Daredevil: Born Again Episodic Coverage: “Art for Art’s Sake”

“Art for Art’s Sake” Is Just A Solid Episode Overall

“Art for Art’s Sake” is so settled into what I want from a gritty superhero show that it paradoxically doesn’t give me as much to talk about. The plotlines are converging, interacting, cracking open one another in ways I mostly expected.

Though I will admit, tying back in Daredevil’s girlfriend was unexpected. I had completely forgotten about that random young-ish guy at the book signing. I was actually somewhat excited for the reveal of who Muse is. Maybe it could’ve been one of Kingpin’s people—and this was all some kind of stunt.

There Are More Interesting Options For The Reveal

But the actor did a good job being scary, yet again, so I guess that’s good enough. I would’ve liked one or two more episodes with Muse bouncing around as the villain—maybe explore one more wrinkle to the serial killer artist—but Kingpin is obviously the focus here, and with Daredevil revealing himself, there’s only one way this can go.

Really, that’s how every plotline introduced in “Art for Art’s Sake” feels. Heather is going to work out that Matt is Daredevil, and all the stuff she’s said about vigilantes is going to become like poison between the two of them. Something complicated and violent is going to happen now that the task force is actively lying about Muse—and Kingpin’s assistant is covering it up. The various conflicts at Matt’s law firm will cause tension and drama, making his life complicated on all fronts.

“Art for Art’s Sake” Hints At Many Possible Stories

But the plotline I’m most curious about in “Art for Art’s Sake” is that text message right at the end. Maybe it’s not meant to be a mystery—like it actually being obvious who Muse it—but I don’t know if Vanessa was intentionally setting up Luca, or if Kingpin simply always has a guard like that. The Fisk couple has many, many ways to assassinate someone, I’m sure, so it doesn’t quite make sense to risk Kingpin actually getting shot, unless there was a broader reason. I’m hoping that it’s something more interesting than simply killing off this background character, that’s for sure.

So, yeah, I said I didn’t have a lot to say—and I meant it. “Art for Art’s Sake” is a tense, violent, scary little episode. I don’t know how realistic Muse is as a serial killer, but their fight scene—while a little hard to follow for a moment there—was tense and had real stakes. It’s a potent elevation in an already elevated episode. The acting has been solid this whole season, but this episode really lets so many of the cast show more emotional sides of their characters as they face increasingly personal issues. I know I’ve complained about it enough, but I really wanted to watch a dramatic superhero show, and now that I’ve got it, I’m excited for each new episode. The windup seems, maybe, worth it.  

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