For a broken and dangerous character like Bullseye, redemption was never a possibility. He wasn’t misunderstood or conflicted. He was disordered with flawless precision. And yet, ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ season 2 just did something it has never done before.
It gave him a moment that actually mattered. No complete metamorphosis. No moral awakening. And, literally, a crack in the armor. And that is how these things start.
Bullseye’s Future Just Got A Lot More Complicated
In ‘Daredevil: Born Again’, the transformation does not come at the hands of Bullseye himself; it comes from Matt Murdock. Rather than succumbing to anger or revenge, Matt makes the more difficult decision: he shows mercy. And that is no easy thing. This is the man who caused massive casualties, like the death of Foggy Nelson.
Related: Daredevil Just Got A Cosmic Upgrade And His New Powers Break Every Rule
All instincts ought to lead Matt to seek justice or vengeance. However, he doesn’t. He offers Bullseye an option. Do one good thing. It is a very simple concept, nearly naive at the very surface. But for someone like Benjamin Poindexter, it is radical. And, surprisingly, he does.
It is not just a plot point; it is evidence that even the worst characters can make a good choice when it counts. That does not take away the past. It doesn’t make him “good.” However, it does open a door that did not exist previously.
Bullseye Is Not A Hero, But Maybe Something More Interesting
This is where the trouble comes in. Bullseye is not just turning into a hero. That would be coerced, even disingenuous. Instead, what the show is foreshadowing is an anti-hero who is shaped by harm, not by redemption. Consider less wholesome change, more uncomfortable development.
In case you missed it: ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2 Turns Hell’s Kitchen Into A War Zone
That brings him nearer to the likes of Punisher, someone who exists in the gray, where the lines between right and wrong are blurred depending on the viewpoint. And, frankly, that is better than Bullseye could have ever had in terms of a traditional redemption arc.
The real question is whether he wants to change or if this is just a temporary deviation. One good deed is a start. It is not a pattern yet. Still, there’s something undoubtedly compelling about this. And that might be the most dangerous version of Bullseye we’ve ever seen.
You might like to read: Will Luke Cage Return In ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Alongside Jessica Jones?
