Ep 2. Fight or Flight

Frank Castle, popularly known by his mercenary name "The Punisher," is a war veteran who took up the vigilante fight against criminal elements that he believes the law cannot adequately handle. In season 2, episode 2 of the show, Fight or Flight, Frank is still reeling from the death of his family and struggling to find meaning in his crusade against injustice.

As the episode opens, Frank is seen trying to find solace by living a quiet life working a construction job while staying in a motel. However, he is soon drawn back into his violent world when he crosses paths with a troubled young girl named Amy Bendix. Frank helps protect her from a group of heavily armed men, who are determined to capture her for reasons unknown. Frank discovers that Amy is a runaway looking for a place to hide. He agrees to help her stay safe and takes her to his motel room. Frank doesn't know who is after her and what Amy might have done or seen, but takes it upon himself to protect her.

As Amy and Frank develop a relationship, we see Frank struggling with his violent past and his aversion to killing despite his vigilante ways. The two eventually separate when Frank is ordered by an old friend, Curtis, to meet with a psychiatrist, Krista Dumont. The meeting turns out to be a trap, and Frank gets ambushed by Billy Russo AKA Jigsaw, an old enemy who is hell-bent on revenge for his disfigured face and for nearly killing him in the season 1 finale. During the altercation, Frank discovers that Jigsaw has a new partner, John Pilgrim, who is as equally dangerous and has his own vendetta.

The rest of the episode focuses on the cat and mouse game between Frank and Jigsaw's forces, who are after him, and his attempts to locate Amy and keep her safe. Frank also seeks to unravel the mystery around her and why they are after her. He uses his skills and wits to evade the multiple assassins on his trail, leaving a trail of bodies as he drives his way to Amy's location.

The episode ends with Frank finally reaching and protecting Amy from her pursuers. The climax is a showdown between Frank and the formidable John Pilgrim, which showcases Frank's fighting skills and his tactical genius. It is a violent yet satisfying ending to an action-packed episode that will leave fans eager for more.

Overall, Fight or Flight is a thrilling episode that taps into the origins of the character and his struggles. It is a great continuation of the character arc from the previous season and sets up the storyline for the rest of the season. The episode showcases Frank Castle as a complex character with a strong sense of justice, despite his violent methods. The action scenes are intense and well-choreographed, and the performances from the cast, especially Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, are excellent. The show does an excellent job of setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting and emotional journey for the audience and the character.