Bullseye Unleashed: Daredevil Born Again Episode 4 Stuns!

Bullseye Unleashed: Daredevil Born Again Episode 4 Stuns!

Daredevil Born Again’s fourth episode, titled “Gloves Off,” has officially dropped, and it’s a wild ride packed with shocking moments, deep dives into character, and Easter eggs galore. This installment really puts the spotlight on Benjamin Poindexter, also known as Bullseye, and his increasingly unhinged descent. The episode opens with a striking visual change: the Marvel Television logo sheds its usual red for a deep, unsettling blue. This shade is apparently what Dex’s world turns when his intense focus takes over, and this episode is absolutely seen through his eyes.

A New York State of Mind, Bullseye Style

Billy Joel’s iconic “New York State of Mind” sets the mood, playing over shots of the city. This song, released in 1976, also happens to be the year Bullseye first appeared in Marvel Comics. While Joel wrote the song as a love letter to New York, for a character like Bullseye, this “state of mind” is less about affection and more about being a hunter in a jungle. We see Dex meticulously preparing breakfast, a routine that mirrors Wilson Fisk’s in season one. But Dex’s version is all about precision: a perfect spiral of oil and a sunny-side-up egg that mirrors his own bullseye logo. He even does a no-look flip, showcasing his uncanny aim.

Dex’s neighbor, Mrs. Smithers, calls him “Tony,” perhaps hinting at an admiration for Tony Stark. A newspaper shows Mayor Fisk on the cover, showing Dex is already aware of his eventual target. He feeds the perfectly cooked egg to Mrs. Smithers’ cat, Mr. Meowgi, a clear nod to The Karate Kid.

Diner Debacle: Bullseye’s Brutal Debut

At the Belair Diner, Dex continues his coin-flipping routine, landing it perfectly in an unhoused man’s cup. He orders a banana milkshake and, while waiting, sizes up everything around him as a potential weapon – from silverware to lobsters in a tank. Then, he makes a fake call to the anti-vigilante task force hotline, reporting a Punisher sighting. The task force, clearly not the sharpest tools in the shed, falls for it.

When the goons arrive, Dex calmly puts on gloves, a significant detail given the episode’s title. He uses a toothpick, propelled by a straw, to take out the first goon with a precise shot to the eye. What follows is a brutal display of Bullseye’s deadly accuracy: he uses a fork, knife, and even a spoon to dispatch the other attackers. He ricochets a knife and fork off a patron’s plate to kill two more, and then uses cookware to take down others, all without missing a beat. Even a meat thermometer becomes a weapon before he finishes off the last goon.

During the chaos, Dex shows a moment of unexpected empathy, chastising a man for bringing his dog into the diner and reassuring him, “Don’t worry, I’m one of the good guys.” After ensuring the last goon calls him “Bullseye” and not “Punisher,” Dex uses a lobster claw to finish him off, leaving a perfect bullseye drawn in ketchup on the door as he exits.

City Without Fear and Shifting Alliances

The “City Without Fear” video returns after the credits, this time with a DIY feel, possibly filmed on a smartphone. “BB” (presumably Bullseye’s associate) critiques Fisk’s “New York Born Again” project as a money-laundering scheme. She questions who Fisk’s wealthy “friends” are, considering he’s locked up most of the city’s elite. The possibilities narrow down to figures like CIA director Val.

The episode also features Karen Page recording the stories of those wrongly imprisoned by the anti-vigilante task force, using the phrase “I am the missing” as a counter-propaganda slogan. Matt Murdock, in contrast to loner vigilantes like Frank Castle, embraces teamwork, a trait highlighted throughout his journey with various heroes.

Fisk’s Past and Future Collide

Meanwhile, Wilson Fisk visits his wife, Vanessa, who is armed and preparing for something. Their interaction is poignant, as the camera lingers on Fisk’s hand on her shoulder, knowing it’s the last time he touches her before her death. The episode flashes back to a photo from a fundraiser, hinting at the beginning of their relationship.

Fisk’s boxing match at Fogwell’s gym is a key event. This gym holds deep personal meaning for Matt, as it’s where his father, Battlin’ Jack Murdock, trained and where young Matt heard his dad being threatened. The episode explicitly uses footage from the original Netflix Daredevil series, confirming the continuity between the past and present shows.

The Matador and the Bull

The episode builds towards the boxing match, with Fisk facing off against a fighter named Matterhorn. Fisk, refusing a mouthguard, fights with brutal intensity, his punches amplified with heavy sound effects. Vanessa’s arrival at the match is a pivotal moment, triggering Fisk’s destructive instincts. Despite telling her not to come, her presence seems to fuel his rage, leading him to brutally defeat Matterhorn. The scene draws parallels to a painting of a rabbit in a snowstorm, a symbol of their relationship.

The episode ends with Bullseye arriving at the boxing match, ready to cause mayhem, and the anticipation for what comes next is palpable. “Gloves Off” masterfully sets the stage for further conflict, showcasing Bullseye’s terrifying capabilities and deepening the emotional stakes for Fisk and Vanessa.

Source: DAREDEVIL BORN AGAIN 2×04 BREAKDOWN! Easter Eggs & Details You Missed! (YouTube)