Daredevil: Born Again - Why has The Punisher been MIA, and is a comeback on the cards?

Daredevil: Born Again gave us something we were all waiting for. Frank Castle and Matt Murdock shared the screen again. The last time we saw these two together was in Netflix’s Daredevil. Episode 4 of Daredevil: Born Again showed us Daredevil going to The Punisher's lair.

Matt tells Frank that he should be out there helping people again. He should be doing what he does best. But Frank's not having it. He’s done with the whole vigilante life. He sounds worn out by everything he’s been through.

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In fact, he tells Matt that everything he’s doing now is just driven by guilt. He feels guilty about losing Foggy, so he needs to face it rather than escape. That whole scene reminded us of how different these two are at their core, and maybe that’s why The Punisher’s been missing from most of the season so far.

But will he stay gone? No, he will most likely appear again. And we’ve got a few thoughts on that. Let’s get right in.

Daredevil: Born Again - Still at odds

Matt Murdock and Frank Castle were like oil and water back in Netflix’s Daredevil days. They are two strong-headed men fighting for justice but in completely different ways. Frank Castle, aka the Punisher, believes in taking out the trash permanently. No second chances. No mercy.

Matt stands firmly by the law. He believes in trials and evidence. And he has hopes for the justice system, even if it is broken. That’s why he never kills. His faith is in the courtroom and not in brute force.

Now, in Daredevil: Born Again, Episode 4, we’re right back in that tension. But this time, it’s Frank who’s holding the mirror up to Matt, who is drowning in guilt over losing Foggy and trying to keep himself busy.

Frank calls him out and tells him to start facing the truth. It’s a bit of a role reversal. But even though Frank has seemingly stepped away from being The Punisher, we know he’s never really done.

So why is he MIA in Daredevil: Born Again? It could be because the two still aren’t on the same page. Frank simply rejected Matt’s offer to return to the streets. And there’s still unresolved tension between them. Or maybe Frank is waiting and planning.

Will the Punisher Return in Episode 9 of Daredevil: Born Again?

There’s a strong chance that Frank Castle will make his big return in the final episode of Daredevil: Born Again. So far, we’ve only seen him once in Episode 4, hiding out in a dark lair with long hair and a full beard.

But you know that wasn’t the only version of him we were promised if you’ve watched the trailers and official clips closely. The Punisher appeared in those promos with his classic short hair and beardless face, hinting that the man we saw in Episode 4 is not the one we’ll see next.

It looks like that was a “before,” and the clean-cut Punisher might be part of the “after,” possibly showing up when things get really messy in Daredevil: Born Again.

And things are definitely messy right now. In Episode 8, Daredevil takes a bullet for Wilson Fisk. Bullseye is on the loose. Fisk is out for blood, targeting not just Daredevil but every vigilante in New York City with a task force.

Also, cops are misusing the Punisher’s symbol, turning it into something it's not. Frank Castle might not be able to sit this one out. He will protect the city and maybe finally stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Matt Murdock.

Plus, let’s not forget that wall full of photos and the stash of weapons in his lair. He’s working on something. Maybe that will be shown in the finale. Maybe it’ll spill into the upcoming Punisher spin-off. Nevertheless, Frank Castle isn’t done in Daredevil: Born Again.

Stay tuned to Soap Central for more updates and detailed coverage on Daredevil: Born Again.

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