Down To Watch

#263 - Thunderbolts* / Daredevil: Born Again (Season 1)

·1 hr 33 min·5 clips
A mysterious host hijacks the podcast to accuse Dan of ruining Marvel TV shows like a new Disney executive.
The episode opens with a chaotic, humorous bit where a host jokingly accuses Dan of ruining Marvel TV shows. The hosts then introduce the main topics: Daredevil: Born Again season one and the film Thunderbolts*. They begin with Daredevil, noting it is more graphic than the Netflix series but overall less satisfying in story and polish. They detail the show's production issues, including that Charlie Cox and Jon Bernthal had problems with the original script, leading Marvel to scrap half a filmed season and bring in a new creative team. The hosts dissect specific scenes, like the CGI-heavy bar fight with Bullseye and the emotional impact of Foggy Nelson's death. They critique new characters like Heather Glenn while praising returns from Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin and a brutal head-crushing scene. The conversation covers supporting characters, the Punisher's cameo, and connections to Echo. The discussion then transitions to Thunderbolts*. The hosts reveal the film's title changed to The New Avengers in theaters post-release. They analyze the team dynamics, highlighting Florence Pugh's Yelena as the emotional core and the group's banter. They delve into the Sentry and the Void's storyline, appreciating its focus on mental health, PTSD, and redemption over a traditional villain. Comic book lore is shared, explaining the Sentry's power to erase himself from history. The hosts compare the film to DC's Suicide Squad and discuss characters like US Agent and Ghost. They conclude by noting surprises in the film's third act and the overall fun, coherent execution despite some forced humor.

As heard by us

A spoiler-heavy Marvel hangout finds its clearest charge in Bullseye's arc and hopes for more Swordsman.

Down To Watch pairs Thunderbolts* with Daredevil, then lets the Marvel talk widen into the franchise's messier corners. The strongest stretch centers on Bullseye, whose dramatic arc gives the episode its most focused thread, before the hosts turn toward hopes for more Tony…

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Why you'd press play

You want loose Marvel talk that wanders from Daredevil: Born Again into Bullseye, Punisher lore, Fantastic Four, and New Avengers chatter.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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