With the Muse arc having come and gone disappointingly quickly, the series Daredevil: Born Again reclaims its footing in its latest episode titled Isle of Joy. This penultimate episode stands out as a more confident outing than its predecessor, effectively bringing together its main characters for a climactic finish that fans have eagerly awaited.

The episode explores the increasingly fraught relationship between Matt Murdock and Heather, hinting at an impending expiration date for their romance. Following the death of Muse, Heather solidifies her anti-vigilante stance, which adds tension to her relationship with Matt. The situation becomes even more complicated when Matt discovers that Wilson Fisk is her clandestine client. This revelation occurs during an inaugural ball they attend that night, where Matt struggles to articulate the danger Fisk poses without completely unraveling their shared history. As a result, he appears paranoid to Heather, further straining their connection.

Matts day takes a turn for the worse when he receives an unexpected summons to jail from Poindexter. The episode opens with Poindexter being moved from protective custody to a general population section, a move that places him in a precarious situation among inmates who are aware of his former FBI ties.

Meanwhile, Fisk finds himself in a position of power following Muses killing, which has been falsely attributed to his task force thanks to BB Urich's scheming. He manipulates the situation to draw Daniel into his inner circle while keeping Sheila at a distance. In an unsettling turn, Fisk reveals to Vanessa that he has Adam imprisoned, leaving her to make the ultimate decision about his fate. Despite the emotional conflict, Vanessa's loyalty to Fisk prevails as she executes Adam, declaring that their past issues are dead and buried, solidifying their united front.

The developments surrounding Poindexter serve two crucial purposes: they bring Matt back to Josies bar, a notable location from the earlier episodes, and reveal to him that Foggy has been celebrating a future case. This prompts Matt to confront Dex, who is all too willing to cut a deal in exchange for information about the person who hired him to kill Foggy. In a moment of pent-up frustration, Matt retaliates by smashing Dexs face into a table, a move that has dire consequences. Soon after, Dex retaliates, spitting a tooth into a guards eye and seizing a uniform to escape back into the city.

However, before Matt can deal with Dex, the scene shifts to the party, which is buzzing with energy but suffused with tension among the main cast. BBs decision to remain close to Fisk in hopes of gathering evidence against him creates a palpable sense of danger, as Sheila feels increasingly marginalized in Fisk's power plays. The episode highlights Fisks ruthless tactics as he intimidates guests into compliance regarding his Red Hook project, revealing how close he is to achieving his nefarious goals.

As the night wears on, two significant obstacles remain before Fisk can claim victory. In a bold move, Matt takes Vanessa for a dance, inadvertently giving Fisk an opening to manipulate the situation further. While their partners are momentarily distracted, Fisk drops subtle hints that exacerbate the strain on Matt and Heathers relationship. In a confrontation between Matt and Vanessa, he expresses his knowledge of her role in hiring Poindexter to kill Foggy, revealing layers of deception that have unfolded beneath the surface.

As the episode progresses, Dex emerges as an increasingly formidable threat. The visual cues, such as the blue filter enveloping his scenes, signify his transformation back into the Bullseye persona, culminating in a violent climax. Armed with a police rifle, he takes aim at Fisk, but in a desperate act of heroism, Matt throws himself in front of the bullet. The party spirals into chaos as Matt bleeds out on the floor, dramatically illuminated in red, with Florida Mass Choirs Storm Cloud Rising playing in the background, underscoring the episodes intense emotional weight.

Written by current showrunner Dario Scardapane alongside Jesse Wigutow, Isle of Joy marks one of the three episodes created following a significant creative overhaul. This episode stands out as one of the seasons best, offering promising hints for the direction of the upcoming second season. However, viewers are left on the edge of their seats, anxiously awaiting the conclusion of this thrilling storyline in the final episode next week.