History Series / ThePunisher2017

* SpeculativeFiction: At the time of its airing this is the only example in the ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'' where this is [[AvertedTrope averted]] entirely. The series has no fantasy or sci-fi elements at all (even Micro's [[HollywoodHacking hacking skills]] are far more [[DownplayedTrope downplayed]] and grounded in reality than most examples of this trope, including elsewhere in the MCU).

** At the end of the first episode, Micro sees Frank operating and says, "Welcome back, Frank." "Welcome Back, Frank" is the title of Garth Ennis' first ''Punisher'' story.

* DropTheHammer: While working as a construction worker in the first episode, Frank tries to work out his frustrations by demolishing walls with a sledgehammer. He ends up [[PayEvilUntoEvil beating Lance and his buddies to death with it.]]

* MenInBlack: Frank primarily wears black, both symbolizing his pain and sorrow, as well as because of its practicality in stealth operations.

* HurtingHero:
** Frank, of course, is on a crusade driven by the death of his family.
** Madani is seeking justice for the murder of her partner Ahmed Zubair at the hands of Frank and other Operation Cerberus members.
** David is separated from his family, having to pretend he's dead and only able to watch his family through cameras installed in his house.
** Karen is in the midst of mourning Matt's "death" under a skyscraper, and this reflects greatly on her actions here.

[[header:[[center:[-'''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse -- The Defenders Saga'''\\
''[[Series/Daredevil2015 Daredevil]]'' | ''[[Series/JessicaJones2015 Jessica Jones]]'' | ''[[Series/LukeCage2016 Luke Cage]]'' | ''[[Series/IronFist2017 Iron Fist]]'' | ''[[Series/TheDefenders2017 The Defenders]]'' | '''''The Punisher'''''-]]]]]

On February 18, 2019, it was announced the 2nd season was going to be its final one as the series was canceled alongside ''Series/JessicaJones2015'', effectively killing off the final original Marvel shows on Netflix. In February 2022, the series, alongside the rest of the ''Defenders'' franchise, exited Netflix's platform, moving to Creator/DisneyPlus the next month.

* BittersweetEnding: Season 2 ends [[spoiler:on a more somber note compared to the surprisingly peaceful closure of season 1.]]
[[spoiler:Frank remains live and uncaptured, having [[BecomingTheMask fully embraced his Punisher identity]] by killing crime full-time, and he and Dinah manage to finally kill off Billy; putting an end to his spree of terror and marking Frank as the SoleSurvivor of Operation Cerberus. He had also managed to put an end to Testament, killing both the Schultzes while letting Pilgrim live to drop out and watch over his two children. However, Frank has shunned all chances of living a civilian life again as a result of becoming a full-time vigilante, even declining Dinah's offer to let him work for the C.I.A. [[BreakHisHeartToSaveHim He also had to cut ties with Amy to keep her safe]], giving her the cash to move far away. Now with his family and brother figure dead, and all ties with all surviving allies severed, Frank is truly alone, and yet at peace with himself.]]

* BloodierAndGorier: ''By far'' the goriest entry in all of Marvel's Netflix television series, and this is after the other Netflix shows were already unprecedented on that level, making stuff like Wilson Fisk's car door decapitation of Anatoly look mild.

* PhonyVeteran: O'Connor, the NRA guy in Curtis's support group who proves to be a PoisonousFriend to Lewis, is greatly exaggerating the length of his military service, and completely lying about having combat experience.

* BloodierAndGorier: ''By far'' the goriest entry in the entire MCU, and this is after the other Netflix shows were already unprecedented on that level, making stuff like Wilson Fisk's car door decapitation of Anatoly look mild.