Foggy Nelson’s Haircut Is the Real MVP of ‘Daredevil’ Season 3

I maintain a special place in my heart for Foggy Nelson. I will admit that I am mildly obsessed with Daredevil’s BFF, and have been for years, a timespan stretching back long before the debut of Netflix’s Marvel’s Daredevil’s Foggy played by Elden Henson. And when it comes to that TV show, obviously I’m all-in on the themes of guilt and justice, the thrilling action, the gripping performances–but I also watch the show for Matt Murdock’s hapless other half. My longstanding crush on a comic book character was only strengthened when he was brought to life, but there’s been one thing standing between Netflix’s Foggy and the greatness of comic Foggy: that damn hair.

I fully admit that this is my own personal persnicketiness, possibly revealing too much about myself in an article for work that is not a personal fan blog entry (I dunno, is there even a difference anymore?). Comic book Foggy has always had a neat, trim ‘do with a mop of flop on top, the kinda look you’d usually see on teen heartthrobs in the ’90s. Business on the bottom, Rider Strong on top. But for the first two seasons of Daredevil, Henson’s Foggy was all flop, no business. His mane framed his face like a mid-Friends Rachel cut. That’s not Foggy! And that’s why Season 3 of Daredevil is, in more ways than just this weirdly specific one, the long-awaited (by possibly only me) arrival of a fully-formed, comic-accurate Foggy Nelson. Why? Because Foggy Nelson finally got a haircut.

Behold, a transformation worthy of Queer Eye!

Gorg! Stunning! Werk, Foggy, werk!

Okay, the haircut actually debuted last year in the Defenders limited series and continued into Foggy’s guest spot in Luke Cage Season 2 (where he fit in surprisingly well). But it’s Daredevil Season 3 that finally put Foggy back in the spotlight again and let him show off that new look in episode after episode. Foggy grew up between seasons and now’s his time to show out!

I’m serious about that Queer Eye comparison, too, because this haircut is just transformative as any Jonathan Van Ness gifted upon those schlubby guys. Foggy’s haircut is, to a laser-focused comics-reader/TV critic like myself, a signal that this character is not messing around anymore. Not only did Foggy get a visit from Jonathan, just look at that suit! Foggy got in touch with his inner Tan France and started pulling out look after look this season. Three-piece suits with bold color shirts and ties, elaborate silk lining with ornate designs, warm statement scarves and funky sweaters–Foggy’s come a long way from his off-the-rack roots. This is the sweet-faced adult angel that you would totally write-in on a ballot!

Here’s why all this matters: Foggy is, as he has always been in the comics, a sidekick. He’s slides into the archetype of bumbling villain bait along with every other comedy relief dude in action/adventure fiction. But–and now’s when my analytical brain takes over from my thirst brain–Foggy defies all of those stereotypes. In fact, that’s kinda been Mr. Nelson’s whole gig for decades; he’s the superhero BFF that you think is supposed to be helpless but is actually super capable. That’s been true in the comics, as he’s frequently taken Matt Murdock to task for all of his self-destructive BS and even battled cancer (and won). The same is true for Netflix’s Foggy, who has been depicted as a talented lawyer from Season 1 on, and he even has a lot of luck with women–way more luck than Matt Murdock! How often does the adorably pudgy best friend get the girl while the brooding muscle-man stays single? Never!

So as a capable lawyer, one that actually shows up to court without concussions or open wounds (sheesh, Matt), the only thing that really was holding Foggy back was his haircut. Seriously. That haircut was a holdover from Foggy’s stoner college years and, to my overly analytical brain, the last vestige of a Foggy that wasn’t ready for the adult world. But Season 3 shows us that this isn’t just a Foggy that’s good at his job, this is a Foggy that is a legit crusader for justice in his own way! Foggy runs for District Attorney when Blake Tower won’t step up to Wilson Fisk, and Foggy acts as Daredevil’s external conscience when the Man Without Fear changes his stance on killing criminals. Foggy even proposes to his longtime girlfriend Marci, who is also a kickass lawyer (we need more Amy Rutberg)!

It’s like Foggy was hiding behind those footlong bangs, sheltering him from really being the man that New York City needed him to be. He was content to do his work, go home to his girl, and not make any waves. Foggy’s different in Season 3. He’s still adorable and affable, but he’s also inspiring. He’s the face of the kind of hero we can all be, even without radioactive enhanced senses–and now that resolute face isn’t hidden behind by all that hair.

Stream Marvel's Daredevil Season 3 on Netflix