Thoughts on K/M S2E6 of DDBA
I absolutely enjoyed the scenes between Matt and Karen in this episode of Daredevil. Deborah Ann Woll shines in every single moment, and I genuinely hope we see much more of her in future episodes and seasons.
The emotional weight Karen carries, especially in the scene where she tells Matt she’s willing to take on the burden of killing Dex, is incredibly powerful. The fact that she would rather live with that guilt than risk losing Matt says everything about how deeply she loves him. She’s at her breaking point now. They’ve been losing this war, enduring constant trauma, and she feels like she has no other options left. At the same time, Matt’s response mirrors that sacrifice. His willingness to take that burden onto himself, going so far as to meet with Fisk and propose a compromise where they both leave NY, creates a compelling emotional dichotomy. That push and pull between Karen and Matt is beautifully done.
Karen has dealt with immense trauma: the loss of her brother, Elena, having to kill Wesley (it was either him or her in that situation!), Father Lantom, Foggy, and nearly losing Matt multiple times. She just wants it all to end. In her mind, the only way for that to happen is if the people causing all this pain are stopped permanently. And that’s exactly why Matt and Karen work so well as a team. They pull each other back from the edge. When Matt was ready to kill Fisk in season three of the Netflix series, Karen grounded him. Now, the roles are reversed. Matt is the one trying to guide Karen away from that darkness, doing whatever it takes to protect her.
Karen’s arc this season feels incredibly real and complex. It taps into a very human response to power and injustice, especially in today's political climate. How easy it is, in moments of anger or despair, to imagine extreme solutions. That doesn’t mean she’s become like Frank Castle, and the idea that she should align with him misses the point entirely. This isn’t about Frank or his ideology - this is about Karen’s internal struggle. She doesn’t want to kill. She doesn’t want to cross that line. Like Matt, she wants justice, but right now, in her fragile state, she can’t see another path forward. That’s where Matt comes in, and I believe he’ll be the one to help her find her way back.
On another note, I really wish the show had longer seasons. Eight episodes just doesn’t provide enough room for the main characters to breathe. With such a large supporting cast, I worry about how much screen time Matt and Karen will get in future seasons, both individually and together. Along with Fisk, they are the core of this story, and it doesn’t always feel like this season has given them the space they deserve. Either the show needs to expand its episode count, or it needs to streamline the supporting cast to let these central relationships and characters fully develop. Scenes like the ones between Matt and Karen in this episode are exactly why I watch the show. The action is great, but character growth comes from moments like these, and those moments need time.
Lastly, how did we get through the entire press run for this season without Deborah Ann Woll? She’s been a central character since episode one of the Netflix series, and her presence is essential to the heart of the story. It’s surprising not to see her included, unless that was her personal choice. Hopefully that changes next season, because she’s an incredible actress who brings so much nuance and life to Karen Page.
