Judging by a lot of the reviews, most people haven't given this episode a chance. If you can only enjoy non-stop action then you should probably just skip to the last 10 minutes but the fight will not have as much depth if you do. If you can enjoy some very well written character development through flashbacks, you will enjoy this episode very much. Many shows wouldn't take this risk. Almost an entire episode on a side character's backstory that is a complete tonal shift from the usual structure. The writers did it so well that i completely forgot about Matt, Fisk and Dex for most of it, which takes some doing. Deborah Ann Woll,in my opinion, delivers an Emmy worthy performance that should not be skipped by any means.
50 Reviews
One of the most unique episodes in Daredevil
buzurg00721 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This episode we were building up towards since the start of the show. Karen's past was always covered in mystery, we only saw hints of it in the past. This episode takes us back to to see what drives her and what made her go completely suicidal on Fisk. This is a solid character work for one of the best characters in all of the Marvel/Netflix run, who went through an immense development throughout all these shows, and I'm happy that creators of DD felt confident enough to put that in.
This first half of the episode made second half all the more intense. I thought throughout that entire battle that this is going to be end of Karen, and episode really plays with that idea throughout.
In the end it was an episode that once again proves why these Marvel/Netflix shows are so good - they are not afraid to focus on characters first and foremost. Action in these shows was always secondary and should be, instead every action sequence is all the more interesting and intense because we care for these characters.
This first half of the episode made second half all the more intense. I thought throughout that entire battle that this is going to be end of Karen, and episode really plays with that idea throughout.
In the end it was an episode that once again proves why these Marvel/Netflix shows are so good - they are not afraid to focus on characters first and foremost. Action in these shows was always secondary and should be, instead every action sequence is all the more interesting and intense because we care for these characters.
I'm glad most people have brains
beatslikesmovies25 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I too thought Karen was annoying. She's stubborn most times but this episode gives you a god damn good reason to like Karen. Simply because she is like Matt, she's alone in the world. And this episode from beginning to end was just incredible. The ending shot. They needed each other more than ever. She is the most flawed character because she is suffering as well and this intriguing backstory gave us all the answers. Rewatch that scene when she called her dad and tell me you don't feel something for her. The writers should keep this up. Season 3 is so damn good.
A perfectly placed flashback
lucanreyn-4017721 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
An episode entirely dedicated to Karen was something I didn't know was needed until now. The episode begins with a 30 minute flashback, and it's just so damn good. It had my full attention from the opening scene. I had no idea she used to be a drug addict, and had no idea about her relationship with her family...and this was the perfect time to finally inform me. Then, when it flicks back to present day, Karen is receiving inspiring and wise words from father Lantom regarding her "troubled soul". Then that church scene happens, and even though it's all action and violence, the scene still feels very much about Karen rather than the action.
In so many TV shows, flashback episodes always feel like an outlier; like you could almost forget about the episode and the season would feel the same, but the polar opposite can be said with "Karen". She's a great character who gets a lot of undeserved hate, and Deborah Ann Woll absolutely gives us her best work on this show yet in this episode, and rightfully so.
The people giving this episode hate have very short attention span and have to see Daredevil fighting the villain over and over again, much like a children's superhero movie. This brilliant show is an 18 age certificate for a reason. It's a patient and dark programme that explores adult themes, and it's starting to feel more and more mature now, with season 3 being its most adult season yet.
R.I.P Father Lantom. So much wisdom and a kind heart. Such a good character.
In so many TV shows, flashback episodes always feel like an outlier; like you could almost forget about the episode and the season would feel the same, but the polar opposite can be said with "Karen". She's a great character who gets a lot of undeserved hate, and Deborah Ann Woll absolutely gives us her best work on this show yet in this episode, and rightfully so.
The people giving this episode hate have very short attention span and have to see Daredevil fighting the villain over and over again, much like a children's superhero movie. This brilliant show is an 18 age certificate for a reason. It's a patient and dark programme that explores adult themes, and it's starting to feel more and more mature now, with season 3 being its most adult season yet.
R.I.P Father Lantom. So much wisdom and a kind heart. Such a good character.
A truly masterpiece
anderson_mguga22 October 2018
Unique
hunter_collier5 November 2018
This episode is truly unique to the MCU. Maybe it's not the best, but it was amazingly interesting to see a part of the world outside of superhero's with Karen's backstory about what happened to her and her brother. It just shows how big the MCU really is and how it can be more than just Iron Man and Thor, it can be a family crisis in wyoming and Karen Page becoming her own hero.
the essence of the comic
darkmonn8820 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Even if rhe first 30 minutes seems to be like a fill it was some good done the history of karen page is from the comics too good adapted till there i thought in give an 7 to the chapter only because the ubication of the history in the 10 chapter is too far from me but rapidly after this was a wonderful escene in the church like feels extremely amazing the escenery the coreography production etc.. its fantastic and the form in that bullseye is in battle is to great to see and how matt try to fight against his nemesis ,altough all this the sacrifice of the father create a great shock even if his die could be predictable a certainly moment , and just the final escene with karen taking matt in his hands is just taken from the comics and adapted in a wonderful form like to many this stage this confirm this series is the most mature marvel ever and even superheros genre for me it is marking a form of how to the things that the fans of the comics no only viewers wants
A beautiful short movie
haseebguru6 April 2020
Initially looked like a beautiful short movie, which took us into the world of Karen.
It was great to see her backstory which was longly awaited & showed how troubled she was just like any other.
The show ended with some super intense great fight sequence. Claps
It was great to see her backstory which was longly awaited & showed how troubled she was just like any other.
The show ended with some super intense great fight sequence. Claps
Heart throbbing origin story
ha77y73ad9725 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
As the title of the episode mentioned this was a story about Karen Page, the truly heart breaking story of her drug addiction along with the death of her brother.
2 thirds of this episode is dedicated to this story starting off by dating the wrong guy and his ability to manipulate Karen into dealing for him. This can also be seen as an escape from a broken home that has left her life down the drain where her mum has died and neither side of the family is able to cope financially or mentally.
This all comes to a head over a family meal to celebrate a university placement for Karen that she can't accept and the family can't afford. Smashing sentimental items and send her dad into a fury before storming out to the drug dealing boyfriend. As this is all going on the brother torches the caravan of the brother causing both side to fight on the group in a bloody grappling match, a gun shot is the only thing that gets Karen and her brother away. This is where it starts to hurt, both high and drunk Karen flips the car sending it flying into the air and killing her brother. As her dad can't even speak or look at her his final words are to say that his son was the only person in the car and Karen has to leave, daredevil season 1 awaits.
In the present day we are yet again treated to a well caught scene in the church between Dex and Matt sparked by the death if the father that had raised Matt from the church. After Karen knocking Dex over the side of one of the balconies the scream she let's out for Matt, again heart breaking
2 thirds of this episode is dedicated to this story starting off by dating the wrong guy and his ability to manipulate Karen into dealing for him. This can also be seen as an escape from a broken home that has left her life down the drain where her mum has died and neither side of the family is able to cope financially or mentally.
This all comes to a head over a family meal to celebrate a university placement for Karen that she can't accept and the family can't afford. Smashing sentimental items and send her dad into a fury before storming out to the drug dealing boyfriend. As this is all going on the brother torches the caravan of the brother causing both side to fight on the group in a bloody grappling match, a gun shot is the only thing that gets Karen and her brother away. This is where it starts to hurt, both high and drunk Karen flips the car sending it flying into the air and killing her brother. As her dad can't even speak or look at her his final words are to say that his son was the only person in the car and Karen has to leave, daredevil season 1 awaits.
In the present day we are yet again treated to a well caught scene in the church between Dex and Matt sparked by the death if the father that had raised Matt from the church. After Karen knocking Dex over the side of one of the balconies the scream she let's out for Matt, again heart breaking
From "Oh, no. A flashback episode? Now?" to "Wow!"
stesch4 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The mystery behind Karen Page's past was resolved in a genius way that showed her troubles, that she wasn't perfect, but that she hasn't done anything that couldn't be forgiven by the viewer.
Good writing and Deborah Ann Woll combined made this one of the best flashback episodes I've seen.
Good writing and Deborah Ann Woll combined made this one of the best flashback episodes I've seen.
The best of Daredevil S3
vascoelvas1 November 2018
Just stop complaining. That was a good ep but u ppl dont get it at all!
mertesetar5 November 2018
Btw i dont know what to say about that ppl which didnt liked this episode... You ppl r weird for sure. Swear all of your pointless reviews making me mad. Just stfu -.- Wanna know whats the point of hating Karen character. She is doing a great job as an actress and im glad she is part of the Daredevil story.
A set piece
davidjaldred27 October 2018
This wasn't a Daredevil episode, it was finely crafted small-town mini drama about a girl trapped by love and feelings of family responsibility. Suddenly we see Karen as a real person, not a sidekick or a foil in some superhero story-arc, but just as one of us. A fine performance and an unexpected and welcome change of focus, worthy of an award or two.
Ending felt rushed and lacked momentum
UrAverageMovieCritic21 November 2018
It's not that I didn't like or welcome Karen's origin story, but rather I didn't like that crappy excuse of an ending. If you're going to focus 35 minutes on the flashback, at least make the remaining 10 minutes of the church scene worthwhile.
Unfortunately the church scene seemed rushed; everything seemed to happen for the sake of "happening", there wasn't any momentum during the fight. And why did they make daredevil so weak in this episode? Just a few punches from Bullseye and he's down, that shouldn't happen...
Unfortunately the church scene seemed rushed; everything seemed to happen for the sake of "happening", there wasn't any momentum during the fight. And why did they make daredevil so weak in this episode? Just a few punches from Bullseye and he's down, that shouldn't happen...
If you are unwilling to give anyone a chance, you are only ruining it for yourselves.
jaysomerville-8133428 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
If you had any idea what the comic books are about you would understand this episode. Not every character is suppose to be your favorite. Those annoyances you feel? Are intended. Karen isn't the majorities favorite character... But she is the minority's favorite. And MARVEL?? Marvel are where they are today by never forgeting the minority over the majority.
MARVEL (I am afraid to tell you) care more about that minority than us in the majority who disliked the character, however me? I listen to MARVEL when they clearly show me why I should also care about that character I had no interest in, that minority.
Especially when I am shown they have more depth to them than I was willing to believe them to posses based on my own experience of them, in this case Karen who I didn't have any care for, but now I do and enjoyed every episode by retroactive change of mind. If you are unwilling to listen, or accept that depth when it is shown to you. If you are incapable of changing your feelings on someone when there is are shown clear reasons why you should. You are not people who MARVEL care about and I'm sorry your opinions don't count to them. They would cancel the show before giving into you and either changing or removing this Minoritally popular character.
MARVEL only care about the people who are willing to change their view on the people they do not understand. They test the limits.
Weather it is Spider-Man willing to commit murder after Mary Janes death and only his friends stopped him.
Whether it's that Villian you really hate who was abused by his parents,
whether if it's that really annoying character who gets on your nerves having a genuinely hard life backstory that you may not understand if you have always been sheltered in your life. The minority who have that life understand her, only too well. And well... if you are the kind of person unwilling to change your view no matter what. Then you are a group that MARVEL doesn't care about one jot. And your wildly over the top reactions to it, just are the responses Marvel won't be concerned with I'm afraid. However a day may come when you do understand and that is why this episode is so powerful and brilliantly written.
And anyway, MARVEL didn't forget you, you all get to worry about Daredevils identity being known and whether he can beat someone down with ropes on his arms and win the last fight to satisfy your needs, you just need to accept that there are others who need a bit more... something a little deeper to satisfy them. The fact this episode shows you what kind of a person you are is what makes it exceptional.
MARVEL (I am afraid to tell you) care more about that minority than us in the majority who disliked the character, however me? I listen to MARVEL when they clearly show me why I should also care about that character I had no interest in, that minority.
Especially when I am shown they have more depth to them than I was willing to believe them to posses based on my own experience of them, in this case Karen who I didn't have any care for, but now I do and enjoyed every episode by retroactive change of mind. If you are unwilling to listen, or accept that depth when it is shown to you. If you are incapable of changing your feelings on someone when there is are shown clear reasons why you should. You are not people who MARVEL care about and I'm sorry your opinions don't count to them. They would cancel the show before giving into you and either changing or removing this Minoritally popular character.
MARVEL only care about the people who are willing to change their view on the people they do not understand. They test the limits.
Weather it is Spider-Man willing to commit murder after Mary Janes death and only his friends stopped him.
Whether it's that Villian you really hate who was abused by his parents,
whether if it's that really annoying character who gets on your nerves having a genuinely hard life backstory that you may not understand if you have always been sheltered in your life. The minority who have that life understand her, only too well. And well... if you are the kind of person unwilling to change your view no matter what. Then you are a group that MARVEL doesn't care about one jot. And your wildly over the top reactions to it, just are the responses Marvel won't be concerned with I'm afraid. However a day may come when you do understand and that is why this episode is so powerful and brilliantly written.
And anyway, MARVEL didn't forget you, you all get to worry about Daredevils identity being known and whether he can beat someone down with ropes on his arms and win the last fight to satisfy your needs, you just need to accept that there are others who need a bit more... something a little deeper to satisfy them. The fact this episode shows you what kind of a person you are is what makes it exceptional.
Skip ahead to 29:30 or when the words now appear on screen.
poewilson31 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Karen's backstory is there to build a redemption song for the character as she is quite miserable and almost alienates sympathy from the viewer. This should have been so that we could witness her evolving as a character but by episode's end she has not changed, and someone else has a redemption arc instead. Which makes Karen appear to be this person who has committed enough felonies to warrant prison time and not evolve as a person.
I know the writers are hamstrung by this 13 episode narrative Netflix pushes and I feel bad for them having to figure out ways to extend stories that should be finalised much sooner.
So do yourself a favour skip ahead to the church scene or at very least skip ahead to the moment Kevin first confronts Karen's boyfriend.
This episode hurt to watch
aaron_bond16 November 2018
9 because of the end
splosh327 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Never thought I needed a Karen flashback, and I still dont. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad flashback, but it really screwed with the rythmn of this series. I was sat there waiting for the backstory to end so we could get back to Hell's Kitchen and... Oh boy.
The end of the episode made it a 9 for me! The fighting as always was amazing, but the tension and drama that was attached to it made it sensational!
Entertaining Filler Episode [8/10]
panagiotis19934 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
My Reaction / Review for Daredevil Season 3 Episode 10 ''Karen'' (S3. E10): Episode 9 was good and I gave it a rating of 8/10. The episode starts with a very weird Karen flashback, partying and doing drugs, really weird. So we get to see Karen's family business, is the whole episode about Karen? I really hope not. I didn't know that Karen was a drug addict. What is this? A whole episode about Karen? I thought the show is called Daredevil. I understand 20 minutes, but almost an entire episode? Hell no. Karen's family is very very dysfunctional. So we get to see her brother's death which is very tragic. The flashbacks were cool but still for me this is a filler episode. Oh boy Wilson wants Karen dead. Did he just kill the priest? No, no, no! Dex has insane fighting skills. Wow what an insane ending. My rating is 8/10.
Borekaren Vol 3.10
ThunderKing619 July 2022
Who asked for this? Who cares about Karen. She's not even an asset to Marvel. I like red head women but she did not need an episode. If this show was called KAREN no one would watch.
How this has an 8.5 is baffling.
This episode was dry and boring. It's interesting to see Karen come from being a Sl*t, cocacola head to what she is now.
But its one of those emotional wreck lady moment episodes. So cliche and annoying.
Her boring flash back could have been summed up in 5 minutes. An hour on her cliche life is not interesting.
How this has an 8.5 is baffling.
This episode was dry and boring. It's interesting to see Karen come from being a Sl*t, cocacola head to what she is now.
But its one of those emotional wreck lady moment episodes. So cliche and annoying.
Her boring flash back could have been summed up in 5 minutes. An hour on her cliche life is not interesting.
Karen
bobcobb30128 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Who would have thought that a Karen backstory episode this late in the season, this late in Daredevil's run, would be a good idea, but this felt like the right time for it. We learned that her life was not perfect before she met Matt and obviously has not been perfect since then.
Glad we got back to reality late in the episode, but this detour turned out to be worthwhile.
Glad we got back to reality late in the episode, but this detour turned out to be worthwhile.
Guess what?
sadako119 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Matt got his ass kicked yet again!!
I have never seen a super hero tv show in which the hero get his ass kicked in sooooo many episodes. Karen had to save him!!
A couple of episodes ago he was defeated by bullseye (sign...) and I thought that he will learn from this defeat and establish an attack plan for their next encounter but... nope.
As soon as Matt put his muay thai rope gloves I had high hopes for a decent technical fight but... nope! another lame hand to hand fight choreo.
The people creating the choreos lack vision and creativity. They seem to forget that Matt is an acrobat master martial artist with super enhanced senses and bulleye is also an acrobat master martial artist. The fights are soooo damn mundane!!!
I don't mind if Matt looses the fight. In the comics he was defeated by bullseye a couple of times but in this tv show Matt looks soooo weak. He doesn't fight like an experienced master martial artist. He fights like an impulsive beginner undisciplined amateur street fighter.
The fight was completely unrealistic. Bullseye, beside having his throwing precision ability and master fighting skills is still a normal human being! Matt punched him many times in the head but he still kept coming back!! Lame choreo.
I like Karen but her flashback story was pretty dull and frankly mundane in comparison with other stories in this marvel universe. I felt absolutely nothing when her brother died. I felt that this story was heavy handed by the director of the episode.
Hopefully we will get a good quality fighting choreo in future episodes, but the way I see it I think even Foggy can kick Matt ass.
I have never seen a super hero tv show in which the hero get his ass kicked in sooooo many episodes. Karen had to save him!!
A couple of episodes ago he was defeated by bullseye (sign...) and I thought that he will learn from this defeat and establish an attack plan for their next encounter but... nope.
As soon as Matt put his muay thai rope gloves I had high hopes for a decent technical fight but... nope! another lame hand to hand fight choreo.
The people creating the choreos lack vision and creativity. They seem to forget that Matt is an acrobat master martial artist with super enhanced senses and bulleye is also an acrobat master martial artist. The fights are soooo damn mundane!!!
I don't mind if Matt looses the fight. In the comics he was defeated by bullseye a couple of times but in this tv show Matt looks soooo weak. He doesn't fight like an experienced master martial artist. He fights like an impulsive beginner undisciplined amateur street fighter.
The fight was completely unrealistic. Bullseye, beside having his throwing precision ability and master fighting skills is still a normal human being! Matt punched him many times in the head but he still kept coming back!! Lame choreo.
I like Karen but her flashback story was pretty dull and frankly mundane in comparison with other stories in this marvel universe. I felt absolutely nothing when her brother died. I felt that this story was heavy handed by the director of the episode.
Hopefully we will get a good quality fighting choreo in future episodes, but the way I see it I think even Foggy can kick Matt ass.
Why is nobody talking about this?
mattrabbi8 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
As good as the fight is near the end (love Dex just throwing stuff lol), there's one huge problem: WHY DID FATHER LANTOM NEED TO DIE? Dex had a clear shot at Karen, who was the person he was sent to kill, so why aim for Lantom???? He was one of my favourite characters throughout the series, and he was not nearly present enough in this season for his death to feel narratively satisfying. It would be tragic regardless, but it just felt so unnecessary.
Opinions are somewhat mixed about this episode, but personally I think it was a good choice. The first 30ish minutes are dedicated to Karen's backstory, and while it drags a bit and the season could've done without it, it is overall well done IMO and heartbreaking. And fits well with the great climax at the end. Had it not been for Father Lantom's ridiculous death this would be a solid 8/10 for me, but this drops it to a 7 or even a 6.5 :/.
(btw, I LOVE season 3 of Daredevil, probably one of my favourite seasons of TV. But this is the ONE gripe I have with it)
Opinions are somewhat mixed about this episode, but personally I think it was a good choice. The first 30ish minutes are dedicated to Karen's backstory, and while it drags a bit and the season could've done without it, it is overall well done IMO and heartbreaking. And fits well with the great climax at the end. Had it not been for Father Lantom's ridiculous death this would be a solid 8/10 for me, but this drops it to a 7 or even a 6.5 :/.
(btw, I LOVE season 3 of Daredevil, probably one of my favourite seasons of TV. But this is the ONE gripe I have with it)
Why?
dalehuhtala5 November 2018
I really get annoyed by episodes that seem to be a self indulgent side trip by a writer or director. Okay, develop Karen's character but this was way too much...and throughly depressing. Didn't like it at all...just a distraction.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
