The Defenders’ Best Moments in Their Netflix Series & MCU

Originally published March 22, 2022. This article lists 12 of the best Defenders moments featuring Marvel characters including Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Frank Castle, and more.

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The Netflix Marvel television shows are often considered some of the best Marvel projects of all time. Comprised of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders, and The Punisher, these series deal with darker and far more grounded super hero stories. However, they aren’t entirely canon anymore. After Marvel Studios consolidated all of its characters into a streamlined MCU, they began the process of rewriting and reincorporating our favorite street-level heroes.

Marvel’s first step involved a small-screen leap from their original streaming platform to Disney+. Then, Daredevil — played by his original actor, Charlie Cox — was the first to show up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Later, Daredevil: Born Again kicked off the rebuilding of the Defenders within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Now, Matt Murdock, Frank Castle, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage, as well as a few of their major allies and enemies like Kingpin and Bullseye, are part of the official canon.

To celebrate the release of The Punisher: One Last Kill, we’re looking back on some of the greatest Defenders moments from Netflix and the MCU alike. Check out our list, then join us below to see why we picked these particular scenes.

Best Defenders moments:

• Daredevil saves a child
• Matt Murdock fights his way out of prison
• Jessica Jones kills Kilgrave
• Danny heals Colleen
• Luke brings the ruckus
• The Defenders finally meet
• Danny and Luke team up
• Frank confesses his fear
• Daredevil publicly unmasks
• Jessica saves her daughter
• Luke comes home
• The Punisher chooses to protect

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Daredevil saves a child

• Series: Daredevil Season 1

Often lauded as the paragon of fight scenes, the “Daredevil hallway fight” instantly comes to mind as a top Daredevil moment. At this point in the show, Matt Murdock still hasn’t donned his signature red armor. He’s got a black suit and ropes tied to his fists and arms, and he’s half a second away from passing out. Even with the evident exhaustion, and even though he’s completely outnumbered, Matt fights with everything he has — and then some. This scene is made even cooler by the fact that it’s a one shot, meaning the camera films continuously and never cuts until the sequence is complete.

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Matt Murdock fights his way out of prison

• Series: Daredevil Season 3

Netflix elevates their game in Daredevil season 3 with an epic 11-minute one shot. The sequence features three “Texan switches” where the actor seamlessly swaps with their stunt double. Technical brilliance aside, it’s also an incredible Matt Murdock moment. He’s in his civilian clothes and did not arrive at the prison as Daredevil, but rather as his lawyer self. Ultimately, he still ends up battling his way out of the high-security building. Again, Matt is stunningly outnumbered and more tired by the minute. But this doesn’t stop him from escaping in a taxi to continue his fight yet another day.

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Jessica Jones kills Kilgrave

• Series: Jessica Jones Season 1

Jessica Jones spends her first season plagued by a villain named Kilgrave. Kilgrave possesses powers of suggestion, allowing him to take over the minds of individuals with only his voice. He uses these powers to abuse Jessica physically, emotionally, and psychologically. In the Jessica Jones season 1 finale, all hope seems lost as Jessica seemingly falls under his influence once more. Thankfully, Jessica has fooled everyone. When Kilgrave tells her that he loves her, Jessica replies “I love you” to Trish Walker instead. Then she snaps Kilgrave’s neck. You could watch this on repeat and still get chills each time.

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Danny heals Colleen

• Series: Iron Fist Season 1

As the name implies, Iron Fist has extremely powerful hands. Depicted with a glowing gold energy, Danny’s fists can inflict a lot of damage and even control bullets. So when Danny uses his skills for healing, it’s much more significant than his many fights and mega-powered punches. After Colleen is poisoned with a tainted blade, Danny is at a loss for how to save her life. Colleen’s mentor Bakuto swoops in and tells Danny that the Iron Fist can be used to heal. All Danny has to do is channel his chi and draw the poison out, which Danny subsequently — and successfully — does. We love a literal hero glow up.

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Luke brings the ruckus

• Series: Luke Cage Season 1

The image of the bulletproof Luke Cage, hoodie riddled with bullets holes yet body untouched, is striking and meaningful on many levels. Thus the scene from where this image comes has to be mentioned. In Luke Cage season 1, Luke raids the Crispus Attucks building as a clear move against Harlem’s king, Cottonmouth. Luke fights his way through over two dozen lackeys in various environments, from stairs to hallways to empty rooms. He also uses things like a car door and a full size sofa as weapons. All the while, Wu Tang Clan’s “Bring Da Ruckus” plays to emphasize an important point: While Luke has brought chaos to Cottonmouth, he intends to leave with Cottonmouth’s chaos subdued.

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The Defenders finally meet

• Series: The Defenders Season 1

This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for! Finally, all four of the Defenders meet. After each of their own investigations and motivations leads them to the same building, the four heroes form an unsteady alliance as they have to decide to trust each other rather quickly. Although a few members of the group already know each other, it’s great to watch the shift in power dynamics and skill levels. Even their methods change as they learn to work together. Their banter is the cherry on top — after all, they’re all on their “Worst Behavior.”

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Danny and Luke team up

• Series: Luke Cage Season 2

Power Man and Iron Fist are an iconic Marvel comics duo. Their team up in Luke Cage season 2 is a huge payoff for comic fans who can’t get enough of their dynamic. Plus, after the events of The Defenders, it’s nice to know these heroes are still looking out for one another. Luke and Danny get into some shenanigans, most notably a warehouse fight where Luke actually tosses Danny at a group of adversaries à la the Wolverine and Colossus “fastball special.” In the end, the two men are also there for each other as friends who sit in a park and talk about their feelings together — which is just as important as the action scenes.

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Frank confesses his fear

• Series: The Punisher Season 1

The big bad Punisher is infamous for his lethal methods. Violent, skilled, and always waging his new battles, Frank Castle spends most of his solo series covered in blood or planning to execute some sort of injury upon those who have wronged him. That’s why this quiet moment in The Punisher season 1 finale is so important. Finally participating in PTSD group therapy, Frank monologues about no longer having a war to fight. He admits he’s scared. The tonal shift, as well as the character growth, makes it a standout scene not only in The Punisher, but throughout all of the Netflix Marvel TV series.

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Jessica saves her daughter

• Series: Daredevil: Born Again Season 2

Kingpin issues a citywide sweep of vigilantes. His fascist brand of justice is far-reaching, putting Jessica Jones and her daughter Danielle at major risk. A few goons in task force gear are no match for a super-powered mom, though. Blending comedy and action, this Born Again sequence showcases very little violence while Dani holds onto a grenade. Of course, Jessica takes the bomb with a mom’s gentle admonishment. “This isn’t a toy.” So cute, and very classically Jessica.

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Daredevil publicly unmasks

• Series: Daredevil: Born Again Season 2

Ever since Matt started trusting more people with his identity, this huge moment has felt somewhat inevitable. After all, Matt believes in the justice system. He also believes he should pay for his crimes — and sins — with due process under the law. So, when the time comes to prosecute Kingpin, Matt makes his final bid. His morality and freedom on the line, the blind lawyer reveals that he is indeed Daredevil. Now, Matt’s spending time behind bars. Fans can only hope he’s released swiftly.

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Luke comes home

• Series: Daredevil: Born Again Season 2

Dani’s presence demands a Luke Cage appearance. But fans had to wait a long time for Mike Colter to officially debut into the MCU. Well, at long last, we were rewarded for staying the course. At Jessica’s Alias Investigations office, there’s finally a reunion for mother, father, and daughter. Luke recommits himself to his family after volunteering his super-powered services for the CIA. Welcome home, Luke! We hope to see lots more of this trio.

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Frank Castle chooses to protect

• Series: The Punisher: One Last Kill special presentation

In a fateful moment, Frank must make the split-second decision to either pursue Ma Gnucci or save the family that runs his local coffee shop. Frank chooses to protect, not persecute. His heroism is no longer built on going after crime bosses. Instead, he starts from the ground up. What use is executing the Mafia when there are random citizens harassing unhoused folk and small business owners? Quietly, Frank asserts that he is a family man and a man of the people, not some far-removed Avenger.

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What are your favorite moments from Marvel’s Defenders-based television series? Let us know at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network. And don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!