Beginners Guide To The Netflix Marvel Television Universe

Even if you’re not a comic book fan, you’ve undoubtedly experienced the empire that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially on the big screen. They consistently put out quality films that appeal to a variety of people, with varying levels of comic book knowledge. What’s great is that you don’t necessarily need to be a comic reader to enjoy them. Do you fit somewhere in here?

If you answered yes, then there is a whole other market that you should be experiencing. On Netflix, there are several series that all take place in diverse areas of NYC, are all vastly different, but have one important thing in common: they’re all Marvel comic book characters. These superheroes aren’t all unknown either, as a few have already hit the big screen in some capacity, but Netflix gives them a platform to really explore these roles, past just the costumes and the action.

With perfectly cast leads, indelible villains, incredible supporting roles, and intelligent writing, this group is hard to forget. I’m referring, of course, to The Defenders and subsequent MCU. Maybe you’ve never heard of them or have – but never tried them out. Perhaps you’ve sampled, but never truly gave them a chance to grow on you. As a big comic fan, and an appreciator of the lengths this streaming service has gone, I’ve ingested all of the seasons associated with these characters. I truly believe they’re worth the time. With the recent release of Luke Cage season 2, I thought it could be valuable (and let’s be honest – fun) to revisit the Netflix Marvel universe.

I think it’s important to watch them in order of release. It truly makes a difference. You’ll notice as you read on that I’ve decided to detail them in order of their release to make that easier. This isn’t a full-on recap of every season, or a spoiler ridden bomb I’m dropping on you.

It’s a guide to this hero-filled universe. Use it wisely.

Daredevil: Season One (Drew Goddard)

Matt Murdoch. You might have caught the 2003 Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner disaster that bordered on being a comedy. This is not that. Charlie Cox plays the titular character, who, despite the loss of his eyesight, has significantly increased other senses, which he has honed over the years. While he’s a lawyer by day with his best friend Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson), at night he becomes Daredevil, a masked vigilante protecting Hell’s Kitchen.

Season one of Daredevil has the shiny glow of a new toy, but don’t be fooled; there’s nothing light about it.

It serves as the introduction to this world, and what will eventually progress into The Defenders. Who better to take the first step? As Matt Murdoch, Cox is a genuine fighter of evil, righting wrongs even if it means risking his life. Unlike some of the others you’ll meet, he’s not working from a point of revenge or reluctance. He’s the real deal, hero, and he refuses to take lives. Season one also has one of the best villains in all of the shows (2^nd to Kilgrave, but I’ll get to that later) with The Kingpin AKA Wilson Fisk, played by Vincent D’Onofrio.

While he’s protecting the city he meets Karen (Deborah Ann Woll), who begins working at their small law firm, Nelson and Murdoch. There’s also some great roles by Scott Glenn as Stick, the man who trained and raised Matt, and Claire Temple, a nurse played by Rosario Dawson. Her role is extensive in the Netflix Marvel universe, as she threads in and out of the different characters’ lives.

With Daredevil season 1 you get the first bite, and it’s a tasty one. There’s the examination of the dark underbelly with the crime lord Fisk, and the expertly choreographed fight sequences that play out like art on screen. Intrigued yet?

Jessica Jones: Season One (Melissa Rosenberg)

I always have a tough time saying which series and season is my favorite, but one thing I know? It’s damn difficult to try to name a reason why Jessica Jones season one isn’t.

The sardonic, alcohol chugging, leather jacket wearing, packs-a-mean punch Jessica, played to perfection by Krysten Ritter, is an integral part of The Defenders. She’s resistant, and she works incredibly hard against the motion of inevitability that is her becoming a hero. Jessica has a business called Alias investigations where she works as a private eye, generally following and capturing spouses on camera, who are unfaithful.

Jessica is brought into the heroic world when a case comes that sparks her attention. There’s something dangerously familiar about it, and we are soon introduced to the sinister Kilgrave (David Tennant) from her past. Kilgrave has superhuman powers too and is able to speak commands, forcing anyone to submit. In her investigations she reels in her friend Trish Walker (Rachael Taylor), lawyer Jeri Hogarth (Carrie-Anne Moss), and bar owner Luke Cage (Mike Colter).

Part of what makes Jessica Jones so riveting is her well-earned shield of armor: her relentless quips and disdain to keep people at a distance. Yes, she’s got superhuman strength, but the real toughness comes in her combating her real-life boogie-man. And what a monster he is. The trauma that Kilgrave caused is an integral part of her character, which makes her eventual defiance that much sweeter.

As Kilgrave, Tennant embodies everything women fear in a controlling male figure, making his turn (shiny and suave in his fancy suits) terrifying. His ability to use Jones, or anyone he desires, like a personal puppet, makes him one of the most dangerous villains in the MCU.

What Fisk did for Daredevil, Kilgrave does for Jones.

She might just be my spirit animal.

Daredevil: Season Two (Drew Goddard)

The sophomore season of Daredevil doesn’t pull punches. Things are… complicated. How do you add to Wilson Fisk in season one? Well, you get the introduction of Elektra Natchios (Elodie Yung), a femme fatale from his past, the reoccurring ninja group The Hand, and a tricky relationship with Frank Castle AKA The Punisher. Remember his oath to not take lives? Well, Castle doesn’t live by that code. Not. At. All. It’s really throwing Daredevil for a loop.

On top of all of that, Murdoch finds it difficult to maintain both of his “lives.” Can he navigate the criminal world as a vigilante and a lawyer? Can he become emotionally and romantically involved with someone, or is it all for not?

There’s a lot jam-packed into this season, and it barely comes up for air, which is a good and bad thing. While the first season had more of a traceable progression, this one is a bit scattered. Still, it doesn’t disappoint.

The decision to bring in Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle was a great one. He’s broody and dangerous, but also…tragic. By the end of this season, Matt Murdoch is irrevocably changed.

Luke Cage: Season One (Cheo Hodari Coker)

As another disinclined hero, ex-con Luke Cage (Mike Colter) tends to stay out of the spotlight. This hoodie-wearer with a troubled past knows that he’s strong and bulletproof, but he’s also got fresh wounds inflicted from Jessica Jones, and so he wants to remain out of the fray.

Of course, it doesn’t work out that way.

His days hiding out at a local barbershop are over. Harlam’s mobster Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes (Mahershala Ali) and his cousin, politician Mariah Dillard (Alfre Woodard) run the town. Eventually, this is unavoidable for Luke. Theo Rossi is Hernan ‘Shades’ Alvarez, one of Cottonmouth’s associates who Cage has a history with, and Frank Whaley plays the dirty detective Rafael Scarfe. Not everybody can be bought, though, and beside Cage, there’s detective Misty Knight (Simone Missick), another addition who frequents the Netflix Marvel scene. As well as Rosario Dawson’s Claire Temple, who seems to be The Defenders’ personal, on-call nurse.

One of the best parts about this Harlem Hero is the casting. Mike Colter, as we saw in Jessica Jones season 1, is spectacular. Even though this season is a bit of a slow burn, we’re inclined to watch because of the masterful performances and great dialogue.

There’s also a terrific soundtrack. Luke Cage has a certain appeal that the previous shows didn’t have, and it is the undeniable style. The sequences where Cage kicks ass concentrate on his power, showing the locomotive that he is, proving that he’s unstoppable (or is he?). Erik LaRay Harvey‘s Willis ‘Diamondback’ Stryker might have something to say about that. One thing I love about all of these shows/characters is that they each have a different fighting style. Therefore, how it’s shown on screen is also varied.

Iron Fist: Season One (Scott Buck)

Generally considered the weakest individual season, with good reason, Iron Fist takes an interesting story and somehow makes it less so. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it, because I did. However, there isn’t care taken with the characters (or the fighting) like some of its predecessors. With the story so infused with Kung-Fu, it’s disappointing that they don’t capitalize on displaying that. That all being said: Iron Fist still works as a necessary introduction to the final member of The Defenders.

Danny Rand (Finn Jones) was thought to be dead when his plane went down in the Himalayas, killing his parents. He grows up in the mystical realm of K’un-Lu’n, becoming an expert in martial arts, where he inherits the coveted power of the Iron Fist. When harnessed, the glowing fist has enormous potential strength.

When he returns to NYC after fifteen years, he’s reunited with those who have taken over his family business, his second family, the Meachums. Jessica Stroup is Joy, Tom Pelphrey is Ward, and an excellently manipulative David Wenham is their father Harold. Their reactions vary on Danny’s return, and they all become integral parts in his story as he tries to balance the business that’s rightfully his and the power of the Iron Fist.

Can he be both?

Jessica Henwick plays Colleen Wing, a resilient dojo owner. Her character is one of the highlights of the series, as she grudgingly becomes Danny’s sidekick. Her sensei, Ramon Rodriguez stars as Bakuto, the leader of The Hand, whom worms their way into Danny’s life consistently, due to his power. Guess who pops up once more? Rosario Dawson as Claire Temple. Her character deepens in the context of Rand’s story, and she’s not finished yet.

There are some stimulating places that this lighter show goes, and it definitely finds its chi closer to the end. While Jones might not be as charismatic as the other Defenders, his youthful charm (and subsequent immaturity) brings something new to the table once more.

And it’s becoming quite the dinner party.

The Defenders: Season One (Douglas Petrie & Marco Ramirez)

This is the amalgamation we’ve been waiting for. Does it fulfill?

The Avengers was an accumulation of everything that had come before it. An explosion of characters and storylines, strong personalities, and lots of testosterone. The Defenders has that same anticipation heading in, but is slightly deflated on its way out. Even so, there were some classic moments, some interestingly coordinated fight scenes, and some terrific word-play between our leads.

Jessica and Luke seeing each other again? Jessica’s attitude and Murdoch’s seriousness? Luke and Danny becoming my favorite buddy-cop movie in the making? All fun questions to discover the answers to, even if this eight-episode stinger doesn’t quite match its full potential.

There’s plenty to love about it. Most of the supporting characters from all their own shows have parts. Especially standout are characters Misty Knight, Claire Temple and Colleen Wing, who have memorable arcs. Sigourney Weaver has a notable turn as one of this season’s villains, Alexandra Reid, and she’s exceptionally wicked. The Hand, who just can’t seem to want to leave Danny and the group alone, makes another appearance.

The Punisher: Season One (Steve Lightfoot)

As the most violent of the shows, Frank Castle’s story isn’t a particularly happy one. If you’re familiar with the character at all, you know his wife and children were murdered, hence the start of his unquenchable thirst for vengeance. Some of that was fulfilled in Daredevil season 2, but as it turns out, the conspiracy behind the murders goes further than he expected.

You might have even caught the previous film adaptations (there’s been a few), notably one starring Thomas Jane and John Travolta, which I’m not ashamed to say I like. This version, however, is superior.

While the gruff Castle is trying to hide out after the events of Daredevil season 2, he just can’t seem to escape trouble. Enter, Micro/David Lieberman (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) a former NSA analyst who feels Castle and him can help one another. Also prominent is Amber Rose Revah as Dinah Madani, an agent for Homeland Security, who crosses paths with Castle.

Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page is back, finding it difficult to stay away from the skulled-emblem Punisher.

Castle is plagued by his loss but fueled by it nonetheless. Even when he tries to back away from the fight, finding himself less violently inclined than his part in Daredevil season 2, he still radiates towards danger. He’s the kind of vigilante that could potentially ruin it for the rest of them, but who you can’t help but feel for.

Jessica Jones: Season Two (Melissa Rosenberg)

Jessica never wanted to be a hero, and now everybody knows who she is. What’s a cynic to do? While still healing from the events of Kilgrave and that of The Defenders, Jessica tries to fill her time with Alias Investigations. Her best friend Trish Walker (who has her own struggles with purpose and power) tries to get her to dig up dirt on her past, and those responsible for her gaining abilities, but Jessica tries to avoid it. With the help of neighbor/friend Malcolm Ducasse (Eka Darville) she does eventually look into the group responsible, IGH, leading her further down the rabbit hole.

Without Kilgrave there is some floundering in the start, as Jessica Jones season two tries to pinpoint its narrative identity. It succeeds. There’s a lot of depth to all of the main characters’ arcs this season that dabble in some pretty serious dramatic elements, among them: trauma, addiction, abuse and loss. Carrie-Ann Moss as the cold lawyer, Jeri Hogarth, gives her character a vulnerable performance that particularly stands out.

In comparison, the second season of Jessica Jones doesn’t have the same concise gripping story as the first, but there’s a genuine dive into the lead character’s history that makes it a must-see. At the end of the day this is the same noir-superhero drama, with the magnetic yet snarky Krysten Ritter at the helm. How can you not watch it?

Luke Cage: Season Two (Cheo Hodari Coker)

Guess who’s back? Now that everybody knows who Luke is (the same as Jones) things are… different. He’s a celebrity and with that comes positive and negative connotations. Shades is back, and Mariah Dillard, both equally invested in bringing Cage down, and both have a complex journey over the course of the season. Misty Knight suffered in The Defenders, and she works to rebuild herself, with the help of Colleen Wing (from Iron Fist). Claire Temple, Luke’s girlfriend, is also a returning character.

New blood: Mustafa Shakir as John ‘Bushmaster’ McIver and Tilda Johnson (Gabrielle Dennis), Mariah’s estranged daughter. Neither of these new arrivals are good for Mariah’s business, and with Luke’s heroism thrown into the mix – it’s quite a dynamic.

Season two of Luke Cage builds upon its first season with more spot-on performances, another terrific soundtrack, and even more action. There’s a significant level of development in the characters in this return to Harlem, that makes it pull ahead of the first. Like some of the other seasons there is the occasional slump, sensible with a thirteen-episode length, but it’s difficult to discredit any choices in the series when the final few episodes of each always seem to solidify their purpose. All of the aforementioned series use the city like another character, which makes the set-pieces integral in their telling, and Luke Cage is no exception.

Conclusion: Netflix’s Entertaining, Superhero-Filled Ride

In all of the shows there’s a real sense of identity instilled in them. They are each their own self-contained story, with a unique style and tone. However, there’s also a link, bringing them all together. That’s why I recommend watching in order, so you can learn about the characters as intended. It makes a difference if you discover Frank Castle in Daredevil first, and the same goes for Luke Cage in Jessica Jones. These are plot points for a reason.

There’s are many worthy characters and storylines at play here, and if you ever feel yourself slipping -considering giving up – well, I’m just going to leave you with Stick’s (Scott Glenn) advice to Matt Murdoch:

“You gonna spend your life crying and rocking yourself to sleep at night? Or are you gonna dig deep and find out what it takes to reshuffle those cards life dealt you? Your call.”

It’s your call.

Have you watched these? What did you think? Who’s your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

All of the shows mentioned are available to stream on Netflix. Though specific dates haven’t been released yet, Daredevil season 3 will be released later this year, and Iron Fist season 2 in 2018 as well. The Punisher season 2 is also being filmed.