The Punisher (TV Series) Memento Mori (2017) User Reviews

I'v never "really" read a comic book ,, but i think this could be the closest Marvel version of it ..

[Aktham_Tashtush · 9/10 · 19 November 2017]

Wow !! what a journey it has been with Frank Castle over 13 long hours .. each and every episode had that mysterious element that keeps on taunting you to just go ahead and watch the next.

From episode one the plot set a high bar of Drama and Action but it always kept us intrigued with each and every new character a new sub/plot a new secret is unraveled ,, as i said on the premiere this show has been built on a solid ground and it would grow high , so it really did.. maybe for some the story itself would look a copy of what we know of the Punisher .. but believe me it is totally not .. after more than 13 years of the Movie this series just presented it's own original version of Frank Castle and it was a bet won big by Netflix.

Now, yes the plot was solid, the cinematography was high quality, coming to the script, it was really good, but i do believe there was just a couple of episodes right in the middle of the series were a bit slow and could have been cut in the production, but that would make it a 10 episodes show and that is what HBO does, not Netflix .. lol :D

As for the cast, said it before ,so i'm gonna quot myself in here "Jon Bernthal is just one of the most underrated actors on TV,, he was amazing in "Daredevil" which i think made this project come to life ,, but also still remember his unforgettable role in "The Walking Dead" as Shane , my goodness it was full of suspense on both of those previously mentioned roles and here as extension to his story on Daredevil he still preserved that tense present which made the show more suspenseful."

Ben Barnes as Billy and Paul Schulze as Rawlins were just the perfect type of villains and they did really good .. same goes for Ebon Moss-Bachrach as David Lieberman which i only watched him in comedies ,, here it was weird but enlightening in the same time , he's definitely got talent, and sure not forgetting Amber Rose Revah as Agent Madani.

Final thought, don't know if the show will be renewed, like the ending was kinda satisfying for a "Marvel" series.. Honestly i don't know if they really should renew it ,, but if they do i hope they keep it simple and original,., with that many of writers and directors (11 each) i think they will but again still No news of possible renewal so far.

Just perfect, simple as that

[adamgriffin-59137 · 10/10 · 18 November 2017]

Every actor, extra, stunt person, editor, director, producer, writer, etc. came together to make an incredible ending to a perfect addition to the MCU. It was like nothing Marvel has done, and it really made me think about things i wouldn't have thought about otherwise. This series was based in a fantasy world, but it was the realest thing i have seen in television in awhile. It told a story that many people can relate to, and to those who cannot relate to it, well now those people know more about what really goes on when a Vet comes home.

Great end to S1

[Calicodreamin · 8/10 · 23 March 2021]

A great ending to season one, the punisher slays and the bad guys get their due. Great acting and a well developed storyline.

Season 1: A great entry into the Marvel canon and The Punisher that audiences have always wanted.

[FallonTimberlake2016 · 8/10 · 11 December 2017]

The long awaited Netflix/Marvel series The Punisher is finally here, and boy does it pack a punch. The last time we saw Frank Castle was at the end of Daredevil Season 2, when he was sniping ninjas from the top of the roof and coming to terms with his family's loss. The latter has stayed the same, but the former has been thrown out the window for a more gritty and realistic vibe.

The series follows Castle, played excellently yet again by Jon Bernthal, as his past grabs hold of him in the form of a tape of the murder of an innocent man that he was involved in. This affects many different characters, and more than fills the thirteen episodes that the show needs to fill.

Not all the story lines are completely relevant or interesting however, and this can sometimes drag the show down. In particular, the storyline following the Homeland Security agent got on my nerves, mostly because it wasn't very well acted by Amber Rose Revah. It's not that she's a terrible actress, it's just that the role seemed miscast, and there were multiple scenes where the character did not seem to live up to its full potential.

However, Revah's character was the only one that seemed annoying or out of place. The majority of the acting was great, especially that of Bernthal as The Punisher, Ben Barnes as Billy Russo, and Daniel Webber as Lewis, who stole every scene that he was a part of.

The reason Webber was so good was because he really embodied what Post Traumatic Stress Disorder puts someone through. The entire time I was cheering for his character, even through all of the terrible things he did. In fact, the same thing could be said about nearly every villainous character, with the obvious exception of Rawlins.

Another great aspect of this show is that it decides not to have a whole bunch of blatant tie-ins to all of the other Marvel shows and movies that are in the same universe. Yes, Karen Page makes a few appearances, but other than that the references are virtually non- existent.

The message that the show sends off is also a big positive. At times it does feel as if it's leaning towards a certain political stance, but for the most part it tells it like it is and without any bias.

I also feel like the show addresses the gun violence in the show and in the world pretty well. It neither justifies it nor completely condemns it, but presents both sides to the audience and leaves it open for the audience to figure out.

The fact that we've finally gotten a great Punisher TV show/movie after all of the mediocre to truly terrible remakes is truly refreshing. Bernthal embodies the character like nobody has before, and gives us the Frank Castle that fans have needed for years. The Punisher Season 1 is right up there with Daredevil Season 2 and Jessica Jones Season 1 for me, and, despite some out-of place story lines, is one of the better Marvel Cinematic Universe works we've seen this year.

I give The Punisher Season 1 a B+.

Epilogue

[paultapner · 8/10 · 26 August 2019]

After all the events of the last episode, there's still Billy to deal with. Frank will do that. So long as he doesn't die of his injuries first.

There will be a reckoning..

A decent episode till the second half. The first does a good job of sorting loose ends out. Frank of course gets better soon enough but there is an implication of time passing, so it's allowable. And various deals are cut so the Liebermans and Madani are sorted out.

The reckoning comes, and it's at this point you realise its one of those shows/movie that doesn't know where precisely to end. Of course Madani races in with no backup, but at least we don't get an angry betrayed taunting conversation between her and Billy. Frank's methodology here works. Eventually.

Then there's more tying up loose ends to do. In a way to close off the show should a second have not been commissioned, but leave it open for more as well. And this it does. Eventually.

Another of these shows that was a bit stretched at thirteen episodes. I think Daredevil was the only one that justified it. But for parts 9-12, I'm glad I watched.

INTENSE KNOCKOUT

[mkayseryan · 10/10 · 24 December 2021]

The actors did a great job really they did I never doubted what was going on for a second and that's sooo hard to come by especially in a marvel universe. Please bring back season 3 on Disney.

The Punisher Series 1 Comes to Its End, but What a Great Ending it is

[TheMelancholySpirit · 20 November 2020]

The first series I finished and have now gotten to series two episode four, but I felt it would be good to land another review for series one before I write anymore for 2, and I thought its finale "Memento Mori" was absolutely terrific. I've became a huge fan of The Punisher many thanks to the comics and films, but the show is what made me come to love it. I want to go back and read over comic books and watch all films again just because of it. And with that said, comes to the excellent thirteenth and finale episode of the first part - a gripping, brutal, disgusting, sad plethora of events which unfold like nothing before. Between the dialogue, tension, fight choreography, action/violence, and 'conclusion' I'm safe to say it's a perfect 10 out of 10 for me. Frank, Dinah, and Billy steal this episode and are all fantastic; the guts and heart both Frank and Madani have, absolute applause. Billy Russo, "Jigsaw" has become one of my ten personal favourite villains/antagonists not just of the comic book/Marvel world, but for all of film and TV.

The scene which I'm sure everybody has seen the most, the fight between Frank and Billy, not only is (un)shockingly brutal and chaotic, but completely sadistic as it is empathetic. Majority of the fight is on a lose-lose situation, both taking serious however unfatal blows, until more shots are let out. After a swift and sharp hole through the mouth, a bullet having gone through Billy's mouth, Frank getting shot twice, Billy gets the upper-hand, piercing through Frank's arm with his Assassin-like arm-blade only to succumb to a nearly fatal blow to the stomach, Frank lands a gut-wrenching stab into Billy's stomach, with broken glass, and instead of killing him slices his skin like fine cheddar over a mirror, before ultimately shattering his near lifeless face into the glass leaving him to "remember him."

"You're not gonna die today.."

I think in its entirety it's my second or third favourite episode of The Punisher overall. Despite it only lasting two seasons, Netflix and all others involved - why?, I have yet to watch the last nine episodes, so I'm trying to take it slow, watch one a day until the last two then watch them both, finishing it. Thus far it has been a truly emotional, dark, gruesome, and seriously outstanding series, I really don't have many tweaks or nitpicks or nuances with it, I just take it for what it is - and it's honestly magical and wonderful, that's all I can say.

Surprisingly faithful hard edged comic transfer to TV.

[joebloggscity · 8/10 · 13 January 2019]

Well done to Netflix et al.

After a bunch of botched job interpretations on screen in the film world, Netflix have taken The Punisher and given the whole story a welcome retelling. It worked.

Really worked! I read a bunch of The Punisher comics when I was much younger and always liked the dark take on the character, something different for a hero.

Our lead is perfect, and despite having a lower effects budget to work on, both our lead et al are given long story arcs in which to develop with great storyline.

It's violent and unapologetic for it, which is fine as that is what The Punisher is all about. In the comics he's a tortured soul and violence to execute justice is is way, whether you agree with his philosophy or not.

There was some obvious points, and some of the surprises were easily predicted before they happened, but really they could be passed over. Enjoyable and engrossing story, which really even the most stone hearted person could find something in.

Give it a try, and hopefully the second season will live up to the first. This has been my first series I've watched on Netflix, and with this good standard it won't be the last.

Decent climax

[Leofwine_draca · 9/10 · 22 February 2022]

I was hoping for a lot from this season climax and I got it! It's an electrifying episode, full of real power and drama, and it ends in a satisfying showdown between hero and villain. Good choreography as usual, fine acting and no skimping on the bloodshed. I'm really looking forward to season two at this point...

Memento Mori

[bobcobb301 · 7/10 · 7 December 2017]

This was an okay finale, but a quite predictable one. We knew the villain would meet his maker, and we knew there would be blood along the way. The problem was the weird carnival setup and inclusion of a merry go round. It brought back feelings of the Are You Afraid of the Dark Tale of the Silver Sight episode, and while I enjoyed that one, I don't think a Marvel Netflix show should be copying a children's program from the 90's.

This season started off quite weak, but it finished in a good way.

Memento Mori

[nebohr · 6/10 · 25 January 2022]

Very uneven writing. The previous episode earned a rare 9-stars rating from my wife and me. We both cried during the family reunion.

This episode begins with Russo just effortlessly shooting his way to freedom. Like, he doesn't even aim.

Good thing both of Dinah's parents are doctors..

Nice but unoriginal!

[asb_deutsch · 7/10 · 14 December 2017]

You love the characters of Bernthal as The Punisher, Ben Barnes as Billy Russo, and Daniel Webber as Lewis. Next, this is the last episode. Finally, as it was overstretched. This season could have been done in 10 episodes. The reason why I deem it as unoriginal is because the pony carousel scene reminds me of Face/Off. Even when Russo being hospitalized, it reminded be of Nicholas Cage regaining conscious.

Let's see what we have for Season 2!

S1: has its strengths, but is overly deliberate in pacing and neither as gripping or impacting as it needed to be

[bob the moo · 11 February 2018]

I've never really cared much for The Punisher as he has appeared in films and shorts, although his use in season 2 of Daredevil made me look forward to this solo outing despite the very mixed reviews it received from critics and fans alike. The plot sees Frank Castle keeping his head down in a construction job until he is contacted by a mysterious hacker called Micro, who seeks his help in a shared matter. Meanwhile, at the FBI, agent Madani joins the NY office from Afghanistan, but still very much wanting to find out who killed her partner there (who had been investigating reports of marines running drugs). From these initial threads run a comparatively slow narrative across 13 hours.

That 13 hours is part of the problem, as it does seem like it has longer time that it needs, or rather than it can't deliver the type of show to fill that time out. In terms of pace it is not so much 'slow' as it is very deliberate; aside from the moments of action or violence, the show plays out in a way that suggests more weight than it actually carries. I think if it had done more with character and writing then it could have made it work, but as it is a lot of what is in here seems like it is happening to fill the time rather than being a tightly focused season. The bigger issue I had though was that it is not compelling - regardless what pace it goes at, I wanted to have it pulling me back in after each episode, and this didn't happen. Instead it plays out along the lines you expect it to, apart from the rather dour tone it has - not dark or intense, just murky and muddled.

The show is still decent enough with all this though, and it does have enough about it to keep me watching, and to enjoy the high moments - but mostly it is quite ho-hum in what it does. The cast work hard, in particular Bernthal makes a strong presence in the title role; a shame then that the material doesn't give him more. Moss-Bachrach is fine in his role, but again there isn't the material there to make more of the many scenes he and Bernthal have together. Revah is good but doesn't totally convince in her character's emotions and motivations later on, when it really counts. Barnes is effective and his character is part of the reason the show improves as it gets into the final third. Schulze is reliable as ever, and Woll shows up to keep the universe all connected, even if her thread (associated with Wilson) is one of the elements that feels unnecessary.

Overall, season 1 is 'okay' but not consistently better than that. It has its moments and strengths, but too much of it is overly deliberate in the pacing which produces a sluggish feel to so much of the narrative. The plotting is not particularly compelling or snappy either; it is very easy to be steps ahead of it - which is bad when it moves slow because one watches it impatiently waiting for it to catch up. I will still come back for a second season if it picks up on the conflict which this season ended, but I will be joining it hoping that it can tighten and raise its game from here.

Lackluster Ending

[Warin_West-El · 7/10 · 9 April 2023]

The climax was truly unimpressive. There are two hostages on the merry-go-round but who are they? We have no reason to care about either of these people. And obviously for effect, they're constantly whining. Real people wouldn't do that.

ENTER WORTHLESS MADANI: In this episode she's reminiscent of Scatman Crothers' character in The Shining. After a buildup and anticipation of her entrance, she gets immediately taken out.

The gunfight BEFORE Frank reached the merry-go-round was much more realistic. Why would anyone fight on a merry-go-round? Either you stand still on the outside and wait for your enemy to rotate around. Or you walk in a circle around the outside looking for the enemy. Jumping on the merry-go-round itself was a FILMMAKERS idea and not anything a true Punisher would do.

So the climax was trite and unsatisfying. However, the ending WAS satisfying. Seeing the somewhat arrogant hero admit his flaws and talk to others when we know he hates that, was a wonderful and rewarding character arc. Not only did the Punisher act violently, he also grew from the experience.