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The second season of Marvel’s Daredevil is more than just about the title hero battling both criminals and moral dilemmas but also a humanist examination into the inner conflicts that most people will be presented with in real life.

Season 2 follows Matt Murdock / Daredevil (Charlie Cox) first going up against Frank Castle / Punisher (Jon Bernthal) then having to team up with Elektra Natchios (Élodie Yung) in her alleged war against the Yakuza. Both these plot lines are bound together by a much greater conflict involving the Chaste (lead by Sticks) against the Hand.

The Punisher storyline is very similar to the classic Batman lore in which the Dark Knights “no killing” policy is either challenged or put to the test. In this case, Daredevil’s morals and what he represents is challenged by Punisher, who acts as judge and executioner as he has lost faith in the legal system.

The Elektra storyline is one many viewers may have encountered at one point in their life, a toxic relationship. Based on the flashbacks along with the secrets being hidden from Murdock, Elektra at first is the embodiment of a toxic relationship as her presence created friction between him and Foggy Nelson along with Karen Page.

While most of the excitement and thrills come from the Punisher storyline, the Elektra storyline starts off as feeling like time filler before it actually builds up. This creates a problem as there is more of an interest in the conspiracy involving the death of Castle’s family then Daredevils love triangle with Elektra and Karen.

Overtime the storyline starts to pick up but it’s only when Sicks returns that it truly gets interesting.

Netflix’s contribution to the Marvel Cinematic Universe already had a stellar reputation for its dark rendition, but nothing would have prepared viewers for Season 2. Characters are not only pushed to the limit but the story goes into some dark territory while the content is absolutely vicious (all thanks to the Punisher). Basically; the grittiness of Season 2 makes Season 1 and Jessica Jones look tame by comparison.

In fact; Bernthal role as the Punisher stood out so well that Netflix really should consider that spin-off. It has been a story difficult to adopt with the 2004 film being the good one by default. Netflix and Marvel were able to pull off the impossible to create the best adaption of the character while finally bringing him into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Season 2 of Marvel’s Daredevil not only raised the bar for the other Marvel shows on Netflix but also gave viewers the best screen adaptation of the Punisher. At this point, ABC should just give up on making anymore Marvel shows and just hand over everything to Netflix.

Final Score: 9/10