The premiere of "Daredevil: Born Again" kicks off with Foggy, Karen, and Matt exiting their office, their minds filled with the impending darkness. A substantial portion of the police force, 30%, has retired, and many familiar faces, including Cherry, who is in the midst of celebrating his own retirement, are no longer around. The trio attends Cherry's retirement bash, where he is visibly dejected, feeling overshadowed by heroes like Daredevil and White Tiger who have taken control of Hell's Kitchen, rendering the police somewhat obsolete.
However, the festive mood quickly shifts when Foggy receives an urgent call from Benny, pleading for assistance. He's at Foggy's apartment, prompting a swift dash over there. Before long, Daredevil himself makes a dramatic entrance. In his haste to respond, he leaves Foggy and Karen vulnerable, with Foggy ultimately falling prey to a bullet fired by Bullseye.
Daredevil returns swiftly, engaging Bullseye in a fierce battle that escalates through the building's floors, culminating on the rooftop. There, an enraged Daredevil, heartbroken upon hearing Foggy's life slip away, is consumed by rage and despair, resulting in him pushing Bullseye off the edge. Amazingly, Bullseye survives, yet the pain he feels is undeniable. When he removes his mask to weep, Cherry, who has arrived on the scene, catches a glimpse of his true identity.
One year later, we witness a transformed Matt, who has hung up his Daredevil cape and resolved to walk the straight and narrow path. Karen, still deeply grieving in her own way, barely speaks to him, wanting to distance herself from the man who became a hollow shell and ignored her for weeks following Foggy's tragic death. This heart-wrenching loss runs deep, and the cracks in their relationship may be too profound to mend. One certainty remains, however: Daredevil will not be making a comeback anytime soon, at least for the foreseeable few episodes. Matt now places his trust in the court system, as Bullseye is sentenced to life imprisonment.
Amidst the turmoil brewing in the city, a high-stakes race for the mayor's seat unfolds in the backdrop. Wilson Fisk, the preeminent contender and a likely successor, launches a fervent public appeal to mend the fractured fabric of the town. This revelation stirs a tumult of emotions within Matt, who cannot but be perturbed by the prospect.
Meanwhile, Vanessa steadfastly steers the Fisk criminal empire in her husband's absence, maintaining an unwavering grip over the five families. Her reign is marked by meticulous precision and unyielding resolve. When Wilson Fisk finally returns to the town, fresh from his sojourn in Echo, his presence looms large and immediate. Vanessa greets him with a frosty demeanor, reminding him of his abrupt departure during his recovery, abandoning her to navigate the treacherous waters alone. Yet, she has proven herself to be more than capable, fortifying the criminal enterprise against any and all threats in his absence.
On the legitimate front, Matt has carved a niche for himself with a burgeoning law firm, Murdock & McDuffie. His sharp-witted partner, Kirsten McDuffie, complements his skills perfectly. However, Matt's mind is preoccupied with the looming shadow of Fisk and the impending electoral landslide that could propel him into the mayor's office. Despite his prowess with the fair sex, evidenced by Kirsten's playful setup of a date with her friend Heather, the gravity of the situation weighs heavily on him.
Back at the office, the atmosphere is tense as Cherry expresses his concerns about Fisk. Matt, however, harbors a glimmer of hope that Fisk might be on the path of redemption. That hope is swiftly dashed when Fisk publicly calls for the "treatment" of vigilantes in the town.
Matt confronts Fisk at Becky's Diner, nestled in the heart of Hell's Kitchen. The conversation is direct and unfiltered, with Fisk unequivocally denying any involvement in Foggy's demise. Matt, in turn, asserts his disavowal of the Daredevil moniker and the vigilante lifestyle. Still, Matt still issues a veiled warning to Fisk, cautioning him against stepping out of line. Should Fisk revert to his Kingpin persona, Daredevil will emerge from the shadows once more. Conversely, if that happens, the full force of the law, under Fisk's newfound authority as mayor, will descend upon him with unyielding severity.
Wilson Fisk's victory in the mayoral election is swift and unanticipated, lacking any build-up but met with jubilant cheers on the streets. Matt Murdock, however, views this outcome with a heavy heart, contemplating a future for his city shrouded in uncertainty.
