Daredevil: Born Again Episode 7 Review: The Hateful Darkness Delivers a Stark Moral Dilemma

Spoilers ahead for Daredevil: Born Again season two, episode seven.

No one should ever get close to Matt Murdock. This is the ultimate moral of every Daredevil story. While he is undeniably charming, handsome, and guided by an unshakable ethical compass, his rigid adherence to Catholic guilt and moral absolutism ultimately harms him—and everyone around him.

The penultimate episode of Born Again’s second season, titled “The Hateful Darkness,” directed by Iain B. MacDonald and written by Heather Bellson, examines the fallout of being Matt Murdock’s friend. Karen Page is imprisoned, Kirsten McDuffie faces a life-altering legal battle, and Jessica Jones is pulled back into New York City’s superhero underworld. Though primarily a setup for next week’s finale, the episode meticulously positions each character—or removes them entirely—while Matt’s crusade continues to dictate their fates.

The Moral Weight of Karen Page’s Imprisonment

To the degree that “The Hateful Darkness” has a distinct arc, it belongs to Karen Page. Throughout the season, she has advocated for more extreme resistance tactics, even criticizing Matt for his reluctance to end Bullseye, the man responsible for Foggy Nelson’s death. Now, she must live with the consequences of her actions after being arrested at the end of last week’s episode.

Deborah Ann Woll’s portrayal of Karen is more nuanced than her comic book counterpart, yet her suffering remains just as profound. Her steeliness is on full display as she navigates prison life, from standing up to Wilson Fisk to delivering a twisted twist on a classic Daredevil moral dilemma: taunting Matt’s ex, Heather Glenn, with tales of their undying love. Karen’s inner strength is undeniable, but so is her belief that she and the protesters have landed a decisive blow against the Fisk administration. She waits, convinced that his legal empire is crumbling from within.

She is not alone in this conviction. The episode also revisits Mr. Charles, one of the most disappointing elements of Born Again’s second season. While Den of Geek admires Matthew Lillard’s talent, his character has been poorly utilized this season. Reduced to a bland government operative with no clear identity or direction, Lillard’s performance clashes with the series’ tone. His scenes, including a cryptic conversation with Jessica Jones about her husband, Luke Cage, reveal that the U.S. government no longer views Wilson Fisk as a valuable ally—a development that paves the way for Governor McCaffrey (Lili Taylor) to remove him as mayor.

The episode’s momentum is briefly interrupted by an assassination attempt on McCaffrey, carried out by a masked assailant. The attack, however, is cut short before its full implications can be explored.

Jessica Jones’ Return and the Looming Finale

Jessica Jones, played by Krysten Ritter, is drawn back into New York’s superhero scene, though her role remains underdeveloped in this episode. Her presence hints at larger conflicts to come, particularly regarding her husband, Luke Cage, whose actions are scrutinized in a conversation with Mr. Charles.

As the pieces of Born Again’s intricate puzzle fall into place—or are removed entirely—the episode underscores Matt Murdock’s relentless pursuit of justice. Whether it leads to redemption or ruin remains to be seen, but “The Hateful Darkness” ensures that the stakes are higher than ever as the season hurtles toward its conclusion.