Daredevil: Born Again Episode 9 “Straight to Hell” Recap: Darkness falls on Hell’s Kitchen in the explosive season 1 finale of Daredevil: Born Again. All the pieces are finally on the board—Matt Murdock, bruised and battered, lies in recovery. Wilson Fisk tightens his grip on the city with ruthless force. Vanessa, once the quiet spouse, steps into the shadows with deadly intent. And Frank Castle? He’s not here for redemption. He’s here for war.
Everything comes to a head in episode 9, where alliances shift, truths unravel, and every choice leaves blood in its wake. Here’s a full breakdown of what went down.
MATT RECOVERS, THE TRUTH SURFACES
The episode opens with Matt (Charlie Cox) recovering in the hospital from a bullet wound meant for Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio). He’s haunted by the revelation that Vanessa (Sandrine Holt) hired Bullseye (Wilson Bethel) to kill Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson). What he lacks are the full details—details that slowly come to light as flashbacks and present events intertwine.
In a chilling flashback, Vanessa visits a heavily sedated Dex (Bullseye) in a psychiatric hospital. She offers him a conditional release in exchange for assassinating a thief named Benjamin (Benny played by Wilson Bethel ) and Foggy. Her motivations are clear: Foggy was digging too deep into her secret money laundering operations. Though wary of her promises and of her claiming Fisk was out of the picture, Dex signs the paperwork. As he puts it, “He’s always part of this.”
Back in the present, Matt, still injured, pieces things together with help from Detective McDuffie (Nikki M. James). Foggy had been celebrating a legal victory with a drink of O’Melveny whiskey, and Matt suspects it was tied to a court case. They begin searching for an unfiled motion to dismiss.
FISK TAKES CONTROL, THE CITY PLUNGES INTO CHAOS
Fisk, already suspicious of Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer), confirms she acted without his blessing—but surprisingly forgives her. With renewed unity, the couple begins plotting to take over Red Hook, a vital port in the city. Meanwhile, he targets Police Commissioner Gallo, accusing him of incompetence and threatening retaliation.
Fisk’s fury peaks in a conference room full of law enforcement allies, demanding they find Dex immediately. He also issues a chilling command to Buck Cashman: assassinate Daredevil. “A dead hero is worth more than a live vigilante,” Fisk says.
Meanwhile, Matt returns home expecting an ambush—but instead finds Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) waiting. “I’m not playing pattycake with these fanboys,” Frank says. “I’m chopping ’em up.” And he means it. Soon, Fisk shuts down the city power grid, plunging Hell’s Kitchen into darkness and triggering riots. Martial law begins.
WHITE TIGER’S KILLER REVEALED
Frank and Matt brace for an attack at Matt’s apartment. As Fisk’s kill squad arrives, Frank goes full Punisher (Jon Bernthal). Blood splatters, bones crack, and chaos reigns. Amidst the carnage, the duo discovers that Cole North, a corrupt cop, was the one who killed Hector Ayala, also known as White Tiger (Kamar de los Reyes).
Frank urges Matt to kill in retaliation, but Matt refuses. Their disagreement escalates, but they’re interrupted by a grenade. Matt hears the pin and pushes Frank—both leap from a window to escape. On the street below, Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) is waiting.
At Frank’s hideout, Karen patches up his wounds—a callback to their complex relationship from The Punisher. She reveals she called Frank to help Matt. Though he’s not interested in her “Inspector Gadget sh*t,” he agrees to help. Matt and Karen head off to find Foggy’s case files, while Frank gears up for a mission of his own.
REVELATIONS AT RED HOOK
As Karen and Matt dig through Foggy’s files, the true stakes of the Red Hook port come into focus. Foggy’s legal work uncovered a loophole: Red Hook, per an 1855 charter, is a “free port”—not subject to U.S. jurisdiction. No laws, no customs, no taxes. It’s the perfect haven for Vanessa’s laundering empire. Foggy didn’t know what he stumbled onto—and paid the price.
Meanwhile, Frank infiltrates a warehouse teeming with Fisk’s forces. He takes out several rogue cops, all bearing Punisher tattoos—wannabes mistaking themselves for equals. Ultimately, he’s overpowered and taken prisoner.
Back on the political front, Sheila (Zabryna Guevara), guilt-ridden, betrays Gallo. He’s lured to a warehouse and greeted by Fisk, who monologues before killing him barehanded in one of the series’ most gruesome scenes. The other officers watch in horror, realizing Fisk is no longer hiding his brutality.
MATT AND KAREN MAKE A STAND
Karen and Matt arrive at Red Hook, realizing they’re outnumbered. They retreat, and Fisk uses the opportunity to spin the narrative. He announces Gallo’s disappearance, imposes a citywide curfew, and appoints Heather Glenn (Margarita Levieva) as mental health commissioner. Matt’s moral compass is spinning. He feels lost, consumed by vengeance, and nearly taken over by the darkness Foggy always warned him about.
Karen reminds him that Foggy believed in his duality—his ability to balance wrath and mercy. As Radiohead’s “Everything In Its Right Place” plays, we see glimpses of good people in the city still holding out hope. But Fisk’s dungeon paints a different picture. Matt’s friends, allies, and resistors—Frank, Swordsman, others—are all locked up.
Hell’s Kitchen is now under the Fisks’ control. But it’s not over. Matt, Karen, and those still free are preparing for the next phase.
MID-CREDITS SCENE: THE PUNISHER’S NEXT MOVE
In a quiet moment post-credits, Frank sits in a cage, chatting casually with a guard named Anthony. It’s an oddly warm exchange. Frank, chained, thanks him for the chat and extends a hand in thanks. “It’s an honor to meet you,” he says.
As Anthony reaches in to shake, Frank strikes. The scene cuts to black.
Frank Castle may be caged—but he’s far from defeated. And as the war for Hell’s Kitchen rages on, everyone will have to choose a side.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN SEASON 2
Daredevil: Born Again has been officially renewed for a second season, with filming already underway in New York as of March 2025. The new season is expected to premiere on Disney+ in early to mid-2026 and will consist of eight episodes.
The stage is set for an all-out war. With Matt Murdock recommitted to the fight and the Fisks tightening their grip, Season 2 promises a deeper exploration into corruption, identity, and moral decay. Red Hook will likely be the epicenter of future battles — not just for power, but for the soul of New York City.
Characters like B.B. Urich, Angela Ayala, and Poindexter remain key pieces on the board. Swordsman’s imprisonment hints at a potential breakout and alliance. Karen will no doubt continue as Matt’s conscience and ally. And Frank Castle, now behind enemy lines, is poised to dismantle Fisk’s empire from the inside.
DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN Season 1 left us with unforgettable moments, shocking twists, and a promise: The fight has just begun.
Stay tuned to tvacute.com for more updates, sneak peeks, and deep dives into the gritty world of Daredevil: Born Again.
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