New York's Finest (2016) User Reviews (16)

Daredevil yet again solidifies itself as the best Marvel Screen Adaptation to date and as one of the best shows of all time with another riveting episode

[kleemannmax · 10/10 · 19 March 2016]

There is a lot that makes Daredevil stand out from the rest of Marvel Studios and Marvel Television, mostly thanks to Netflix allowing creative freedom. Drew Goddard adapted Daredevil beautifully in the first season with actually likable side characters, impeccable villain writing and fantastic acting from the Main Cast. It proved that Marvel could be much more than silly action popcorn cinema for Comic Book Fans and with its gritty R- Rated approach to Hell's kitchen it became what is, in my opinion, THE best Marvel Screen Adaptation to date.

Season 2 Episode 3 is a perfect example of why Daredevil works on a whole other level than other Superhero Shows or Movies so far. It's not about CGI Set-Pieces here, or about witty humor or about giving the viewer as much as possible in 40 minutes. Season 2 carefully introduces Jon Bernthal's portrayal as Frank Castle aka The Punisher into Hell's Kitchen by building him as the clear antagonist to Daredevil.

And just as Wilson Fisk in Season 1, The Punisher in Season 2 gets to shine through great dialogue and stylish acting. And just as Wilson Fisk in Season 1, The Punisher in Season 2 has yet again the same goals as Daredevil himself. The Show is about preserving and protecting Hell's Kitchen, it's a boiling pot full of crime and debauchery but the honest people in it want to build on the city's potential, they want the crime gone. And Daredevil and Punisher are two solutions to the same problem, one being stop crime by helping the police make arrests or The Punisher's morality by simply killing them.

It's a beautiful dynamic that comes through perfectly in this episode, the writing is on point, short and meaningful one liners give The Punisher a deep sense of purpose and self-confidence.

There is a lot to appreciate here. The Cinematography captures the rotten streets of Hell's Kitchen in a sort of fearful orange light. The Acting from everyone involved is passionate, the direction is not convoluted or irritating.

Probably the most impressive thing that the show has done to keep its realism grounded is transforming the fights into something very brutal and barbaric. This is not a show about Norse gods fighting aliens, this is a show about a dedicated and passionate man defending the helpless. This Episode's final fight is absolutely spectacular, cleverly cut to appear as it is one take it takes place in two floors and a stairway and most impressively it seems real. The choreography and Stunt work here is out of this world, every hit seems exhausting and powerful, the direction is flawless and keeps everything in frame for the viewer to be completely immersed in the scene. Comprimising Daredevil's ability to properly fight here, his one arm taped to an empty gun, a chain in his other hand, makes it feel like Matt Murdock is fighting for his life, it's brutal and riveting and extremely entertaining.

It makes for one of the best shows currently running. There is a lot of masterful work being done in the contemporary television landscape and who would've thought that Marvel Television would leave such a big and impressive mark on it. Daredevil is fantastic television, it's deep, it's exciting and suspenseful, it's fun and it lets the viewer escape into the world of Hell's Kitchen where everyone is suffering and vigilante's step in.

10/10

New York's Finest - Daredevil's Finest

[boxsetdan · 10/10 · 18 March 2016]

The introduction of Frank West over the prior episodes, set's up an unbelievable episode that's bound to be one of the show's greats & favourites amongst fans.

The morality of two men seeking justice is questioned throughout with Castle's preaching of these people are lost & must be punished before they do more inevitable harm, versus Murdoch's heavy blows & threats but always another round in the 2nd chance saloon.

Development plays throughout the episode around Karen & Foggy's attempts to bring justice the more 'legal' way until it falls into the hands of the two looking to serve the dish in more questionable ways & plays into one of the greatest scenes the show has produced yet as West further tries to test Murdoch's resolve by inviting one of Hells Kitchens gangs into the debate.

The continued vision of Netflix/Marvel's Daredevil in Season 2 is a delight & setting a scene has never been done so well than that of this episode; S02E03.

Nothing but a rooftop and some talking

[heroden · 10/10 · 23 August 2021]

How to even explain how great this episode is. The clash of morals between DD and Punisher is some of the best of 2 people arguing with each other I've seen in anything ever. They got Foggy to do something that I cared about, with the great scene at the hospital. And as always the one takes are just perfect.

Probably the best episode of the series so far.

Unhinged

[ThomasDrufke · 9/10 · 21 March 2016]

3 Episodes in and there's no slowing down for Daredevil season 2. From what I've heard, episode 3 is a high point for this season and I can't disagree so far but I hope the quality continues as 'New York's Finest may very well be the best episode in the series to date. Punisher continues to be a force to be reckoned with and easily the best character this show has had. This episode took the complicated dynamic between Daredevil and Punisher to the next level.

After the cliffhanger from the last episode, we found Daredevil chained up to a poll on a rooftop by Punisher himself, and that's where he stayed for nearly the entire length of the episode. What followed was incredible writing to perfectly exemplify the psyches of Murdock and Castle. Their morals are as different as Batman and Superman so I loved seeing that come to the forefront this week. It's quite often the quieter episodes that further the plot along rather than the high octane action set piece episodes.

The best part about this episode though was the fact that we got an equal amount of both. I was just as intrigued in the conversations Castle and Murdock had on the rooftop as I was invested in the long take fight sequence down the stairwells at the end. I don't know yet if I like it better than the long take fight scene in "Cut Man" last season, but it's just as impressive.

Foggy stepped his game up again as he calmed down a hospital fight between two gang members. By the way, that is quite the hospital full of injured victims. Rosario Dawson reprised her role as Claire Temple. I'm sure this wasn't the only time she will be on this season, but there wasn't really any need for her to be in the episode except to fill time, so it kind of took away from the conflict on the rooftop. I almost wish the entire episode took place up there as even Karen didn't get a whole lot to do in the episode as she further investigated Punisher's whereabouts.

In all, this was probably the best episode of the series to date. The morals of Castle and Murdock came to a head this week and it ended with Grotto's death. The final long take fight was just as incredible as the dialogue between the two characters on the roof. This is great filmmaking at its finest.

+Morals clash

+Incredible end fight

+Nothing was held back

+A third fight between Punisher and Daredevil

+Direction and writing

-Claire and Foggy's side story wasn't as captivating

9.5/10

Clashing Idiologies

[hellraiser7 · 10/10 · 15 February 2018]

This is one of my favorate episodes of the show and in general. In a way it's kinda a fans dream come true as we finally got to see the live action version of both "The Punisher" and "Daredevil" clashing both physically and verbally.

Not much I can say, in a way the whole episode is a bit like a two man stage play as most of it consists of both characters arguing/debating on their own idiologies on justice. Just like with both "Batman" and "Superman" both are different in many ways but also have commonalities, which makes both of them right in their beliefs because their true whether one or both want to admit it or not.

I really like some of the things that both characters say because I do share in both beliefs. One thing I really liked was Frank saying to Matt, "Your one day away from becoming me." and he's not wrong Matt along with other superheros, heroes, and even regular people have came close to falling off that edge as they've been pushed, that comment shows that Matt isn't all that different and nor are we.

But also from some of the things Frank says I and a lot of people can easily relate because one thing about "The Punisher" is how grounded in reality he is, as he doesn't really have a costume (ok there's the outfit with the skull which kinda counts) but he doesn't have a mask. He doesn't want to hide because he knows exactly who he is, it's not his alter ego it's his life which is sad but true since his old life has been taken away. But he doesn't wear a mask because he is admitting he's outside the law but administering natural justice.

I even found it a little funny when Frank teases and finds it weard on the fact Matt is always wearing red pajamas which is kinda I feel a true human reaction, yeah if I every saw anyone dressed like that I'd think that's weard or someone has taking cosplay too far. There is even a little moment when Matt says Frank is insane, which is kinda true Frank is borderline insane (the amount of scermishes he's been though I might go a little nuts) but then again who's to say Matt or any other hero/superhero wearing a costume is.

I also like a few things Matt says like about redemption and the mistake of not giving certain souls another chance. Which I also believe is true, I feel most people do deserve another chance if that person really wants it and repents for their wrongs.

One last note there is also that little moment where Matt hears the Church Bell, Frank names the place and Matt asks if Frank is a Christian, he says once. That moment shows a slight commonality between them because both characters are Christians, and part of what the religion is about is in conquering evil.

Really loved that battle at the end which is probably one of my favorate battles of all time, kinda reminds me of the hallway battle in the film "The Raid" as it's all taking place in condenced space and going in continueous motion as we see Daredevil is just beating the crap out of that scum biker gang, from the hallway, down the stairs, to the bottom floor where he has a few more do deal with along with a really big guy whom you can say is the boss of the battle. The chorigraphy is spot on and doesn't look too fanciful which I feel makes the action slightly realistic.

Despite their differences both are the defenders good vitally needs.

Rating: 4 stars

Beyond compare!

[ayushman98 · 10/10 · 19 March 2016]

Oh boy, where do I start? After the unexplained conclusion to episode 2 with Punisher and Daredevil standing their ground after which they automatically disappear, I was beginning to wonder what game-changing attitude Frank Castle was up to, and this episode succeeds as a phenomenal creation of style and substance. Foggy Nelson gets a very defining attribute to his character and it was interesting to see Daredevil and Punisher face-off both verbally and physically. And yes, the one-shot successor has finally arrived and is guaranteed to surpass even the wildest of expectations. Still no Elektra or Wilson Fisk (If he is rumored to return this season) but the show has already arrived to its masterpiece level of complex storytelling and gritty violence!

10/10, I wish I could rate it a lot more!

Encounter of gun and chain

[quincytheodore · 10/10 · 22 March 2016]

By far the most intense standoff in a superhero series, Daredevil and Punisher exchange of physic and philosophy on a secluded rooftop. It's a fine crafted meeting between the two that involves more than fist. They are affected by each other, in rather dysfunctional kind of way, yet this is much more complex than appointing a label of good or evil to any particular person.

What's amazing about this series is the depth of material and the trust for the actors to deliver. It takes its time, slowly building characters and rapport, engaging audience in the process. They give so much for these two personalities to face one another, Punisher is firmly adamant of his method, even felt challenged to the point of extreme measure and Daredevil staying true on his path although he's shaken by the experience.

There's not enough praise for Jon Bernthal and Charlie Coz for carrying the entire episode. This is probably the best combination of gritty thriller and comic book superhero, they feel like a fully fleshed out personalities. Karen's perspective is added to give more clarity to the Punisher, and it's good to see it run simultaneously with the main plot.

It culminates into a free-for-all brawl through the entire building. Many other movies try the continuous shot, and this episode will go down as one of the finest example of action sequences. Its fluidity is impeccable and the way it spans so organically with so many participants trading blows, it's nothing short of spectacular.

This is the zenith of excellence for TV series, it's breathtakingly flawless.

Perfect

[cora_browne · 10/10 · 21 May 2020]

Jon berthenal is just brilliant in this episode and every other episode

Punisher and daredevil

[Yanksmoviecritic · 10/10 · 17 June 2022]

Both actors do a great job with their back and fourth and it is rewarded with great action and fighting. They test the limits daredevil is willing to go to and make the punisher an intriguing character that u want more from.

Super crazy

[amindostiari · 10/10 · 30 March 2021]

This is a wonderful crazy series. It was really enjoyable and exciting while this is just the third episode. The deadly rivalry between Matt and Punisher is great.

God bless Frank Castle

[h9dya · 10/10 · 26 December 2021]

With Wilson Fisk out of the way and Frank in Hell's Kitchen I am so thankful he's spicing up the second season of Daredevil and this early into the show. Third episode in and we already get to see Matt v. Frank; the entire roof sequence is perfect.

We all remember the corridor fight in the first season, right?

[lraimundo · 11 October 2018]

Let me get this straight: Daredevil is the best fighter. We saw him figth a bunch of crooks on a corridor, now we see him fight against a bunch of crooks while he goes down the stairs from the roof of a building to the base floor, with literally his hands tied with tape to a gun and a chain. Just EPIC. Plus, we get to finally know Frank Castle, a.k.a. The Punisher, and he gives on of the best speechs to "D" (with quotes as "You're just one bad day away of becoming me") This has to be one of the best episodes so far. Even though I would have liked it to be just that, we have a side plot, portrayed by Foggy and Karen, a.k.a. the drama queen. She keeps whining and getting her voice shaky everytime she speaks. It's a little annoying. But at least, Foggy is a total badass using just his speeching abilities. These two plots are packed inside an intense and powerful episode, with spits of each plot here and there.

Jon Bernthal saves this mess, by doing what he always does

[SureCommaNot · 5/10 · 14 December 2021]

While of course I'd like to see more diversity come from Bernthal, it can't be denied that he's good at what he does, and his character filled such a void in this episode. Despite Cox's slip-ups with his accent through the episode, his ideological banter with The Punisher character was a welcome change of pace.

The transition to the "one shot" sequence was such an abrupt change of pace, though, and the seams throughout that sequence were too glaring to keep me engaged. Continuity error after continuity error, with video game-esque effects to try to force it to look like fluid motion. Nice try, guys.

Foggy's use of intelligence and wit to win people over was pleasant to watch, albeit contrived. Makes you wonder if such approaches work in the real world, where the responses aren't scripted. I can suspend my disbelief enough to enjoy those scenes, but with most of the rest of the episode, the showrunners sure don't make it easy to keep suspending. (For example, you've got Murdock just walking through a crime scene in clear view of the cops who can just look in the window and see. Uh, what are they? Blind?)

Final note: Karen Page was excellent, but she always is. I'm encouraged by how much this show gives her to do.

Wasn't expecting this

[Leofwine_draca · 8/10 · 18 October 2021]

I wasn't expecting much from this episode, two handers always smack of padding to me, but this one works very well thanks to Jon Bernthal's hugely imposing performance. Plus it's topped by a nice little stairwell fight sequence at the climax, which is the icing on a wholly satisfying cake.

Best episode

[gaffer2602 · 10/10 · 4 July 2022]

I love this episode. Standout moments were: The Dogs of Hell fight, Foggy's speech at the hospital, Karen at the DA's office and the rooftop scenes.

It shows the humanity of Frank Castle, and how it should be lack thereof in the ending.

Best episode of any show, Surpassing "The Big" IMO (Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 5, Episode 14)

Moral Code(s) [9.1/10]

[panagiotis1993 · 9/10 · 18 May 2023]

Live Reaction / Review for Daredevil Season 2 Episode 3: Episode 2 was really good but not great, I hope this one is a masterpiece. Really enjoying the conversation between Matt and Frank. Nice to see Claire again in this episode. Foggy is really worried about Matt, if he only knew where Matt is right now. I love how Frank is testing Matt, testing his limits and moral code to see if he will kill Frank to stop him from killing Grotto. Love this contrast of different moral codes. The fight against the bikers at the end was really cool. Overall a great episode with great dialogue, wonderful performances and epic action. My rating is 9.1/10.