I like D'Onofrio's performance, but I agree that they haven't really developed the "criminal mastermind" angle very well.

It's possible they plan to use her more in other shows/movies in the MCU, so establishing her here fits even though it doesn't go explore her character much

I don't think Oliver has a problem with the fact that Daredevil and Kingpin are men. He seems more worried about how the women who are in the show are portrayed, and how the secondary characters who are men are portrayed. So the counterpoint doesn't really seem to address Oliver's concerns.

A gender swap can work, but I don't think we should expect shows to do that. Especially ones like in Marvel where they're trying to establish an over-arching continuity based on pleasing fans of what already exists.

The fact that the two main characters are males is fine. And the fact that one of those males is an iconic super hero is also fine, even though it will lead to more "man saves woman" story lines.

I've watched the whole series, and am not sure what future scene you're referring to

Some of it's on the reviewer, but I think part of it's on the show.

I think you're a little overly harsh of the review (just like the review is a little overly harsh of the episode).

Women in this show do have tend to be fairly strong women. But while they might not be perenially victims, other than Gao, they pretty much all suffer, and do very little fighting back. And they get rescued by the men. Admittedly, in a show where the title character is a male superhero, that's going to happen a fair…

Sure. I don't expect to like how it's handled, but the fact that it is eventually handled is a good deal better than what I'd originally thought about the show. Not handling it at all is just sloppy.

Good point. The show has definitely given them a bit more fight in 'em, and given them some agency.

Ah, okay. I'm a bit skeptical of how it seems they handle time travel, but if it's more properly addressed in other episodes, then I can't blame them for not covering it in that particular episode

I doubt the Ultron angle. I don't think Ultron works with the Yakuza. If he was important, I'd assume he'd be made out of adamantium, at least in the comics (not sure if they'll go that route in the MCU. But in the MCU, all the previews for Age of Ultron show robots that clearly look like robots).

While I agree with your premise, IIRC, almost every female character in this show so far is a victim except Gao. Claire's a victim, Karen's a victim, Elena's a victim. Obviously, since this show is about Daredevil, he's going to save people, but why Foggy? And why isn't Foggy ever a victim? The Russians are victims of…

I would also say that Fisk is what might happen if Matt was willing to go too far. Matt wants to stop the Russians - Fisk blows them up. Matt feels that if people want to stay in the tenements where they live, they should be able to. Fisk believes that offering them more than the place is worth (and 'subtly'…

Better by Fisk's standards. Which is really the only opinion he cares about, other than Vanessa

I thought the part about Fisk wanting to save Hell's Kitchen was one of the best parts. He's what Matt might turn into if he starts sacrificing his morals to achieve his goals.

I just hope they don't try to cram a few decades worth of stuff Matt goes through into a few seasons of TV. And some of it, I can do without entirely

It's not just Kingrat's opinion - Nolan's trilogy is pretty universally viewed as the benchmark for gritty comic book adaptations. That's why so many people have referred to it in the comments of these reviews.

He can choose to focus on certain things, but that doesn't mean that loud noises don't bother him. Normal people can focus their eyes on one thing, but shining a Mag light in their face will still bother them