Marvel’s "Daredevil" just started its second season on Netflix. The show follows the titular Daredevil, a lawyer named Matt Murdock. As a child, he suffered an accident that left him blind but gave him a radar sense, which allows him to sense more than a regular person. He uses his power to protect the people of Hell’s Kitchen. This show has received acclaim from critics and viewers alike. If you haven’t watched this show yet, you should. Here's why.
1. The Cast
What would a show be without a cast? Nothing--there would be no show. Luckily for us, "Daredevil" has a fantastic cast. All of the actors, both main and supporting, are so good at their jobs that you will have to remind yourself that they’re actually playing characters, and that Matt Murdock isn’t really protecting Hell’s Kitchen.
2. The Cinematography
Great cinematography can set up the whole mood of a show. For "Daredevil," that translates into a dark, gritty atmosphere that sets it apart from other Marvel properties. The opening credits, the colors, and the music all work to tell you this is not the Marvel you’ve grown accustomed to. The colors particularly help add to the feeling that things can get worse at any moment.
3. The Fight Scenes
Fight scenes are a pivotal part of any superhero movie or show. We all look forward to the moment when the hero stands up to the villain and, with few swift-kicks and well-placed punches, is able to defeat them--while ending up with only a few scratches themselves. This is not what the fight scenes in "Daredevil" are like. The fighting in this show is almost all hand-to-hand, with each side receiving their fair amount of pain. Matt has no super strength, he can’t fly, and he has no special weapons; each fight feels like it is evenly matched, and could potentially be Matt’s last one. Adding to the sense of realism is the fact that most stunts (including the fight scenes) are done by actual people and not by CGI.
4. The Characters
The characters in "Daredevil" are very realistic (besides the whole powers thing). They could very well be someone you'd meet on the street. They are not perfect but, rather, as flawed and complex as real people. It’s not hard to see some part of yourself in at least one of the characters, whether it's a good or a bad quality. Even the villains are complex, and, at points, you may find yourself feeling sympathetic towards them. The show’s writers manage to avoid giving the characters a black-and-white sense of morality, which makes them easier to relate to and more interesting to watch.
5. It's Realistic
Well, it’s as realistic as a show about a person with powers can be. Besides his radar sense, Matt doesn’t have any powers--he’s just a guy trying his hardest to save his neighborhood from the people that are threatening it. When Matt isn’t fighting crime, he is a lawyer who, along with his partner and best friend Franklin “Foggy” Nelson, helps the people of Hell’s Kitchen against realistic foes such as slumlords and corrupt businesses. This isn’t a big blockbuster where the fate of the world hangs in the balance. There are no Avengers ready to save the day. This is a small neighborhood in New York where the only people who can save the day are the ones who live there.
6. It's Full of Easter Eggs
Fans of other Marvel properties will constantly find themselves saying “I understood that reference” while watching "Daredevil" because of its many connections to the larger Marvel universe. The show includes many references to well-known and more obscure characters, comic book references, references to the real word, and a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Stan Lee cameo.
7. It’s The First of More Shows to Come
The success of the first season of "Daredevil" already led to the creation of the equally fantastic show "Jessica Jones," and now Marvel has announced that there will be a show about Luke Cage, as well as one about Iron Fist. All of this is building up to a potential Defenders show, where all these heroes will team up. So, basically, you should watch both seasons of "Daredevil" right now to prepare.
