Following in the footsteps of other original programming from Netflix such as House of Cards, Daredevil is a dimly lit show with an even darker atmosphere. With that said, another aspect it holds in common with House of Cards is the quality. Before the title card is even shown, Daredevil is enthralling and the lead actor, Charlie Cox, is captivating as blind lawyer, and vigilante, Daredevil.
Episode 1 follows the story of Karen Page, and a mysterious murder that appears to happen in her apartment, with Ms. Page herself being the sole suspect. One of the best ways to describe the atmosphere of this episode would be that, "It is like Christopher Nolan directed an episode of Law and Order". Deborah Ann Woll who plays "Karen Page" is both mysterious and heartbreaking in her attempts to defend her innocence.
One of the best aspects of this new version of Daredevil is its pacing, which allows for intense character development without shoving all the information down your throat at once. The relationship between Foggy, Matt Murdocks partner at their law firm and best friend, is established without being exaggerated. There is no rush for you to be receiving information, and rather the fact that the audience does not have all the answers is what makes the series so captivating. This is a perfect example of a fantastically crafted narrative. Whilst the characters in the show have their own mystery to solve, the show poses a question to the viewer, "What do you think Karen Page has to hide?"
From start to finish, it is apparent that director Phil Abraham has a clear image for this episode. It is not to focus on the fact that Daredevil is a superhero, and by all accounts you may not even consider him one. It focuses on the injustice that has overrun Hell's Kitchen following the events of Joss Whedon's The Avengers. (Though it is never explicitly said that this show is following those events, it is hinted at multiple times.) By following this approach,Daredevil shines brightly despite being one of the darker pieces of the MCU puzzle; Creating an air of mystery and intrigue that burns into your brain well past the moment the credits roll for this episode.
Score: 10/10