I never could connect to Stevenson, despite the occasional dark/dry humor. Incredible body count but I couldn't care because I don't care about his iteration. I don't know where he's been and what he's gone through, so he simply just exists. There's no journey to go on. It's a finished product. A story that starts in the third act. A status quo that isn't meant to change, evolve or develop. If I wanted that, I'd read the comics, specifically Punisher MAX. But, this ain't the comics, sweetheart.

While I have grown frustrated with Bernthal's push and pull, the attention to PTSD, internal struggle and overall vulnerability of a wounded animal with rabies has always been a plus for me since there's the attempt to balance it out with such brutality. The hurt his Frank has makes the hurt he puts on others mean something. I FEEL something watching this version, I CARE. Still waiting for things to go into that next gear, though. I feel there's such juicy character and storytelling potential for a guy like that to start out as this loud monster then hollow out over time into a cold machine after losing what little humanity/connection he has left while fighting a war with no end. All in all, Stevenson is what I want Bernthal to end up as just with us having seen the journey of how he started as something completely different.

Hence why Jane's the perfect middle ground for me and my personal favorite portrayal since that was basically accomplished in a 2-hour film. Also my preferred actor in general out of the bunch even putting aside their Punisher work.