History Series / Daredevil2015

''Daredevil'' is a Creator/{{Netflix}} ([[ChannelHop and later]] Creator/DisneyPlus) original series adaptation of the long-running [[ComicBook/{{Daredevil}} comic book series]], and the first entry in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse's ''Series/{{The Defenders|2017}}'' franchise, followed up by ''Series/{{Jessica Jones|2015}}'', ''Series/{{Luke Cage|2016}}'', ''Series/{{Iron Fist|2017}}'' and ''Series/{{The Punisher|2017}}''.

In 2021, Creator/KevinFeige confirmed that any appearance of Daredevil in a future MCU offering would have Creator/CharlieCox [[RoleReprise reprising]] [[https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/kevin-feige-confirms-daredevil-casting-in-the-mcu-and-fans-will-be-pumped his role as the character]], with ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'' ending up being the first of such projects. Only two days before, Creator/VincentDOnofrio ended up returning as the Kingpin in the penultimate episode of ''Series/{{Hawkeye|2021}}''.

''Daredevil'' is a Creator/{{Netflix}} original series adaptation of the long-running [[ComicBook/{{Daredevil}} comic book series]], and the first entry in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse's ''Series/{{The Defenders|2017}}'' franchise, followed up by ''Series/{{Jessica Jones|2015}}'', ''Series/{{Luke Cage|2016}}'', ''Series/{{Iron Fist|2017}}'' and ''Series/{{The Punisher|2017}}''.

** Just like Matt Murdock, Creator/CharlieCox was RaisedCatholic.

In 2021, Creator/KevinFeige confirmed that Creator/CharlieCox [[RoleReprise would once again be portraying the character]] [[https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/kevin-feige-confirms-daredevil-casting-in-the-mcu-and-fans-will-be-pumped in future MCU projects]], starting with ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'' -- later, it came to light that Creator/VincentDOnofrio would return as Kingpin, starting in ''Series/{{Hawkeye|2021}}''.

-->'''Karen Page:''' What was it like for you when he disappeared? Really, it’s those first 24 hours that are the worst, aren’t they? When you call and you call and you call, and there’s just NO answer. It becomes an obsession. The calling. The never-ending loop of a ghost’s voice wail in your ear. You worry. You wonder. You swear "Goddammit if he’s still living I’m gonna kill him myself." Is that what it was like for you? Did you rage at him? ‘Cause you thought he betrayed you? Because I wonder what would be worse for you? His duplicity or his death?

** Played straight and subverted in Season 3 when Fisk sends Dex to kill Karen in the Clinton church as retaliation for Wesley's death, a scene lifted right out of "Guardian Devil". It's played straight when Dex kills Father Lantom as he tries to shield Karen, and he slowly bleeds to death in her arms. At the end of the fight, after Karen knocks Dex off the balcony to stop him from killing Matt, we get [[MythologyGag a recreation of the panel of Karen dying in Matt’s arms after sacrificing herself to save him from Dex]] (which is what Father Lantom's death took the place of), [[SwappedRoles but with the roles switched]] so that instead, we have Karen sobbing over an unconscious Matt.

** The botched sting using Grotto as bait for the Punisher. Reyes appears to give orders to the ESU to shoot to kill when they open fire on the Punisher, while the Punisher is busy fighting with Matt. The goal of the ambush is to kill Frank Castle, not arrest him. This is a blatantly illegal attempted extrajudicial killing. The circumstances under which the police are allowed to use lethal force do not include “because he did some bad stuff before.” While defense of others (Grotto) could be used as a justification, the police opened fire before that was established. Furthermore, the operation was overseen by Reyes. In real life, the police department and the prosecution are separate entities, explicitly for this reason.

*** After Frank is arrested, Matt, Karen and Foggy discuss the case with Frank's public defender (who is taking Karen's statement on the hospital shooting), who considers the case open and shut: Frank will plead guilty and be sentenced to death for murders he committed in Delaware, which has the death penalty. In real life, in Delaware, and every other state that has the death penalty, the decision to impose the death penalty must be determined by a separate hearing. And that hearing normally includes a jury, even if the defendant pleads guilty. It is possible for both the State and the defendant to waive a hearing before a jury, but even then there will be a hearing before the judge. The defendant can’t plead straight to the death penalty.
*** When Nelson & Murdock first attempt to approach Frank at the hospital, Reyes attempts to intervene, arguing that speaking to Frank without his attorney present would be a violation of ethical rules. This is simply not true. Ironically, it ''would'' be an ethical violation for Reyes to do the same thing because she represents an opposing party (i.e. the People), per N.Y. Rule 4.2(a). And indeed, Matt correctly tells her as much. At the same time, Reyes fails to note that Matt and Foggy's conversation with Frank might be an ethical breach for a different reason, namely that it’s an inappropriate in-person solicitation under Rule 7.3(a)(1).

*** The DA argues that Nelson & Murdock can’t represent Frank because it would be a conflict of interest given their representation of Grotto. This is very wrong for several reasons. For one, Grotto isn’t a current client, since a) he summarily fired the firm in no uncertain terms, and b) he is dead. This still makes Grotto a ''former'' client, which could cause conflicts under Rule 1.9, but those can be avoided in this case. The main concerns are 1.9(a)[[note]]A lawyer who has formerly represented a client in a matter shall not thereafter represent another person in the same or a substantially related matter in which that person’s interests are materially adverse to the interests of the former client unless the former client gives informed consent, confirmed in writing[[/note]] and 1.9(c)[[note]]which limits the use or disclosure of the former client’s confidential information[[/note]]. Representing Frank would not require doing anything materially adverse to Grotto’s interests, especially given that he is dead and had no family or estate (remember that Matt, Karen and Foggy were the only attendees at his funeral). Neither would it require disclosing anything that Grotto told the firm in confidence. So Nelson & Murdock are clear to take Frank’s case.
*** Nelson & Murdock are literally given ''one week'' of prep time before the trial. In real life, following the arraignment (i.e. when Frank pleaded "not guilty") and assuming Frank waived grand jury proceedings, a complex trial like this would be preceded by several weeks or even months of depositions, motions, and hearings, mostly to establish what kind of evidence could be presented to the jury. This is especially in important in cases like this one that rely heavily on expert testimony. Corrupt or not, Reyes wouldn’t want to rush this, either. And even if they did, it would be extremely unusual (and likely appealable) for the judge not to grant the defense an extension of time before the trial started. [[note]] For a real life comparison, Aurora movie theater shooter James Holmes was arrested immediately after killing 12 people and injuring 58 more on July 20, 2012 and didn't even start discussing plea deals with the district attorney until March 27, 2013 -- more than eight months later, and his actual trial didn't start until two years later, and just the process of jury selection took three months.[[/note]] From a narrative standpoint, this shortened prep time is somewhat justified, due to the necessity to keep the trial on pace with the Elektra storyline. On the other hand, it does help explain in part why Nelson & Murdock’s defense of Frank Castle was essentially malpractice-level awful.

*** More egregious is that what is shown of the trial on-camera ''isn't even about the crimes that Frank had committed''. Everyone acts as if what had happened to Frank’s family is far more relevant to the current case than it should have been. Having a trial about what kind of man he was when his character wasn’t on trial was just weird. His sanity maybe, but the evidence against him was staggering.
*** When Frank takes the stand, spectators in the gallery are holding signs decrying him as a vicious murderer who should be burned at the stake. Such signs should '''not even be allowed in the courthouse''', never mind an actual courtroom. At another point, a person in the gallery begins shouting that Castle killed his father. The judge orders the person removed, but Nelson & Murdock should have seized the opportunity to request a declaration of a mistrial. Even if they didn’t get it, it would be yet another issue they could appeal if the trial went badly (which it does).

*** A key part of Nelson & Murdock’s defense strategy was convincing Dr. Gregory Tepper, the medical examiner, to come clean about being asked to falsify the records of the deaths of Frank's family. Initially hesitant, the medical examiner decides to change his story on the stand and tell the truth. The judge clears the courtroom (although in reality she almost certainly wouldn’t just because a witness was testifying unexpectedly), and the medical examiner spills the beans and explains that he was forced to confess because Elektra had threatened him the night before. The judge strikes Tepper’s testimony…and Matt and Foggy do nothing but have a fight in the courthouse bathroom, rather than appeal the judge's motion. This is a concept in civil and criminal procedure known as “preserving an issue for appeal.”[[note]]Basically, if the judge makes an error during the trial, if one side doesn’t object during the trial, then it’s much harder or even impossible to appeal the error to a higher court later.[[/note]] Doing nothing, not even giving a verbal objection, about an issue this important, which could have affected the outcome of the trial, is a colossal screwup.
*** There is the issue of whether Tepper altering the medical records is relevant to the case at hand. In federal courts and many states like New York, a witness’ veracity for truthfulness is relevant. Even if Elektra hadn't threatened him, Dr. Tepper's altering medical records would discredit his testimony, which could be introduced on cross-examination. Confronting Dr. Tepper with evidence of falsifying medical records would be potentially devastating and extremely relevant to Frank’s case. However, as the medical records would have been collateral, the Judge would have limited questioning to avoid confusing the jury with facts not material to Frank’s case.
*** Expert witnesses, such as the doctor who testified regarding Frank’s brain injuries, are allowed to give their expert opinion regarding facts (e.g. Frank suffered a brain injury that affects his judgement) but not legal conclusions (e.g “any infractions would be considered crimes of passion”). Drawing a legal conclusion from the facts (e.g. whether Frank was legally insane) is the job of the judge or jury, not the witness. Also, "crimes of passion” really only applies to converting murder to manslaughter, which is still a serious crime, and murder is not the only crime that Frank Castle has committed onscreen (false imprisonment, torture, etc).
*** It is generally a bad idea for criminal defendants to testify in their own case. It opens the door to uncomfortable questions from the prosecution, and there is rarely much the defendant can say that will help rather than hurt their case. This is true in Frank’s case, yet Nelson & Murdock have Karen talk Frank into testifying. This is arguably a breach of ethics, because although Matt and Foggy treat Karen as if she is a partner with equal weight in decision-making, she is a secretary, not a lawyer. Per NY Rule 1.2(a), the decision of whether to testify in one’s case is, ultimately, the client’s decision, not the attorney’s. And not only do the rules specifically contemplate that the client will consult with the lawyer, but it’s implicit that this consultation is a core part of advising (though not deciding for) a client in a criminal case. Thus, what Karen did likely constitutes unauthorized practice of law. And it's a breach of ethics for Matt and Foggy to have someone else doing their dirty work.
*** Not only that, as Frank was so opposed to the PTSD defense, they should have had him removed from the court so he couldn’t talk even if he wanted to. Lawyers are not allowed to let their clients sabotage their own cases; that’s just super bad lawyering. There also may be an issue of perjury going on, since Matt, Foggy and Karen know their client is guilty of crimes, but has pleaded not guilty.
*** Matt’s disastrous examination of Frank is worth pointing out. After a few questions, Matt asks the judge for permission to treat Frank as hostile, then launches into a long, rambling expository speech. In real life, permission to treat a witness as hostile means "treat the witness as though he or she had been called by the opposing party." This doesn’t change much. Mainly it means that Matt can now ask Frank leading questions (i.e. questions that suggest a particular answer is desired). It definitely does not mean Matt can ask “questions” that are long speeches better suited for a closing statement. The only thing that saves Matt is Reyes failing to object to just about every sentence he utters...
*** ...and Reyes' only objections are to Matt's cross-examination questions, citing them as “leading.” When the entire point of cross-examination is to ask leading questions to control the witness, which is allowed. It is equally wrong to object to cross-examination as argumentative, because cross-examination by its very nature is supposed to be argumentative to discredit the witness.

** At the beginning of the Season 2 premiere, we see Matt and Foggy arrive at the office and Karen fills them in on the clients in their waiting room. While the scene is funny and is meant to convey the eccentricity of Nelson & Murdock's clientele, Karen is publicly disclosing each individual’s legal problem in earshot of the other clients, [[http://thelegalgeeks.com/2016/03/20/nelson-murdock-worse-client-consultations-ever/ potentially a violation of a New York attorney’s duty of confidentiality to a prospective client]].

*** The sort of deal Fisk makes (information on the Albanians in exchange for charges against Vanessa being dropped) would more likely be made with the DOJ or the U.S. Attorneys’ office, not with the FBI. Decisions to charge or not to charge lie with prosecutors, not investigators.

** “Into The Ring” establishes Matt's origin story and sets up the theme of Matt being a boxer who gets knocked down and gets back up through the series.

** “Rabbit in a Snowstorm” introduces the titular painting, as well as its impact on Fisk (caught up in something bigger/what man you want to be).
** “In The Blood” deals with the Ranskahov brothers, as well as the idea of not being able to run from something because it’s in the person's blood (Ben Urich takes the case; Fisk's criminal enterprise; and Matt's fighting)
** “World On Fire” is how Matt describes his form of sight to Claire. The episode ends with Fisk literally setting most of Hell's Kitchen on fire as he blows up the Russians' hideouts.
** “Condemned” sees Fisk use the media and police reception in order to make Matt a terrorist. It's also an apt decription of the dilapidated building where Matt is holed up with Vladimir and a police officer who stumbles upon them.
** “Stick” introduces Matt’s mentor of that name, as well as arms Matt with a primitive version of his trademark escrima sticks
** “Shadows In The Glass” reveals Fisk’s insecurities and how he is haunted by shadows of his former self
** “Speak of the Devil” not only deals with personal demons, but also weighs heavily on the old saying “Speak of the devil and he shall appear” (ie: Fisk appears at the art gallery when Matt asks Vanessa about him, Fisk appears on TV while they’re talking about him at Josie's, etc)
** “Nelson v. Murdock” -- Matt and Foggy have a heated argument now that Foggy has learned Matt's secret. The title also frames this conflict along the lines of how actual court hearings are named (''Party A v. Party B'').
** “The Path Of The Righteous” plays upon the idea of "becoming the devil so that others fear you enough to be good people". Additionally, it deals with the continuing costs of walking this path (ie: Claire leaves Matt, Fisk loses Wesley and almost Vanessa)
** “The Ones We Leave Behind” deals heavily with those lost as well as whom they’ve left behind. Continuing from the previous episode (ie: Vanessa saved, Wesley killed), the episode also shows how one is almost lost at the start of the episode only to have another truly lost at episode’s end (Karen dreams Fisk is about to kill her in her apartment, Fisk actually kills Ben Urich in his apartment)
** “Daredevil” -- Matt is no longer the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen and earns the title of Daredevil in both the media as well as resembling his comic appearance (red horned costume with balanced beat sticks)

--->'''Deborah Ann Woll:''' My aunt teaches journalism in Washington. So I have picked her brain a ton. In ''The Punisher'', we had the guy who wrote in a threat to the paper. She gave me a lot of information about the Unabomber. We wanted to make sure we follow the line on it. Obviously, it’s TV, you have to take poetic license here and there. It’s been nice to finally play that archetype.

** The "Nelson v. Murdock" flashbacks in Season 1 get subject to this in Season 2, due to the writers having to retweak things incorporate Matt's college relationship with Elektra. When they were writing Season 1, the writers had no idea if there would be a Season 2, or that it would contain Elektra, and so Foggy's “Greek girl” line was another nod for the comics fans. Additionally, in the "Nelson v. Murdock" flashbacks, Foggy suggests that Elektra was in Spanish classes with Matt, when the flashbacks of Matt and Elektra's college relationship establish that while Elektra was financially connected to the college, she wasn't actually attending classes.

* SexyShirtSwitch: When Matt is leading Karen into his apartment in the first episode, she asks him if he has a shirt she can borrow since the t-shirt and clothes she borrowed from Foggy got wet while they were walking over from the office. Matt laughs and says, "Well don't tell Foggy. Let me grab something for you." He disappears into his bedroom to grab her one of his dress shirts. The audience then gets treated to a moment of [[MsFanservice topless Deborah Ann Woll from behind and the front, at distance and slightly out-of-focus]] as Karen pulls off her T-shirt in front of Matt, and begins buttoning her new shirt. With his heightened senses, it's pretty clear Matt is thinking, "Oh great, Karen's totally naked right now, isn’t she? Don't get sexual urges, Matthew..." Matt and Karen then proceed to sit down on the couch and have a very intimate conversation about Matt's blindness.

* StunGuns:

** Julie Barnes, a girl that Dex is stalking in Season 3, only appears a few times before Fisk has her [[StuffedIntoTheFridge unceremoniously killed]]. Her death ultimately proves key to Matt taking down Fisk, as Matt is able to use Felix Manning's information about the murder to get Dex to turn against Fisk.

* StuffedIntoTheFridge:
** In Season 1, Fisk has an assassin kill Elena Cardenas to lure Matt into a fight with Nobu, as he's aware that elderly women and children are among Matt's weaknesses.
** In Season 3, Fisk orders the unceremonious assassination of Julie Barnes, a girl that Dex is stalking and who Dex considers to be his own MoralityChain, so that Dex will be dependent on Fisk. He stores her body and the bodies of the assassins hired to kill her, in a giant walk-in freezer, where Matt ultimately finds them after torturing Felix Manning.
* StunGuns:

In 2021, Creator/KevinFeige confirmed that Creator/CharlieCox [[RoleReprise would once again be portraying the character]] [[https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/kevin-feige-confirms-daredevil-casting-in-the-mcu-and-fans-will-be-pumped in future MCU projects]], starting with ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome''; the same day this film was released in the UK, Creator/VincentDOnofrio appeared as Kingpin in the fifth episode of ''Series/{{Hawkeye|2021}}'', firmly cementing the series & its sister Netflix shows as canon to the overall MCU.

A third season of ''Daredevil'' was released on October 19, 2018, and introduces several more characters of Daredevil lore, including Creator/WilsonBethel as [[Characters/DaredevilCentralRoguesGallery Benjamin "Dex" Poindexter]], Joanne Whalley as Sister Maggie, and Jay Ali as Ray Nadeem. A month after the third season dropped, Netflix announced they had officially canceled ''Daredevil,'' but claimed the character would "live on in future projects for Marvel" after a contractual hiatus. In 2021, Creator/KevinFeige confirmed that Creator/CharlieCox [[RoleReprise would once again be portraying the character]] [[https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/kevin-feige-confirms-daredevil-casting-in-the-mcu-and-fans-will-be-pumped in future MCU projects]], starting with ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome''; the same day this film was released in the UK, Creator/VincentDOnofrio appeared as Kingpin in the fifth episode of ''Series/{{Hawkeye|2021}}'', firmly cementing the series & its sister Netflix shows as canon to the overall MCU.

The show follows Matt Murdock (Creator/CharlieCox), a blind lawyer with [[DisabilitySuperpower heightened]] [[SuperSenses senses]], as he works alongside his girlfriend Karen Page (Creator/DeborahAnnWoll) and his best friend and law partner Foggy Nelson (Creator/EldenHenson) to fight the criminal activities of [[ComicBook/TheKingpin Wilson Fisk]] (Creator/VincentDOnofrio) in the courtroom and on the streets of Hell's Kitchen as the masked vigilante "Daredevil".

A third season of ''Daredevil'' was released on October 19, 2018, and introduces several more characters of Daredevil lore, including Creator/WilsonBethel as [[ComicBook/BullseyeMarvelComics Benjamin "Dex" Poindexter]], Joanne Whalley as Sister Maggie, and Jay Ali as Ray Nadeem. A month after the third season dropped, Netflix announced they had officially canceled ''Daredevil,'' but claimed the character would "live on in future projects for Marvel" after a contractual hiatus. In 2021, Creator/KevinFeige confirmed that Creator/CharlieCox [[RoleReprise would once again be portraying the character]] [[https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/kevin-feige-confirms-daredevil-casting-in-the-mcu-and-fans-will-be-pumped in future MCU projects]], starting with ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome''; the same day this film was released in the UK, Creator/VincentDOnofrio appeared as Kingpin in the fifth episode of ''Series/{{Hawkeye|2021}}'', firmly cementing the series & its sister Netflix shows as canon to the overall MCU.

** Frank Castle's traditional sidekick David "Microchip" Lieberman doesn't appear in Season 2, instead making his debut in [[Series/ThePunisher2017 Castle's solo show]]. However, he is hinted at with a CD labeled "Micro" in Castle's house, which is revealed in the solo show to have been left by David.

** Creator/RosarioDawson as Claire Temple only appears in five out of 13 episodes in the first season of ''Daredevil'', and she doesn't have any big impact on the plot after Matt saves her from the Russians. She has a similarly brief run in the second season. Her role is essentially an EarlyBirdCameo for her appearances in other series associated with ''Series/TheDefenders2017'', such as ''Series/JessicaJones2015''. It wouldn't be until ''Series/LukeCage2016'' that Claire finally began to take on a more prominent role, functioning as Luke's sidekick for the second half of Season 1.

** Nobu is noted to have an unusual heartbeat, seems completely unaware of any pain or discomfort he should be experiencing, and in general creeps out everyone who meets him (in his very first scene, Owlsley says to him "Can you at least ''pretend'' to be cold? It's unsettling!"). Season 2 reveals that [[spoiler:he regenerates after seemingly fatal injuries, and he remarks that there's "no such thing" as death]]. The other ninjas of the Hand make no sound and can even conceal the beating of their hearts. It's hinted that [[spoiler:at least some of them have returned from the dead. One even has scars from an autopsy]]. ''Series/IronFist2017'' and ''Series/TheDefenders2017'' establish that yes, the Hand can resurrect the dead.
** Madame Gao, who claims that her homeland is not China but somewhere considerably "farther away." [[note]] China is about the farthest you can get from New York City and still be on Earth.[[/note]] She also [[IHitYouYouHitTheGround knocks down Matt in one hit]] despite being an [[NeverMessWithGranny old woman who walks with a cane]], and claims to [[{{Omniglot}} speak ALL languages]]. ''Series/IronFist2017'' reveals [[spoiler: she's from K'un L'un, she's several centuries (if not ''millennia'') old, and [[SwordCane her cane conceals a sword]], and ''Series/TheDefenders2017'' ultimately reveals she's one of the Hand's founders.]]

** Subverted with Marci Stahl, who reveals when push comes to shove that she has a guilty conscience and ends up helping Foggy take down her Landman & Zack colleagues who are in Fisk's pockets. Her turning against her corrupt bosses gets her hired by [[Series/JessicaJones2015 Hogarth, Chao & Benowitz]], and is able to persuade [[Creator/CarrieAnneMoss Jeri Hogarth]] to bring Foggy into the firm as well following Nelson & Murdock's closure. She is then a firm ally to the main trio in Season 3 when Fisk gets out of prison.

* AnachronicOrder: The end of the second season overlaps significantly with ''Series/LukeCage2016''. Claire mentions the Hand's hospital attack to her mother when she first appears in "Just to Get a Rep". Likewise, Matt revealing his secret identity to Karen in "A Cold Day in Hell's Kitchen" takes place after the police car dashcam video of Luke overpowering two police officers in "DWYCK" (the dashcam footage is stamped as taking place on December 1st, 2015, while the last scene in "A Cold Day in Hell's Kitchen" is established by preceding dialogue to take place during the week of December 20, 2015).

** At Frank Castle's trial, Colonel Schoonover testifies as a character witness, and tells a story about a stupid officer who got Castle's squad into an ambush (we later see the exact details of the ambush in a flashback during ''Series/ThePunisher2017''), that caused said idiot officer to lose his right arm. When Reyes claims no one can really know what happened if they weren't there, Schoonover clarifies that ''he'' was that idiot officer, completely undercutting Reyes' argument (and making her wonder how she managed to overlook his prosthetic arm in the first place).

** Season 2 has [[spoiler:a great majority of the Kitchen Irish, Samantha Reyes, The Blacksmith, Nobu...again (this time [[OffWithHisHead permanently]]), and finally Elektra herself (only to be revived by the Hand for ''Series/TheDefenders2017''.]]

** [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]] in "In the Blood". When Karen tells Ben that she was saved by a man in a mask, he at first is skeptical, but concedes that a masked vigilante is not the craziest thing in the world. Ben would know a thing or two about that, as he has framed front-page articles in his office about [[Film/TheIncredibleHulk the Harlem Terror]] and [[Film/TheAvengers2012 the Battle of Midtown]].
** Played with in another case from "In the Blood": Wesley questions Anatoly and Vladimir as to why [[MotherRussiaMakesYouStrong their gang]] is having so much trouble with one man running around in a mask, then adds, "I mean, if he had [[Film/IronMan an iron suit]] or [[Film/{{Thor}} a magic hammer]], ''maybe'' that would explain why you keep getting your asses handed to you."
** [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] with Fisk's "You really think one man in a silly little costume can make a difference?" Fisk gained his foothold in Hell's Kitchen in part because of the Chitauri invasion. From his perspective, guys like the Avengers might save the world, but they don't do shit about the crime, corruption, greed, poverty, and urban decay at street level. [[Series/TheDefenders2017 Until now, that is]].

** When Matt is growing up in the 1990s, Hell's Kitchen is portrayed as a lower-class neighborhood of Irish immigrants. This is based on the comics, which were created in the 1960s, when this was still true. In reality, Hell's Kitchen gentrified in the 1990s and is something of a {{Gayborhood}} now. The show justifies the neighborhood's crapsack portrayal in modern times by saying that [[Film/TheAvengers2012 the "Incident"]] caused a lot of property destruction here.

* BigApplesauce: The show picks up with Hell's Kitchen rebuilding after [[Film/TheAvengers2012 the "incident"]], and there's the bombings Fisk carries out to wipe out the Russians' manpower.

** When Wilson Fisk bombs the Russians' hideouts during Foggy and Karen's dinner, Elena rushes into the living room and shouts, "[[Film/TheAvengers2012 The heavens are opening up again!]]" in Spanish.

** Season 2 is even starker. [[spoiler:Nobu is killed again and [[DecapitationRequired he won't be coming back this time]], while Frank has exacted his revenge on the Blacksmith. ''However''...(deep breath) Frank was released from prison with Fisk's help, and he knows his crusade against organized crime will only serve to help Fisk regain control of his criminal empire once he's out of prison. Matt and Elektra rekindled their relationship only for her to die saving him and then her body is taken by the Hand, a fate she was trying to avoid in the first place. Nelson & Murdock dissolve in both business and friendship, and while Karen goes on to become a reporter for ''The New York Bulletin'' and Foggy takes a lucrative position at Hogarth, Chao, and Benowitz, Matt is left with only Karen, out of a job, and facing a dark future as his enemies are growing in power. So for him it's a straight-up DownerEnding, though that's mitigated by ''Series/TheDefenders2017'' which show that Matt is doing very good running a solo law practice out of his apartment and he is still on amicable (albeit awkward) speaking terms with Karen and Foggy.]]

** Season 3 begins and ends with a CrucifiedHeroShot. The first episode has Matt doing this, as he is swept into a sewer, [[Series/TheDefenders2017 while trapped in the explosion and demolition of Midland Circle]]. The last episode has this happen to [[spoiler:Dex, a rare villainous example, as he is seen strapped face-down on an operating table in the aforementioned pose, his damaged spine being replaced with [[MythologyGag Cognium steel by two surgeons]]. Of course, being a villain, it's an [[TheAntiChrist inverted cross]].]]

* CelebrityParadox: In "World on Fire," when hinting that they know Piotr is about to say Wilson Fisk's name, Detective Blake says "He'd have to be King frickin' Kong." Creator/AndySerkis, who plays the motion capture for King Kong in [[Film/KingKong2005 the 2005 remake]], is Ulysses Klaue in the MCU.

** Matt only gets his nickname "Daredevil" from the media after he takes down Fisk. Till then, he's just "the Devil of Hell's Kitchen," "the Masked Man", or "the Black Mask," even in subtitles. Even after he acquires his name, the main characters have a conversation about whether it sounds dorky. And even with the 'Daredevil' name, the old 'Devil of Hell's Kitchen' moniker lingers on, with Karen, Brett, Frank, even Matt himself using the old name, and even in ''Series/TheDefenders2017'', the Hand leaders use the Devil of Hell's Kitchen name.

* ContinuityReboot: The series is completely unconnected to the 2003 ''Film/{{Daredevil}}'' movie. It also counts for the Punisher in Season 2 onwards, who is completely unrelated to any previous versions of the character.

* ContrivedCoincidence: In Season 2, the fact that the druglord responsible for the shootout that got Frank's family killed was [[spoiler:Castle's former CO who had gone into the heroin business]]. At least, until ''Series/ThePunisher2017'' reveals it's not so coincidental at all...

** The first thing in focus when Matt wakes up in the "Resurrection" is a crucifix. Matt may not have literally died in ''Series/TheDefenders2017'', but he will spend the rest of the season reckoning with how to live after suffering so much in battle with the Hand.
* CrucifiedHeroShot: The first shot of Season 3 is of a silhouette of a cross falling towards the camera. As it gets closer, it becomes clear the cross is Matt Murdock with his arms outstretched, right after his legal death in ''Series/TheDefenders2017''. The symbolism is a little confused, since while Matt did sacrifice himself for Elektra in ''The Defenders'', his sacrifice didn't save her. In fact, his real death in the season is a spiritual one that leads him to renounce {{God}}, the exact type of thing Jesus died to save humanity from. Ultimately, though it takes longer than three days and doesn't happen in the episode "Resurrection," [[spoiler:Matthew Murdock does rise from his personal Hell and ascend even beyond his former glory.]]

** Thanks to Netflix's laxer broadcast standards, the show can get away with violence and mature content never seen in the 2003 ''Film/{{Daredevil}}'' film, the MCU movies, ''Series/AgentsOfSHIELD'' or ''Series/AgentCarter''. This is subtly reflected in the writing, which has far fewer jokes and gags than other MCU works.

* DecapitationRequired: Stick seems confident that cutting [[spoiler:the supposedly immortal Nobu]]'s head off will be enough to make sure he's KilledOffForReal. ''Series/IronFist2017'' eventually confirms that decapitation is the only way to permanently kill off those resurrected by the Hand. That, or mutilating the body in such a way that resurrection is impossible.

* EarlyBirdCameo: Similar to how Season 1 of ''Series/JessicaJones2015'' introduced Luke Cage well before he got his own show, Season 2 of ''Daredevil'' was used to introduce Frank Castle, ostensibly as a test to see if he was worth giving [[Series/ThePunisher2017 his own show]], which he passed.

** Madame Gao's heroin workers are all blind, with scars around their eyes, implied to have ''blinded themselves'' after she showed them something. With her advanced age, and it being revealed in ''Series/IronFist2017'' that she is a member of the Hand, the implications are disturbing.

** A [[ComicBook/ThePunisher Punisher]] skull logo can be spotted on the wall of one of the access tunnels at the end of "Condemned".

** In "Nelson v. Murdock," Foggy at one point says while berating Matt, "[[Series/TheDefenders2017 You're going to get yourself killed if you keep this up. You know that, right?]]"

** In the newspaper that Foggy reads in "Kinbaku" about Frank Castle's arrest, there's an article to the side that reads "New Theories Shed Light on Lost City", possibly referring to [[Series/IronFist2017 K'un L'un]].
** Though it's only visible in production stills (and impossible to see in the actual show due to bad camera angles), the chemical truck that hit Matt and was responsible for giving him his superpowers was owned by [[Series/IronFist2017 Rand Enterprises]].
** The blueprints that Nobu and his men are looking over in the first episode of Season 1 are for [[Series/TheDefenders2017 Midland Circle Financial]].

** Madame Gao counts as well. She's the only crime boss Fisk answers to, since her heroin is the backbone of his criminal activities. She later implies that she isn't entirely of this world and is part of something much bigger than mere drug trade. [[spoiler:''Series/IronFist2017'' reveals that she is also part of the Hand, and ''Series/TheDefenders2017'' reveals that Madame Gao is a subordinate to Alexandra.]]

** Because the NYPD does not allow real-life precinct numbers to be used in works of fiction, the police station shown in this show and ''Series/JessicaJones2015'' is designated as the '15th precinct'. Hell's Kitchen is actually serviced by the Midtown North precinct.

* LighterAndSofter: Season 3, [[GrandFinale the final season]]. Despite the increasingly growing cynism of Matt Murdock, it's still light compared to the previous seasons. With most enemy factions weakened or completely destroyed following the events of Season 2 and ''Series/TheDefenders2017'', what Season 3 gives us most is idealism and hopes for Matt to win against the bad guys, not to mention Karen Page's contribution in discovering much of Fisk's corruption. That, and [[spoiler:[[EarnYourHappyEnding the happy ending]]]].

* MinorCrimeRevealsMajorPlot: A construction numbers racket being exposed courtesy of Karen equals the uncovering of [[ComicBook/TheKingpin a powerful figure controlling Hell's Kitchen]].

* NotHisSled: [[spoiler: Elektra is killed in this series, which reflects the original comics and the 2003 movie, and then is resurrected by The Hand for ''Series/TheDefenders2017''. The difference is that Elektra is killed by Nobu, well before Bullseye makes his debut in Season 3.]]

** ComicBook/{{Daredevil}} really is one the MCU's top fighters. A fully geared up SWAT team waltzing into a Russian Mob hideout and taking down every single mobster with no casualties on their side would be impressive. Matt Murdock did it by himself, unarmed, nonlethally, and only hours after receiving injuries that would've killed him without medical aid that came from a nurse with whatever first-aid supplies she happened to have in her home. Keep in mind that this is very early in his vigilante career.

* OurZombiesAreDifferent: The Hand perform certain rituals to reanimate their dead. They keep their scars and some are even missing organs as is usually the case with reanimated corpses, but they retain their own personalities and intelligence and are as skilled as ever. ''Series/IronFist2017'' expands on this further and shows that the process can even be applied before death. ''Series/TheDefenders2017'' then shows the resurrection process in detail when Alexandra is reviving Elektra.

** The Black Sky plot in "Stick" hints at more mystical elements that aren't present anywhere else in the show (or the rest of the MCU) as of yet, setting up the more mystical elements in ''Iron Fist'', ''The Defenders'', Season 4 of ''Series/AgentsOfSHIELD'', and ''Film/DoctorStrange2016''.

** In ''The Defenders'', the other three Defenders ([[Series/JessicaJones2015 Jessica Jones]], [[Series/LukeCage2016 Luke Cage]], and [[Series/IronFist2017 Danny Rand]]) find out (Jessica figures it out with her investigative skills, and he eventually admits it to Luke and Danny as well), as do some of their allies, but like Stick and Elektra, this is fairly downplayed since Matt doesn't interact with them here in his own series.

** In Season 2, Samantha Reyes and Blake Tower are introduced in the second episode. Subverted in Reyes' case, as she actually made her debut in the Season 1 finale of ''Series/JessicaJones2015'' in the epilogue scenes following Jessica's defeat of Kilgrave.

*** Madame Gao [[spoiler:leaves to go back to her homeland]]. When Owlsley questions if her homeland is China, she says it's "some place much further away". Given her use of the Steel Serpent symbol, it's most likely she is referring to K'un-Lun. She's back in New York in time for ''Series/IronFist2017''.

* SexWithTheEx: At one point, Foggy ends up having a one-night stand with his ex-girlfriend Marci Stahl. By the end of the finale, she rediscovers her soul and helps Nelson & Murdock dismantle Wilson Fisk's organization. Her relationship with Foggy is still nebulous, but they are both working at Hogarth, Chao & Benowitz by the end of Season 2, they are back to full-time dating by the start of ''Series/TheDefenders2017'', and by Season 3, have a close and loving relationship to the point that they're both thinking about marriage.

* ShellShockedVeteran: {{Defied}}. Frank Castle sneers at the idea of exploiting the [[DeadHorseTrope over-used cliche]] for his own gain, and expresses the rather progressive view that it would be unfair to [[HurtingHero those who actually suffer from PTSD]]. Karen clearly admires him for this stance, and the viewers are supposed to as well. No one seems aware that PTSD can result from ''any'' sufficiently traumatic experience...like, say, seeing your own family die in front of you a hail of gunfire. And it's made even more clear in [[Series/ThePunisher2017 his own show]] that this is ''precisely'' what he suffers from: vivid recall of the trauma ("reliving" the moment), hypervigilance, fixation on the event, insomnia, a dramatic change in personality--all are symptoms of PTSD.

-->'''James Wesley:''' I mean, if he had [[Film/IronMan an iron suit]] or [[Film/{{Thor}} a magic hammer]], ''maybe'' that would explain why you keep getting your asses handed to you.

** Foggy's appealing to how Marci Stahl "used to have a soul" gets to her. Not only does she readily turn in her partners, but in both of her appearances in Season 2, we can see that since joining Hogarth Chao & Benowitz, Marci has become considerably nicer and has a more amicable relationship with Foggy. While Marci only gets one shot in ''Series/TheDefenders2017'', it's clear she and Foggy are forming a healthy OfficeRomance at HC&B.
** During ''Series/JessicaJones2015'', Jeri Hogarth was incredibly amoral, even engaging in criminal behavior and trying to use Kilgrave to get Wendy to agree to lesser terms during their divorce. When she shows up in the Season 2 finale of ''Daredevil'', it's pretty clear that she's cleaned up her act greatly, and is back to something very close to what she used to be like when she interned at Rand Enterprises, as she's impressed by Foggy's defense of Frank Castle to the point of hiring him on with the explicit promise of making him a name partner. Though ''Jessica Jones'' Season 2 suggests that any change was probably just an act put on for Foggy.

** Season 2's reappearances of Wilson Fisk, Madame Gao, Nobu, and Jeri Hogarth from ''Series/JessicaJones2015''. In these cases, Fisk and Gao had been PutOnABus the previous season (in fact, Fisk's return was quite a major twist due to the fact that it was a complete surprise despite the intense scrutiny every MCU property has been put under these days; it helped that a lot of the marketing for Season 2 revolved around the addition of The Punisher and Elektra), Nobu was seemingly burned alive, and Hogarth was from a different show, making them all a bit of a surprise to many viewers. Fisk's mini-arc in Season 2 was primarily to set him up for his return as the main villain of Season 3, considering that D'Onofrio was the first confirmed cast member outside of Matt, Karen and Foggy to be announced for Season 3.

** ComicBook/ThePunisher is an even more extreme version and plays foil to Daredevil.

--->'''Cartel Member:''' "Not they. ''[[ComicBook/ThePunisher Him.]]'' It's one man."

* WorfHadTheFlu: For most of Season 3, Matt suffered from the injuries he endured at the end of ''Series/TheDefenders2017'', which hindered his fighting throughout the season.

* WhiteShirtOfDeath: Wilson Fisk begins wearing white three-piece suits upon his release from prison, symbolizing his transformation into ComicBook/TheKingpin. In the climatic battle of the series finale his white suit, the [[WeddingSmashers white wedding dress]] of the [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes woman he just married]], and the painting "Rabbit in a Snowstorm" which consists entirely of graduations of white, all get splattered with blood.

'''Karen Page:''' You're not [[Series/TheDefenders2017 alone]].

A third season of ''Daredevil'' was released on October 19, 2018, and introduces several more characters of Daredevil lore, including Creator/WilsonBethel as [[ComicBook/BullseyeMarvelComics Benjamin "Dex" Poindexter]], Joanne Whalley as Sister Maggie, and Jay Ali as Ray Nadeem. A month after the third season dropped, Netflix announced they had officially canceled ''Daredevil,'' but claimed the character would "live on in future projects for Marvel" after a contractual hiatus. In 2021, Creator/KevinFeige confirmed that Creator/CharlieCox [[RoleReprise would once again be portraying the character]] [[https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/kevin-feige-confirms-daredevil-casting-in-the-mcu-and-fans-will-be-pumped in future MCU projects]], starting with ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome''; the same day this film was released in the UK, Creator/VincentDOnofrio appeared as Kingpin in the fifth episode of ''Series/{{Hawkeye|2021}}'', firmly cementing the series & its other Netflix shows as canon to the overall MCU.

A third season of ''Daredevil'' was released on October 19, 2018, and introduces several more characters of Daredevil lore, including Creator/WilsonBethel as [[ComicBook/BullseyeMarvelComics Benjamin "Dex" Poindexter]], Joanne Whalley as Sister Maggie, and Jay Ali as Ray Nadeem. A month after the third season dropped, Netflix announced they had officially canceled ''Daredevil,'' but claimed the character would "live on in future projects for Marvel" after a contractual hiatus. In 2021, Creator/KevinFeige confirmed that Creator/CharlieCox [[RoleReprise would once again be portraying the character]] [[https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/kevin-feige-confirms-daredevil-casting-in-the-mcu-and-fans-will-be-pumped in future MCU projects]], starting with ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome''; the same day this film was released in the UK, Creator/VincentDOnofrio appeared as Kingpin in the fifth episode of ''Series/{{Hawkeye|2021}}''.

A third season of ''Daredevil'' was released on October 19, 2018, and introduces several more characters of Daredevil lore, including Creator/WilsonBethel as [[ComicBook/BullseyeMarvelComics Benjamin "Dex" Poindexter]], Joanne Whalley as Sister Maggie, and Jay Ali as Ray Nadeem. A month after the third season dropped, Netflix announced they had officially canceled ''Daredevil,'' but claimed the character would "live on in future projects for Marvel" after a contractual hiatus. In 2021, Creator/KevinFeige confirmed that Creator/CharlieCox [[RoleReprise would once again be portraying the character]] [[https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/kevin-feige-confirms-daredevil-casting-in-the-mcu-and-fans-will-be-pumped in future MCU projects]], starting with ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome''; the same day this film was released, Creator/VincentDOnofrio appeared as Kingpin in the fifth episode of ''Series/{{Hawkeye|2021}}''.

A third season of ''Daredevil'' was released on October 19, 2018, and introduces several more characters of Daredevil lore, including Creator/WilsonBethel as [[ComicBook/BullseyeMarvelComics Benjamin "Dex" Poindexter]], Joanne Whalley as Sister Maggie, and Jay Ali as Ray Nadeem. A month after the third season dropped, Netflix announced they had officially canceled ''Daredevil,'' but claimed the character would "live on in future projects for Marvel" after a contractual hiatus. In 2021, Creator/KevinFeige confirmed that Creator/CharlieCox [[RoleReprise would once again be portraying the character]] [[https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/kevin-feige-confirms-daredevil-casting-in-the-mcu-and-fans-will-be-pumped in future MCU projects]], starting with ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome''.

-->'''Blake Tower:''' How did you miss that in his file?
-->'''Samantha Reyes:''' All the names were redacted.
-->'''Blake Tower:''' Not good.
-->'''Samantha Reyes:''' No shit.

-->'''Foggy:''' He looks better than I ever have and he's not even wearing a tie.

-->'''Frank Castle:''' Your kid's in a box. But you want your money, huh?

-->'''Deborah Ann Woll:''' My aunt teaches journalism in Washington. So I have picked her brain a ton. In ''The Punisher'', we had the guy who wrote in a threat to the paper. She gave me a lot of information about the Unabomber. We wanted to make sure we follow the line on it. Obviously, it’s TV, you have to take poetic license here and there. It’s been nice to finally play that archetype.

-->'''Benjamin "Dex" Poindexter''': That's one of the rules, Ray. [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall We only refer to him by his codename.]]
-->'''Ray Nadeem:''' What codename?
-->'''Benjamin "Dex" Poindexter:''' [[MythologyGag Kingpin]].

-->'''Foggy Nelson:''' Brett, you're wearing a tie and it's...not a clip-on.

-->'''Matt Murdock:''' "Tell me who they are."
-->'''Cartel Member:''' "Not they. ''[[ComicBook/ThePunisher Him.]]'' It's one man."

--> '''Maggie:''' [[spoiler: Our son is too much like you, Jack]].

---> '''Matt''': There is goodness in people, even in you. And you're gonna have to kill me, 'cause I'm never gonna stop coming for you, until I take you down. You wanna know why?\\

A third season of ''Daredevil'' was released on October 19, 2018, and introduces several more characters of Daredevil lore, including Creator/WilsonBethel as [[ComicBook/BullseyeMarvelComics Benjamin "Dex" Poindexter]], Joanne Whalley as Sister Maggie, and Jay Ali as Ray Nadeem. A month after the third season dropped, Netflix announced they had officially canceled ''Daredevil,'' but claimed the character would "live on in future projects for Marvel" after a contractual hiatus. In 2021, Creator/KevinFeige confirmed that Creator/CharlieCox [[RoleReprise would once again be portraying the character]] [[https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/kevin-feige-confirms-daredevil-casting-in-the-mcu-and-fans-will-be-pumped in future MCU projects]].

A third season of ''Daredevil'' was released on October 19, 2018, and introduces several more characters of Daredevil lore, including Creator/WilsonBethel as [[ComicBook/BullseyeMarvelComics Benjamin "Dex" Poindexter]], Joanne Whalley as Sister Maggie, and Jay Ali as Ray Nadeem. A month after the third season dropped, Netflix announced they had officially canceled ''Daredevil,'' but claimed the character would "live on in future projects for Marvel" after a contractual hiatus.

* SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome: Has [[RealityEnsues/Daredevil2015 its own page]].

** {{Downplayed|Trope}}. Wilson Fisk has a large private cell and gets rare steak delivered to him... but he's still eating it off a tray while sitting on his uncomfortable-looking prison cot in an orange jumpsuit. [[RealityEnsues Having the guards on puppet strings gets you a lot of perks, but it still ain't the Ritz.]]

* RealityEnsues: Has [[RealityEnsues/Daredevil2015 its own page]].

** Wilson Fisk's people try to bribe Karen into silence after she leaks evidence of corruption at Union Allied to the media. James Wesley makes this clear before Karen kills him for threatening Matt's and Foggy's lives. [[RealityEnsues Unfortunately, bribes don't work on someone]] [[BribeBackfire who doesn't care about money]] and is determined to make those responsible for the attempts on her life pay for their wrongdoing. Karen makes this clear when Matt tries to lecture her for almost getting attacked:

* GoodAngelBadAngel: At his lowest points in Season 3, Matt imagines his father and Wilson Fisk. lecturing him from over his shoulder. Both figments of the imagination are always in the background and almost always out of focus, letting the audience know they aren't as real as our characters in the foreground.

* BloodierAndGorier: Season 2 is much more bloody and violent than the previous one, especially for the debut of Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, a brutal {{vigilante}} who tortures and kills criminals.

** Elektra and Stick argue that Matt is NotSoDifferent from them, and Matt finds himself straying closer to them at times.

''When the sun sets [[NotSoDifferent we're both the same]],''\\

** Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk. They're both defined by their past experience with their fathers, leading up to both deciding to do whatever it takes to make their city a better place. However, their methods of doing vary widely. Fisk's NotSoDifferent observation is all the more poignant.

* NotSoDifferent: Wilson Fisk claims this about himself and the Devil of Hell's Kitchen, though Matt aggressively denies it. "Condemned" has both Vladimir and Fisk claiming this about him, although he repeatedly tells them they're not the same.
-->'''Fisk:''' You and I have a lot in common.\\

** A major theme throughout the show is the similarities Matt and Fisk share. Both had traumatic experiences in their childhoods that have shaped who they are, both were strongly influenced by their fathers, both believe they are helping the city become a better place and use unlawful means to do so. At one point, Foggy even questions how Matt's methods are any different from Fisk's.

** Season 2 in general expands on this. Frank Castle, Elektra, and Stick all argue that Matt is NotSoDifferent from them, and Matt finds himself straying closer to them at times. For instance: [[spoiler: Agreeing with Frank that Matt's way isn't working, so "just this once" he'll help Frank find and kill the Blacksmith. Later, Matt apparently having his "one bad day" and throwing Nobu off a roof by his neck. Matt finally pushing Foggy and Karen almost completely out of his life, just as Stick suggested, and finally agreeing to run away with Elektra, wherever she wants to go to stay hidden from The Hand.]]

** On the heroes' side, [[OfficialCouple Matt and Karen]]'s individual pursuits of justice (through Daredevil and through investigative reporting, respectively) are very similar in their determination and unwillingness to stop even when it means jeopardizing their own safety. This is especially noticeable in Season 1, where her quest for justice is very much parallel to Matt's:
*** Both Matt and Karen have the tragedy of a car accident in their past. Matt was blinded by one, while Karen killed her brother in one.
*** Just as Jack Murdock’s death profoundly changed Matt, the murder of Daniel Fisher wakes Karen up to the reality of the corruption and violence that’s taking place in Hell’s Kitchen. While she gathers other people later who serve as motivation for her cause, from the very beginning it’s Daniel Fisher’s inescapable ghost that prompts her to fight back. His memory keeps her going out there, even after two attempts are made on her life and after she is bribed to keep silent. Just like Matt's memory of his father.
*** Ben encourages Karen to hide her nighttime activities, but as a person already prone to keeping secrets due to the events that happened in her past, it’s likely that she would have done so anyway. She lies to Matt and Foggy from the day she meets them, and this continues even after she begins working to bring down Fisk. The parallels with how Matt hides his Devil of Hell's Kitchen activities from Foggy and Karen are obvious, and there’s dramatic irony in one scene where Foggy tells Matt that he thinks Karen is up to something and Matt dismisses his concerns saying, “Everybody has secrets, Foggy.”
*** Just like Matt, Karen manages to keep her friends in the dark for about half of the show until Foggy discovers the truth on his own due to finding them having just been attacked by Fisk's thugs (discovering Karen being menaced by thugs; finding Matt bleeding out from being maimed by Nobu and beaten up by Fisk).
*** Just like Matt is not dissuaded by Foggy's concerns about what he does at night, Karen is not dissuaded by Matt's concerns about what she's doing. She comes back at him with a very Daredevil-esque response: "Y'know, I don’t care what I signed or how much money they paid me to forget, I don’t. And I’m not just going to stick my head in the sand and let it happen to somebody else because I am scared! Which I am… a lot.”
*** As Karen goes out there and takes risks and digs deeper into Fisk’s business, she gets noticed. While Fisk’s immediate priority may be dealing with the damage Matt is doing to his organization, it’s not long before he notices the other, much more subtle type of vigilante showing up where she doesn’t belong. Just like Foggy's "You're gonna kill yourself if you keep this up" to Matt, Ben warns Karen to be careful, but she knows that care won’t get her the results she needs, and so she takes risks. Just like Matt gets a bit too confident and careless and ends up being maimed in a fight with Nobu, Karen gets a little too confident and careless and ends up being threatened at gunpoint by Wesley. Unlike Matt, though, it is Karen who gets the honor of receiving the standard supervillain threat of "Back off or I'll kill everyone you care about".
*** Wesley threatens to have Matt killed to scare Karen and cause her pain. The fear of Karen getting killed when she's kidnapped by the Hand in Season 2 is enough that Matt can't focus and Elektra needs to rein him in.
*** In a show that deals extensively with Matt’s internal conflict about killing, it’s Karen who actually takes that step, and must deal with the consequences. Killing Wesley, although saving her life, takes a toll on Karen: Clearly traumatized, Karen resorts to alcohol to avoid the chronic anxiety that now colors every moment of her life. And Matt burning Nobu alive, although saving his life, takes a toll on him as Foggy finds him bleeding out in his apartment right afterwards.

* ZeroPercentApprovalRating: Fisk's downfall, repeatedly, is that he works hard to maintain an image of [[VillainWithGoodPublicity a well meaning philanthropist falsely accused of horrible crimes]], yet he invariably alienates those who actually work for or with him through his behavior (with the notable exception of Wesley, who dies early on anyway) to the point that some of his closest underlings are only there because he's bullied, blackmailed or manipulated them into working for him. This is especially notable in Season 3 where he gets his entire FBI detail in his pocket by digging up dirt on them and / or threatening their families, leading to them testifying against him once [[spoiler:Nadeem's confession video goes public]] and he gets arrested anyway, and especially with Dex, who turns on him the moment he learns that Fisk killed Julie just to undermine his sanity further. The public at large alternates between loving him and loathing him depending on what they think about him is true, and at the end of the day he's just plain unable and unwilling to invest in genuine loyalty rather than mere obedience, basically giving members of his own organization every reason to want him to somehow fail.

A third season of ''Daredevil'' was released on October 19, 2018, and introduces several more characters of Daredevil lore, including Creator/WilsonBethel as [[ComicBook/BullseyeMarvelComics Benjamin "Dex" Poindexter]], Joanne Whalley as Sister Maggie, and Jay Ali as Ray Nadeem. A month after the third season dropped, Netflix announced they had officially canceled ''Daredevil,'' but claimed the character would "live on in future projects for Marvel." [[note]]Though Disney contractually had to wait two years before they could do anything with the character in live-action.[[/note]]