Why would Matt take a bullet for Mayor Fisk? That's the pressing question Frank Castle wants answered. Matt doesn't have a satisfying response. As a result, it's hard to see the reasoning behind the narrative taking that step. Matt recovers rather quickly. He was bleeding out at the end of the previous episode. He's already in stable condition at the hospital when the finale starts. He pleads with Heather and Kirsten to listen to him. They fail to do so. They don't understand him. They don't know his secrets. They think rest is the only thing he needs. He doesn't have that luxury because Fisk is trying to kill him. He would rather his enemy be remembered as a hero instead of a meddling vigilante. Of course, he fails. Matt receives more injuries. He continues to survive. But again, one has to wonder what the purpose of all of this was. For Fisk, it's a convenient opportunity. It landed in his lap. He took advantage. It wasn't something he planned out. He simply saw it as a way to grab more power for himself. As such, his true colors emerged once more. It makes sense that that became his narrative arc for the season. It acknowledged how his desire to change could never overcome his foundation as a villain. He lives openly as that now. He has more legitimacy as Mayor of New York City. And so, he exploits the system to his own benefit.
Taking a bullet could have hindered Matt. It could have prevented him from stopping Fisk from enacting his grand plan. That's not really the case. Sure, he is powerless to stop Fisk. He's too late to change anything. All his realizations came after Fisk set all of this into motion. It provides personal clarity. The audience receives answers as well. It doesn't quite match the urgency of the moment. Matt still has several moments of intense action. In fact, he operates as Daredevil with as much style and precision as ever. That too is strange given his injuries. He doesn't seem limited in his motions whatsoever. Instead, the audience is expected to be entertained by the action. Yes, it is thrilling. Matt and Castle work together once more. Even though they have different morals and tactics, they are united in this cause. Castle is more than willing to listen to Karen when she calls asking for a favor. All of this highlights the depth of the legacy characters. They are the ones at the forefront of the story. The new characters introduced this season don't have any relevance whatsoever. They merely react. As such, it's less rewarding as a conclusion for them. They didn't particularly have rich storylines leading up to this point. Effort was put in at times to suggest more importance. That was completely futile.
And then, Fisk crushes the head of the police commissioner. It's one of the most brutal displays of violence ever depicted with these characters. It showcases the brutality of this man. This is what he is capable of. Everyone should fear for their physical safety around him. That stands in contrast to the elegance that is so often on display in his relationship with Vanessa. She is just as committed to this criminal path. History informs many of these dynamics. That can't be a factor when Vanessa hires Poindexter to kill Foggy. She wanted to keep her secrets hidden. She didn't want the world to know that the Red Hook port was technically a free state. That's the major reveal. Fisk aims to funnel billions of dollars through this project to enrich himself. He can do so openly as well because it exists behind the jurisdiction of any American government. That becomes the base of operations for this mission. Yet Fisk still proclaims that he loves New York. He strives to save it. He will do so by eliminating vigilantes. However, that gives the police a pretext to get away with anything. They will kill and justify it simply by saying the criminal wore a mask. That makes it more dangerous for Daredevil and the Punisher to be roaming around. They force these confrontations. It actually leads to imprisonment for Castle. None of it is destined to last though. That's already clear in the post-credits scene.
All the power ultimately comes down to the messages Matt and Fisk deliver to the citizens of this city. For Fisk, it's a broadcast to everyone. He sells his narrative. He presents himself as a man concerned about everyone's best interests. That's far from the truth. Everyone in his orbit must be completely supportive of his methods. Sheila isn't. Fisk knows that. Yet she escapes punishment. That makes no sense. She can't simply move on like she has done with every prior political candidate. This era requires loyalty and conviction. Fisk demands that. He takes it through fear. Meanwhile, Matt seeks to rally his allies. He speaks to a nearly empty room. Some of the people are anonymous. The viewer has no attachment to them whatsoever. It's simply more important that Karen is back in his life. She completely accepts every part of him. Heather could never measure up to that. And so, she's placed on a path of working with Fisk. That betrayal requires real investment in Matt and Heather's relationship. Their differences only started to come into focus late in the season. And so, it's a rushed development. The finale depicts a lot. It cries out for rebellion. The people have to resist in the hopes of outlasting this regime and rebuilding one day. The themes are potent and notable. Matt still chooses to conceal his identity. He maintains that secret even though he must inspire more to rise up against Fisk's abuses. The action remains stunning. Matt receives certainty about what drives him. Yet everything is limited from too much change. That's a strange thing to say given the city has fallen under martial law. It sets the stage for the future. That's compelling. It doesn't make the payoff immediate for all that occurred this season. In fact, it largely suggests that any sense of episodic storytelling or light-hearted adventure is probably gone for good.
