Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again Episode 3.The latest episode of Daredevil: Born Again, titled “The Hollow of His Hand”, showcases Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) engaging in his vital role as a defender of the innocent. However, following the tragic loss of his best friend, Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson), Murdock has opted to hang up his iconic Daredevil suit, limiting his defense efforts to the courtroom. This episode presents a significant challenge as he takes on the case of Hector Ayala (Kamar de los Reyes), a vigilante known as the White Tiger. Compounding the tension, Murdock must contend with the alarming threat posed by two corrupt police officers intent on eliminating the sole witness who can verify Ayala’s innocence. While “The Hollow of His Hand” may not feature as many Easter eggs as the premiere episodes, Daredevil: Born Again still offers several notable references to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Unpacking the Divergent Outcomes of the White Tiger’s Trial in the ‘Daredevil’ Comics

The courtroom drama surrounding Ayala’s trial closely mirrors the narrative established in Daredevil (vol. 2) #38-40, crafted by Brian Michael Bendis, Manuel Gutierrez, and Terry Dodson. In both iterations, Ayala finds himself arrested under the grave accusation of killing a police officer, with Murdock stepping in to defend him. However, there are essential distinctions worth noting. In the comic book series, Murdock grapples with the repercussions of having his secret identity exposed to the public, leading him to initially decline the case presented by Luke Cage and Iron Fist. He emphasizes that defending a suspected vigilante would inevitably attract media frenzy. Ultimately, Murdock accepts the case, but the outcome is grim; Ayala is convicted and escapes the courtroom only to be fatally shot. In contrast, “The Hollow of His Hand” opts for a more hopeful resolution, as Ayala is declared innocent, yet his fate takes a tragic turn when he is shot shortly after donning the White Tiger suit and returning to the streets.

Corrupt Officers in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Misinterpret the Punisher’s Message

One striking detail about the individual responsible for Hector’s death is his bulletproof vest, prominently displaying a white skull emblem — the trademark symbol of Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal), better known as the Punisher. This is not the only instance where the Punisher’s iconography is referenced; in a previous episode titled “Optics”, one of the corrupt officers who confronted Murdock sports a Punisher tattoo on his wrist. “The Hollow of His Hand” further reveals that several officers display Punisher tattoos on their necks, implying that they are prepared to adopt Castle’s brutal tactics against those they deem guilty. This narrative thread effectively introduces the potential for Castle to intersect with Daredevil: Born Again, especially since teasers hint at a confrontation between him and Murdock. This storyline could also connect to Bernthal’s standalone project that he is co-writing and set to star in. The series’ willingness to delve into how the Punisher’s philosophy can be misinterpreted is a thrilling aspect that could reshape the narrative landscape.

A Unique Spider-Man Reference in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ – Not Featuring Peter Parker

During the courtroom scenes in “The Hollow of His Hand”, Murdock references a list of police officers who have been rescued by the White Tiger. Among these officers is an “Officer Morales”, likely a nod to Jefferson Morales, the father of the beloved Spider-Man character Miles Morales. In the comic book lore, Jefferson has been depicted as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, but contemporary adaptations, including Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse and Marvel’s Spider-Man for PlayStation 4, have portrayed him as a police officer. This subtle reference is another clever way that Born Again navigates the challenge of not being able to showcase Spider-Man directly on television while still connecting to his expansive universe.

Spotting a Subtle Easter Egg Referencing ‘The Incredible Hulk’

The episode “The Hollow of His Hand” includes a subtle yet intriguing reference to another Marvel cinematic entry; there’s a brief shot featuring an advertisement for Pingo Doce, a soda brand that fans may recognize from The Incredible Hulk. In the earlier film, Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) briefly worked in a Pingo Doce bottling facility before a mishap caused his gamma-infused blood to taint one of the beverages, which ultimately led to disastrous consequences. While the appearance of the Pingo Doce ad is fleeting, it signifies Marvel Studios’ ongoing effort to integrate elements from The Incredible Hulk into their broader cinematic narrative.

New episodes of Daredevil: Born Again premiere every Tuesday on Disney+.

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