Ever since it debuted in 2015, the first season of Netflix's Daredevil has been regarded as the best of all their Marvel content, even with a few flaws popping up toward the end, and I held that view as well...right up until the first season of The Punisher dropped. We've met the new best thing, folks, and allow me to explain why:
The Punisher follows Frank Castle 6 months after the events of Daredevil season 2, having taken out the last few members of the gangs involved in the Central Park shooting and trying to start a new life as Pete Castiglione while remaining unable to move past the death of his family. Eventually, he learns that there's a larger conspiracy behind that fateful day, and so sets out to kill those responsible as well. Nothing revolutionary, but very compelling nonetheless, and god damn if it isn't satisfying to see awful people being put down for good instead of just beaten up and dropped in prison as is the norm for the other Netflix series. However, what sets it above the other series quality-wise is the noticeable lack of the issues they've been repeatedly criticized for.
It maintains a constant, slow-burn pace throughout the 13 episodes instead of starting off strong and puttering out halfway through (DD S2, LC S1, JJ S1 & S2)
All the acting and plotting is phenomenal, with no weak actors, moments, or storylines (JJ S1, IF S1)
The final battle is truly gnarly, emotional, and impactful instead of Narm-ridden and silly (DD S1 & S2, LC S1, Defenders S1)
The story includes discussion of some very relevant and/or divisive topics like the gun debate and veteran support without falling back on it every other episode in place of the actual story or becoming preachy about it (JJ S1, LC S1)
The action and choreography is truly realistic and believable at all times (DD S1 & S2, JJ S2, LC S1, IF S1)
Oh, and there's one other heavily-criticized aspect of the other shows that the Punisher avoids, but it's technically a spoiler so I won't list it here. People familiar with the shows will likely know what I'm referring to, though.
tl;dr Watch this show. It's truly incredible on all fronts especially for something that wasn't even part of the initial plan for Marvel's Netflix expansion, and season 2 cannot come soon enough.
Season 1: The New Peak of the Marvel Netflix Series
Ever since it debuted in 2015, the first season of Netflix's Daredevil has been regarded as the best of all their Marvel content, even with a few flaws popping up toward the end, and I held that view as well...right up until the first season of The Punisher dropped. We've met the new best thing, folks, and allow me to explain why:
The Punisher follows Frank Castle 6 months after the events of Daredevil season 2, having taken out the last few members of the gangs involved in the Central Park shooting and trying to start a new life as Pete Castiglione while remaining unable to move past the death of his family. Eventually, he learns that there's a larger conspiracy behind that fateful day, and so sets out to kill those responsible as well. Nothing revolutionary, but very compelling nonetheless, and god damn if it isn't satisfying to see awful people being put down for good instead of just beaten up and dropped in prison as is the norm for the other Netflix series. However, what sets it above the other series quality-wise is the noticeable lack of the issues they've been repeatedly criticized for.
Oh, and there's one other heavily-criticized aspect of the other shows that the Punisher avoids, but it's technically a spoiler so I won't list it here. People familiar with the shows will likely know what I'm referring to, though.
tl;dr Watch this show. It's truly incredible on all fronts especially for something that wasn't even part of the initial plan for Marvel's Netflix expansion, and season 2 cannot come soon enough.