It’s time for five thoughts on The Punisher’s “The Dark Hearts of Men,” the tenth episode of its final season. Be aware: spoilers follow.
1. A significant shift in storytelling and mood
“The Dark Hearts of Men” is framed and indirectly narrated by a conversation, set 24 hours earlier, between Madani and Dr. Dumont. They discuss Frank and Billy while the two men plan and then stage their most climactic encounter so far in the series. This is a change for The Punisher, which has used linear storytelling and almost no narration for the better part of two seasons.
But, it also means that we had to spend a lot of time listening to Madani and Dumont say what we’ve already been shown: there are many similarities between Frank and Billy, as well as a few critical differences. It started out feeling a welcome change of pace. It ended up feeling tired and worn out. The conversation, and its impact on the events 24 hours later, also relied on Madani being oblivious to Dumont’s games. More on that to follow.
2. Krista Dumont had a purpose
Finally, ten episodes in, Krista Dumont appears to be more than an enabler for Billy. She uses her skills as a psychiatrist to question Madani and figures out how to “break” Frank. Dumont controls the conversation. She has an answer for every one of Madani’s questions and makes her feel better about her role in Billy and Frank’s war. She lectures about the definition of hell in the kind of scene usually reserved for the Big Bad.
Where did this version of Krista Dumont come from? Where has she been the past nine episodes? Until now, she’s been little more than a doormat for Billy. Now she’s Hugo Strange or Doctor Faustus.
Was her apparent subservience to Billy a ruse? Is this a plan she hatched while she was treating him in the hospital? Or maybe the first time he showed up at her door covered in blood? Dumont doesn’t get Madani to reveal any secrets, but she controls their talk and successfully hides that she’s been harboring Billy for the entire time he’s been missing.
That’s the other problem with their encounter. It requires Madani to drop her guard for Dumont; someone she already expressed distrust for. She had to make the same mistake with Krista that she did with Billy. The mistake she’s been browbeating herself for since she recovered from last year.
3. The most patient cops in New York City
Stop me if you’ve heard this one. A squad of policemen storms into a building where there’s been a shooting incident. They find a room full of dead bodies with one man still standing. He’s armed and covered with blood. So, they repeatedly yell for him to drop the weapon and never fire their own.
Yeah, I haven’t heard that one either. The final scene of this episode was very poorly staged.
4. The dark hearts of men
The differences between Billy and Frank have been at the forefront of The Punisher’s second season. It’s a good theme. An excellent follow up to the first season’s ruminations about soldiers and war. This episode’s title describes the idea well, and the ending cuts right to the point.
But as this theme comes to the forefront in “The Dark Hearts of Men,” it’s a bludgeon pounded into our skulls, instead of a thread tying the scenes together. Madani and Krista talk about Billy and Frank. We cut to Frank and Curtis, who talk about Billy and Frank. Later, after Madani and Krista talk about you-know-who and the other guy, we cut to Frank and Billy talking to each other about themselves. Billy even shouts “I am you, Frank!” Ok. Uncle! We get it.
5. The dark heart of that other guy
Sandwiched in between the philosophizing about Billy and Frank were a few scenes featuring the other villain, John (Robert?) Pilgrim. We’re shown more of his dark heart and a few hints about his past. He’s a lot like Billy and Frank, but he made an effort to leave his violent past behind. Can he? Does the effort redeem him? Maybe we’ll find out if they get around to something other than Billy and Frank.
That’s five thoughts about The Punisher’s “The Dark Hearts of Men.” What are yours? Let us know in the comments.
