This episode works by lulling the viewer into a false sense of security. It starts out like a day at the office for these characters. Foggy and Nelson take on a new client. Fisk and Vanessa have another dinner date. Matt and Claire conflict over their ideologies.
Even before the big action happens, this episode works. Naturally the dialogue scenes flesh out characters. We learn about Fisk’s unique honor system and bizarre but sincere affection for Vanessa. There is a great scene where Matt reveals how he uses his senses to “see” – as the title implies, he is able to build pictures in his mind that resemble fire. These scenes also effectively show the unusual comparisons and contrasts between Daredevil and Kingpin. Both are men who genuinely believe what they are doing, and both are willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish their goals.
These calms scenes are good, but they last long enough to lure us into thinking things will be normal – a few scenes with Daredevil in action and all. Then, Fisk’s plan goes into action and parts of Hell’s Kitchen begin going boom. Suddenly all these characters we’ve recognized either for the last few episodes or just this episode – are in real jeopardy. As everyone is scrambling to either figure out what is going on or simply survive, Daredevil springs into action. After trying to fight the real villains, Daredevil is cornered by the police. Every episode in the first season has been excellent, but this is the episode that works as a great turning point. Action scenes and romance/dialogue scenes are used to pace this episode and build suspense.
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