Surprisingly, a decade has passed since the first release of
Daredevil on Netflix. This milestone coincides with the launch
of Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+, prompting fans to revisit
their beloved Marvel Cinematic Universe niche. This evolution illustrates
how the series sometimes shifts its tone, occasionally missing
opportunities for movie crossovers. Despite these shifts, the saga of
Matt Murdock remains compelling. As the longest-running streaming show
from Marvel Studios, Daredevil withstands detailed examination,
though it does feature its share of missteps. Let’s explore ten major
errors and production blunders from Daredevil’s decade-long TV
journey.
In Season 1, Born Again concludes without drastically changing
Daredevil as he integrates into the Marvel Cinematic Universe
(MCU). Disney+ series are more intricately tied into the MCU’s overarching
narrative compared to the disconnected Netflix shows of the past. This
shift may be disorienting, but it emphasizes how Born Again can
now have other heroes potentially pop up unexpectedly, in stark contrast
to Daredevil’s vague nods to the Avengers.
Moving on, we delve into the nitpicky details. These errors won’t ruin
your viewing experience yet offer something amusing to highlight to
friends during a re-watch.
WARNING: Spoilers ahead!
Battle of New York Casualties
Rewind to Daredevil Season 1, Episode 3, titled “Rabbit in a
Snowstorm,” there is a scene featuring a newspaper headline stating
“hundreds” perished during the Avengers’ climatic clash with the Chitauri
dubbed the “Battle of New York.” Flash forward to Captain America:
Civil War, where we’re informed that only 74 lives were lost.
Unless Daredevil counted Chitauri casualties for its figures, we
must deem this a continuity dilemma.
At the time, the extensive destruction and body count in superhero movies
was frequently discussed in reviews, media, and among enthusiasts. This
criticism notably targeted the initial titles of DC’s Extended Universe.
Interestingly, many theorized that Avengers: Age of Ultron would
address this by spotlighting rescue missions during its climax. Perhaps
Marvel amended the casualty figures post-Battle of New York.
Matt & Foggy’s Meet-Cute
The MCU’s timeline is not without its inconsistencies, often blurry and
tentative. Matt’s backstory timeline, in particular, is quite unclear. In
Season 1, Episode 10, a flashback scene shows Matt and Foggy’s initial
meeting, with Foggy’s computer indicating it’s the year 2010. Yet, in
Season 2, Episode 5, another flashback reveals Matt and Foggy crashing a
debutante’s ball, stated as taking place “10 years ago.” This event is
often set in 2005 by timelines, presenting an inconsistency. Was it
before or after they met?
It’s obviously a continuity issue either way, but logically, the meeting
plausibly occurred in the early 2000s. This theory offers ample time for
Matt and Foggy to finish their education and for Matt to have excursions
with Elektra before launching their law firm.
Columbia Law School
Matt’s unwavering certainty about his personal history becomes an issue
when he tells Elektra, “Hey, I’ve never been north of 116th Street.”
Ironically, Columbia Law School, his alma mater, is located on 116th
Street, extending northward to 120th Street. While his statement might
simply be a colloquialism, it’s a minor oversight in the script.
Avengers Tower
In Daredevil’s promotional content, Avengers Tower looms in New
York’s skyline, serving as a constant reminder of the show’s connection
to the Avenger movies’ universe. Yet, within the series itself, the
iconic skyscraper is conspicuously absent, even during expansive shots of
the city. While it doesn’t significantly shape the narrative, it misses
another opportunity to tightly link the two worlds.
Matt’s Map-Reading
Generally, Daredevil was commended for its thoughtful
representation of blindness. It was all the more puzzling for viewers
when the show would sometimes defy reality. In Season 1, Episode 9, Matt
“reads” a printed map by feeling its lines with his fingers. Such an act
strains believability and appears impractical. Nonetheless, in the
comics, Matt pulls off far more unbelievable feats, suggesting this scene
could be a nod to his outlandish exploits.
Discussions amongst fans and critics regarding the show’s handling of
Matt’s disability are insightful. Matt is both a reflection of a
real-world population and a superhero with exceptional abilities bestowed
by his blindness. It’s a fascinating area to delve into for those
examining the series on a deeper level.
Walkie-Talkie Interruptions
In Season 1, Episode 6, Matt engages in a conversation with Wilson Fisk
via walkie-talkies. This depiction is quixotic, as these devices are
essentially radio transmitters, allowing only one user to talk at a time
without interruption—a rule our characters disregard several times. This
bending of reality is great for dialogue tempo but falls short on
veracity.
Elektra Reading Japanese
During Season 2, Episode 6, a humorous moment arrives when Matt asks
Elektra, “You read Japanese?” After a nod, viewers witness her flipping
pages incorrectly—from left to right—an error since Japanese documents
are usually read from right to left. This blunder drew considerable
jesting when the scene aired in 2016.
How Far Does The Hand Reach?
Both Daredevil and The Defenders attract criticism for
inconsistently portraying The Hand— an elusive organization intertwined
with Matt, Elektra, and Stick. While the organization is portrayed as
globally influential, our heroes often act as if confronting its local
operatives suffices to solve their dilemmas. The Hand’s uncertain status
might challenge future MCU narratives. If The Hand’s power escalates, it
would raise questions about their absence in previous pivotal conflicts.
Reflections
Despite frequent shots of the protagonist in glasses,
Daredevil struggles to prevent reflections from disclosing
camera equipment. Fans have documented numerous instances where
reflected gear appears in character glasses, recurrently occurring
throughout the series.
Bullseye’s Survival
Lastly, Born Again raises eyebrows with Bullseye—aka Benjamin
Poindexter’s— improbable survival. After unexpectedly recovering from a
spinal fracture in the original series, Bullseye suffers severe injuries
in the Born Again opener. Daredevil throws him off a four-story
building, causing a face-first impact with concrete.
Audiences are later informed that Bullseye survived, sans detailed
explanation. Fans anticipated some supernatural twist, reckoning that
no ordinary human could endure such trauma. Although Bullseye’s spine is
now Cogmium-reinforced, the impact still exceeds survivable limits,
potentially shattering the skull and damaging the brain.
Future seasons might unravel Bullseye’s revelations—particularly if
mutant elements emerge in the MCU. As mysteries unfold, explanations
might surface justifying these errors. Meanwhile, fans can re-examine
Daredevil and Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+ to
uncover minor errors on their own.
