The Punisher’s second season was amazing. I am a completist so even though I was not wild about the first season, there was no way that I was going to leave the final season unwatched, especially since it was only thirteen episodes, and I could knock it out in two weeks. It was so good that I stretched it out for under two months so I could savor it.
The Punisher had something old from the first season, an unfinished storyline, something new, a new storyline and something blue, but you will have to watch the show to find out what that means. The good news is that everything is wrapped up by the end so while you will be sad that there are no more episodes, you will be satisfied with how it ends. It almost felt as if the writers read my criticism of the first season and addressed all my complaints: some supporting characters felt underwritten and more like unnecessary diversions; the vigilante revenge storyline was not my cup of tea; the major villains were predictable and the minor villain was lame.
The Punisher’s second season managed to show us a side of Frank that was sympathetic without diluting his psychotic side with the new storyline. Now he is not simply about revenge or seems like a cold-blooded murderer who is just smart about how he chooses his victims, but like a murderous equalizer. It is delicious when bad asses think that they have everything handled, and he ruins their plans while protecting others. Every episode had a narrative arc that would work if it was a feature length movie and introduced supporting characters that occasionally only lasted one or two episodes that felt like fully developed people living their lives until they unfortunately took a wrong turn and found themselves in the middle of an episode of the most violent Netflix Marvel tv series. Even though we did not have time to know them, I was invested in their lives and hoped that they would not get killed. Ringo and Debbie don’t get paid enough to deal with this ish! These characters regularly brought in much needed humor and heart without feeling tropey.
Frank’s main enemies were perfect foils for him—broken, evil men fighting to survive through blood and violence while confronting and trying to find the best way to make peace with themselves. We get introduced to a mysterious figure who ends up hunting Frank down, and we are meeting this dead-eyed, cold man after he allegedly found Jesus and reformed his evil ways. Um, then what was he like before? The Punisher answers that question. Also an old enemy returns, but seems to sincerely be looking for answers; however at his core, is he still the same person or will he be able to turn over a new leaf? Their storylines were riveting and filled with interesting shady characters who played essential manipulating roles behind the scenes. I expected the male half of the mysterious figure to be play evil, but the female half was tough as nails, which was counter to type and usual casting expectations. She was just ruthless in her brief appearances. For the old enemy, I hated his shady, intellectual counterpart. Despised! It was a great, new villainous character that embodied everything that I could not stand in that gender and because of the way that this person violated professional standards. This person should be a better human being, but was trash!
The best part of the second season is that I could not predict how things would unfold. Just when I thought that I knew which direction things were going, The Punisher would take an unexpected turn that actually led to a more textured possibility for varied character interactions instead of the customary explosion of violence although there was plenty of well-choreographed, brutal fights, particularly in episodes five and nine—a friend tapped out after the latter episode even though she did not have too far to go because it is that gruesome. I watched that scene twice because I still do not get how they did it. Damn. A major theme of the second theme is the evil that men do for their families and the question of whether or not it is possible for that family to remain untouched and unaware of that evil. We do not really get an answer to that question, but if I become a senior citizen and end up watching The Punisher: The Next Generation, Revenge Bugaloo, I will not be surprised. So good!
I complained that Curtis needed more screentime and Madani seemed to be a missing a certain je ne sais quo. Ask and you shall receive. Amber Rose Revah as Madani managed to balance vulnerability, instability with complete utter badassness and so done with everyone’s crap. She manages to keep her head while being completely shook and still being defiant in the face of a threat. It was a terrific performance and made me excited to see the character. Curtis played a wonderful counterpoint to Frank and the old enemy by showing the balance between being alone and with brothers without hitting the toxic side of either and not being a placid goody two shoes. I was on the edge of my seat whether or not they were going to die because of their proximity to Frank.
Of course, The Punisher would not be possible without Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle. Even the way that he holds a remote then changes the channel or comforts a person after a traumatic event is so Frank Castle. Bernthal and Castle seem like they are the same person, which I hope is amazing acting or someone get him some help. He manages to simultaneously be completely affable and absolutely insane. I cannot imagine casting another actor in the role.
If I had to complain about The Punisher’s second season, it would be the scenes with Karen, which felt redundant with Daredevil’s second season. He has moved on, honey! She still annoys me so I am glad that they reduced her screen time. Also most of the characters should be dead ten times over with the gravity of the injuries that they sustain. It is completely absurd that everyone just shakes off their injuries since it is one of the few Marvel series in which none of the characters have powers. I also think that the final scene of the series felt too much like the first episode so it was not the precise last image that I wanted of the show, but I can live with it.
If you cannot handle violence, do not watch The Punisher, but if you saw the first season, then you must watch the second, final season, which is so much better in terms of pacing, character development and narrative. It was just brilliant, and I am sorry to say goodbye to it, but I would rather that it leave on top. Well done!
