And so, after a noticably uneven season that’s fast becoming typical for the Netfix arm of Marvel, we finally come to the final episode of the Punisher’s solo series. To say that the Daredevil spin-off has been uneven would be like describing Frank Castle’s demeanor as “a bit crabby”, but after over half a season wasted on a meandering plot that moved like it had been kneecapped, the show ultimately pulled it back in the final third by providing some truly phenomenal installments.
Still, while the show can pat itself on the back for providing a Punisher show that didn’t dodge the problematic issues with its controversial lead while still doling out moments of flabbergasting moments, we ain’t done yet as there’s still the final episode to address. With a (not so) final showdown on the cards between best buddies turned bitter enemies, can Frank vs Russo give the show the bloody coup de grace its comeback so richly deserves?
With Rawlins stabbed, bitten and beaten to a bloody pulp, it seems that the head has been finally cut off the snake known as Cerberus. However, while his former boss muses that he looks like he’s been “hit by a train”, the train in question isn’t quite finished yet. With former friend and confirmed turncoat, Billy Russo is still in the wind and Frank Castle isn’t about to let his betrayal stand. However, it’s Billy who makes the first move by holding mutual buddy Curtis hostage in an attempt to draw Frank out. While it works after a fashion, the two (and a wounded Curtis) find themselves locked in a stalemate and aggree to meet later that day at a neutral spot where they can finally settle their differences once and for all. Needless to say, in an attempt to be poetic, the ground chosen to be their arena ends up being the carousel near where Frank’s family met their untimely ends which will no get into Castle’s head.
Meanwhile, while Micro attempts to reintegrate with a family he hasn’t seen in a year, Agent Madani has to face the music about not only bringing the notorious vigilante known as the Punisher to her parent’s house for vital medical attention, but then letting him go immediately after. Yet she remains steadfast in her beliefs, especially since the events of the last few weeks has had her have a change of opinion over his infamous methods. However, while the final showdown looms, she just can’t keep herself out of it and as Castle and Russo make the appropriate arrangements before their meet, she figures out where the battle will be waged and races over to help.
Soon the battle is joined with Billy taking hostages in order to gain the upper hand; but after Madani catches a bullet in the head for her troubles, Russo catches a face-full of glass for his. You see, Billy was convinced he could take Castle, but taking the Punisher is a different matter entirely – but once the dust settles and the hospital bills have been tallied, were does this leave Frank and his monstrous alter ego?
Despite some moments that confirm without a shadow of a doubt that Bernthal is the best to ever wear the skull for a variety of reasons, it almost doesn’t matter how good the final episode is as some sizable damage had been done to the series thanks to the practices of its streaming home. I’ve stepped up on this soapbox before when it comes to Netflix’s treatment of its Marvel properties, but I guess I’m going to have to say it again: if you don’t have the budget or plot to confidently cover thirteen episodes, maybe jusy don’t make the show thirteen episodes. I don’t know why it’s so hard for the streaming giant to understand but virtually every character under their control (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist) has stumbled upon this problem at one time or another and Castle suffered more than many.
However, while certain aspects such as an excruciatingly slow pace and the fact that Frank only wore the skull in a mere three episodes came close to burying the show under a mountain of endless stake outs and Frank hanging around Micro’s family like a bad smell, the last four episodes managed to somehow suddenly provide some of the most hard-hitting and savage Punisher stuff ever seen on screen, thus salvaging the season somewhat. To it’s credit, while Momento Mori can’t quite live up to the cracking previous two episodes in particular, it still manages to bring everything to a mostly satisfying close despite the fact that it has to double up as a bridge to a second season. Anyone who reads Punisher comics knows that not only does Billy Russo have to survive to become Castle’s arch enemy, but he has to earn himself a fucked-up face while he’s at it to earn the future moniker of Jigsaw.
While the knowledge diminishes the surprise somewhat, the viciousness of his “origin” managed to take me back a little. While watching Dominic West take a face full of glass after being thrown into a bottle crushing machine was still pretty out-there, witnessing Castle repeated grind Russo’s mug into multiple panes of shattered mirror proves to be wonderfully squeam inducing and a fitting gateway for Ben Barnes to enter his next phase of villaindom.
However, everyone else’s story lines just kind of peter out. Sure, Micro manages to reconnect with his wife after sex in a hotel bathroom while their kids are next door (classy), but it’s an oddly quiet and unspectacular end for a man who aided the Punisher on such a drawn out mission. Conversely, Madani gets something of a more dismissive twist as she finally sides fully with Castle’s ethos and heads out to aid him against her former lover only to instantly catch a bullet to the head for her troubles. While she does survive, it’s something of a rather confounding end for a character who has been nicely flawed rather than the tough, perfect, female agent archetype that’s usually wheeled out, but this latest turn makes it feel like the writers seemingly have no idea what to do with such a strong, but ultimately troubled character.
Still, not only does Frank manage to get his legitimate revenge and finally clear the slate for his dead family, but he even gets something of a pass as the CIA technically washes him from the system. However, this does create something of a conundrum for long-time fans of the character as it also feels like the similar, out-of-character ending from The Dark Knight Rises as Batman hangs up his cape in the denouement. While we like the idea of these tireless, dedicated and tragic heroes getting something of a happy ending, seeing Frank absolved of his crimes and taking part in a support group for veterans just doesn’t feel right – especially as some comic versions of the character would rather eat a bullet than discuss their feelings.
Still, knowing Castle, it won’t last long and when a second comes our way, we’ll no doubt see him take up a brand new war to stand-in for the one raging within his battered soul. However, while this season ultimately turned out to have a kickass second half, if we could avoid a second one dragging its heels for over 50% of its installments, I’d consider it a personal favor… So in the aftermath, Bernthal confidently clings onto his claim as the best onscreen Punisher with style – but maybe don’t have him fight for it so hard next time, yeah?
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