The latest installment of Daredevil: Born Again has arrived, marking the halfway point of the season with two new episodes, “With Interest” and “Excessive Force.” These episodes bring back the intense fight scenes that have been missing from the show in recent weeks, giving Matt a chance to showcase his skills and suit up once again. Now that he has embraced his inner demon, Matt is able to enjoy the thrill of taking down criminals and needling them, making for a more engaging watch.

The first episode, “With Interest,” is a more compact installment, with Mohan Kapur’s character, Yusuf Khan, being the only other actor to receive billing in the intro alongside Cox. Matt attempts to secure a bank loan but is unsuccessful, despite forming a rapport with Yusuf, who enthusiastically discusses his daughter, the hero of Jersey City. The episode then shifts its focus to Matt’s efforts to thwart Irish gangster Devlin and his crew, who plan to rob the bank and kill Khan and the other hostages.

Devlin is part of the Five Families that comprise New York’s criminal enterprise, which Vanessa previously controlled before Fisk pulled them away to pursue his mayoral ambitions. The chaos that ensues after the failed Red Hook hijacking disrupts the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, and this heist marks the return of Angie Kim, a detective and friend of Cherry’s, who was last seen in the pilot episode. Although her interactions with Devlin are reminiscent of typical hostage negotiation scenes, her appearance serves to establish her as a “good” cop, contrasting with the Punisher fanboys within the police force.

As a standalone episode, “With Interest” is an enjoyable watch, making the most of its runtime and providing Matt with ample opportunities to showcase his skills while keeping his secret intact. He is in full control of the situation, and now that he has accepted his desire to inflict harm on criminals, he is able to relish the experience. The episode’s highlight is Matt’s final move, where he breaks Devlin’s legs during their fight.

However, it’s in “Excessive Force” that Matt truly returns to costumed action. The episode is triggered by the kidnapping of Hector’s niece, Angela Del Toro, which spurs Matt into heroic action. After Angela is taken, Matt decides to intervene, marking his return to vigilante activities.

The kidnapper is revealed to be Muse, a villain from Charles Soule and Ron Garney’s 2015 Daredevil comic book series. Muse is a serial killer who creates artworks using the blood of his victims, and his presence is skillfully built up through close-ups of his eyes and shots of his underground lair. Director David Boyd effectively conveys Muse’s terror, making him a compelling addition to the show.

The introduction of Muse also leads to the formation of an anti-vigilante task force, comprising cops with Punisher tattoos, who are promised no accountability and overtime pay to get the job done. This development sets the stage for potential conflicts with other characters, including the Swordsman, a newer vigilante, and Frank Castle, who may return to confront the task force for co-opting his emblem.

As Fisk struggles to make progress on his Red Hook project, he becomes increasingly frustrated and finds an outlet for his anger by freeing Adam and giving him an axe, allowing the prisoner to take his best shot. This leads to two fights that intersect with each other: Fisk vs. Adam, which is more of a brutal beating than a fight, and Muse vs. Daredevil, which showcases Muse’s ability to hold his own against the hero. Although Muse ultimately escapes, the episode provides an exciting and action-packed conclusion.