The climactic battle with the Kingpin in the second season of Daredevil: Rebirth marked a significant departure from Marvel Studios' television output over the past five years. The second season continued Netflix's Daredevil revival, and with it, the ongoing conflict between Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock and Vincent D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk. The final chapter of Rebirth marked the end of Fisk's tenure as mayor of New York City, though his defeat was very different from that of previous Marvel Cinematic Universe villains.
The season two finale of Daredevil: Rebirth broke with tradition for the new Marvel Cinematic Universe series on Disney+ by having the climactic showdown with Vincent D'Onofrio's Mayor Wilson Fisk involve not the Man Without Fear, but the citizens of New York City.
At the climax of the rebellion, led by Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock, a squad of masked Daredevils turned on Fisk, many of whose members were killed or critically wounded in his desperate attack as his final defeat loomed.
Fisk's true defeat didn't come when Daredevil knelt before him and convinced him to leave New York, but in the courtroom, which is perfectly in keeping with Murdock's style. After his true corruption was exposed by this legal genius at the trial of Karen Page, Fisk's fall from power was only a matter of time.
That's not to say there weren't physical clashes between these eternal enemies this season, as in Episode 6, "Requiem," Daredevil and the Kingpin fought in the third round. After suffering the devastating loss of his wife, Vanessa, they fought to a draw in Fisk's private office, but Daredevil ultimately emerged unscathed.
Historically, since 2021's WandaVision, most MCU series on Disney+ have followed the franchise formula, ending with an epic, CGI-heavy battle. Whether it's Ironheart vs. the Hood, Agatha Harkness vs. Lady Death, Jia vs. Gravik, Kate Bishop vs. the Kingpin, or Wanda Maximoff vs. Agatha, these clashes are commonplace within the franchise.
Of course, Daredevil: Rebirth isn't the first Disney+ series to break Marvel Studios' tradition of ending its films with big blockbusters. Recently, Wonder Man also didn't end with a major battle, though that eight-episode series was already a departure from the MCU formula, as the closest thing to a villain in Wonder Man was Damage Control. However, even Wonder Man ended with Simon Williams appearing alongside the prison guards to free Trevor Slattery.
In many ways, Reborn's ending is most similar to the endings of the two seasons of Loki, as both culminate in a moral confrontation between Tom Hiddleston's Loki and He Who Remains (the closest thing the show has to a villain) in the Citadel at the Edge of Time, similar to the one between Murdock and Fisk in the courtroom.
She-Hulk: Attorney took a particularly original approach: the scene not only omitted any battle between Jennifer Walters and Intelligencia's Todd Phelps, but directly mocked the very idea of a confrontation. The superhero lawyer used the impending computer battle to infiltrate Marvel Studios and confront Kevin about this plot decision.
The second season of Daredevil: Rebirth concluded on Disney+, with Wilson Fisk leaving his post as mayor for a sunny beach getaway. Meanwhile, Matt Murdock landed in a New York City prison for his crimes as the horned vigilante. But the story doesn't end there, as Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio will return for the third season next March.
What's in store for Kingpin in Daredevil Rebirth season 3?
At the end of the second season of Daredevil: Rebirth, Vincent D'Onofrio captured Wilson Fisk on the beach, looking out at the ocean separating him from his beloved New York City. However, photos from the set of the third season have already confirmed that the Kingpin will soon return to New York with a striking new beard, very similar to the one Matt Murdock sports behind bars.
It's safe to say that a new political turn is out of the question for Fisk, so a return to his criminal roots as the Kingpin could be the natural next step. There's no doubt that now is the time for Fisk to reclaim power while his nemesis is behind bars, but in season three, he may have to face a different Daredevil.
Some fans have expressed concerns that Born Again runs the risk of overusing the Kingpin and not giving Daredevil's other foes enough opportunity to shine. Fortunately, the Born Again showrunner has already promised several new villains to appear in season three, so there's a chance the Kingpin will take a back seat for a bit.