It has been a long while since Netflix canned its Marvel universe. Something I’ll probably never forgive them for. There was so much to be seen. Luke Cage and Iron Fist teaming back up. Daredevil and Punisher teaming back up. Bushmaster coming back. A second showdown between The Punisher and Kingpin. Frank Castle getting together with Karen Page (that’s just something I would have personally liked to see). There was so much. We’ll probably never get it. So, why am I talking about it? Because I want to.
While I loved The Punisher season two (and season one), one of the things that I wasn’t too crazy about is what happened to Billy Russo. No, not his scars. I know this was a hot topic of debate, but I didn’t mind that his face didn’t end up as gruesome as you’d expect. There were mental scars and I will always defend that decision. The two decisions I don’t agree with are: having Billy suffer from selective amnesia, and Frank Castle killing Billy. I understand why our protagonist had to do it. But, I don’t think he should have at the same time.
The most basic reason is that if there was a third season, you could have had Billy finally regain his memories. I get that it doesn’t matter that he didn’t remember – he still betrayed Frank Castle. But, to have it where Billy felt like the victim made it where it didn’t seem like justice at the end. In fact, it was a sad man begging for his best friend and Frank needing to make the painful decision to kill him – without Billy ever knowing. Season one Billy fine – but killing season two Billy…didn’t sit right.
The fight between Frank Castle and Billy Russo at the end of season one was probably one of the most well-executed fights I’ve ever seen. It’s up there with Daredevil vs. The Punisher in season two of Daredevil. And Daredevil vs. Bullseye in season three of Daredevil. The scene where Frank Castle used broken glass as a cheese grater essentially, using Billy’s face; still makes me have to look away. Imagine a Billy who had those memories, vivid memories; with all of the background memories. That is a Billy that needed to face Frank Castle.
Not only do I just think that Frank needed to face Billy at his best, I also had the innate desire to see Billy and Frank reluctantly team up. I know this is fanfiction essentially, but I had wanted in season three Frank going up against Wilson Fisk. After all, they needed to face each other again. And needing Billy’s help for some reason. It would have been a different dynamic with the two having tried killing each other and each knowing the truth and still needing to team up. There would be time for them to talk and Frank having to deal with the fact that this was a man he considered a brother and now he hates him, but still has to work with him. I would have loved it.
What about you? Do you think Frank should have killed Billy at the end of season two of The Punisher? Do you wish Billy would have retained his memories? Let me know!
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A girl with too many fandoms to count.
