Ep 3. Kandahar

Frank Castle's life takes a dramatic turn when he reaches Kandahar. The episode begins with two different timelines paralleled by each other. In one timeline, we see Frank, also known as The Punisher, serving in the United States Marine Corps in Afghanistan. In the other timeline, we see Frank in the present day, following clues to find those responsible for his family's death.

Kandahar is the third episode of the first season of The Punisher, and it is a critical episode in understanding Frank Castle's character. The episode gives us a glimpse into Frank's past and shows us the events that led to his transformation into the Punisher. We see how Frank and his fellow soldiers have to make tough decisions and live with the consequences of their actions.

In the episode, we see Frank dealing with the aftermath of a mission gone wrong. He is tasked with protecting a high-value target, but things quickly escalate, and they are all caught in a firefight. The stress of the job takes a toll on Frank, and we see him struggling to keep it together. Through flashbacks, we learn about Frank's relationship with his commanding officer, William Rawlins, and how their friendship was tested during their mission in Afghanistan.

In the present day, things are not going well for Frank. He is being chased by the authorities, and he is still grieving over his family's death. However, he is not deterred, and he continues to follow clues that might lead him to the people responsible for his family's murder. In this episode, we see Frank teaming up with Micro, a former NSA analyst who has been helping him with his investigation.

Kandahar is also important for introducing us to the show's main antagonist, Billy Russo. Billy is Frank's former friend, and he is now a successful businessman who runs a private military corporation. We see Billy's relationship with Frank through flashbacks, and it is clear that the two men had a close bond during their time in the Marine Corps. However, we also see that Billy has a dark side, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead.

The episode is full of action, and we see Frank's skills as a soldier on full display. There are intense combat scenes in both timelines, and we see Frank and his comrades fighting for their lives in Afghanistan. The episode also has emotional weight, and we see the toll that Frank's experiences have taken on him. We see him struggling with PTSD and trying to come to terms with the loss of his family.

Overall, Kandahar is a fantastic episode that adds depth to Frank Castle's character. We see his past and present colliding with each other, and we see how his experiences have shaped him into the man he is today. The episode also introduces us to the show's main villain, Billy Russo, and sets up the conflict between him and the Punisher. With its intense action, emotional weight, and superb performances, Kandahar is a must-watch episode of The Punisher.