While it may appear that Wilson Fisk has finally attained the power he has long desired, Daredevil: Born Again showcases the consequences of his past actions, particularly from earlier MCU series. Having served time in jail for serious offenses, Fisk’s victory in the New York City mayoral election seems almost miraculous. His anti-vigilante campaign resonated deeply with the electorate, granting him an impressive level of authority within the city. Yet, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes evident that Fisk’s newfound power is overshadowed by turmoil in his personal life.
Following his recovery from a gunshot wound inflicted by Maya Lopez, Fisk tracked her down to Oklahoma, leaving his wife Vanessa to manage his affairs in New York. This absence strained their marriage significantly, leading her to engage in an affair with a man named Adam. Now that Fisk has returned in Daredevil: Born Again, the couple is attempting to mend their relationship. Although Fisk holds affection for Vanessa, repairing their bond is proving to be a formidable challenge—one that stems directly from developments in another MCU project.
Kingpin’s Therapy in Daredevil: Born Again: A Form of Punishment
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In the current MCU, Matt Murdock’s romantic connection is with therapist Heather Glenn, who finds herself in a delicate situation as she leads couples therapy sessions for Fisk and Vanessa. These sessions require Fisk to confront uncomfortable truths about his marriage—specifically, his wife’s infidelity—which ignites a fury reminiscent of his past life as Kingpin. For Fisk, therapy symbolizes not healing but punishment, as he is reluctant to reveal his vulnerabilities and weaknesses.
Traditionally, therapy serves as a beneficial avenue for emotional healing; however, for someone as averse to introspection as Fisk, it feels more like a chore. In the previous *Daredevil* series, he only begins to show emotional depth when relating to Vanessa. He is particularly resistant to outside influences probing into his personal affairs. Despite wielding significant power in his public life, he endures a form of punishment in therapy, forced to confront the consequences of his decisions in his private life.
Kingpin’s Punishment Is Directly Tied to Echo
The complications in the Fisk marriage can be traced back to Wilson’s storyline in Echo, which has rippling repercussions in Daredevil: Born Again. His abrupt departure to track down Maya Lopez in Oklahoma became the catalyst for estrangement between him and Vanessa. Interestingly, Vanessa seems oblivious to the reasons behind Fisk’s absence, indicated by her lack of acknowledgment regarding his activities during that timeframe. Notably, even the character of Echo is scarcely mentioned.
Fisk chose to leave without notice, aiming to settle his issues with Maya privately. While revealing the truth to Vanessa wouldn’t instantaneously mend their relationship, it might provide necessary context to alleviate some of her grievances. The absence of this context in Daredevil: Born Again has exacerbated their relationship issues, compelling Wilson to endure couples therapy as a form of penance for his past actions. Despite the formidable power he now holds, it is evident that he must face the ramifications of his previous decisions in the MCU.