‘Marvel’s The Punisher‘ is an American action net series which airs on Netflix. Initially premiered on November 17, 2017, and was a part of Netflix’s Marvel content, which had made a name for itself for putting a dark, gritty, and humane twist into the superhero genre, although a number of the shows came under severe criticism. Fortunately,’ The Punisher’ wasn’t among these. It goes beyond only the superhero cliches to become a crime play and conspiracy thriller.
Created by Steve Lightfoot, the Punisher first appeared in the second season of a daredevil and was much liked by the audience in which it got its series. The punisher serves as the ideal foil for Matt Murdock’s Daredevil, together with the former dishing out his brand of vigilante justice, and Matt struggling to remain within the limits of this law and fighting offenders in the very best way he knows how. This Netflix original showcases extreme violence, befitting of the vigilante who lets bullets do the speaking for him.
Obviously, fans flocked to support the series, along with the critics have lauded it as nicely for the humanizing portrayal of Frank Castle, a man who must be pretty difficult to like. No surprise, it received yet another renewal shortly enough. However, will it return for one more season?
‘The Punisher’ Season 2 was released on Jan 18, 2019, on Netflix, together with all of its 13 episodes.
However, the second season received middling reviews. And sadly for fans, the show will not be returning for another season. In a statement to Deadline, Netflix verified, saying: “Marvel’s The Punisher won’t go back for a third season on Netflix. Showrunner Steve Lightfoot, the terrific crew, along with an exceptional cast including star Jon Bernthal delivered an acclaimed and persuasive series for lovers, and we’re pleased to showcase their work Netflix for a long time ahead.”
While Marvel’s The Punisher’ Season 3 stands formally cancelled in Netflix, Disney released its streaming assistance, Disney+ on November 12, 2019. Considering that Marvel Studios is beneath Disney, it’s been a part of their long-term strategies to deliver all Marvel content under one umbrella. Thus’The Punisher’ could be headed there in the future, and we might see Frank look in a series which will be streamed on Disney+. We’ll update this section after we learn more.
Over the seasons of the Punisher’, the series has focused around the experiences of Frank Castle and his quest for justice and vengeance, and how they frequently overlap in his case. He has encountered several characters, who make up the cast of the series. While some characters have been confined to a specific season, others have been constants in Frank’s life as we’ve seen it.
Primarily, Jon Bernthal plays the part of Frank Castle, a US special forces man who loses his entire family, before spiralling down a path of vigilantism. He is assisted by David Leiberman or Micro, played with Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Micro is a former NSA analyst who fakes Frank’s death and helps him at the vigilante lifestyle. If Frank is your brawn, Micro is mostly the mind. Ben Barnes plays Billy Russo, who begins as Frank’s best friend from the military days before we watch him.
Comic fans understood from the counter which Billy Russo would become the Punisher’s arch-nemesis, Jigsaw, but the show gave the character a different origin story, linking the Punisher to his nemesis even closer than ever. Amber Rose Revah plays the role of Special Agent Dinah Madani, who’s originally on Frank’s tail, but afterwards supports him in her capacity. Jason R. Moore plays the role of Curtis Hoyle, another of Frank’s military friends, and somebody who acts as the voice of reason for its vigilante. Paul Schulze plays the use of Agent Orange, and although he just appears in the first season, he comes across as a formidable barrier in Frank’s path.
Deborah Ann Woll who plays the role of Karen Page appears in this show too. She’s the connection between Frank’s appearance from the ‘Daredevil’ series, and his very own show because he met her for the first time. She develops near Frank, bonding over the loss of household, though it is more metaphorical for Karen compared to Frank. We also get to view
Josh Stewart in the role of John Pilgrim, a man as determined as Castle. He appears in the sophomore season, and although he’s a constant threat to Castle, similar to the protagonist, we all start to begrudgingly respect Pilgrim and the real motives behind his actions. Giorgia Whigham also looks as Amy Bendix in season 2, and she is a grifter who has a mysterious past. But, Frank’s fantasy formation makes her appear as the girl he lost, to him and he tries his best to shield her from Pilgrim. It is this rescue that finishes the character arc for Frank, giving him a level of redemption.
The main plot of the Punisher’ starts with Frank attempting to manage the loss of his family, while also brandishing his version of justice, which usually involves a whole lot of guns, violence, and a trail of dead bodies in his wake. He soon attracts the interest of law enforcement but manages to remain ahead of them. However, when other major players become involved, such as Billy Russo and Agent Orange, Frank slowly begins to uncover the facts about his family’s murder. When justice and revenge overlap, the Punisher does not return, and everyone is made to confront their sins. Billy gets the worst deal, with Frank massacring his face, because Billy was a narcissist, but leaving him alive, to maintain perpetual fear of the Punisher and the punishment meted out to him. From the end of this, the army scandals of this US government involving Frank and his staff also come to the government allows Frank to evaporate to keep the entire thing quiet.
Frank heads his own business and tries to get back on his feet, but an assault on a girl who he identifies with his deceased daughter means that the man is back in action. He fights a war on two fronts this time, one against Billy, who’s back to get his revenge for Frank’s punishment, and one against a single-minded killer John Pilgrim. Frank may take a great deal of pain dished out to him and he does just that.