The Best Episodes of Daredevil
By Jay Burdett
April 22nd, 2026
Spoiler Warning! We will talk about these episodes and seasons plot points in detail. If you have never seen the show, you have been warned!
In my opinion Daredevil has always been an underrated TV show. You may think it was appropriately adored but you have to consider that I immediately thought of it as a perfect television series since the first time I watched it. So imagine how I was left in shock when Marvel decided to make it "not canon" to the MCU. This floored me. It was not only a great show but Matt Murdock had a large following of fans like myself. I just thought that with the right push he could be one of the MCU's top guys that you can centre the MCU around (like Cap or Stark).
Luckily sometime in late 2023, when Daredevil: Born Again was in production, someone with some foresight decided to make Daredevil canon again. And evidence that Matt is getting his push has been seen since Spider-Man: No Way Home. He's popped up in 'Echo', 'She-Hulk', had Charlie voice the variant of Daredevil in the animated Spider-Man series last year and he has not only had 1 but now a second season of Daredevil: Born Again with a planned third and rumours of a film to follow.
What with Matt finally getting his dues and the previous series now being canon, I have decided to pick my favourite episodes of the show. This won't include The Defenders but will include seasons 1-3 of Daredevil as well as Born Again and will be subject to updates.
Let's do this...
Luckily sometime in late 2023, when Daredevil: Born Again was in production, someone with some foresight decided to make Daredevil canon again. And evidence that Matt is getting his push has been seen since Spider-Man: No Way Home. He's popped up in 'Echo', 'She-Hulk', had Charlie voice the variant of Daredevil in the animated Spider-Man series last year and he has not only had 1 but now a second season of Daredevil: Born Again with a planned third and rumours of a film to follow.
What with Matt finally getting his dues and the previous series now being canon, I have decided to pick my favourite episodes of the show. This won't include The Defenders but will include seasons 1-3 of Daredevil as well as Born Again and will be subject to updates.
Let's do this...
Daredevil: Born Again Season 1, Episode 8, "Isle of Joy"
This is an extremely tense episode where all the stories from this season begin to collide and this season is truly cooking. Dex is moved from solitary confinement to gen pop on Fisk's orders, Dex later kills his doctor and a guard before escaping prison. Fisk reveals his imprisonment of Adam to Vanessa and watches as she kills him, promotes Blake to Deputy Mayor of Communications, and invites Matt's girlfriend to his fundraiser causing Murdock to realise that Fisk is his her patient. Murdock deduces that it was actually Vanessa who hired Dex to kill Nelson, and confronts her before he then takes a bullet for Fisk. This seems like a host of events that should happen at break neck speed but the episode is clever and lets you stew in each scene causing you to wear away the very edge of your seat.
There are clever choices made in this, my favourite being how everyone is dressed at the ball at the end. Fisk is in his classic comic book white, however Glenn (Matt's girlfriend) is in the same white showing her leaning more towards Fisk's ideology than one of Matt's. Vanessa then shows up in a deep red dress rather than the white she has been wearing foreshadowing that out of those 3 people, she is the real villain of this story. Finally this all comes together when Matt realises this himself and he goes to dance with her pairing up the couples with their rightful colours; Fisk and Glenn in white; Vanessa in red with the man who swings around the city in red.
And then which scene do you remember being shocked at most? Dex's escape? Matthew leaping in front of Fisk? The death of Adam? Fisk not killing Blake and pulling him further into the web? A fantastic penultimate episode of any season.
There are clever choices made in this, my favourite being how everyone is dressed at the ball at the end. Fisk is in his classic comic book white, however Glenn (Matt's girlfriend) is in the same white showing her leaning more towards Fisk's ideology than one of Matt's. Vanessa then shows up in a deep red dress rather than the white she has been wearing foreshadowing that out of those 3 people, she is the real villain of this story. Finally this all comes together when Matt realises this himself and he goes to dance with her pairing up the couples with their rightful colours; Fisk and Glenn in white; Vanessa in red with the man who swings around the city in red.
And then which scene do you remember being shocked at most? Dex's escape? Matthew leaping in front of Fisk? The death of Adam? Fisk not killing Blake and pulling him further into the web? A fantastic penultimate episode of any season.
Daredevil Season 3, Episode 4, "Blindsided"
This is a pretty run of the mill episode of Daredevil. We're early on in the third season and we're beginning to see the plan of Fisk unfolding along with Dex's true introduction and the unravelling of Nadeem. What cements this though is the final act. Matt gets careless/cocky/desperate and decides to infiltrate a prison impersonating Foggy. This all goes horribly wrong. In a truly haunting scene (with appropriately creepy music) the phone rings to let Matt know that Fisk now knows everything and he's trapped in this prison with all of Fisk's men who have been ordered to kill him. In what is the third in the trilogy of amazing one shot fight scenes, we get the 11 minute fight and escape from prison. An absolutely chilling and bloody spectacle that has everyone watching truly wondering if he can do it this time and if he can, what will be left of him or his life.
Daredevil Season 2, Episode 7, "Semper Fidelis"
The trial of the Punisher doesn't get spoken about enough for my liking. In this we see Matt's entire worldview truly splintered apart. He wants to clear Castle of his actions but Castle doesn't want to use the PTSD defence believing he has none and it would be disrespectful to people with PTSD. Matt's plans to cross examine the medical examiner fall apart because of Electra trying to help. Matt is also late for the case due to his moonlighting with her the night before, all of this putting a terrific strain on his relationships with Foggy, Karen and Castle.
It also contains the most subtle moment in Marvel movie history for me; Punisher realising that Matt is Daredevil. This could have been a big reveal or spoon fed to the fans but this is it. After this slight of hand moment, we just have Castle acknowledge that Matt and Daredevil are the same and I love that. Just watch the first 35 seconds of this and you see Frank realise that he knows that voice. He remembers it from a rooftop that we'll get to further down this list...
It also contains the most subtle moment in Marvel movie history for me; Punisher realising that Matt is Daredevil. This could have been a big reveal or spoon fed to the fans but this is it. After this slight of hand moment, we just have Castle acknowledge that Matt and Daredevil are the same and I love that. Just watch the first 35 seconds of this and you see Frank realise that he knows that voice. He remembers it from a rooftop that we'll get to further down this list...
Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 , Episode 5 "With Interest"
Daredevil can absolutely beat you down. The constant uphill battles that Matt has to deal with to deal with his Goliath problems are probably only trumped by the Jessica Jones series (seriously, that was so depressing). So when, during the new Born Again series, we got this fun one-shot bank robbery scenario, I welcomed this change of pace.
This episode is just entertainment. Okay, there's hostages, brutal fights, cold hearted conversations and the entire scenario centres around everyone's worst nightmare for when they run down to bank but...we get to see Matt just be the most raw version of Daredevil. Clever and manipulative in his use of his duel identities, reactive to what is happening around him, aware of everything happening in the room, kind-hearted and selfless. It's an enjoyable day in the life of why Matt does what he does. Because how can he walk away from that situation when you are as powerful as what he is capable of?
End result: The good guys win, the bad guys lose and we even get a hint that Daredevil may end up crossing into Ms Marvel. Inconsequential to the main story but a must watch for any fan of Daredevil.
This episode is just entertainment. Okay, there's hostages, brutal fights, cold hearted conversations and the entire scenario centres around everyone's worst nightmare for when they run down to bank but...we get to see Matt just be the most raw version of Daredevil. Clever and manipulative in his use of his duel identities, reactive to what is happening around him, aware of everything happening in the room, kind-hearted and selfless. It's an enjoyable day in the life of why Matt does what he does. Because how can he walk away from that situation when you are as powerful as what he is capable of?
End result: The good guys win, the bad guys lose and we even get a hint that Daredevil may end up crossing into Ms Marvel. Inconsequential to the main story but a must watch for any fan of Daredevil.
Daredevil Season 1, Episode 8, "Shadows in the Glass"
To go to the other end of the spectrum from where we have just been, my next nomination in this list is a completely Kingpin-centric episode. We see everything from his daily routine, to his childhood. This is Wilson Fisk; the open book. Intermingled throughout this horrific story that humanises the monster we have so far been expected to fear, Daredevil and friends begin to finally have the makings of a plan to take Fisk down. It becomes extremely fitting that this episode finishes then with Fisk pulling an ace out of his pocket and making a move that negates all of their work so far.
This episode takes you through despondency, hope, the moralities of good and evil and then just dumps you at the end in the steaming pile that Fisk has left for Matt and friends. Hopefully helping you realise that Fisk's awful upbringing doesn't forgive his actions.
I would like to add here that whilst I have not previously mentioned it, the Netflix cinematography decisions are far sharper and more iconic than anything from Born Again and no more so than here. Fisk staring at the wall will always sit with me as quiet and horrific as anything out of Silence of the Lambs.
This episode takes you through despondency, hope, the moralities of good and evil and then just dumps you at the end in the steaming pile that Fisk has left for Matt and friends. Hopefully helping you realise that Fisk's awful upbringing doesn't forgive his actions.
I would like to add here that whilst I have not previously mentioned it, the Netflix cinematography decisions are far sharper and more iconic than anything from Born Again and no more so than here. Fisk staring at the wall will always sit with me as quiet and horrific as anything out of Silence of the Lambs.
Daredevil Season 1, Episode 3, "New York's Finest"
This is morality and character study at its finest. Castle and Matt having a verbal battle is one thing, but it becomes far more appropriate if Matt is Castle's captive and Castle brings out a hostage to decide the fate of. Who is right in this scenario? Castle's words seem like they make the most sense but then when you see the actions that have to follow these words, it doesn't become as simple. To be honest, this is the first time that I start to wonder about Matt's sanity. Castle is crazy but he isn't running around dressed in a mask.
This episode has become so iconic and legendary between the characters that it may as well be canon to the comics. This should be shown in ethics classes and other discussion groups. It also probably contains may favourite line from Castle that accurately describes the knife edge that we know Matt lives on every day. You know the one:
This episode has become so iconic and legendary between the characters that it may as well be canon to the comics. This should be shown in ethics classes and other discussion groups. It also probably contains may favourite line from Castle that accurately describes the knife edge that we know Matt lives on every day. You know the one:
Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, Episode 4, "Gloves Off"
An extremely appropriate title for this episode. Up until now in the second series I have felt that this show has pulled its punches. A slow build opening episode followed by quite literally the worst edited episode of Daredevil ever (remember that break neck speed I talked about before? I got whiplash from this). However, by the third episode the cooks are in the kitchen and by episode 4 we are truly cooking.
To begin with, the entire cold open with Dex felt like a nod to watching the Netflix episodes again. There's something about the camera angles and the pacing that just threw me back to that time. After this total butchery of this café, we see Fisk ramp up his influence and power in a brilliant clash between him and Mr Charles. Then the tense scenes continue one by one: Dex v Daredevil in his Dex's apartment; The confession of the Northern Star's first mate followed by his transportation; Fisk's boxing match and the attempt on his life by Dex.
My favourite twist in this tale is the boxing match. What a final act! At first it looks Fisk is on the backfoot having to put all his focus and men into protecting him for this match. What no one takes into account is that Fisk is using the match to lure out Dex and that it means that no one is considering that Fisk knows about the transportation of the Northern Star's first mate. In a brilliant move the writers take us on a rollercoaster of rug pulls:
Fisk is going to die!
No, wait...Dex is going to die!
Vanessa is going to die?
The Northern Star's first mate is dead!!
Vanessa is safe!
Dex is safe!!
Fisk is safe?
Vanessa is going to die!!
And at the end we're left knowing...nothing. What does any of this mean for any of the characters? Who knows but DAMN it's an amazing watch.
To begin with, the entire cold open with Dex felt like a nod to watching the Netflix episodes again. There's something about the camera angles and the pacing that just threw me back to that time. After this total butchery of this café, we see Fisk ramp up his influence and power in a brilliant clash between him and Mr Charles. Then the tense scenes continue one by one: Dex v Daredevil in his Dex's apartment; The confession of the Northern Star's first mate followed by his transportation; Fisk's boxing match and the attempt on his life by Dex.
My favourite twist in this tale is the boxing match. What a final act! At first it looks Fisk is on the backfoot having to put all his focus and men into protecting him for this match. What no one takes into account is that Fisk is using the match to lure out Dex and that it means that no one is considering that Fisk knows about the transportation of the Northern Star's first mate. In a brilliant move the writers take us on a rollercoaster of rug pulls:
Fisk is going to die!
No, wait...Dex is going to die!
Vanessa is going to die?
The Northern Star's first mate is dead!!
Vanessa is safe!
Dex is safe!!
Fisk is safe?
Vanessa is going to die!!
And at the end we're left knowing...nothing. What does any of this mean for any of the characters? Who knows but DAMN it's an amazing watch.
Daredevil Season 3, E13, "A New Napkin"
This episode is not just the culmination of the third season but the convergence and settlement of 3 seasons worth of animosity between Fisk and Matt. All the cards fall for Fisk in tremendous fashion and this episode fills you with feelings and the joy of being extremely fulfilled that the long, uphill battle has been worth it.
His wedding is ruined, his crimes televised, Dex finds out the truth, and Matt gets to have his final battle with the behemoth that is the Kingpin in full rage mode. That fight is insanely brutal and yet it feels like an inevitable war that you can't stop or take your eyes off of. The ending for Matt and crew is deeply satisfying too, seeing an actual happy send off for our 3 heroes meant that the cancellation of the show was bittersweet. We didn't want to see it go but what a way to go.
There's so much in this episode to gush over. Whether you want to quote Matt screaming, "I BEAT YOU!" or admire the detail of Fisk's blood on his favourite painting, there's something in here for every fan of the horn head.
His wedding is ruined, his crimes televised, Dex finds out the truth, and Matt gets to have his final battle with the behemoth that is the Kingpin in full rage mode. That fight is insanely brutal and yet it feels like an inevitable war that you can't stop or take your eyes off of. The ending for Matt and crew is deeply satisfying too, seeing an actual happy send off for our 3 heroes meant that the cancellation of the show was bittersweet. We didn't want to see it go but what a way to go.
There's so much in this episode to gush over. Whether you want to quote Matt screaming, "I BEAT YOU!" or admire the detail of Fisk's blood on his favourite painting, there's something in here for every fan of the horn head.
Daredevil Season 1, Episode 2, "Cut Man"
The childhood origin of Daredevil by Frank Miller is brilliantly retold in this episode and somehow even improved upon.
I may be alone when I say this but, in my opinion, Matt Murdock is a perfectly written character and probably one of the best of all time, and this story is what sells it for me. It is a greek tragedy told through stained glass cinematography, whilst cutting back to Matt immediately on the backfoot, barely into his campaign as Daredevil and nearly bleeding out.
This is incredible story telling, beautiful to watch and, before this, nothing close to anything Marvel had put out. I always think this is what Christopher Nolan envisaged when he decided to do his grounded Batman trilogy. I feel like this could happen, that I am there and no real idea of what is going to happen.
The poetry between Matt and his father, their core values and who Matt becomes, in this episode alone, just shatters the expectations of not only superhero shows but television in general. Oh and don't forget it culminates in this scene:
I may be alone when I say this but, in my opinion, Matt Murdock is a perfectly written character and probably one of the best of all time, and this story is what sells it for me. It is a greek tragedy told through stained glass cinematography, whilst cutting back to Matt immediately on the backfoot, barely into his campaign as Daredevil and nearly bleeding out.
This is incredible story telling, beautiful to watch and, before this, nothing close to anything Marvel had put out. I always think this is what Christopher Nolan envisaged when he decided to do his grounded Batman trilogy. I feel like this could happen, that I am there and no real idea of what is going to happen.
The poetry between Matt and his father, their core values and who Matt becomes, in this episode alone, just shatters the expectations of not only superhero shows but television in general. Oh and don't forget it culminates in this scene:
Daredevil Season 1, Episode 1, "Into the Ring"
This episode sets the tone for the whole show going forward, which was extremely important back as the unique selling point of this show was that it wasn't like all the MCU before it.
We have fun humorous moments between characters like seeing Foggy and Matt finding their feet in front of their first client. We have gut wrenching sad scenes like Karen waking up to find it looks like she's murdered someone. We have incredible fights scenes that showcase how much more grounded this street level vigilante is compared to an Avenger, with Matt struggling to fend off a hitman in the rain. Speaking of that scene, we also get the bar set for everything to come with the Netflix seasons by having every scene look like a beautiful panel in a noir comic.
The story in this single episode is very unpredictable and, in all honesty, has you having to trust Matt throughout as he knows Karen is innocent but we have no idea how other than him hearing her heartbeat. And with that, Matt is holding our hand from this point onwards. No matter what choices or decisions he makes, we're there beside him cheering him on. Because this episode does a great job of setting the foundation for Daredevil; he is a good guy. Yes, we go on to find out he's angry, he enjoys his rage, he's a thrill seeker, he has no fear but they are all minor details. Matt shows in this that he is just a good guy and the vigilantism, the fights, the past we end up learning about, are just the results of a good man trying to make a difference.
We have fun humorous moments between characters like seeing Foggy and Matt finding their feet in front of their first client. We have gut wrenching sad scenes like Karen waking up to find it looks like she's murdered someone. We have incredible fights scenes that showcase how much more grounded this street level vigilante is compared to an Avenger, with Matt struggling to fend off a hitman in the rain. Speaking of that scene, we also get the bar set for everything to come with the Netflix seasons by having every scene look like a beautiful panel in a noir comic.
The story in this single episode is very unpredictable and, in all honesty, has you having to trust Matt throughout as he knows Karen is innocent but we have no idea how other than him hearing her heartbeat. And with that, Matt is holding our hand from this point onwards. No matter what choices or decisions he makes, we're there beside him cheering him on. Because this episode does a great job of setting the foundation for Daredevil; he is a good guy. Yes, we go on to find out he's angry, he enjoys his rage, he's a thrill seeker, he has no fear but they are all minor details. Matt shows in this that he is just a good guy and the vigilantism, the fights, the past we end up learning about, are just the results of a good man trying to make a difference.
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