9 years later, I still can’t believe Marvel introduced one of their scariest villains by showing them encounters

Reckless presented one of Marvel’s most intimidating villains in a surprising way. Wilson Fisk debuted in the first season of the series as a powerful businessman and crime lord. His conflict with Matt Murdock stemmed from his dealings with the underworld and he became Matt Murdock’s main enemy. Reckless throughout the show’s three seasons. Considering that Kingpin is a normal human being in a universe where superpowered individuals exist, it’s even more impressive that he never shies away from violence.

Fisk is a character as intimidating as he is complex just by his physical presence. However, it didn’t start like that. When Fisk was first introduced in the early Season 1 storyline, most of the focus was on his relationship with art curator Vanessa Marianna. She became one of the only people Fisk would care about, and while having his Marvel introduction begin with romance seemed like a random decision, it was actually crucial in shaping him into an incredibly intimidating villain.

Kingpin’s Daredevil Season 1 Story Focuses Too Much on Their Romance

The beginning Reckless Season 1 plot focused on how Fisk and Vanessa fell in lovewhich some may have considered an odd choice. We’re aware of what he’s capable of and expect violence from him, so having to sit through several episodes of him semi-clumsily trying to woo Vanessa may have seemed like a drag to some fans. Fisk and Vanessa have two dates at first Reckless episodes and spend a lot of time together, focusing on the evolution of their relationship.

Before meeting Vanessa, Fisk was an introverted and reserved person. Although he was able to become a charismatic leader when necessary, he had social anxiety and remained quite shy. He became more comfortable around people with Vanessa’s encouragement, and she remained loyal to him even after he revealed his true identity. The two were madly in love, which was the outcome fans probably wanted after following their romance for most of the first season.

Why Focusing on Kingpin’s Romance Was the Right Choice for Daredevil Season 1

Even though the decision to focus on Kingpin’s love life seems like an odd choice for the intimidating villain, it was ultimately the right direction for Reckless first season to start. Fisk’s time with Vanessa showed him to be on his best behavior. He is more civilized and human when he is talking to hermaking him a more three-dimensional character as well as an aggressive crime lord. Their romance showed that Fisk was complex and that he was indeed capable of caring for others despite his violent tendencies.

Seeing Kingpin’s softer side while he’s with Vanessa also adds to great contrast and moments of surprise. The two shared a tender moment at his first kill, followed by a scene of him decapitating Anatoly Ranskahov with a car door. Offering gentle moments with Fisk and Vanessa reminds viewers that he can be a compassionate person at heart, which is perhaps what makes his indifference to killing all the time. Reckless the first season seems much more intimidating.