Hell’s Kitchen, one thing remains the same: Daredevil fights for those who can’t fight for themselves. And no matter how many times he’s knocked down, he always gets back up.
