Episode 3 of "Daredevil: Born Again" kicks off with Matt resolutely heading to visit Hector, confined behind steel bars. With a steadfast promise etched on his face, Matt vows to secure Hector's freedom, come what may, fully aware of the monumental challenges that lie ahead.
Elsewhere, Kingpin's strained dynamic with Vanessa persists. She, who has adeptly steered his empire into a fortress of sorts, is less than thrilled at his return. Over a lunch drenched in tension, Sheila bursts in, bringing news of a double homicide near Red Hook Port. Vanessa, believing this chaos stems from the lack of a steady hand at the helm, urges Fisk to involve Chief Gallo and his men in resolving the conflict.
From afar, Fisk attempts to broker peace among the feuding gangsters, settling debts between two family heads with cold, calculated payments. However, Vanessa, feeling sidelined, is far from pleased.
Concurrently, Officer Powell confronts Matt, brandishing the threat of exposing his unethical tactics to Judge Cooper. Matt, however, stands his ground with unwavering resolve. As the court trial unfolds, Powell takes the stand, weaving an elaborate narrative of his heroics on the platform, garnished with his illustrious police record as a shining backdrop.
When it's Matt's turn for cross-examination, his ace in the hole is Nicky Torres, the eyewitness who has been a confidential informant for the PD since the '90s, working closely with Powell and his partner Shanahan. Torres unwittingly walks into a trap, feigning ignorance when confronted, only to find himself amidst a courtroom filled with Punisher enthusiasts, turning his testimony into a potential minefield.
Cherry, tasked with bringing Torres in, faces an uphill battle. A decoy at the roadside misleads him, while another officer successfully apprehends Torres. When Torres finally steps into the witness box, his confidential informant status hangs in the air. Shaken to his core, he caves under pressure, fabricating a tale of being at home throughout the incident.
Without Torres' testimony, Matt's entire case is precariously balanced on a razor's edge, leaving them with scant evidence to rely on. The sole viable solution at this juncture is to place Hector on the witness stand, allowing him to recount the truth about the events that transpired and permitting the jury to render their verdict. Hector narrates his perspective, detailing how Torres was being brutally assailed, alongside his compulsion and aspiration to rescue those in peril. In full view of everyone, Matt boldly challenges the judge and produces the White Tiger mask, declaring to the courtroom that Hector is a hero. Cooper is incensed, and the outcome now hangs perilously in the balance.
That night, back in the cell, Hector is far from pleased when Matt confronts him, but Matt dismissively brushes aside his concerns, insisting that his sole intention was to secure a victory and that this was their last remaining strategy. However, if Hector is acquitted, Matt informs him that he can never again embody the White Tiger.
Matt and Kirsten introduce eyewitnesses who vouch for the White Tiger's credibility and benevolent nature. Conversely, the prosecution highlights Shanahan's horrific demise and the unyielding strength of officers and law enforcement personnel. Which direction will the jury sway?
Ultimately, the verdict is announced, and Hector is cleared of all charges. The police are understandably displeased, and the news also reaches Wilson Fisk, who recognizes that this ruling could pose a significant threat to his control over the police force. As the episode draws to a close, Fisk emphasizes the perilous nature of these vigilantes, and as the White Tiger prepares to depart once more, Fisk orders his assassination, leading to his fatal shooting. And who might be the perpetrator? It seems increasingly likely that it could be none other than the Punisher!
