Daredevil: Born Again | Episode 7 | Muse Fizzles, Fisk Rises

Challenge Accepted

In this episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Thomas dissect Daredevil: Born Again Episode 7, “Art for Art’s Sake.” With Muse’s storyline abruptly cut short and Kingpin’s dark side reawakening, the episode leaves fans both frustrated and intrigued. We talk character motivations, missed opportunities, jaw-dropping moments, and what this all means as the show hurtles toward the finale. Also, shoutout to Apple TV’s The Studio—we’ve got a hot new comedy recommendation you won’t want to miss.

⏱️ Timestamps & Topics:

00:00 Introduction and first impressions 00:25 Muse’s abrupt ending and missed villain potential 01:36 Muse’s motivations vs. lost storytelling opportunity 03:24 The therapist connection and what was missing 04:30 Muse’s character in the comics vs. the show 05:06 Alternate endings and writing what could’ve been 06:01 Vigilante task force development and character cracks 08:09 Vanessa’s secret moves and Kingpin’s true nature 10:25 Power shifts, betrayals, and Vanessa’s motivations 12:04 Mirrored arcs of Matt and Fisk 13:22 The return of Karen Page and Daredevil’s emotional grounding 15:29 Adam: Kingpin’s punching bag or pressure valve? 16:40 Fisk’s rise through legal channels mirrors comic roots 17:24 New York as a character and who really protects it 18:40 Sherry’s confrontation with Matt and moral questions 20:41 Muse fight choreography and ADR fail 23:52 Fixing the series—rewrites and Bob Iger’s intervention 25:40 Show Recommendation: The Studio on Apple TV 27:56 Final thoughts and listener shoutouts

✅ Key Takeaways:

• Muse’s arc was a major letdown, especially given his deep comic origins as an Inhuman with sensory-disrupting powers.

• Vanessa manipulates Kingpin back to his criminal roots, proving she’s the real power behind the throne.

• Daredevil and Fisk are perfectly mirrored this season, both believing they need to unleash their darker sides to save New York.

• Episode 7 suffered from rushed pacing, missing an opportunity to build suspense with Muse’s obsession.

• The vigilante task force and North’s internal struggle are promising but need more screen time.

• The rewrites are clearly working—shifting the tone back toward what fans loved in the Netflix series while keeping things fresh.

🗣️ Memorable Quotes:

“Let him breathe... but I do want to see the conclusion of everything else.” — Frank “Daredevil is Kingpin’s Joker.” — Thomas “Muse deserved better. Give me one more episode with him in it!” — Frank “I think New York is a character too—and it needs both Daredevil and Kingpin to survive.” — Frank “Vanessa doesn’t want Mayor Fisk. She wants the Kingpin back.” — Thomas

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🏷️ Apple Podcast Tags:

Daredevil Born Again, Kingpin, Muse Marvel villain, Vanessa Fisk, Marvel Studios, Disney Plus shows, superhero show review, Challenge Accepted Podcast, MCU TV series, vigilante justice, Marvel Phase 5, character arcs, comic book TV adaptations, Geek Freaks Network, Marvel rewrites, streaming recommendations, Daredevil Netflix revival, superhero ethics, pop culture podcast, Thomas and Frank show, Daredevil vs Kingpin, fan theories