If Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, Episode 5: “The Grand Design” had to be described in one word, “heartfelt” would be a great fit. From fond memories of the past to tough moments in the present, sentiment drives the episode. The story relies on emotion to guide the characters and direct the viewers, and it’s done really well.
“The Grand Design” marks a clear shift in the story and elevates the Marvel series as a whole. It primarily revolves around Vanessa Fisk and whether she will survive her head injury. The episode also uses various intriguing parallels to bring in other key characters and further the overall story. It is very flashback-heavy, which can be tough to take in with time because of the constant back-and-forth. But it all comes together nicely, crafting an episode that highlights the emotional turmoil of being human.
Vanessa Fisk, the Color White and the Fight for Her Life
The creative team behind Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 deserves all the praise and accolades, because Episode 5 has somehow made us genuinely feel bad and sorry for Kingpin. When Vanessa flatlines and Wilson Fisk is just in complete anguish seeing his wife die right in front of her, it suddenly feels wrong to make “You embarrassed me in front of Vanessa” jokes.
In “The Grand Design,” Wilson and Vanessa aren’t the Kingpin and Queenpin or the Mayor and First Lady of New York City. They’re just husband and wife. It’s an anxious husband concerned for his wife in critical condition whose death is a very likely possibility. In the moment Vanessa passes, he’s not a villain, and you forget she’s responsible for Foggy Nelson’s death. He’s simply a man who lost his wife.
Her flashback scenes bring her back to her roots as an art curator at the Scene Contempo Gallery. The focus is on the lucrative “Rabbit in a Snowstorm” painting that is crucial to Vanessa and Wilson’s relationship. It’s central to the white theme of her flashbacks and dream. The use of white and bright lighting brilliantly points to her impending death as well as the innocence and softness she experiences in her short time before flatlining. From the pineapple juice to not recognizing Wilson’s aggression, it’s clear that Vanessa isn’t the Vanessa she has been. Her dreams, memories, and reality are misaligned because her end has come.
Matt Murdock, Mercy and Morality
Daredevil: Born Again season 2, episode 5 finally gives fans the Foggy flashbacks they’ve been waiting for, and his role in the episode is perfectly done. In the original Daredevil series, Foggy was often the voice of reason and concern for Matt. It somehow feels more effective for Foggy to reprise that role post-mortem, though, because the impact he has made on Matt is emphasized.
The flashbacks with Foggy go all the way back to the pre-Nelson and Murdock days, when the avocados at law were still at Landman and Zack, which really heightened the nostalgia factor. The way Foggy handled his old neighbor’s case was a thoughtful parallel for Matt’s situation with Ben Poindexter/Bullseye.
The episode follows Matt and Dex trying to hide out and run from the Anti-Vigilante Task Force, but the two aren’t on the same page. Dex has fully accepted his fate as he bleeds out and awaits death. Matt keeps insisting that he get help — until he doesn’t. But it’s beautiful how Matt has a change of heart because of Foggy.
Foggy had once been Matt’s voice of morality, and the message of mercy reminds Matt of that. If Matt lets Foggy guide him — even regarding his killer, then Foggy can live on and be honored in the compassionate way he deserves.
Dumb Decisions, Death and Daniel Blake
While Bullseye was accepting death and Vanessa was fighting for her life, Daniel Blake was begging for his life. And it’s all his own fault. Michael Gandolfini has done a great job at making his character infuriatingly annoying, because every episode of Daredevil: Born Again season 2 has shown just how absurd it is that Daniel is the Deputy Mayor for Communications. He’s well aware of how much he has already messed up, yet he can’t stop jeopardizing his job and Fisk’s mayorship. No matter how much he insists that the leaks aren’t his fault, Daniel knows he’s guilty.
Seeing Daniel working with Buck Cashman is so interesting because of the contrast between them. Daniel can sometimes fake competence but typically comes off as a nervous wreck. Meanwhile, Buck is suave and exudes an effortless confidence.
It’s interesting to think of how the flashbacks featuring Fisk’s original right-hand man, James Wesley, could be a parallel for Daniel and Buck. Wesley helped Buck get on Fisk’s radar, ultimately leading to all the opportunities he has now. By the end of the episode, Daniel is seemingly on board with doing the dirty work required of being on Team Fisk. But does that mean Buck is going to guide him out of being the massive liability he is? Or will Buck resort to ruthless means, mislead Daniel, and get him out of the picture?
Other Thoughts on Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, Episode 5
- The concept of Wilson Fisk enjoying the beach, even if he’s with Vanessa, is so strange that it could only happen in a dream on her deathbed.
- Kudos to BB Urich, because she knows exactly how to act to get what she wants: Daniel *immediately* folding and giving her intel just because she hugged him.
- Seeing Matt and Foggy during their Landman and Zack days is so heartwarming. And the avocados at law mention?! Instant tears.
- Ray? Lionel? Whatever his name is, you are a terrible person for giving Foggy that nickname — as a child!!!
- Fisk getting into Bitcon would’ve been so funny.
- Metro General Hospital mentioned!
- Did Daniel seriously think BB wasn’t going to use that information?
- Daniel thinking Buck was talking about Hellman’s mayonnaise is hilarious and sad.
- The AVTF showing up at the church is gross and makes them even more unlikable.
- The Nelson and Murdock fund being for more than just their futures is so inspiring and sweet.
- Definitely would not want to be on the opposing side of an angry Karen Page, so good luck to Matt!
- Seeing Vanessa forget that Wilson was just telling her the story of how they met and then start to ask the same thing but never actually finishing the question is actually heartbreaking.
Daredevil: Born Again releases new episodes on Tuesdays at 9 pm ET on Disney+.
