Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Daredevil: Born AgainFoggy Nelson’s death inDaredevil: Born Againepisode 1 is too significant anMCUevent to be brushed aside as quickly as episodes 2 and 3 have.Daredevil: Born Againepisodes 1 and 2take Matt Murdock’s life in a brand-new direction thanks to a traumatic event that forces him to question his principles. Though long-timeDaredevilfans may not like the way it happened, Marvel Studios found a way to launch a brand-new era for Daredevil within the MCU without doing any major retcons to Matt Murdock’s story.
Elden Henson’s Foggy Nelson spent three seasons of Netflix’sDaredevilbeing Matt Murdock’s best friend, and even though he struggled to accept Matt’s double life as Daredevil, he stuck by his friend’s side. Both lawyers made their dream come true as they established their law firm together alongside Karen Page.Unfortunately, everything comes crashing down inDaredevil: Born Againepisode 1’s opening sequence, whereBullseye murders Foggy Nelson with a sniper bulletbefore Matt Murdock or Karen Page can do anything to help him.
Foggy’s Death Was Devastating In Daredevil: Born Again Episode 1
Foggy Nelson’s Death Wreaks Havoc On Matt Murdock’s Life
Foggy Nelson’s death is incredibly abrupt. Foggy is unable to utter a single word or make any gesture after being hit. Meanwhile, an enraged Daredevil does everything he can to incapacitate Bullseye as Foggy’s heartbeats fade out. Once both Matt and the viewer realize Foggy is unequivocably dead, Matt"crosses the line"and tries to kill Bullseye. To make matters worse, Bullseye falls next to Karen Page, who seems to believe it’s Matt who fell from the rooftop.There are few MCU events as violent and traumatic asDaredevil: Born Againepisode 1’s opening action sequence.
Was That Really Punisher In Daredevil: Born Again Episode 3?!
Daredevil: Born Again episode 3’s massive twist places the spotlight on a mystery character who may or may not be Frank Castle a.k.a. The Punisher.
Other details cement Foggy Nelson’s death as an indelible tragedy in Matt Murdock’s life. Daredevil fails to save many innocent people from Bullseye’s attacks while fighting the villain, and Bullseye’s shameless laugh when Foggy’s heart stops beating confirms to Daredevil that it’s impossible for Benamin Poindexter to feel any empathy. Foggy’s late confession that he didn’t inform Matt about his suspicions in order to prevent Matt from resorting to his Daredevil persona also weighs on Matt’s conscience. In the end, Foggy Nelson’s death also leads Matt Murdock and Karen Page to take different paths in life.
Daredevil: Born Again Moves On Too Quickly After Foggy’s Death
Image via Disney+
Foggy Nelson’s death probably earned itself a spot among the most tragic events in the entire MCU. However,Daredevil: Born Againskips one year ahead shortly after Foggy’s death, and Karen Page exits the picture as soon as Bullseye is convicted. Speaking of which, Benjamin Poindexter’s trial takes place off-screen, andDaredevil: Born Againepisode 3’s intense Hector Ayala trialonly brings attention to the fact that Bullseye’s trial would have been an exciting subplot, though Bullseye’s inevitable return could make up for it.
Kirsten is practically Foggy Nelson’s replacement, as she sticks by Matt Murdock’s side despite his unorthodox strategies
One year after Foggy Nelson’s death, Matt Murdock has already started working on high-profile cases at his new law firm, and he has found two new loyal companions in his partners, Cherry and Kirsten McDuffie. Kirsten is practically Foggy Nelson’s replacement, as she sticks by Matt Murdock’s side despite his unorthodox strategies, and she covers for him if necessary. The biggest difference between Kirsten and Foggy at this point is that Kirsten doesn’t know about Matt’s Daredevil persona yet, although she seems like the kind of person who would accept it after confronting Matt for keeping it a secret from her.
Daredevil: Born Again Needs To Make Foggy’s Death Mean More
The MCU Still Needs To Make Foggy Nelson’s Death More Relevant
Foggy Nelson’s death kicked off the events ofDaredevil: Born Again, and it will continue to influence Matt Murdock’s decision throughout season 1, season 2, and probably all his future MCU appearances. However,the MCU risks relegating Foggy’s death to an inciting event, ignoring that Elden Henson’s Foggy Nelson was one of the main characters of Netflix’s three seasons of Daredevil.Foggy Nelson was essential to Matt Murdock’s double life as Daredevil, probably more than Wilson Fisk. Such a central character deserves more than an emotional death in his first MCU appearance.
Daredevil: Born Again Better Bring Back Bullseye
While Daredevil: Born Again episode 3 ups the ante with a shocking twist despite Benjamin Poindexter’s absence, Bullseye’s return may be inevitable.
Daredevil: Born Againepisode 3 suggests thatthe Punisher kills White Tiger after the latter’s trial. Regardless of the true culprit behind the vigilante’s death, Hector Ayala received enough screentime to become a fully three-dimensional character inDaredevil: Born Again, whereas Foggy Nelson barely received enough time on screen to remind audiences how important he was to Matt Murdock. Given that Elden Henson is confirmed to return inDaredevil: Born Againseason 2, the MCU will likely explore Foggy more deeply, at least through flashbacks.
