- "The only way out is to find something that you care about."
- ―Frank Castle[src]
The First Season of The Punisher premiered on Netflix on November 17, 2017. It follows the events of the second season of Daredevil.
Synopsis[]
After exacting revenge on those responsible for the death of his wife and children, Frank Castle uncovers a conspiracy that runs far deeper than New York's criminal underworld. Now known throughout the city as the Punisher, he must discover the truth about injustices that affect more than his family alone.
Plot[]
Following the events in Hell's Kitchen, the Punisher continues his crusade to hunt down the remaining members of the Dogs of Hell, the Mexican Cartel, and the Kitchen Irish. Once all members of the three gangs involved in the shootout at Central Park, Castle abandons his life as the Punisher and starts a new life as a construction worker, named Pete Castiglione. Castle tries to live a quiet life, but he gets hassled by Lance and his friends, while Donny Chavez tries to befriend him. Castle later meets with Curtis Hoyle after the veteran group therapy session, and Hoyle encourages him to let the Punisher die and live a normal life.
Transferred from Afghanistan, Dinah Madani returns to the Homeland Security office in New York City where she gets partnered with Sam Stein. Madani continues her investigation of the assassination of Ahmad Zubair, the Afghan National Police officer, who investigated the heroin traffic in Kandahar. Carson Wolf actively discourages Madani from her investigation, but Madani ignores him and asks Stein to provide her with the files on Ray Schoonover and Frank Castle, since they were stationed in Afghanistan around the same time as the murder.
Lance, Paulie and Leo plan to rob the Gnucci Crime Family, but Scut gets injured, so they get Chavez to replace him. However, during the robbery, Chavez accidentally reveals himself to the Gnucci, so Lance decides to get rid of him so the Gnucci would not find them. Lance and the others try to kill Chavez by drowning him in cement, but Castle rescues him and kills Lance, Paulie, and Leo. Afterwards, Castle massacres the whole Gnucci family to ensure Chavez's safety, unaware that the shootout put him on Micro's radar.
Castle receives a phone call from Micro, a person who left a disc with the footage of Zubair's execution, and had been watching him for a while. Castle is concerned that his privacy may be compromised. After making sure that Hoyle was not the one who divulged the information, Castle asks him for help to find Micro. Castle then approaches Karen Page to ask her for help, and she informs him about the NSA analyst David Lieberman, who had been leaking classified information and was a subject of the massive Homeland Security investigation.
In order to make progress in her investigation, Madani tries to get an audience with Billy Russo who used to serve in the same unit with Castle and Schoonover, but Stein reminds her that Wolf would not allow it. Madani convinces Wolf to greenlight field training with Anvil, a private military company, owned by Russo. Madani tries to get close to Russo, so he would answer her question, and Russo invites her to a bar to talk about his service in Afghanistan.
Castle approaches Sarah Lieberman, who believed her husband David to be dead, causing Micro to panic, as Castle had found Micro's family. Afterwards, Castle changes his appearance to avoid Micro watching him, and confronts Wolf at his house, since he was in charge of the Micro investigation. Castle attacks Wolf and gets him to admit that Lieberman was killed for leaking the footage of Zubair's murder, and that they thought that Castle was the one who provided him with the footage. Wolf told Castle that the massacre at Central Park was more than just a gunfight between gangs and was instead an attempt to assassinate Castle under the cover of a sting operation. Castle then murders Wolf and leaves his body to be found by the NYPD and Homeland Security.
In an attempt to gain leverage, Castle contacts Micro and tricks him into leading Castle to his hideout where he begins to interrogate Micro. Micro tells Castle that he is not his enemy, and that he was targeted by the same people who killed Castle's family. Micro reveals that he was sent the footage of Zubair's murder, and that he'd sent it to Madani, but the people in charge found out and sent Wolf to assassinate Micro. Although he survived, he had to pretend to be dead to keep his family safe.
Castle then recalls his service in Afghanistan, during Operation Cerberus, a covert task force aimed at eliminating terrorist groups, led by Schoonover and William Rawlins, known as "Agent Orange". During the operation, Orange flagged Ahmad Zubair as a terrorist, and the squad was ordered to abduct him for an investigation. Afterwards, Orange orders Castle to execute Zubair and bury him in an unmarked grave, unaware that the whole murder was filmed by one of the squad members. Orange later receives intel about the high-profile terrorist figure in Kandahar and sends the squad to assassinate him, but it turns out to be a trap. Castle manages to get the squad to evacuate with minimal casualties, but Orange's lack of concern enrages him, forcing Castle to assault Orange, forcing Russo to intervene and stop Castle.
Micro tells Castle that the Operation Cerberus was not authorized by the United States Congress and was therefore illegal, which meant that people in charge tried to prevent its exposure by killing Castle and Lieberman. Realizing that these people were the ones who had his family murdered, Castle agrees to work with Micro on the condition that he gets to kill every single one of them.
Madani and Stein investigate Wolf's murder and Stein discovers evidence that Wolf had $30 million in his off-shore bank accounts, leading to the suspicion that Wolf was corrupt. Madani notices how Wolf tried to hinder her investigation and suspects that no one at the agency can be trusted. In the wake of Wolf's death, Rafael Hernandez appoints Madani as the acting SAC of Homeland Security in New York, but warns her to keep her focus on the current operation against the Greek Mob.
Hoyle tries to help Lewis Wilson, a young veteran with PTSD who struggles to readjust to civilian life. In an attempt to shield Wilson from O'Connor's radical rhetoric, Hoyle attempts to console Wilson, but Wilson decides to join Anvil to get back on the battlefield. Hoyle tells Russo about Wilson's mental state and says that Wilson might be a danger for others and himself, so Russo rejects his application, to Wilson's great frustration.
In order to acquire enough firepower to fight their enemies, Castle and Micro target the Greek Mob's arsenal, reaching out to Turk Barrett, which ultimately turns out to be a dead end. After Castle spends more time with Sarah and her children, Micro informs Castle that Homeland Security organized a sting operation to catch the Greek Mob during the weapons deal, which was a perfect chance to strike. Micro hacks into their comms, causing a diversion, while Castle steals the truck with the weapons. Madani tries to chase after Castle, which ends up in Micro hitting her with the Greek Mob's truck, however, Castle rescues her from the wreckage. Madani awakens during Castle's rescue, learning that Castle is alive. Castle then tells Madani that he killed Wolf because Wolf was dirty. Castle tells Madani to stay out of his way.
Madani keeps the fact about Castle being alive a secret from everyone, except Stein, and continues her investigation, speaking with Page about Castle. After being questioned by the Office of the Inspector General, both keep silent about Castle's involvement, and Madani asks Stein to find the information about the others from Castle's unit, including Gunner Henderson. However, they were unaware that Rawlins was listening to their conversations from his office at the George Bush Center for Intelligence. Fearing that Henderson might jeopardize his position, Rawlins orders for Henderson to eliminated. Afterwards, Madani meets with Russo again. After having a few drinks, they end up having sex.
Now possessing enough firepower, Castle and Micro decide to find Henderson who secretly recorded Zubair's execution and sent it to Micro. Arriving at Kentucky woods, Castle approaches Henderson and asks him about any details he knew about the Operation Cerberus. Henderson informs Castle that Orange organized a heroin smuggling operation to fund their activity in Kandahar without Congress' backing, and Morty Bennett was in charge of the traffic. However, a tactical unit sent by Rawlins arrives at Kentucky and after a gunfight, both Castle and Henderson end up heavily wounded, as Rawlins finds out that Castle is still alive. Henderson dies in the woods, while Micro saves Castle and gets Hoyle to treat to his wounds.
Madani receives an information about the shootout in Kentucky where she and Stein find Henderson's body, noting that he was not alone. Examining the DNA on the scene, they conclude that Castle was a sole survivor of the gunfight, so Madani decides to speak with Russo directly. She informs Russo that his best friend is alive, and asks him for help to find him. Russo tries to get in touch with Castle via radio calls and asks Hoyle who denies any knowledge of Castle's current status.
Castle eventually reunites with Russo and informs him about everything involving the Operation Cerberus and the conspiracy behind it. Russo then offers Castle to use his Anvil resources to get him out of the country and start a new life under a new identity. Knowing that he cannot leave until the people behind the conspiracy are punished, Castle refuses Russo's offer, unaware that he had been working with Rawlins all along.
Meanwhile, Wilson fully commits himself to O'Connor's rhetoric and joins him at the NRA protest near the courthouse. Wilson ends up being arrested and after Hoyle bails him out, he tells Wilson that O'Connor is nothing but a stolen valor and a fraud who lied about his service in Vietnam. After confronting O'Connor about the truth, Wilson loses control and murders O'Connor, causing him another breakdown, during which he almost takes his own life.
Russo tells Madani that his attempts to find Castle were fruitless, while Stein is frustrated that Madani involved a civilian like Russo but kept Hernandez out of it. Madani then comes to a realization that Henderson was killed after they brought him up in the investigation, which meant that the culprits were listening to her. Madani and Stein then search up the office and find the hidden bug, which Rawlins used to keep tabs on Homeland Security's investigation.
Castle and Micro plan to infiltrate Fort Bryon to find Bennett and use him to find Agent Orange. Rawlins and Russo realize that Castle might be targeting Bennett but decide to organize an ambush without informing Bennett about it. Castle infiltrates the compound and confronts Bennett, while Micro hacks into his phone to plant a tracker. However, masked Russo and a team of Anvil agents ambush Castle but he takes out all of them non-lethally and escapes from the compound once Micro finished the hack.
Afterwards, Russo brings Bennett to the CIA Safe House to speak with Rawlins, while Castle and Micro follow them. Bennett is angered that they used him as a bait for Castle, and Rawlins orders Russo to get Bennett out of the country, so Castle would not find him. However, in reality, Russo was ordered to murder Bennett, as he was too much of a liability. Locating Rawlins at the safehouse, Castle attempts to assassinate him with a sniper rifle but Rawlins is saved by the bulletproof glass, so Castle has no choice but to escape.
Micro identifies Rawlins as the Director of Covert Operations and gets concerned that CIA might be after them, but Castle calms him down. Micro then notices that the cameras at his house were down and asks Castle to check in on his family. Later, Micro suggests to get in touch with Madani and officially testify, so Homeland Security could take Rawlins down, however, Castle is against that idea. While Castle spends some time with Zach Lieberman, he notices that Micro was near the house and tells him to get back, promising to speak with Madani.
Aware of the bug in the office, Madani and Stein organize a fake sting operation on the weapons dealer who was dealing with Castle, in an attempt to lure out the people hunting for him. Receiving an information from Rawlins, Russo gets in touch with four ex-Anvil agents and enlists their help to kill Castle. However, they end up in the gunfight with the Homeland Security agents, which resulted in several agents and all mercenaries killed. Russo tries to escape, only to be confronted by Stein but after he sees Russo's face, he uses the confusion to kill Stein and run away, leaving Madani to mourn over her partner.
As Madani is ridden by the guilt for Stein's death, Castle and Micro decide that it was not the best time to talk to her. Suddenly, Wilson executes a series of bombings at the several municipal building as a part of his manifest. As the FBI investigates the attack, Wilson sends Page a letter, asking for her support, since she was a supporter of the Punisher, but Page only calls him a terrorist and a coward in response. Wilson alter calls on the radio, proclaiming his two targets: Page and Stan Ori, a New York Senator who is campaigning against the civilian firearm usage.
Both Castle and Hoyle recognize Wilson and attempt to find him, as Hoyle goes to O'Connor's house where he finds his corpse and Wilson's explosives. Wilson attacks Hoyle and leaves him tied to a bomb, before Castle tracks him down. Wilson gets in touch with Castle who calls him out for being nothing but a cowardly bomber and expressing his intention to take him out. Castle manages to disarm the bomb and rescue Hoyle, however, the NYPD arrives at the scene, forcing Castle to flee.
Still blaming herself for Stein's death, Madani eventually decides to attend his memorial and come clean with everything they had been working on, even if it would cost her career. Prior to that, Madani gets approached by Micro who did not wait for Castle and decided to tell her everything about the Operation Cerberus and William Rawlins, however, both of them witness the news report that Castle was caught by cameras and the fact of him being alive was now a public knowledge.
Wilson continues his hunt for Ori, who hired Russo and Anvil to provide him with a security during his interview with Page and public inauguration at the Royal Hospitality hotel. Wilson manages to breach the security and infiltrate the hotel, while Castle contacts Russo and tells him to evacuate Ori, while he would take Wilson down. Meanwhile, Madani returns to the Homeland Security and comes clean to Hernandez about her investigation. Hernandez shows her files on the mercenaries from the shootout and reveals that all of them used to work for Anvil. Madani goes to the hotel and asks Russo about it but he denies any connection with them and the shootout.
Wilson kills numerous Anvil guards and tries to kill Ori at his suite, but Castle protects him from Wilson's bullet. As Ori escapes, Wilson takes Page hostage and goes to the basement, while Castle evades remaining Anvil guards and chases Wilson. He eventually gets confronted by Madani who tells him that she was talking to Micro and tries to get Castle to testify against Rawlins, but Castle refuses. Castle suddenly gets shot by Russo who ignores Madani's demand to put the weapon down and Madani realizes that Russo was the one who killed Stein. As the police arrival interrupts them, Castle confronts Wilson and after disarming his suicide vest, he manages to rescue Page, while Wilson ends up killing himself with a bomb.
As Page allows Castle to use her as a human shield, Castle manages to avoid the police and get out of the hotel, leaving Brett Mahoney and others to deal with the aftermath. Returning to the hideout, Castle argues with Micro because he went to Madani without talking to him, while Micro was frustrated that Castle went after Wilson and let the police identify him. Both Castle and Micro decide that once Rawlins is dealt with, their partnership would be over.
Madani interrogates Russo at the Homeland Security office, trying to get him to admit that he was a part of the Cerberus conspiracy and killed Stein because he was close to expose him, but Russo denied everything, pointing out that Madani had no evidence to back her claims. However, Madani reminds him that Castle knows about him too and he does not need any evidence to take Russo out, and she could turn the blind eye when Castle deals with him. Since Castle was too much a threat, Rawlins approaches Marion James and informs her about the situation that could put the CIA in danger. He gets James to provide him with the access to the CIA surveillance, so he could track Castle down.
Aware of Castle's connection with the Liberman family, Russo sends a group of Anvil agents disguised as police officers to abduct Sarah and Zach, while Leo manages to escape. Russo is not thrilled with the idea of kidnapping civilians, but Rawlins reminds him that Castle poses a great danger to them and they had to get rid of him no matter the cost. Castle helps Leo to avoid the pursuit and tells Micro to go meet with her, while he would stay at the hideout, waiting for Russo to come for him.
Madani and Hernandez summon James to the meeting at the Homeland Security and inform her that Rawlins was a top suspect of their investigation, as a man in charge of the conspiracy, that involved the CIA, NSA and the United States Armed Forces. James denies any knowledge of it and reminds them that the Homeland Security does not have any jurisdiction over the CIA, but Hernandez argues that Rawlins caused several Homeland Security agents to get killed on the US soil. James later confronts Rawlins on the mess they were now involved in because of him, but Rawlins plans to put all the blame on Russo and get rid of Castle, so the CIA would be clean in the end. James tells him that regardless of the outcome, Rawlins would have to resign and in case he tries to get back at James, she would turn him in to the Homeland Security.
Tracking down the phone call, a group of Anvil agents break into Micro's hideout, only to end up in the ambush, planned by Castle. Castle mercilessly kills all of the agents, but finds out that Russo was not among them. He then gets in touch with Russo, proposing him a trade, Castle and Micro would turn themselves in to Russo and Rawlins, in exchange for Sarah and Zach being liberated. Afterwards, Castle meets with both Micro and Madani, and they joined forces to take Rawlins down once and for all.
Castle testifies about everything involving the Operation Cerberus and the murder of Ahmad Zubair, admitting that he was the one who pulled the trigger. Micro, however, refuses to cooperate until the Homeland Security ensures the safety of his family. Castle and Micro then go the hostage exchange, during which the Homeland Security ends up attacking the Anvil, and Micro ends up being shot in the back, while Castle gets captured by the Anvil. However, it was only a decoy, planned by Madani, as Micro's death was faked, allowing him to reunite with his family.
Castle regains his consciousness back at Micro's hideout where Russo finds that the computers were rigged to upload the footage of Zubair's execution online after the countdown ends. Rawlins then brutally tortures Castle, getting him to unlock the computer access and stop the countdown, however, Castle activates the cameras at the hideout, so the entire torture and Rawlins admitting to his crimes would be recorded. Madani is furious that Castle went against the plan and Micro tells her that he wanted to provide the Homeland Security with necessary evidence, while he would either kill Rawlins and Russo, or die trying.
Russo and Rawlins' alliance begins to fray, which results in Russo secretly snipping the zip ties holding Castle wrists. Before Rawlins prepares to kill him, Castle frees himself and brutally murders Rawlins, while Russo prepares to leave the hideout. However, Micro has a change of heart and leads the Homeland Security to the hideout to save Castle, resulting in Russo getting wounded and escaping. Micro and Madani find the heavily injured Castle and get him to Madani's father who treats to Castle's wounds.
As Russo's criminal involvement was exposed, the Homeland Security launches a pursuit after Russo, however, he kills most of the agents and detonates the Anvil Headquarters while escaping. Russo later goes to Hoyle's apartment and tries to force Hoyle to tell Russo where Castle was, unaware that he was outside of the apartment and preparing an ambush. Russo manages to avoid Castle's shot and takes Hoyle as a hostage, forcing Castle to let him get out. Russo then tells Castle to meet him where it all started, so they could end it once and for all: the Central Park.
As Russo takes two young workers as his hostages, he engages in a combat with Castle on the carousel. Russo manages to gain an upper hand, but Madani realizes where the duel would take place and confronted Russo, forcing him to get distracted and shoot Madani in the head. Castle uses his distraction to brutally attack Russo, but instead of killing him, Castle decides that dying would be too easy of a punishment. Castle proceeds to repeatedly smash Russo against the broken mirror, destroying Russo's face and leaves to tend to Madani's wound before the police arrives.
Both Madani and Castle were taken to the hospital, while Russo was arrested, although Castle caused him a severe cranial trauma which put him in a coma. Hernandez and James meet with both of them and inform Castle that in the wake of the recent events, the CIA and Homeland Security redirected the narrative, putting Russo and Wilson as the main culprits and wiped out all information about Castle from the database, so he would remain a free man. Micro finally gets to reunite with his family and return to his normal life, and parts ways with Castle who joins Hoyle's therapy session, opening up about his fear and uncertainty.
Cast[]
Starring Cast[]
- Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle/Punisher
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach as David Lieberman/Micro
- Ben Barnes as Billy Russo
- Amber Rose Revah as Dinah Madani
- Daniel Webber as Lewis Wilson
- Paul Schulze as William Rawlins/Agent Orange
- Jason R. Moore as Curtis Hoyle
- Michael Nathanson as Sam Stein
- Jaime Ray Newman as Sarah Lieberman
- Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page
Supporting Cast[]
- Shohreh Aghdashloo as Farah Madani
- Kelli Barrett as Maria Castle
- Aidan Pierce Brennan as Frank Castle, Jr.
- Nicolette Pierini as Lisa Castle
- Tony Plana as Director Rafael Hernandez
- Kobi Frumer as Zach Lieberman
- Ripley Sobo as Leo Lieberman
- Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Deputy Director Marion James
- Tim Guinee as Clay Wilson
- Geoffrey Cantor as Mitchell Ellison
- Rick Holmes as Senator Stan Ori
- Jeb Kreager as Gunner Henderson
- C. Thomas Howell as Carson Wolf
- Shezi Sardar as Ahmad Zubair
- Delaney Williams as O'Connor
Episodes[]
| Image | Title | Number | Airdate | Writers | Directors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 AM | 1.01 | November 17, 2017 | Steve Lightfoot | Tom Shankland |
| Former Marine Frank Castle takes the law into his own hands while struggling to come to terms with his traumatic past. | |||||
|
Two Dead Men | 1.02 | November 17, 2017 | Steve Lightfoot | Tom Shankland |
| A mysterious phone call force Frank's hand. Meanwhile, Madani goes digging for suspects and Curtis delivers a message. | |||||
|
Kandahar | 1.03 | November 17, 2017 | Steve Lightfoot | Andy Goddard |
| Frank skips the subtelty while interrogating Micro. Brutal memories of secret missions shed light on Frank's past. | |||||
|
Resupply | 1.04 | November 17, 2017 | Dario Scardapane | Kari Skogland |
| Madani and Sam plan a delicate operation, Curtis tries to connect with Lewis and Frank encourage Micro to get his hands dirty. | |||||
|
Gunner | 1.05 | November 17, 2017 | Michael Jones-Morales | Dearbhla Walsh |
| Frank and Micro go looking for answers from a reluctant witness. Madani and Sam learn of a looming investigation. Rawlins sees a ghost. | |||||
|
The Judas Goat | 1.06 | November 17, 2017 | Christine Boylan | Jeremy Webb |
| With Frank in bad shape, Micro calls on Curtis for help. Madani and Russo continue to mix business with pleasure. Lewis stands up for his rights. | |||||
|
Crosshairs | 1.07 | November 17, 2017 | Bruce Marshall Romans | Andy Goddard |
| Lewis struggles with the ramifications of his actions. Frank and Micro pursue another face from the past. Madani and Sam go bug hunting. | |||||
|
Cold Steel | 1.08 | November 17, 2017 | Felicia D. Henderson | Antonio Campos |
| Russo opens up to Madani about his past, Sarah shares her concerns about her son with Frank, and a decoy operation takes a turn. | |||||
|
Front Toward Enemy | 1.09 | November 17, 2017 | Angela LaManna | Marc Jobst |
| Following a deadly explosion, Karen lands in a bomber's crosshairs - and Frank isn't happy about it. Meanwhile, Curtis makes a grisly discovery. | |||||
|
Virtue of the Vicious | 1.10 | November 17, 2017 | Ken Kristensen | Jim O'Hanlon |
| An attack on a high-profile politician is examined (and reexamined) through different perspectives. Madani faces a painful truth. | |||||
|
Danger Close | 1.11 | November 17, 2017 | Felicia D. Henderson | Kevin Hooks |
| As danger knocks on Sarah's door, Frank takes his quest for vengeance to the next level with some help from an unexpected ally. | |||||
|
Home | 1.12 | November 17, 2017 | Dario Scardapane | Jet Wilkinson |
| Frank makes a damning confession. A shootout leaves Sarah wondering what to believe. Rawlins goes in for the kill, once and for all. | |||||
|
Memento Mori | 1.13 | November 17, 2017 | Steve Lightfoot | Stephen Surjik |
| As the authorities close in, an exhausted but unbroken Frank vows to put an end to the war that has consumed his life. | |||||
Videos[]
[]
Trailers[]
Title Sequence[]
Music[]
| Song title | Artist | Location(s) |
|---|---|---|
| One | Metallica |
|
