Marvel’s “Daredevil”  raised the bar for modern superhero TV shows. Although the show was originally on Netflix, Marvel Studios recently decided to bring the characters from the series to the films, with the actors reprising their respective roles.

Throughout the past few years, many superhero TV shows tried to replicate the grittiness that “Daredevil” brought throughout its run on Netflix. Since the show premiered in 2015, series such as “The Boys” (2019) and “Umbrella Academy” (2019) were inspired by the show and also grounded their approach in a reality where superheroes exist. 

While both shows were stellar in their narratives and themes, they did not capture the same magic that the “Daredevil” series brought to its audience in every episode.

As the March 30 release of “Moon Knight” (2022), the newest Disney+ Marvel show and one that draws inspiration from “Daredevil,” approaches, it is time to analyze the show’s impact on its viewers and modern superhero television. 

Series Highlights

Season one of “Daredevil” had a lot of pressure from the comic book community. As it was the first mature-rated show to be set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), many viewers expected the character to immediately stand out in the franchise in terms of storytelling and action. 

The season took the time to introduce characters such as Matt Murdock, a lawyer and vigilante; Karen Page, a reporter; and Foggy Nelson, who is also a lawyer. Using the television show format to his advantage, creator Drew Goddard focused on character development more than blockbuster action sequences to create the narrative. Every flashback sequence enhances the plot and gives viewers a clear understanding of how characters became the people they are in the present.

Season two expands on the elements that made the first season so great.

This season acts as an origin story for Matt and his transformation into “The Man Without Fear.”  

Season two expands on the elements that made the first season so great. By introducing many characters and splitting the season into two arcs, it expands on the story of the titular character. 

The first episode of the arc, “New York’s Finest,” was a standout episode in the season. Matt and Frank Castle, also known as the Punisher, share their views on being heroes, which gives more depth to both characters and shows that they are traumatized by their past.

The season shows Matt at the lowest point of his life.

The characters express anger toward what the city has become, but their ideas about making change constantly put the characters at odds with each other. Rather than using an action sequence to resolve conflicts and enhance intrigue, the showrunners decided to use dialogue-heavy scenes as a means of characterization.

While the second arc of the season is less critically acclaimed than the first, it successfully completes the story by recognizing the imbalance between Matt’s career as a lawyer and his vigilante duties. Similar to the movie side of the universe, the setup for the crossover miniseries “The Defenders” (2017) was done well and made fans excited for the potential of the miniseries due to its continuation of the mature rating.

Season three was the ultimate season of the show. Due to the cancellation of other shows set in the universe, such as “Jessica Jones” (2015), “Luke Cage” (2016),  “Iron Fist” (2017) and “The Defenders” (2017), there was plenty of concern about the show’s cancellation.

Despite its cancellation in 2018, the show reflected the power of storytelling with proper guidance and fewer limitations from major studios.

The season shows Matt at the lowest point of his life. The character questions his actions as a superhero, which drives the audience to understand his growth from the first season. Even the moments when Matt resorted to antagonistic actions reflected the season’s emphasis on change. 

The season served as a redemption arc for all the characters and helped the show stand out even more, especially as it reached its inevitable cancellation. By having a setting fully developed in previous seasons and the crossover miniseries, the third season can also be viewed as the climax of Matt’s journey as Daredevil.  

The Future of Gritty Superheroes 

Marvel’s “Daredevil” proved to many that mature-rated superhero shows are just as impactful as general audience-rated shows.

Despite its cancellation in 2018, the show reflected the power of storytelling with proper guidance and fewer limitations from major studios. Many superhero shows come close to the success of “Daredevil,” but few stand out in the popularity of modern and mature superhero shows. 

“Moon Knight” seems like a very promising show to this superhero genre based on the footage released thus far. Fans do not have to worry about Matt Murdock’s next adventure, as his story in the MCU continues in “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021). The show is also now available on Disney+, which means that its legacy will still live on.