Why The Punisher Has Been Missing From Most of Daredevil: Born Again

Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Daredevil: Born Again season 1, episode 8.Despite Frank Castle’s influence on Matt Murdock’s MCU story, the Punisher has been completely absent from Daredevil: Born Again. In the period between The Punisher season 2’s ending and Daredevil: Born Again, many members of the New York Police Department have co-opted the Punisher’s iconography to represent their overly violent crime-fighting methods. Frank Castle himself seems to have taken a long break from his vigilante life, and some unidentified individuals have impersonated him to commit crimes such as murdering Hector Ayala a.k.a. White Tiger and pinning the blame for serious crimes on innocent civilians.

Daredevil: Born Again episode 4 didn’t reveal what exactly Frank Castle has been doing since The Punisher season 2, where he rejected an offer to work for the authorities and decided to keep fighting crime on his own. Something serious must have happened since then, as Frank Castle seems more weary of vigilantism than ever before. Still, the Punisher hasn’t abandoned his faith in brutal methods of crime-fighting, considering the harsh words he exchanged with Matt Murdock. Now, the biggest question is where the Punisher has been during most of Daredevil: Born Again.

Why Frank Castle Has Been Missing From Daredevil: Born Again Since Episode 4

Frank Castle’s Absence Can Be Explained Inside And Outside The Screen

Jon Bernthal’s Punisher returned in Daredevil: Born Again episode 4, where Matt Murdock went to him for advice following Hector Ayala’s murder and Wilson Fisk’s rise to power. Frank Castle confronted Matt Murdock, acknowledging Matt’s pent-up anger and his desire to go back to his Daredevil days. Turns out Frank Castle was right, and Matt Murdock soon came back as Daredevil, more violent than ever before. However, the Punisher has been completely absent from Daredevil: Born Again since episode 4, and no other episode has referenced his whereabouts.

The Punisher hasn’t returned in Daredevil: Born Again due to Frank Castle and Matt Murdock’s disagreement over lethal force. More than a decade after their first encounter in Daredevil season 2, Frank and Matt still butt heads over the ethics of murder, and they fail to reach a conclusion about the aftermath of Hector Ayala’s death. Logistically speaking, Jon Bernthal’s Punisher didn’t appear in the original version of the series. After Daredevil: Born Again‘s creative overhaul, Frank Castle was added, but only as a minor character in a couple of episodes.

With One Episode Left, The Punisher Must Return In Daredevil: Born Again Episode 9

Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle has only appeared in one Daredevil: Born Again scene, sporting longer hair and a full beard. While the Punisher and Daredevil seem to part ways decisively in Daredevil: Born Again episode 4, the Punisher will probably return at least once more before the series ends. Bernthal’s Punisher has been included in trailers and clips, sporting his traditional short-hair and no-beard look, fighting alongside a fully-costumed Daredevil. Hence, the Punisher is almost guaranteed to appear in Daredevil: Born Again episode 9.

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Why Everything Goes Blue For Bullseye In Daredevil: Born Again

Daredevil: Born Again episode 8 gradually transforms Wilson Bethel’s Benjamin Poindexter into Bullseye as the villain engages his abilities.

Why the Punisher would come back to help Daredevil would have been difficult to answer before Daredevil: Born Again episode 8. However, Daredevil: Born Again episode 8’s ending may have dropped a hint. Matt Murdock’s split-second decision to save Wilson Fisk’s from Bullseye’s sniper bullet during the ball may spark a chaotic, free-for-all conflict between Wilson Fisk, Bullseye, and Matt Murdock, requiring the latter to resort to the Punisher’s ultra-violent skills in order to defeat the former two. After Daredevil: Born Again episode 9, Daredevil and Punisher may work together again to expose and depose Wilson Fisk.

Is The Punisher’s Missing Time Setting Up His MCU Spinoff?

The Punisher’s Upcoming MCU Spinoff Could Take Advantage Of Frank Castle’s Absence During Daredevil: Born Again

Daredevil: Born Again episode 4 hinted that, despite what appears to be a self-imposed retirement, the Punisher was busy working on something before Matt Murdock arrived in his lair searching for help. The Punisher’s improvised HQ is furnished with weapons of all kinds, tools, clippings, and screens. He doesn’t seem to be participating in active combat. Instead, Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle seems to be investigating one or more criminal gangs, or perhaps the corrupt police force itself, and he seems to be frustrated about it.

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What Adam’s Fate In Daredevil: Born Again Episode 8 Means And Why It’s So Important

Daredevil: Born Again episode 8 resolves the storyline involving Adam, marking an important turning point for the story and characters in many ways.

Marvel Studios is officially releasing a Punisher spinoff after Daredevil: Born Again in the form of a Special Presentation. The Punisher’s upcoming Special Presentation has plenty of available material to explore. For instance, it couldfollow Jon Bernthal during the Blip or between the events of Daredevil: Born Again seasons 1 and 2. Otherwise, the Punisher spinoff could take place simultaneously to the events of Daredevil: Born Again, revealing what exactly Frank Castle has been up to before and after he reuniting with Matt Murdock.

Daredevil: Born Again

9/10

Release Date

March 4, 2025

Showrunner

Chris Ord

Directors

Michael Cuesta, Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson, Jeffrey Nachmanoff

Writers

Chris Ord

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