Born Again S2 rewatch and some cornplating: Episode 1-2
DISCLAIMER: I enjoyed Season 2, but this post contains a lot of criticism. But that comes from the place of love, and surely, I don't think anyone would actually object any of the thesis there.
It's nice to see a man, who's been struggling with suicidal ideation for quite a lot, being actually happy about surviving the night. There's something healing about seeing Matt smile as he realizes that he actually lived the ship's capsizing. He later also says that he actually wants to "get alive" out of Red Hook, which is so nice to hear from this guy. He actually grown over the years, and started to value his own life and be aspired to return to loved ones, which is not an explicit, but a very huge step in Matt's evolution as a character.
I still don't understand why they altered lighting in final cut. Promotional still image kinda implies it was actually digitally altered? The trailer one looks much more softer with golden light (thus more intimate?), it has deeper contrast and shadows that polish the shot. The pale overexposed blue just doesn't capture the weight of this "reunion", even it happened off-screen, and just generally makes eyes bleed. And the fact that it happens all across season just irks me so much, I can't. Like, why, why??
I also love to analyze the set and its details, because it might hide some stuff that tells something about the characters. For example, this one isn't really seen in the final cut itself, but Karen just loves to throw around her underwear, this is how comfortable she is in that appartment of theirs. Or it's Matt's bra? Who knows.
By the way, the abandoned attic is kinda Matt/Karen shtick in original comics. They move to similar place in original "Born Again" storyarc, when Karen returns to New York. Also, worth noting, that by this point, Matt and Karen are technically still hunted by Fisk. Even tho that place explodes, they still choose to live in some studio in the attic in "Predator's Smile" novel and Nocenti's run.
There are several continuity errors across the season, and I love chronology and story-consistency, so it bothers me very much. This Wanted poster keeps me at night. The first photo is just a shot from Episode 3, but it can be excused, 'cause our girl might not have lots of clothes or place for them (as we learned previously). But what's up with "court room trial of Mayor Wilson Fisk"? What does this refers to? What trial? When it happened? Why it happened? Do they meant like... The one that happens in Episode 8? Or what?
This little infodrop implies that Fisk isn't legally allowed to be involved in real estate or construction, his old businesses in original Season 1, even though he is a mayor now. This is a nice detail, I love that, but they didn't really delve into details of how exactlly Fisk was acquitted post-S3, so there's still so many question about his current status-quo.
Like I said, I'm a little obsessed about chronology, and this is my another ick. Second season is officially happening 6 months after the first, and yet, the show acts like it's been several weeks at max. Like, what do you mean BB and Karen never had a conversation about Ben, or meaningful enough for BB to know for sure that Karen was close with Ben? It begs the question about what exactly Matt and Karen were doing in those six months? I mean, I already came up with tons of fix-it headcanons, but still, they never adress this issue in the show itself.
The same goes for this scene. Like, did Matt and Karen never discussed whether or not they miss their past life, being the old selves, Nelson Murdock and Page? I guess as soon as they admitted feelings to each other they were just having a fun time for half a year straight, because it's kinda... Well, not consistent? Idk. Just so weird.
This is a nice way to acknowledge that Sister Maggie is still around and have a big chance of coming back soon, but I just don't understand, why Dex is looking for her specifically? From what we know about his POV, Sister Maggie just happens to be a random person who aided Karen and chatted with Ray a little bit, which kinda made him betray Fisk. So, Dex can't possibly know who Sister Maggie is to Matt (and by that extent, to Karen), and what function she has in Matt's life (which is mentorship and guiding one).
Also, this blue light very quickly becomes boring, so other episodes that not directed by Benson & Moorhead straight-up don't use it. I mean, it is a cool representation of Dex's mindset and inner turmoil, but it really gets overused like in a span of few episodes, just like the overlapping scenes, but that remained thru entirety of season. But if I was given a choice between this overlaps and Dex's blue light, I would choose the latter, cuz at least it's a cool method of "show don't tell"
We all heard about irritating MCU humor, but Born Again, despite it flaws, magically lands every single one of such jokes, and it doesn't disrupt the flow of narrative (unlike some serious moments). It suits Bullseye to be a little humorous, and they definitely leaned onto that aspect of a character this season, which was benefitial to overall portrayal of him being unhinged as hell.
This little moment in the bar also seems to be chopped up. It just fries me how much scenes were cut and I don't understand why. Like, there clearly was a dialogue before "cheers", but we just never see it. Like, what is Matt or Karen right about? What were they talking about prior to that? Why we can't just see them existing anymore? Like, this was such a good set-up for them to recall the events of BA 1x01, talk about Foggy and express high hopes, but they just cut that shit. Ugh.
This is important to me that after years of providing the comfort to others, Karen is one who receives it. She deserves all the kisses, and cuddles, and hugs, and strokes, and carreses and compliments, and I'm glad that it's Matt who gives her all that, a guy who struggled with not just giving, but taking comfort himself. Also, love how quiet they are. It adds certain level of softness and tenderness to both, and it really shows how much healthier Matt and Karen dynamic became over the years, despite all the odds. Also, it has another little reference to original "Born Again" with black hole metaphor.
And this is the only example where I actually like overexposure, especially after disappointing yet another altered shot from the trailer with Daredevil's grin. I love the consistent angel leitmotiff within Karen's character, and dychotomy it creates with Matt's devilish imagery. Her 616 pet-name was "angel", her secret identity was "Paige Angel", and she clearly possess this certain "fallen angel" narrative in original Born Again comic. And this scene, man, it's so corny, I love it. Matt sits there in darkest (and may I notice, lowest) corner of stairs in his devil suit. And as soon as Karen arrives, an angelic chorus is in the background music and the brightest source of light appears, like she descended from literal heaven.
