I guess when you’re trying to build a crime eradicating operation from the ground up, it just suddenly happen overnight. No, it takes planning, patience and a whole bunch of hard work to shift from some podunk little piss-ant outfit yo a lean, mean, bad guy smiting machine – so its probably fitting that while Netflix’s The Punisher continues to slowly create Frank Castle’s little corner of the Defenders-verse, it focuses on Castle and Micro’s attempts to do the exact same thing. After the last episode, I was starting to worry that the show was sacrificing the show we wanted to see in favour of taking an extremely scenic route around the barn to hold off on any actual “punishing” until the very last minute.
With the addition of numerous subplots that – for now – seemed to be fairly superfluous, it felt that The Punisher was casting its net a bit too wide, however, with Resupply, there’s a sense that the show is starting to focus on the more important things once again.
After forming something of a tenuous partnership after their rocky introduction (kidnapping, torture and drugging is hardly the best bedrock for a healthy working relationship), in order for Frank and Micro to get their operation started, they rightly figure that they need guns. Lots of guns. However after a visit to a semi-regular face on Daredevil’s beat yields nothing more than a hot pink rifle meant for the sweet sixteen present of some monster’s daughter, the pair aim higher to try and snatch a clutch of weapons that are about to be taken in a raid by Homeland Security. Of course, before this all happens, Frank sticks the metaphorical knife into Micro’s ribs when he goes to visit his wife once more after she calls him regarding the “accident” where she hit Castle with her car.
But while Micro squirms in his chair, we cast our eyes over the rapidly growing supporting cast as they gain more relevance in the greater story. Agent Medani is positively reveling in her role of acting special agent in charge and shows it by micro managing the very weapons grab that Frank and Micro have targeted. Elsewhere, Lewis Wilson, an ex-soldier who is wound especially tight, is visited by Curtis who is worried about his mental health and wants him to return to group. However, Lewis declines, stating that he’s going to apply for a job with Billy Russo’s security firm, Anvil, but when Curtis intercedes and costs Lewis a placement, the clearly traumatised vet is less than overjoyed.
Back in the main thread we find Frank and Micro ready to roll and for most part, their mission goes without a hitch – but after Madani gives chase while they make their getaway, Micro overcompensates thanks to earlier accusations that he’s a man who rarely gets his hands dirty. With an injured Madani lying in a freshly wrecked car, even a sizable concussion can’t stop her from recognising the Punisher who, in his own inimitable way, proudly admits to murdering her old boss before daving her life. Oh Frank, you’re a such complex soul…
So, while Resupply takes a sizable step in the right direction, there’s still that frustrating issue that too many subots are diluting what could have been a fascinating and gripping couple of episodes. Just imagine if you’d stripped literally everything away from episodes 3 & 4 that had nothing to do with Frank.and Micro and then condensed their first meeting and their first mission into a single installment that focused completely on them setting their big plan in motion. No Madani, no Russo, no Lewis – just a tight hour that sees our two leads slowly edging from outright dislike to them just starting to gel. Wouldn’t that have been a rip roaring episode of television? I’m not saying that all the other stuff isn’t going to pay off, or that it isn’t relevant (a traumatised ex-soldier in a Punisher story is always relevant), but it’s just too much noise when I feel the show could be better served being as stripped back and raw as can be.
Obviously the other stuff is starting to gradually come together with lots of connective tissue and the degrees of separation are getting less with every passing episode. Curtis is linked to both Lewis and Billy, who in turn is also linked to Madani and Castle, so the supporting cast is now fairly well established, as nothing is actually going on with any of them, you can’t help but groan in annoyance every time the focus shifts away from the two main characters. It’s not exactly a fair response to have as I can see what the showrunners are shooting for, but while a lot of the supporting casts in shows like Daredevil and Jessica Jones have much more to do with the central character, here it just still feels way too superfluous.
So without any further ado, let’s get back to the boys and while we’re still quite a ways away from going full Punisher, the episode delivers quite a few kickass easter eggs for uber fans to enjoy. Seeing Turk again is obviously a treat, but beyond that, a vision of a dead crook slumped on a broken pinball machine is a direct homage to a legendarily cool Diamond Select Toys action figure and a later scene that sees Castle busting from the back of a truck with a flamethrower seems to be a nod from Garth Ennis’ seminal Welcome Back, Frank arc. It’s exactly stuff like this that season needs to be doing and other moments, such as Frank grumpily doubling down in his dislike of hipsters, or stealing a Mustang while maintaining that you should always buy American feel like neat, character accurate beats that are funny without defusing the intensity you get from a typical Jon Bernthal performance.
Beyond that, watching Frank and Micro find their feet as they attempt to turn their mutual need into a well oiled machine easily prove to be the best moments of the episode. Yes, Frank seems to be going a bit easy on the criminal fraternity in this episode as Turk and numerous other crooks escape with warnings or at the very least a mild scorching or a painful lump on their noggin, but why wouldn’t you want to see the main character on-mission even if that iconic skull is still relegated to the magnificent opening credits.
However, while Resupply delivers hope that the show can pull itself out of its early slump by delivering some classic Punisher moments, the other plot lines are still acting as a massive drag factor. Who knows, maybe the fact that a banged-up Madani now knows that Castle is still alive will light a much needed fire under the slower parts of the show and give the season the fresh clip of ammo it needs. However, while episode 4 delivers certainly delivers all the Castle/Micro bonding you could want, you shouldn’t be audibly sighing whenever they leave the screen. Flamethrowers, car chases and a death-by-pinball? Its all promising stuff, but knuckle up guys, I believe you can do better.
🌟🌟🌟
We Have Issues 