In addition to Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), Daredevil: Born Again will reintroduce Frank Castle/The Punisher (Jon Bernthal) to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Frank was first introduced in Daredevil Season 2 before headlining his own Netflix series for two seasons. Given that The Punisher featured several other Daredevil characters, including Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll), some viewers may need a refresher on where Season 2 left these characters before they return in the upcoming Disney+ series.
Frank Castle’s Journey to Fully Embracing His Identity as The Punisher
One common criticism of the Marvel Netflix series was their tendency to have protagonists struggle with their identities, often attempting to abandon their crime-fighting missions. The Punisher was no exception. While Daredevil already linked Frank’s family’s murder to a larger conspiracy, Season 1 of The Punisher expanded on this before concluding with Frank seemingly walking away from his vigilante persona. However, this approach frustrated fans, as the character is typically depicted in comics as unwavering in his war on crime.
Season 2 resolved this by having Frank fully commit to being The Punisher. After hesitating to kill Billy Russo (Ben Barnes), his former friend turned enemy suffering from memory loss, Frank visits his family’s graves. Following this, he tells his allies that he has accepted his violent nature and resumes wearing the iconic Punisher skull emblem. From this moment on, Frank no longer struggles with his identity and relentlessly pursues both Billy and the Schultz crime family, who have targeted teenager Amy Bendix (Giorgia Whigham).
Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle (Photo: The Punisher/Marvel)The final episode, “The Whirlwind,” sees Frank finally execute Billy Russo after a gunfight with Homeland Security agent Dinah Madani (Amber Rose Revah). After also eliminating the Schultz family, he ensures Amy’s safety by arranging for her to attend a diving school in Florida, fulfilling her long-held dream. Although Frank acknowledges that protecting Amy has changed his life, the final scene of the series suggests that he remains firmly entrenched in his violent ways.
When approached by Madani—now a CIA agent—about joining the agency for covert missions, Frank declines, stating that he already has a job. The last scene shows him donning his full Punisher attire, interrupting a meeting between two criminal gangs, and opening fire. This indicates that Frank has fully embraced his role as The Punisher. However, it remains to be seen whether Born Again will depict him in the same state or introduce him in a different phase of his life, depending on the in-universe time gap between the two series.
Karen Page and Frank Castle’s Relationship
Karen Page played a key role in The Punisher Season 1 but appeared in only one episode of Season 2. However, her appearance is significant, as it marks a major turning point in her relationship with Frank. After Billy frames Frank for the murder of innocent women, Frank is arrested and hospitalized. Karen visits him, revealing her deep concern and growing romantic feelings for him. She urges Frank to move on from the memory of his late wife, Maria, warning him that he cannot keep living in the past.
Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle (Photo: The Punisher/Marvel)Frank, however, insists that he is not the right person for Karen and encourages her to rebuild her relationship with Matt Murdock, knowing that Matt is a better man than he is. Despite this, Karen helps Frank escape custody, proving her unwavering loyalty. This unresolved tension between them could be further explored in Born Again, depending on Karen’s involvement in the series.
As Frank makes his escape from the hospital, he is confronted by Brett Mahoney (Royce Johnson), an NYPD detective and longtime ally of Daredevil. Initially, Mahoney intends to detain Frank and bring him to the precinct, but their plans are interrupted when an assassin sent by the Schultz family attacks. During the ensuing battle, Frank saves Mahoney’s life. Though Mahoney initially threatens to shoot Frank to prevent him from escaping, he ultimately lets him go.
Mahoney’s fate in Born Again remains uncertain, as does his dynamic with Frank. If he returns, his past encounter with Frank could lead to a more complex relationship between the two. With Born Again set to bring back Frank Castle, it will be interesting to see how the series builds upon these unresolved storylines and whether it fully embraces Frank’s vigilante persona or reintroduces new conflicts for his character.
