Daredevil has been the latest Netflix Marvel series to get axed. With only The Punisher and Jessica Jones still floating in limbo, waiting for a new season or a cancelation, Netflix’s side of the MCU will die soon enough. The shows have had an unstable quality from excellence to redundant trash. As a send-off for one of the best superhero adaptions, Daredevil, here are the rankings of the series from worst to best.
#11: Jessica Jones (Season 2)
Painfully, the worst of the bunch comes from one of the best characters. Jessica (Krysten Ritter) contains a mix of powerful female superhero and traumatized victim. However, going from one of the best villains in the comic book adaption genre with Killgrave (David Tennant) to a more personal story about Jessica’s mother sounds compelling on paper, until you sit down to watch this god-awful mess.
The story consistently feels bland with one of the most annoying side stories in Netflix/Marvel history. Seriously, Trish (Rachael Taylor) creates unnecessary drama which is bad enough because all of Jessica’s mother drama feels just as bad.
#10: The Defenders (Season 1)
The MCU built up to Avengers, Age of Ultron, Civil War, and Infinity War. Each being the perfect climax as new and old favorites join up to battle evil, with Civil War being in a weird grey area on the “fighting evil” part. Netflix’s version with The Defenders had a lot of promise but ultimately left me with a disgusting taste in my mouth.
The two main aspects that got me an excellent were these heroes coming together and Sigourney Weaver playing the mysterious villain. I won’t say, but I was disappointed in the direction for the antagonist. Then everything between the heroes felt anti-climatic.
While some good came out of it with some great interactions from heroes and supporting cast members, The Defenders feels more on par with Justice League on a smaller scale.
#9: Iron Fist (Season 1)
Critics and fans decimated Iron Fist. Unpopular opinion: the show does not suck that bad. Okay, the first season is not good, but not the worst thing ever (I am looking at you The Defenders).
Danny Rand/Iron Fist (Finn Jones) felt incomplete and childish. His motives were repeated like a child not getting his way. For a man who trained for so long, he did not look like he knew how to fight. That is not the fault of Jones, but the choreography needed to feel real, sadly nobody decided to direct the action differently. Instead, we got slow paced martial arts.
While every storyline with The Hand, the mysterious evil organization that threatens Danny and even The Defenders, felt weak compared to other excellent villains seen in the other series.
If it weren’t for an excellent supporting cast of characters from Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick), Joy Meachum (Jessica Stroup), and Ward Meachum (Tom Pelphrey), then the show would be an utter disaster.
#8: Luke Cage (Season 1)
Without such a weaker second half with a villain that comes out of nowhere, Luke Cage could have had a spectacular first season. Due to a less enticing few episodes, the series ranks a lot lower than I want.
Each performance shines brightly without anyone being overshadowed. Full of complex bad guys/girls and loveable good guys/girls, the show has some of the best cast of characters out of any of the series on this list.
#7: Iron Fist (Season 2)
A great redemption that I did not see coming. I was quite close to skipping this one, but I am glad I did not. Danny Rand has a personality that leaves behind the whiny little boy, while a charismatic man enters.
The Hand continues to be a titular storyline, but with some new twists to make for a more interesting narrative for an otherwise dull enemy.
What holds the second season so high in quality, yet preventing the show from being in the top five is the ending. On the positive side, Iron Fist has ten episodes, opposed to the normal thirteen that every other series has had. The story feels more concise due to the shorter length; however, the ending comes out of nowhere and tries too hard to set up the next adventure.
#6: Luke Cage (Season 2)
While the second outing with Luke feels more consistent and concise, the pacing kills me at times. Mostly with the musical guests who take put too long of portions of episodes. Some episodes focus several minute long scenes on showing someone playing music with some touches of the narrative moving forward. If the music was placed in the background and keep taking steps forward to get the audience through the season.
#5: Daredevil (Season 2)
Sometimes a mess can be fun, but no matter what, the quality declines to some degree.
The second season of Daredevil splits itself between Frank Castle/The Punisher (John Bernthal) and Elektra (Elodie Yung). The two separate narratives feel out of place and cause the show to spin in too many different directions. Franks’s side of the season explodes with drama and gore that drives ferociously. While Elektra had her compelling side but compared to Frank, she feels in the way and unnecessary.
#4: The Punisher (Season 1)
Why can’t these series get their pacing right? If The Punisher had fewer episodes, the show would reach greatness; instead, we get an inconsistent, but still gripping ride with a man who has nothing to lose. Bernthal captures Frank’s pain and rage so perfectly, it is daunting to watch his suffering.
#3: Jessica Jones (Season 1)
I am a broken record, because if Jessica Jones had two or three fewer episodes then maybe it would grab second place.
Killgrave remains to be one of the most sinister villains from any comic book adaption. Tennant’s portrayal of the mind-controlling antagonist projects fear and brutality throughout the season.
#2: Daredevil (Season 1)
A genius masterpiece of television. The first season of Daredevil shows that these series will not shine with comedy and lightheartedness like the rest of the MCU. Here we see gruesome murders and torture along with a dark narrative.
While Charlies Cox (Daredevil) and his costars have incredible chemistry along with strong characters that stand tall alone, Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin crushes every other villain seen in the MCU, sorry Loki and Thanos. The most complex, sympathetic baddie we have seen so far from Marvel, and sadly he does not show up in any movie.
Please, Marvel, do the world and favor and put Kingpin in the film side of the MCU.
#1: Daredevil (Season 3)
How could the first season get topped? With higher stakes and a relentless beating. Daredevil ends on a bang with its best season. I will miss this show greatly because this season was brilliant.
Image via Netflix/Marvel
Tristan Zelden 