Editor’s note: The following recap contains spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again Episode 7. With over sixty victims attributed to his heinous acts, neither New York City nor the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe has encountered a serial killer as notorious as Muse. This artistic sadist is carving out a dark legacy in Daredevil: Born Again, operating in the shadows until now. As his sinister plans unfold, Muse prepares to unveil his ultimate masterpiece, which is poised to create serious challenges for Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox).

With both Matt and Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) falling back into their old patterns, a clash between the two seems inevitable. The groundwork for their confrontation has already been laid, but before their rivalry can escalate, they must address a pressing issue. Muse must be neutralized at all costs, and for a select group of characters, it won’t be long before his next move is revealed.

Kingpin’s Discontent with Daredevil’s Comeback in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Episode 7

Now that Matt has fully accepted his role as Daredevil, he should expect to endure significant physical challenges. Muse has proven himself to be a surprisingly skilled adversary, and the encounter with this serial killer has left Matt with notable injuries and bruises that don’t go unnoticed by his girlfriend, Heather Glenn (Margarita Levieva). However, a passionate moment in the shower helps divert her attention from his wounds. While Heather remains suspicious of Matt’s increasingly odd behavior, she ultimately dismisses her concerns and heads off to work.

Unlike Heather, Fisk is keenly aware of Matt’s recent activities. His suspicion that Matt has resumed the Daredevil identity grows, especially after discovering evidence at Muse’s hideout. The artistic serial killer managed to evade capture in the previous episode, leaving Matt only narrowly able to rescue the kidnapped Angela del Torr (Camila Rodriguez). Fisk holds significant leverage over Matt, fully aware that he is the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen. However, this knowledge could jeopardize Fisk’s political ambitions if he acknowledges the existence of a known vigilante. In response to this threat, Fisk assembles a vigilante-hunting task force comprised of New York’s most corrupt officers, those who have previously misused the image of the Punisher (Jon Bernthal) to rationalize police brutality. With this morally questionable team, Fisk intends to target both Daredevil and Muse, further entrenching himself in his life of crime.

While Fisk deploys his personal task force to track down New York’s latest serial killer, Matt dives headfirst into Daredevil mode, determined to follow the trail of Muse. After the task force vacates Muse’s lair, Matt seizes the opportunity to uncover valuable clues among the remnants of this twisted cruelty. What he discovers not only unveils the true identity of Muse but also reveals that this killer has been disturbingly close to Matt’s personal life.

Unveiling Muse’s Identity in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Episode 7: A Disappointing Revelation

As Murdock and Fisk tirelessly pursue Muse, Heather continues her daily responsibilities as a therapist. In today’s session, she meets with a client named Bastian (Hunter Doohan), who was briefly introduced as a fan of Heather’s work back in Episode 2 of Daredevil: Born Again. What begins as a routine therapy session takes a sinister turn when Bastian becomes increasingly cryptic about his disturbing fantasies, hinting that his troubled upbringing brings him a sense of joy for… well, let’s face it, we all know where this is headed. Bastian is the infamous Muse.

After being presented as an incredibly creative and ruthless serial killer with a growing body count, the revelation that Muse is merely a character with a single line of dialogue from earlier episodes feels like a curious choice. This character had immense potential, resembling a deranged version of Banksy, especially following an intricately choreographed fight scene in Episode 6. To have such a brilliant setup dismantled in a clichéd and predictable manner is disappointing and does a disservice to this compelling character from the comics. Since the identity of his comic counterpart remains a mystery, revealing it in Daredevil: Born Again strips away the intrigue and suspense that had been carefully built.

Now that Muse’s identity is revealed in such an expected fashion, it seems fitting that the remainder of his narrative concludes predictably as well. Viewing Heather as the subject of his next artistic endeavor, Muse begins orchestrating his plan to transform her into the canvas for his next crime. However, chaos ensues when Daredevil intervenes to thwart his plans, resulting in another clash between the hero and the serial killer. Ultimately, it is Heather who ends Muse’s reign of terror by shooting the masked murderer, leading to an unsatisfying conclusion for what could have been a formidable antagonist.

The Dual Significance of Muse’s Death in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Episode 7

When Fisk and his newly formed squad of Punisher fanatics arrive at the scene, all that awaits them is Muse’s lifeless body and ample evidence linking Daredevil to the crime. Even if Daredevil did not personally fire the weapon that killed Muse, this discovery solidifies the mayor’s suspicions about Matt‘s return. The pivotal question now is: What happens next?

The death of Muse should ideally benefit both Matt and Fisk. Murdock can breathe easy knowing that a brutal killer is no longer on the streets, while Fisk can claim credit for the justice served. However, beneath the surface lies an unsettling truth: both of these iconic Marvel characters have fully reverted to their true natures. This is a positive development for a fearless hero like Daredevil, but it spells disaster for a nefarious crime lord like Kingpin.

Don’t miss new episodes of Daredevil: Born Again, premiering every Tuesday on Disney+.