Daredevil Born Again Episode 8 Ending Explained

Nivedita Dubey
April 11, 2025

Summary:

In Daredevil Born Again episode 8, Matt Murdock saves Wilson Fisk from an assassination attempt by Bullseye at a gala, taking a bullet in the process.
Dex fully embraces his Bullseye persona, escaping Ryker’s Island and attempting to kill Fisk.
The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with Matt wounded, Fisk politically vulnerable, and Dex on the loose.

Why Does Matt Murdock Save Wilson Fisk in Episode 8?

Daredevil Born Again Episode 8 - Disney+ — Daredevil Born Again Episode 8 – Disney+

The ending of Daredevil: Born Again episode 8 centers on Matt Murdock’s choice to save Wilson Fisk during an assassination attempt by Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter. Despite Fisk ordering Foggy Nelson’s death, Matt protects his enemy—an action rooted in morality and strategy.

Matt’s decision echoes his ongoing struggle between justice and vengeance. His Catholic faith remains a guiding force, forbidding him from letting even a villain like Fisk die. In Daredevil season 3, Matt chose not to kill Fisk and instead imprisoned him. That internal compass remains intact, even after Foggy’s murder.

Beyond faith, Matt recognizes that Fisk’s death could martyr him. With Fisk positioned as a political reformer against vigilante justice, a public assassination could strengthen his image. By saving him, Matt retains the chance to expose his crimes through legal means—honoring Foggy’s belief in the law.

Matt’s bullet wound symbolizes the personal cost of that decision. He sacrifices both physically and emotionally, protecting the man who caused his greatest loss. Visually, the red of Matt’s suit contrasts with the blue hue of Dex’s sniper vision—a clash of ideologies between heroism and vengeance.

How Does Dex Fully Become Bullseye in This Episode?

Benjamin Poindexter’s transformation into Bullseye is solidified in episode 8 through his violent escape from Ryker’s Island and failed assassination of Fisk. After being moved to general population—effectively a death sentence—Dex kills a guard and a doctor using a broken tooth as a weapon, a chilling display of improvised lethality.

The entire prison break sequence is bathed in blue, visually signifying Dex’s descent into his Bullseye identity. The color not only mirrors his comic-accurate costume, but also aligns with his cogmium-enhanced vision—a scientific upgrade introduced in season 3 that gives him uncanny marksmanship.

His infiltration of Fisk’s gala is personal. Fisk used Dex as a fake Daredevil in season 3, manipulating him and destroying his life. The assassination attempt is meant to be a final act of vengeance, but it fails when Matt intervenes.

Dex’s failure plants the seed for a deeper vendetta. In the comics, Bullseye’s rivalry with Daredevil is fueled by repeated defeats. Now free, Dex represents a volatile, unpredictable force, unlike Fisk’s calculated criminality. His escape ensures his return in the finale—and potentially beyond.

What Does Fisk’s Survival Mean for His Political Campaign?

Wilson Fisk survives the assassination attempt, but the event destabilizes his image of control. The gala was staged as a political power move to boost his mayoral campaign, but Dex’s attack exposes vulnerabilities Fisk worked hard to conceal.

Though visibly shaken, Fisk is likely to spin the incident to his advantage. His history of media manipulation—framing vigilantes like the Punisher earlier in the season—suggests he’ll blame the attack on rising vigilante violence, using it to justify harsher crackdowns.

Vanessa Marianna-Fisk’s presence at the gala is notable. Her influence over Fisk has increased this season, encouraging him to stay “clean” politically. But her reaction to the shooting may pull him back toward his Kingpin persona. She is not entirely innocent; in episode 6, she orchestrated the movement of corrupt officers, indicating her active role in Fisk’s empire.

Fisk’s survival preserves his role as the show’s primary antagonist. But the shooting shakes his control, showing that his enemies—including Daredevil and Bullseye—are closer than he thought.

How Do Karen and Vanessa Reflect the Stakes for Matt and Fisk?

The ending subtly contrasts Karen Page and Vanessa Fisk, highlighting the emotional stakes for Matt and Wilson. As chaos erupts, Karen rushes to Matt, and Vanessa to Wilson—both women representing emotional anchors for the men at the heart of the conflict.

Karen Page, aware of Matt’s double life, continues to push him toward justice rather than vengeance. With Foggy gone, Karen may become more involved in Matt’s mission, reinforcing the ideals Foggy stood for.

Vanessa, on the other hand, is a symbol of Fisk’s duality. While she encourages his political ambitions, her willingness to engage in criminal tactics complicates her morality. She may be the catalyst that either reins Fisk in—or pushes him toward further brutality.

The juxtaposition of these two characters underscores the emotional complexity of the finale. Both women influence pivotal choices and may be instrumental in determining the outcome of Matt and Fisk’s final confrontation.