The Marvel Cinematic Universe includes a TV-series, launched by the streaming giant Netflix: Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist. The TV-universe perfectly exists separately from the cinematic, without crossing directly with it, however, it is crammed with various references and echoes that remind the viewer that somewhere there are Avengers and events taking place on the big screen. By the way, the first season of Daredevil got 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, and I strongly recommend this project to view. But in the second season, the audience was introduced to Frank Castle as an independent character, better known as Punisher, which will now be discussed. The character was warmly received by both spectators and critics, so the question of a solo show was solved almost immediately. All 13 episodes appeared on Netflix in November 2017.
The main cast includes Jon Bernthal, who returned to the role of Punisher, Ben Barnes (probably best known to the audience as Prince Caspian in the Chronicles of Narnia), who played the role of Billy Russo - former colleague and best friend of Frank, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as David Lieberman/Micro - former NSA analyst, and Amber Rose Revah as Dinah Madani, a Department of Homeland Security agent. Deborah Ann Woll returned to the role of Karen Page — the journalist from Daredevil, but her participation was limited to several episodic appearances. The Devil of Hell's Kitchen, unfortunately, didn't pop in.
The plot unfolds after the events of the second season of Daredevil, Frank Castle went underground, but circumstances force him to resume the war with high-ranking criminals responsible for the death of his family. In general, this is the main motive that moves the character, both in Daredevil and in The Punisher. Now the Punisher works not alone but paired with former NSA analyst David Lieberman (nicknamed Micro) forcedly hiding from the authorities. In addition to the main storyline, there are a number of secondary stories closely intertwined with the main one. One of them tells about the agents of the Department of Homeland Security Dinah Madani and Sam Stein, who are investigating the Afghan case in which Castle is involved. Interesting line, slowly coming into contact with the main one and then completely flowing into it. Amber Rose Revah is a very charming actress, and her heroine is a fragile but extremely brave girl who occupies such an important position. The spectator constantly observes her genuine desire to understand the situation, to get to the truth and do the right thing. However, in some moments, Dinah Madani behaves illogically, recklessly and stupidly, which is most likely due to her hot Iranian origin or to the writers' carelessness. Her partner Sam Stein looks harmoniously, a kind of slightly boring half-loser-Books, trying to follow the rules, but still ready to break them for the sake of his partner and a common goal. In general, this storyline contains good characters and dialogs, enough screen time, do not bother.
Another storyline tells about Punisher's fellow named Curtis Hoyle. He is one of the few who knows that Frank is still alive. He leads small meetings for people whose life is very painfully affected by the military service, helps them to adapt to the citizen. These meetings are always visited by one young guy Lewis Wilson, and his story smoothly turned into an independent one by focusing attention on his person. The development in this direction is initially slow, cautious, the spectator is gradually preparing for a sharp and dynamic climax, which occurs near the end of the season when this branch completely intersects with the main plot. Lewis as a character is an excellent example, perfectly showing how much the military service can affect the mind and life in general, when you simply do not find a place in an ordinary society. You naturally worry about that kid, because you know how bad it is for him, and how he might do something. Daniel Webber excellently coped with his role! In general, as far as I understand, the problem of military veterans is very acute for American people, so in these series, where the subject of the army, military corporations, and retired military servicemen is the keynote, it is given a significant amount of screen time. Authors raise the problem of relations between the state and the retired people, which are often abandoned, they find it difficult to get into the company after the psychological trauma received during the operations, they do not receive proper support, and rehabilitation takes place in self-organized circles like the one led by Curtis. As a result, such a negligent attitude of the state towards its citizens can lead to a terrorist threat ...
And finally, the third storyline, which, in my opinion, is the closest to the main story, tells of a former colleague and best friend of Frank — Billy Russo. Billy is a tall and handsome man with a well-groomed appearance, after completing a career as a hired soldier, became the owner of the military company Anvil. He does not know that Frank is alive, but when the general plot begins to develop slowly, some facts and consequences that indirectly hinting that the Punisher is alive have resurfaced, well, Billy starts his own investigation, constantly contacting with agent Madani and, by the way, there is more than simple business relations between them. Honestly, it is very difficult to discuss and analyze this character without spoilers and will not work at all. I can only say that Billy Russo is a cold-blooded professional of his business and most of his actions are strict and well-adjusted. Inside Billy, there is a constant struggle between honor and dishonor, which determines his key actions, but he respects Frank Castle and pays tribute to Frank with his common past. I want to note that this storyline contains a small story twist, you can stop reading, swipe down to the end of a picture which lies in the name of "Billy Russo". If you've read comic books about Punisher and know the main characters from his entourage, you know who Jigsaw exactly is. I did not know, so the twist in the middle of the season was for me, in fact, a twist. I do not understand such a move of scriptwriters, because for a certain part of the audience intrigue is lost. There is also a correct way to solve this problem - a banal substitution of the name, that is, when the character uses a fake name, and then somewhere in the end in a small scene, this whole thing is played out and the real name pops up. A good example is the Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Rises, where in one of the last scenes the employee checks the passport of John Blake and tells "what an interesting first name you got — Robin!"
The general impression of the series is positive. Especially, the first episodes, saturated with events and keeping in suspense. And what cool and epic endings were in each of them! The middle of the series looks worse: a lot of tedious moments, chatter, alignment and binding of the plot branches, a significant reduction of action scenes. This is primarily due to the fact that scenarios for episodes are written by different people, and they are shot by different directors. In the final episodes, again came the coolest action, the most powerful fighting confrontation and, finally, the Punisher in the canonical suit, which was shown only once in the final of the second season of Daredevil. The very end of the season directly hints at us to continue, but I still have to say that the finale looks slightly silly and illogical from the point of view of Frank Castle's behavior as a character. And he, I remind you, is a ruthless avenger and murderer who unceremoniously destroys any enemy who gets in the way.
I really like the actors' skills of Jon Bernthal. Mostly he plays in the movies on secondary roles (Shane Walsh in "The Walking Dead", Brad Bodnick in "The Wolf of Wall Street"). But he looks great only in certain stage types and then, taking Bernthal for the role of a Punisher, Marvel and Netflix hit the mark. Jon Bernthal got some kind of charm, inspired by his rough features, a hard low voice and a special fascinating sparkle in his eyes. All this helps Bernthal to get used to the skin of a former soldier of the elite unit. And believe me, when Frank Castle with a grimace of pure hatred and ruthlessness, issuing a monstrous hollow roar, shoots another enemy with a rifle, goosebumps do not take long to wait. His image of a stern soldier, heartbroken after losing his family, clings, makes you believe and empathize. The viewer is forced to agree with Castle's position, allow him to be so cruel and uncompromising, and understand that violence is the only sure way to get revenge.
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