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Foggy Nelson is the heart of Daredevil, and he’ll return to that role in Born Again. Through the first three seasons, the sincere, moving friendship between Matt Murdock and Franklin Nelson was critical. Elden Henson’s performance was the show’s secret weapon and most unsung virtue. Now, years later, the strengths Nelson brought to the franchise are often absent. Foggy Nelson will return and reintroduce the subtle joy of the superhero’s best friend to the MCU.
Foggy was More than Daredevil’s Friend
At its core, Daredevil is a legal procedural almost as often as it is a superhero show. Matt Murdock divides his time between his defense attorney work and night job. Most secondary characters meet Matt under both circumstances. Foggy is Daredevil’s closest friend and Matt Murdock’s legal partner. Foggy’s and Matt’s friendship wavers throughout the seasons. Matt has the same moral push-pull as Spider-Man, the classic follies of a double life. Foggy is the angel on his shoulder, taking it in turn to beg him to abandon the devil or to shame him for its effects. In the tenth episode of the first season, “Nelson v. Murdock,” Foggy discovers Matt’s secret. It’s an emotional powerhouse, a storm of accusations, explanations, and ever-heightening tensions as their friendship hits the rocks. Their relationship feels patched by the season finale, but things only get worse.
As the second season starts, Foggy and Matt are on excellent terms, though it will not remain through the season. The trial of Frank Castle stands out as a high point for the series. While Foggy and Karen struggle to defend the Punisher from 37 murder charges, Matt wastes time in an interminable Elektra subplot. We are typically not on Foggy’s side, but he becomes the audience surrogate through this season. Their legal practice falls apart as Foggy realizes his worth as a lone lawyer. Season three takes place after the events of Defenders, leaving Matt presumed dead. They’re separated, but the season’s ending offers a chance to see them together. The trajectory of Foggy’s friendship with Matt mirrors Matt’s descent. When he turns a corner, the show presents an opportunity to bring them together again. It’s more than a bond. It’s an excellent tonal element across narratives.
Every Superhero Needs a Foggy Nelson
How many MCU heroes still have human best friends? Captain America had Bucky and Sam, but both became heroes by his side. Iron Man had Happy Hogan, but his head of security outlived him. Captain Marvel had Maria Rambeau, but she died while Carol was away, leaving her with her superhuman daughter. Even Ned Leeds, once Spider-Man’s quintessential guy in the chair, got magic powers in No Way Home. Very few heroes still have non-superpowered allies hanging around as friends. Deadpool 3 will bring Karan Soni’s Dopinder back, but he won’t be among much company. Daredevil: Born Again will reintroduce Foggy, perhaps the MCU’s best best friend. I welcome his return with open arms because I believe he represents a positive change.
A hero’s best friend is a tropey mainstay across the genre. Modern iterations seem to believe themselves too good to have good old-fashioned humans hanging around their superheroes. The major cinematic universes seem to abandon their pals for different reasons. Zack Snyder famously killed Jimmy Olsen in the first few minutes of Batman v. Superman as an attack on anyone who thinks Superman should feature an ounce of kindness. Marvel keeps giving their human allies superpowers to let them play. They want almost everyone there for the blowout battle scenes. Giving Foggy superpowers or martial arts training would detract from his presence. Foggy is Matt Murdock on the right side of the dichotomy. He’s Matt without the dead dad, the Catholic guilt, the lifetime of abuse stick packed into a year or two, and the superpowers. Matt can be admired, feared, or pitied. Foggy is to be aspired to.
Elden Henson’s Foggy Nelson was one of the few perfect elements of Daredevil. Marvel will bring him back for Daredevil: Born Again, and they have the appropriate blueprint. Foggy is an excellent character in his own right, but he’s equally valuable as one of the show’s moving pieces. He’s more than a best friend; he’s also the most compelling example of his trope. We’re all excited to see Matt Murdock take back the spotlight when Born Again hits Disney+. I’m also almost equally thrilled to see where Matt’s relationship with his best friend could go in the upcoming season.
