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Five Thoughts on The Punisher‘s “Roadhouse Blues”

By | January 19th, 2019
Posted in Television | % Comments

Frank Castle is back in season 2 of The Punisher. The first season delved into issues like PTSD, the United States’ treatment of its veterans, identity, with a subtle nod to current events. There’s no reason to think this season, which may be the show’s last, won’t cover a similar range of issues.

Even if you didn’t see the first season, you could jump right into the second, since Netflix does an excellent job bringing you up to date. On the other hand, there’s no reason not to watch it. It’s excellent, and if you have Netflix, it’s right there. Either way, be warned: there will be spoilers in this review.

When we last saw Frank Castle, he was a free man. He uncovered the broader conspiracy that killed his family and threatened the nation. He exacted his revenge on the people that wronged him, his family, and his fellow soldiers. The government gave him a new identity and set him free.

1. Frank ain’t got time to bleed.

“Roadhouse Blues” opens with a bloody Frank Castle behind the wheel of his van, fleeing from another car. We don’t know how he got there, and before he can get out of trouble, we cut to the opening montage, credits, and music. When the opening ends, Frank is at the titular roadhouse, smiling and drinking a beer.

We expect The Punisher to balance gunplay and violence with character development. It’s what the first season did very well. “Roadhouse Blues” does the same thing, to poignant, almost heartbreaking effect. We spend the entire episode knowing what’s going to happen and dreading its arrival.

2. Shooter Jennings.

The Marvel Netflix shows have featured some great musical choices. Luke Cage worked lyrics into episode titles and selected tracks that tied to each episode’s theme. The Punisher trailers made excellent use of Metallica and Alice in Chains. So, with a chapter titled “Roadhouse Blues,” you might expect to hear some Doors. Or maybe a sly nod to a certain movie about Roadhouses with a Jeff Healey Band tune.

But, The Punisher decided to go with Shooter Jennings. Shooter is the son of another Jennings you might have heard of: Waylon Jennings. (No, not Jones. Jennings.) He’s the real deal. While you might not find him at a roadhouse in rural Michigan, he sounds like the kind of band you would see there.

3. Happy Frank makes you sad.

After the opening sequence, we meet Frank hanging out at the bar, sipping a beer and smiling. Frank Castle is happy and at peace. He’s not scanning the room. He’s not watching the door. Frank is relaxed. It’s a Frank Castle we only saw in flashback scenes shot with soft focus in the past, but now he’s here. In the present!

Later, he lets his guard down as far as one can. He reveals who he is to a new love interest, and bares more of his soul in a few hours than many men do in years. The scenes with Beth and her son are touching. (I can even forgive him for being a Rangers fan.) Frank still misses his family; he’s still haunted by memories of violence and loss. But Jon Bernthal shows us a man that’s slowly healing. More than half of the episode is an up-close examination of where Frank’s psyche is at the opening of the new season.

But we know where he’s going to end up because of the opening scene. That was cruel, Punisher writers!

4. Mysterious villains.

Frank doesn’t go looking for trouble. He’s not seeking it out, but he’s not going to overlook it either. He intervenes twice in “Roadhouse Blues.” The first time leads to his relationship with Beth. The second time places him right in the middle of a brutal knife fight and a mass shooting.

We still don’t know what the villains want from the runaway girl. Photos or something? We don’t know what business they’re in. But we do see that their leader is powerful enough to give orders to a  cop at a murder scene. We also get a hint that he’s going to figure out who Frank is. Who is this guy?

5. Remarkable fight scene.

Frank rushes to help a runaway girl. This leads to a memorable fight scene in the roadhouse bathroom. While I enjoyed the flashy ninja battles in Daredevil and Iron Fist’s Kung Fu, there’s something fun about watching someone break a sink over a thug’s head. The fight uses the whole room; bathroom stalls, walls, mirrors, and sinks. The fighters grunt and groan as they toss each other through doors and against walls. It’s reminiscent of the better fights in the Nolan Batman series.

Continued below

As the scene progresses, we see Frank change from concerned bystander to Punisher. His anger builds, and he starts to hit his opponents harder. When he drives a knife through a woman’s chest, any sign of Pete Castiglione is gone.

Frank Castle is back.

The Punisher’s second season starts with a car chase and ends with Frank driving toward trouble. What did you think of it? Let us know in the comments.


//TAGS | punisher

Eric Goebelbecker

Eric is a software engineer who lives and works in the NYC metro area. When he's not writing, he's reading. When he's not writing or reading, he is displeased. You can find his personal blog over here.

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