Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Daredevil: Born Again season 1, episode 4.
Having rewatched the originalDaredevilin the build-up toDaredevil: Born Again, I’m convinced one surprising Kingpin moment from episode 4 is the result of a major death from the Netflix show’s first season. While there were concerns aboutDaredevil: Born Againprior to its release, the first four episodes of theMCUseries have been received positively, with the series mirroring much of the appeal of the original. Naturally, while the plot ofDaredevil: Born Againis made to be interesting for totally new viewers, it also builds on and connects to these prior seasons, adding extra layers to the show.
Daredevil: Born Againepisode 4is a prime example of this, as while this chapter of the story should still be enjoyable to those who had never so much as heard of Daredevil before watching the Disney+ series, it also had plenty of callbacks and ties to the original installment. Though this is most transparent through the return of Jon Bernthal’s Punisher in this episode, there are other more subtle allusions to the MCU show’s predecessor, and I’m convinced one surprising decision from Kingpin ties to a major moment fromDaredevilseason 1.
Kingpin’s Reaction To Daniel’s Mistake In Daredevil: Born Again Episode 4 Was A Surprising Moment
Daredevil: Born Againepisode 4 contains a few surprising scenes featuring Wilson Fisk, which all serve to cement his complicated moral compass. In the middle of enduring a school choir rendition of “We Built This City”,it’s revealed that the information Daniel Blake accidentally leaked about Kingpin’s latest schemes has become public, with this serving as something of a disaster for Fisk because it has revealed his intentions to act as a union buster. Fisk is shown to be furious about the matter, and this ire becomes directed at Daniel after he confesses everything was his fault.
Given Kingpin has historically been depicted as entirely ruthless and as having killed people for less, it seemed like Blake’s future looked less than pleasant at this point. However, after the young hopeful offered a speech about his complete regret for his actions and unwavering loyalty towards Fisk - which he promised would endure even if and after he was fired - Kingpin takes a different approach, putting his hand on Blake’s shoulder and telling Daniel he can’t make the same kind of mistake again, but that he has time to grow into a better man who doesn’t make the same mistakes.
Initially, it seems Wilson Fisk’s efforts to “go clean” as New York’s mayor have seen him turn over a new leaf in terms of forgiveness. However,the ending ofDaredevil: Born Againepisode 4certainly provides some evidence to the contrary, as it’s shown that Kingpin has imprisoned his wife Vanessa’s affair partner Adam, with the mayor depicted eating a full meal next to Adam’s cage while he begs to be set free. With Fisk having very much not turned over a new leaf in the forgiveness department, it instead seems another factor may be at play here.
Kingpin’s Response To Daniel’s Speech Connects To Fisk’s Last Truly Honest Ally
After hearing Blake’s heartfelt confession and apology,Kingpin tells him that “I’ve learned that loyalty and courage two qualities that are… well, not easily replicated"before telling Daniel that “in the fullness of time, you’ll make a better man” seemingly reinforcing the idea that he’s come to think of him as a protégée of sorts. This does make sense, given the majority of Kingpin’s prior on-screen allies have turned against him, including most recently Echo, who goes from being almost an adoptive daughter of Fisk’s to actively trying to kill him inHawkeyeand also fighting against him inEchoitself.
Across the course of the originalDaredevilshow, most of the named characters who worked with or for Fisk also carried out acts that he would consider betrayal, with Leland Owlsley and Madame Gao being part of the plot to poison his now-wife Vanessa, Bullseye trying to actively kill him in theDaredevilseason 3 finale, and blackmailed FBI agent Ray Nadeem being instrumental in taking Fisk down inthe ending ofDaredevilseason 3via his dying declaration of Kingpin’s crimes being a crucial part of the legal case to put him in prison once more.
As such, it stands out all the more that the one person who previously demonstrated the level of loyalty Daniel Blake clearly has for Fisk on-screen was the only character that Kingpin was shown to actively consider a friend - namely, that of James Wesley. Wesley was shown not to just act as Fisk’s right-hand man, but also someone who cared for his wellbeing outside of the business world, helping set him up with Vanessa, and being established as having met Fisk’s mother Marlene before, and being trusted enough that Kingpin asks him to call her and check in on her.
Ironically, it’s exactly this bond that ends up being Wesley’s downfall inDaredevilseason 1, episode 11, as - after kidnapping Karen Page for interrogation - Kingpin calling Wesley in concern about where he is means Fisk’s call takes precedent for James over keeping his full attention on Karen, allowing her to get the upper hand over him and eventually shoot him. As such,Kingpin seeing shades of James Wesley in Daniel - and the kind of unyielding loyalty his former friend had for him - may have been enough to ensure Fisk’s leniency for at least the time being.
Daniel Already Looks Set To Become Kingpin’s Next James Wesley
Daniel Blake’s almost concerning level of devotion to Kingpin has been something of a consistent joke throughoutDaredevil: Born Againthus far, with episode 4 only underlining it by just how much he emphasizes this idea in his words to Fisk after confessing his mistake. Given Blake’s seeming total devotion to Wilson Fisk despite having now seen some of his immense anger and disregard for the law in how he operates as mayor,it doesn’t seem impossible that Kingpin is keeping Daniel around to potentially become his next right-hand man, particularly as he mirrors Wesley’s own prior loyalty.
Not only would this make Kingpin harder to deal with by giving him an ally who would be willing to go to great lengths for him - something Fisk’s current entourage do not seem to mirror otherwise - it would also serve to make Blake all the more interesting a character. Having been thus far depicted as a little weak-willed overall, seeing Blake potentially become more and more embroiled in Wilson Fisk’s dealings, and having to go to greater and greater lengths to keep his promise that he wouldn’t let the mayor down again, could make for another fascinating character arc over the course ofDaredevil: Born Again’s run.
Daredevil: Born Againepisode 5 & 6 are set to release July 31, 2025.
