Originally Posted by
number8
Finally finished. Decided to take it slower this time and not just watch the entire season in one day. However, I was also less motivated to do so this time. The forward momentum is definitely less potent than the first season, and definitely not as addicting as Jessica Jones. Some thoughts:
- I like this approach to writing Frank Castle. I think one of the reasons why previous Punisher films have failed creatively has to do with the basic problem with Frank Castle, which is that if he's so stoic and competent and pragmatic, he's a pretty boring character to spend a lot of time around. You end up just watching a guy going about doing his day-to-day job, basically. It's one of the reasons why so many Punisher comics just feel disposable. One reason why Garth Ennis is considered such a phenomenal Punisher writer, though, is that he figured out a great formula, which is to make someone else the main character. Half of the Punisher comics he wrote would have a brand new protagonist in every arc, either directly going after Castle or making a Faustian pact with him. Greg Rucka's recent run, which was also great, did the exact same thing, making the story revolve around three original main characters and having Punisher just move in and out of their lives like mother nature. This show's smart enough to pair him up with Karen Page in that manner, and it works great. But I honestly have low expectations if they're planning a spin-off series that centers on him.