SEASON 1

Into the Ring

She's at rock bottom when they walk in. They're young and their suits are clean but hardly bespoke. Yet they carry themselves with a certain confidence that reassures her, and it's not long until she gives in and starts trusting them.

She likes the blond one first. He's warm and genuine, just the type you'd want on your side if you needed a lawyer.

There's something in the way the blind one turns to her which unnerves her, but there's also something in his voice which says he believes her. He will fight for her. For now, that will do.

Cut Man

"I enjoy this," the man in black says, dangling a police officer over the edge of her building.

Claire, her breath hot underneath the ripped-up t-shirt she is wearing as a mask, can't work out if he's telling the truth or not. She can't read much from this guy, apart from an unbelievable capacity to deal with pain. Her training tells her he's definitely blind, but the way he moves is far beyond any visually-impaired person she's ever met.

She tells him she doesn't believe that he gets a kick out of this, but she's far from certain she's right.

Rabbit in a Snow Storm

If he were honest, Wesley thought hiring Nelson & Murdock would be easier. He had expected them to jump straight at the check – and if it had just been Nelson, there would have been no hesitation. Murdock is tougher to read and all Wesley gets from him is mild distrust.

Of course they go for it, in the end. Any firm starting out would take a job with that much money at stake. What surprises Wesley more is the skilled defence they give Healey. Nelson's opening is eloquent; Murdock's closing is inspired. These two are far from just ambulance chasers.

In the Blood

Vanessa has had many propositions from customers over the years. Some she has accepted, some she has spurned.

Approaches from richer, older men are hardly new, but there's something different about Wilson Fisk. He's shy, for a start. Most of those with the obvious wealth he has (the understated, perfectly cut suit, the way he bought Rabbit in a Snowstorm without hesitation) are confident with it, but he seems ill at ease.

He's fascinating, but when their dinner date comes to an abrupt end and he hurries her out, she can't decide whether she's fascinated enough to risk another meeting.

World on Fire

Matthew's fingers on her back are achingly gentle as he probes the cuts and tells her she has a hairline rib fracture. She hadn't been sure, herself, and she can't believe that he can hear a bone shift or taste fresh blood on the air.

She's not quite sure what she's doing here, with a man who's still more than half a stranger, and of whom she's still more than a little scared. But she knows when he leans in to kiss her that the fear and fascination could shift in a moment to more. And that's scarier than anything.

Condemned

For a few moments Matt thinks about actually surrendering. Time seems to slow, as the police keep yelling. At his feet, Vladimir's breathing is heavy and his heart racing.

He focuses in. Steps slowly across Vladimir's body. Kneels, hands above his head; the handcuffs snap on. Breathes. And moves.

In the days of training, they tried this once or twice. Stick would tie his hands together and he'd have to escape the bonds. Muscle memory with a dash of desperation does the trick, and he's free before the police have a clue what's hit them, and away before they wake.

Stick

Twenty damn years he's had that bracelet in his pocket. Twenty years, and now it's gone, after a ridiculous fight with the kid. Stick puts his hand in his pocket, wiggles it around: no, there's definitely no hole, and it's definitely gone.

He's sure Matty will find it. Despite himself, he's impressed with what the boy's achieved. Wherever he trained, he lost none of the promise he had as a kid.

The morals remain an issue, but Stick knows that seeking to rid Matty of them is pointless.

He puts his hand in his empty pocket. Time to stop trying.

Shadows in the Glass

The perfect omelette, by Wilson Fisk:

Preparation is key. Chop your herbs, have salt and pepper ready, and ensure the pan is hot.

Crack two eggs in a bowl. Add a splash of milk, and whisk well. Melt your butter and pour in the eggs. They must cook quickly, but not too quickly. Toss the omelette to ensure it is slightly brown on both sides. Fold it and slip it on to a plate.

Eat warm, with fresh bread, and season to taste.

Extra pleasure may be found by sharing your breakfast with someone else, if she can be found.

Speak of the Devil

When Elena Pérez was young, she dreamed of a better life in a place that was not Guatemala City.

She arrived in New York City aged 22, with only a couple of cousins' addresses to fall back on. She found work, met Juan Cardenas, and married. They tried several times for children, but after three miscarriages the doctors told Elena to stop.

Juan died early, and Elena lived alone, her life zeroing in on the tenement. She had friends and hobbies, but her home was her safety net. She once said she would never leave it alive; she was right.

Nelson v. Murdock

He watches as Claire patches Matt up, and tries to ask her questions which she won't answer. When she goes, Foggy is left with the bloody and beaten body of his best friend.

The day is agony. Agony because nothing that Matt says helps. He apologises, but Foggy's not sure what his friend is apologising for. For lying? For being the Devil? For not wanting to give up the madness?

As the night falls Foggy leaves, knowing Matt won't be able to follow and being glad of it. The dream has died, and it hurts more than he's ever known.

The Path of the Righteous

Weeks earlier, Matthew Murdock had asked Father Lantom if he believed in the Devil, and the priest had spoken true. At the time he had not been sure if it had helped Matthew; now, looking at the broken figure before him, Father Lantom is pretty sure it had not.

He'd read the stories about the masked man, and he'd heard from parishioners who had been saved from muggings by him. Murdock seems convinced the Devil himself is driving his actions. As he looks into red lenses, Lantom hopes he can persuade Matthew of his own belief. This is God's work.

The Ones We Leave Behind

Ben Urich had never wanted to be anything other than a journalist. He started out as a cub reporter on a local freesheet, scouring the streets for gossip which could turn into stories. He moved to the Bulletin a year later; did his share of door-knocking and hanging around outside courthouses and council chambers waiting for that brief moment where a statement could be forthcoming.

He always had a nose for a story, and when one came along there was nobody better than Ben to pursue it to its end.

Ben Urich died as he had lived: as a truth-seeker.

Daredevil

The suit feels good. It fits perfectly – Melvin has done his work well. It flexes where it needs to flex, yet the protective material has the strength he needs to stop what must be stopped.

Matt feels the two little horns with amusement. Might as well feed the myth, after all. A little extra fear in the heart of a criminal would hardly do his cause any harm.

With a smile, he puts on the cowl, and jumps. The man in the black mask is gone. The Devil of Hell's Kitchen has stepped aside, and in his place is Daredevil.