Does Wilson Fisk Know Who Daredevil Is in ‘Born Again’? Explained

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It’s been quite some time since I last witnessed Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk engage in their brutal encounters in the rough neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen. Now, with ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ making its debut on Disney+, these age-old adversaries are once again squaring off, and their narrative unfolds in a way that is both new and comfortably familiar. I find myself back in the role of Charlie Cox, donning the cloak of the blind attorney-turned-vigilante. Meanwhile, Vincent D’Onofrio reprises his part, this time filling the imposing shoes of Fisk, who has elevated himself from mere crime lord to the mayor of New York City. The dynamics have shifted this time around; Fisk is no longer just a criminal overlord—he’s the city’s chief executive. As for Matt, he’s attempting to retire the red suit. However, the burning question on everyone’s lips is whether Fisk has forgotten the identity hidden beneath that mask.

Since the release of “Daredevil: Born Again”, I’ve been delving deep into its background, and it’s evident that this isn’t a fresh beginning. Instead, it continues the narrative established across three seasons of the Netflix series, as well as Fisk’s complex storylines in ‘Hawkeye’ and ‘Echo’. The relationship between these characters is steeped in tension, secrets, and fierce battles. Therefore, as we embark on this new journey, let’s explore what insights Fisk has about Daredevil’s identity and how it affects their ongoing confrontation.

The Past Sets the Stage

In the third season of ‘Daredevil’ on Netflix, Kingpin, or Fisk, uncovered Matt Murdock’s secret identity as Daredevil. This wasn’t a guess; he had solid evidence, which he obtained by delving into Matt’s personal life and employing underhanded methods with the FBI. After a brutal confrontation, they reached an agreement. Fisk promised to maintain Matt’s confidentiality if Daredevil would leave his wife, Vanessa, alone. Both of them spent some time in prison afterward, but the agreement held firm. This pivotal moment etched Fisk’s knowledge into his memory, and he never forgot it.

By the year 2021, Fisk reappears in ‘Hawkeye’. Having somehow managed to escape prison, he’s now back with the Tracksuit Mafia, orchestrating their operations. There’s a vague mystery surrounding his release, and it seems that he hasn’t forgotten Matt, his memory of Daredevil intact. Fast forward to 2024 in ‘Echo’, Fisk remains as cunning as ever, nursing a grudge following the shooting incident by Maya Lopez. His injured eye is repaired, but his intellect remains undiminished, suggesting no signs of forgetting Daredevil.

In “Daredevil: Born Again”, Fisk holds onto his secret discreetly. Though he doesn’t announce it publicly, he is aware of it. The show assumes this knowledge, seamlessly incorporating elements from the Netflix series into the MCU without starting fresh. This hidden truth forms a significant and tense aspect of their relationship, lurking beneath the surface.

Fisk’s New Game as Mayor

In his current role, Fisk is taking a new approach in ‘Born Again’. Instead of hiding in the background, he’s stepping into the limelight, vowing to reform New York City and suppress vigilantes. He’s seized power, and he’s wielding it. In the opening episode, he even shares a casual cup of coffee with Matt, giving the impression they’ve put their past behind them. However, there’s an undercurrent of tension. Fisk laughs when Matt makes a dig about him getting shot, and it’s clear neither man fully trusts the other. That coffee meeting suggests they’re still bound by their history, and Fisk’s information is a significant part of that bond.

It’s astonishing that he doesn’t immediately reveal Matt Murdock as Daredevil, even though he could do so and cause trouble for him. Instead, he seems to be bound by an old agreement or waiting for a better opportunity. By the fourth episode, we find him navigating his marital issues with Vanessa while also dealing with Adam, someone she became close to. His attention is divided, yet he maintains a strong hold on Matt’s identity and decides when to reveal it.

The show is capitalizing on the existing tension. Fisk’s crusade against vigilantes seems to be a direct challenge to Matt, as if he’s urging him to don the suit once more. He’s well aware of who he’s pursuing. It’s not about revealing Matt at this point—it’s about asserting dominance. Fisk has always been a master strategist, and this secret is a card he’s keeping hidden until the perfect time to play it.

How It Fuels the Fight

In “Born Again”, Matt’s making an effort to keep a clean slate by focusing on his law career, following Foggy’s demise at Bullseye’s hands in the opening episode. However, Fisk’s ascension to mayorhood pulls him back into the fray. Their past isn’t merely weight—it’s the catalyst. By the 6th episode, Matt dons the red suit once more, battling a chilling new adversary, Muse, while Fisk organizes an anti-vigilante task force. The confrontation is imminent, and Fisk knowing Matt as Daredevil adds a personal touch to their conflict. It’s not just any hero Fisk is pursuing—it’s the one he’s harbored animosity towards for years.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve been pondering Fisk’s silence on this secret matter. It’s not that he’s dim-witted; rather, his strategy is impeccable. In the comics, during the ‘Devil’s Reign’ arc, we saw him leverage his mayoral power to ban vigilantes. I sense a similar pattern unfolding here.

Instead of exposing Matt to the world, he’d be ending the game prematurely. Instead, Fisk seems to be applying pressure, nudging Matt towards breaking point, toward becoming Daredevil once more. This way, Fisk can confront him legally or otherwise, savoring the challenge that comes with it.

The suspense builds as we watch, and every action Fisk takes – be it smirking at Matt over coffee or showcasing his new task force – seems significant because he appears to know something. It’s a slow-building tension that promises an explosive resolution. Whether he reveals this secret by the end of the nine episodes or saves it for season 2, this knowledge is what connects their rivalry and makes ‘Born Again’ an intriguing next chapter in their brutal, personal conflict.

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2025-04-01 20:50