Daredevil season two hits Netflix in its entirety this Friday, and we’ve taken an early look at the first seven episodes from the new season of Marvel’s highly anticipated adventure. Here are our thoughts on the show’s new characters and the ongoing intrigue of action-packed crimefighting in the seedy depths of Hell’s Kitchen…

(The below text outlines some of our top level thoughts about the first seven episodes of the show. We’ve stayed away from specific spoilers but we do cover very broad story beats. If you’re trying to stay absolutely unspoiled, look away now!)

Murdock, Nelson, and Page

Season two deepens the central relationships between Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson), and Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll). Foggy is learning to live with Matt’s secret double-life as a nocturnal crimefighter, but is a long way from approving of it, and worries constantly about his friend’s safety. Karen also starts to suspect something is going on in Matt’s life outside the office–there’s only so many mornings you can turn up to work covered in cuts and bruises without your colleagues becoming suspicious. As the season continues, Matt’s double-life as both a lawyer and a superhero becomes increasingly difficult, and the relationship between these three friends changes forever.

Fast and Furious

With Daredevil’s origin fully established and the character now a regular fixture on the nighttime streets (and roofs) of Hell’s Kitchen, season two wastes no time getting started. There are a few flashbacks to key events from before the show began, but the emphasis is on the new characters and the very real dangers that threaten their reality. The new season has a vibrant, cinematic look, and the cinematography and editing is every bit the equal of Marvel’s big screen offerings.

The Supporting Cast

The first season of Daredevil assembled an impressive supporting cast of familiar characters from the comic book, from Vincent D’Onofrio’s terrifying crime boss Wilson Fisk to Vondie Curtis-Hall’s veteran reporter Ben Urich. Season two ups the stakes even further by introducing two characters who are integral to the Daredevil story.

The Punisher

Although the man also known as Frank Castle had existed for many years before he first appeared in Daredevil, Frank Miller’s use of the vigilante anti-hero in his groundbreaking comics of the early ‘80s forever cemented him as part of the Daredevil mythos. In season two, Jon Bernthal portrays him as a focused, dangerous man, utterly convinced that his way of dealing with crime–murder–is the right one.

The season slowly reveals his complexities across multiple episodes, as Castle and Murdock debate–both verbally and physically–the rights and wrong of their respective forms of justice, and we learn the truth about Frank’s past. It’s a powerful performance from Bernthal, who perfectly captures what has made the Punisher such a popular character with fans.

Elektra

Equally impressive is Elodie Yung, playing Elektra Natchios. Elektra is Matt Murdock’s college sweetheart, who returns to his life after ten years with an impressive level of fighting skills of her own. Murdock isn’t exactly pleased to see her, but the pair soon team up to uncover a mystery and take on some sinister villains. Elektra is more than a match for any foe that crosses her path, and the simmering history between her and Matt provides much of the season’s emotional intrigue.

Action!

Season one rightly received much acclaim for its action. While Daredevil’s sensory powers allow him to display an incredible level of dexterity, the brutal combat of the show was a world away from the effects-driven action of Marvel’s big screen adventures. Season two seriously ups the ante–episode three ends with an incredible fight sequence even more impressive than season one’s famed corridor showdown.

The introduction of the Punisher means that the action isn’t just based around feet and fists either–Frank Castle packs some serious firepower, resulting in a series of thrilling, violent gun battles between the Punisher and his targets. And the reappearance of one of the first season’s villainous gangs means that that martial arts fans are in for a high-kicking, face-smashing, bone-snapping treat.

We Are The Law

While Foggy and Matt’s legal practice obviously forms a backdrop for the whole series, they had very few cases in season one. This has all changed by season two–money is still tight, but the office is full of needy clients. Murdock and Nelson eventually take on the biggest case of their lives, one which could spell the end of their firm if they lose. Much of the season plays out as a gripping legal thriller, every bit as exciting as the superhero action showcased elsewhere.

The team behind Daredevil understand exactly what worked in season one, and build on it. Nothing is radically different, but all the elements that made the first season such a success–the action, drama, humour, and mystery–are impressively developed in season two. It’s a show that stands as one of the greatest comic book series ever made, and bodes well for Marvel’s ongoing collaborations with Netflix. Roll on season three!

Daredevil season two hits Netflix on Friday March 18, 2016.