Marvel's The Punisher Season 2: What Does The Ending Really Mean?

2. Frank Fully Embraces Being The Punisher

Punisher Season 2 Jon Bernthal
Netflix

One of the highlights of the season is the way we see Frank struggle with, question, and then finally embrace being the Punisher. Season 1 was about him reclaiming his identity as Frank Castle and being able to live as that person, past and all, and this year then becomes a true Punisher story.

It's fascinating to watch Frank as he questions whether he can be the killer the Punisher has to be and still be good, and even more fascinating to see him realise that this isn't just some revenge mission. This is simply who he is, and he loves it.

It never just makes him an amoral killer, but makes it clear that he is the man prepared to cross the line and pull the trigger. Not just because he has to, but because he wants to. It results in that final sequence where he blows away a bunch of criminals, after turning down Madani's offer to work on a CIA mission. Rawlins, Russo, Pilgrim - all his enemies are gone. He could've chosen to live the quiet life. But THIS is who he is at his very core.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.