They Dared to Cancel Daredevil

After three gritty seasons, Netflix has dared to cancel Marvel's Daredevil. The cancellation of the show has left many fans devastated and in uproar. It has been reported that the series ranked fourth among Netflix's original series' and is the third Marvel series, alongside Iron Fist and Luke Cage, to be cancelled by the streaming giant. The reason for the show's cancellation is unknown, but Netflix stated in an interview with Deadline that; "We are tremendously proud of the show's last and final season and although it's painful for the fans, we feel its best to close this chapter on a high note".

To end the Marvel favorite after three seasons is a great loss, especially when the series has so much potential. Season three had only just introduced the psychopathic villain, Bullseye and ended with main protagonist Matt Murdock deciding the fate of his law company with partner Foggy Nelson and friend Karen Page. To cancel the series with so many potential storylines, is like taking a carrot from a donkey; unnecessary and evil, especially when Daredevil is so unlike most superhero stories.

Over its three seasons, Daredevil has approached the topics of loss, love, trauma, morality, identity and religion. Even during season three, Matt fought to find his identity; beginning with his vow that he would 'rather die as the devil, than live as Matt Murdock,' and by the conclusion of the series, Matt had chosen to embrace his identity as the blind lawyer and resume living in his flat as Matt Murdock. Murdock also faced the question of morality when deciding on the fate of crime boss, Wilson Fisk, and learned to embrace his religion again after his conflict with God.

It is refreshing to see such humane topics being explored amongst Marvel super heroes. Even in Jessica Jones, the private investigator faces the symptoms of PTSD, alcoholism and deals with constant loss and grief.
Exploring such topics is powerful and conveys the message that even heroes are just struggling human beings, yet are human beings who try to do the right thing and to make the world a better place.
I think that its not the heroes' abilities that make them a hero; an individual could have abilities, yet choose to be a villain, or not use them for anything at all. I think its the fact that all the Marvel heroes are struggling human beings, yet have a strong moral compass and such a compass directs them to accomplish great things; things that make them a hero.

Marvel creator Stan Lee, who died the 12th November at the age of 95, once said "I don't think superpowers automatically means there won't be any personality problems, family problems or even money problems. I just tried to write characters who are human beings who also have superpowers".

It'll honestly be a shame to lose any more Marvel series' that teaches us that its okay to be flawed, as long as we know the difference between right and wrong.
And Netflix has definitely got this wrong.     


*All three seasons of Daredevil are now on Netflix*