Daredevil: Born Again has already had some of the most shocking scenes that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has yet seen, and one of the most surprising of these saw Wilson Fisk in marriage counseling. Often defined by his relationship to Vanessa, Born Again sees a smaller Kingpin who has undergone a number of changes in the years since Netflix’s Daredevil ended. Addressing the complexities of those changes, and how his relationship has affected his life, has crafted a compelling new take on this phase of Fisk’s life.
Few major MCU couples have been given room in the franchise to explore the complexities of a committed, long term relationship. While Peter and MJ have had an excellent and compelling story in the Spider-Man films, their dynamic has only recently become strained with the effects of Spider-Man: No Way Home, and the fallout of those events remains to be seen. Other couples like Tony Stark and Pepper Potts, and Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter, were effective story points, but neither truly examined the complexities of a relationship in great, human detail.
Kingpin’s Relationship With Vanessa Culminates In Their Marriage In Season 3
Wilson And Vanessa Tied The Knot Near The End Of The Netflix Series
Wilson Fisk’s relationship with Vanessa was a huge part of his story in the original Netflix series. Vanessa has always served as a motivation for Fisk’s efforts, and she has always been someone that he has attempted to protect. Vanessa showed an interest in becoming more involved in Wilson’s criminal work, but this was used against him after the two were married. The end of Netflix’s Daredevil series saw Fisk making a deal with Matt Murdock in order to protect his new wife.
Kingpin’s proposal while he was being arrested genuinely encapsulated the tone of the relationship between the two figures. Vanessa is truly in line with Wilson’s moral ambiguity in ways that are perhaps surprising even to Kingpin himself. She is clever, and the relationship between her and Wilson makes for a compelling dynamic within the show. Following this, many were eager to see how their relationship would be further explored in the new Born Again series. This was done in a surprising way.
Daredevil: Born Again Paints A Very Different Picture Of Wilson & Vanessa Fisk’s Marriage
All Does Not Seem To Be Perfect Between Wilson And Vanessa
While the last time Vanessa and Wilson were seen together their love seemed to be strong, it seems that their dynamic has since suffered. Some of the best Kingpin quotes have centered around the character’s dedication and conviction to Vanessa, although it seems that in the intervening years, things may have changed concerning their dedication to one another. This has forced the two to find themselves in marriage counseling, attempting to put back together pieces of what they once had.
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Why Wilson Fisk Isn’t Kingpin In Daredevil: Born Again (& What’s His Real Plan?)
Daredevil: Born Again brought Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk into the MCU, but both men appear different from their previous appearances as rivals.
Much has changed in the MCU, and much has clearly changed between these two characters. Vanessa has become more integrated in organized crime, and Kingpin has spent a lot of time away from her. With the recent appearances of Kingpin only recently confirmed to be canon to the Netflix Daredevil series, it seems that the creative team had to figure out ways to fit Vanessa back into his story. Fortunately, giving Fisk his own personal difficulties has helped to give the character a more complex and interesting journey.
Kingpin & Vanessa’s Daredevil: Born Again Story
There Is Still Much To Be Learned About Kingpin, Vanessa, And Adam
Bringing in mysteries about a character named Adam, Daredevil: Born Again has not been entirely forthcoming about the story between Kingpin and Vanessa. There is certainly an element of distance and difficulty there, but it is not yet clear where their path is pointing toward. It seems that Kingpin’s violence and control, influenced by his estrangement, especially while his eye healed after being shot, have given Vanessa new eyes towards her husband. It is curious to see where they go in the near future.
Vanessa is more involved in the criminal enterprise, and has clearly built other relationships and dynamics in the intervening time. It seems likely that Wilson will work hard to win back his wife’s love, as this has been such a fundamental thing in his life. However, it is also possible that, with the very different goals that they currently have, the two could drift further apart. This would be a tragic next step for a relationship that has up to this point felt incredibly and surprisingly solid.
Wilson Fisk is not a good person, but one does not necessarily need to be in order to find a lasting love. He and Vanessa complement each other, and seeing the two of them struggle with their marriage is an emotional and complex addition to the new series. Putting the Fisks in marriage counselling in Daredevil: Born Again has added a unique and interesting wrinkle to Kingpin’s story. Seeing where the details of this lead them in the near future is a compelling promise for the show’s upcoming episodes.
Daredevil: Born Again
9/10
- Release Date
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March 4, 2025
- Showrunner
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Chris Ord
- Directors
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Michael Cuesta, Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson, Jeffrey Nachmanoff
- Writers
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Chris Ord