Let's start with the most important factor: (at least in my opinion) the writing. I was incredibly surprised that this show had the guts to actually trust its own storytelling and not rely on the fight/action scenes. When I first heard about this show, I thought that the show wouldn't necessarily have a "good" story or plot, but I'm pleased to say that this episode in particular had a solid story to tell, sure it's nothing groundbreaking, but for such a simple premise the writers did a solid job of making an episode that told a good and satisfying story that made sense, established the characters and set up the rest of the season to a fine degree.
The second most important factor in this show is most likely going to be the characters and the dialogue. Let's start with the characters first: The main character of Daredevil is Matthew Murdock, who is a blind lawyer who works together with his best friend Foggy Nelson, and together they're trying their absolute best to open up their own firm called Nelson and Murdock. Both Matthew and Foggy are very likable in my opinion. Sure, you could say that Foggy is considered to be the "Comic Relief" of Daredevil, but I disagree on that, whilst being a comical guy Foggy is also a pretty intellectual and clever guy who helps the main character to a high degree. Speaking of the main character, I was also surprised as to how much I liked Matthew. I liked that fact that even though he is an incredible talented fighter he is always at a certain disadvantage thanks to his blindness. The chemistry between Matthew and Foggy was also handled in a great way, I felt as though they were actually close friends, and their relationship felt very real and genuine, which is the cause of some good writing and superb acting from both Charlie Cox and Elden Henson.
The dialogue is also very good. I felt as though the people actually talked like real people which again, is most likely thanks to some good writing. I won't spoil anything, but one of my personal favorite dialogue/conversation of this episode (and the entire show) is a conversation between Matthew and Father Lantom in the beginning of the episode. The writing in that scene is so simple and clean yet unique and beautifully told.
I was also amazingly surprised as to how well-choreographed the fight scenes were. Daredevil is an R-rated show, and the producers take full use in that. People in this show don't just get punched and knocked out, most of them: get their bones shattered/broken, head smashed in, strangled, shot, kidnapped, murdered, tortured, sold, decapitated, scratched, bitten, amputated and more graphic stuff. I was not expecting that from a studio such as Marvel, and I'm very happy that they later went even further with The Punisher.
So overall: Into the Ring is a very enjoyable first episode that establishes the characters in a great way, tells a solid story that sets up the rest of the season, gives us some awesome fight scenes and great dialogue, some slow moments but not enough to feel dragged out, this and some very likable characters make this episode one of (if not the) best first episodes of any superhero show.
Score: 8.7/10
The second most important factor in this show is most likely going to be the characters and the dialogue. Let's start with the characters first: The main character of Daredevil is Matthew Murdock, who is a blind lawyer who works together with his best friend Foggy Nelson, and together they're trying their absolute best to open up their own firm called Nelson and Murdock. Both Matthew and Foggy are very likable in my opinion. Sure, you could say that Foggy is considered to be the "Comic Relief" of Daredevil, but I disagree on that, whilst being a comical guy Foggy is also a pretty intellectual and clever guy who helps the main character to a high degree. Speaking of the main character, I was also surprised as to how much I liked Matthew. I liked that fact that even though he is an incredible talented fighter he is always at a certain disadvantage thanks to his blindness. The chemistry between Matthew and Foggy was also handled in a great way, I felt as though they were actually close friends, and their relationship felt very real and genuine, which is the cause of some good writing and superb acting from both Charlie Cox and Elden Henson.
The dialogue is also very good. I felt as though the people actually talked like real people which again, is most likely thanks to some good writing. I won't spoil anything, but one of my personal favorite dialogue/conversation of this episode (and the entire show) is a conversation between Matthew and Father Lantom in the beginning of the episode. The writing in that scene is so simple and clean yet unique and beautifully told.
I was also amazingly surprised as to how well-choreographed the fight scenes were. Daredevil is an R-rated show, and the producers take full use in that. People in this show don't just get punched and knocked out, most of them: get their bones shattered/broken, head smashed in, strangled, shot, kidnapped, murdered, tortured, sold, decapitated, scratched, bitten, amputated and more graphic stuff. I was not expecting that from a studio such as Marvel, and I'm very happy that they later went even further with The Punisher.
So overall: Into the Ring is a very enjoyable first episode that establishes the characters in a great way, tells a solid story that sets up the rest of the season, gives us some awesome fight scenes and great dialogue, some slow moments but not enough to feel dragged out, this and some very likable characters make this episode one of (if not the) best first episodes of any superhero show.
Score: 8.7/10