Warning: This article contains spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again episode 9, “Straight to Hell.”
Frank Castle and Karen Page reunited in the intense finale ofDaredevil: Born Again, and might have teased an intriguing new storyline for the future of the series in theMCU.Daredevil: Born Againcontinued the story of Netflix’s originalDaredevilseries, so brought back several beloved stars, including Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Ayelet Zurer and more. Jon Bernthal was quickly confirmed to be returning asFrank Castle’s Punisher, setting up an exciting MCU futurefor the vigilante, and, while she wasn’t originally supposed to return, Deborah Ann Woll also reprised herDaredevilrole.
Woll returned as Karen Page, Nelson & Murdock’s former secretary, New York Bulletin reporter and then Nelson, Murdock & Page investigator, inDaredevil: Born Again’spremiere, but was absent for most of the series. She returned inDaredevil: Born Again’sfinale, “Straight to Hell”, however, as she enlisted Frank Castle to help protect Matt Murdock after he took a bullet for Kingpin in episode 8.This allowed the Punisher and Daredevil to team up against Mayor Wilson Fisk’s Anti-Vigilante Task Force, and also brought long-time allies Frank Castle and Karen Page back together.
Frank Castle And Karen Page Have A Long History In The MCU
Frank Castle & Karen Page First Met In 2016’s Daredevil Season 2
Karen Page first got to knowFrank Castle duringDaredevilseason 2. Irish mob member Elliot “Grotto” Grote met with Matt Murdock, Foggy Nelson and Karen Page in the hopes that they could protect him, as he was the sole survivor of the Punisher’s attack on the mob.After Castle allows himself to be arrested, Karen breaks into his house and learns more about his life, which begins to establish them as firm friends. Karen delved deeper into the Punisher’s story alongside Mitchell Ellison, and became part of the team representing him at his sensationalist trial.
After Frank Castle escaped from prison, Karen Page helped him further investigate the Blacksmith, with their trail eventually leading to Ray Schoonover. DuringThe Punisherseason 1, Frank Castle and Karen Page reunited to investigate Micro, and Karen later became embroiled in Lewis Wilson’s terrorism, only to be saved by Castle.There was clear sexual tension between Castle and Page throughoutThe Punisher, and this continued into season 2, which saw Karen team up with Amy Bendix to help Castle escape from captivity. This led perfectly to their reunion inDaredevil: Born Again.
There Has Been Sexual Tension Between Frank Castle & Karen Page For Years
Image via Disney+
Marvel teased romantic undertones in the friendship between Karen Page and Frank Castle throughout their joint scenes inDaredevilseason 2 and both seasons ofThe Punisher, but this never amounted to anything. There was a tender cheek-kiss moment inThe Punisherseason 1, and the pair almost break the tension with a kiss after Castle saves Karen’s life later on, but they are yet to seal the deal.Daredevil: Born Again’sfinale reignited these romantic textures, however, as Marvel has finally confirmed that Castle has romantic feelings for Page.
Matt Murdock’s ability to hear heartbeats allows this confirmation to occur, as he hears Frank Castle’s heartbeat increase when around Karen Page, and vice versa for Page to Castle. The very fact that Castle would jump into action, shave his beard and wear aftershave just because Karen called and asked for help also implies some romantic feelings. However,Daredevil: Born Again’sfinale suggested that a love affair between the Punisher and Karen Page wouldn’t be so straightforward, especially not with Matt Murdcock’s own involvement.
Karen Page & Matt Murdock May Soon Rekindle Their Romance
While Frank Castle and Karen Page’s heartbeats increased when in each other’s presence, Matt Murdock also revealed that Karen Page’s heartbeat similarly increased when she looked at him inDaredevil: Born Again’sfinale. This implies that Karen has similar feelings towards both Frank Castle and Matt Murdock, which creates a strange love triangle between the trio infuture seasons ofDaredevil: Born Again.Karen Page and Matt Murdock did briefly date duringDaredevilseason 2, but Elektra Natchios' return distracted Murdock, but the pair could now rekindle their romance.
Daredevil: Born Againseason 2 is currently filming, while a Special Presentation focused on the Punisher will also spin off fromBorn Again’sfinale. Kingpin’s actions inBorn Againcould also impact any number of upcoming MCU projects, includingThunderbolts*andSpider-Man: Brand New Day.
Set photos from the production ofDaredevil: Born Againseason 2 have confirmed that Matt Murdock and Karen Page will be reunitingin the upcoming follow-up season, with the latter sporting new bright-red hair.Daredevilseason 2 saw them attempt dating, andDaredevil: Born Again’spremiere teased their desire to break the “Friends Code,” so this tension could come to a head inDaredevil: Born Againseason 2. WithHeather Glenn now working for Mayor Wilson Fisk, Matt Murdock will surely want to distance himself, so he could fall right into Karen Page’s open arms.
