Warning: This article contains spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again.
One of the most important deaths from Marvel Television’s original series focused on Charlie Cox’s Devil of Hell’s Kitchen has just been rendered meaningless with one huge reveal in theMCUfinale ofDaredevil: Born Again. Following its massive creative overhaul after 2023’s Hollywood strikes,Daredevil: Born Againwas altered to directly continue the story fromNetflix’s originalDaredevilseries. Several actors reprised their roles from the original series, some loose ends were wrapped up, and a few major mysteries were finally explained, including one involving Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk.
Vincent D’Onofrio is only one star from the originalDaredevilseries who has now reprised his role in the MCU. HisDaredevil: Born Againco-star, Charlie Cox, has now portrayedMatt Murdock’s Daredevil for a decade, while it was also great to see the likes of Deborah Ann Woll, Jon Bernthal, Ayelet Zurer, Wilson Bethel, Susan Varon and, briefly, Elden Henson return, too.There was one character who wasn’t brought back after his tragicDaredevilseason 3 ending, however, and his noble sacrifice might have actually been tainted by one hugeDaredevil: Born Againreveal.
Wilson Fisk’s Release From Prison After Daredevil Season 3 Has Finally Been Explained
Image via Disney+
At theend ofDaredevilseason 3, Wilson Fisk agreed to go back to prison in exchange for Matt Murdock keeping information about Vanessa Fisk’s involvement in Fisk’s operations hidden. However,Hawkeyesaw Kingpin free from imprisonment, raising the question as to how he was released following his clear criminal activity. This was exacerbated during Fisk’s mayoral campaign, as it is (or used to be) hard to imagine a convicted criminal running for office and being elected, butDaredevil: Born Againhas now explained how Fisk escaped prison and is able to become Mayor of New York City.
Daredevil: Born Again’sfinaleopened with a flashback conversation between Vanessa Fisk and Benjamin Poindexter shortly before the opening moments ofDaredevil: Born Again’spremiere.Vanessa revealed that her husband, Wilson Fisk, was acquitted of his massive charges because of the FBI’s corruption and the actions of FBI Agent Ray Nadeem. This answered a huge mystery that had gone unresolved for four years sinceHawkeye, but made Ray Nadeem’s sacrifice inDaredevilseason 3 meaningless, as he died to ensure the Kingpin was charged with his crimes.
Agent Ray Nadeem’s Daredevil Season 3 Sacrifice Is Meaningless Now
Jay Ali Played FBI Agent Ray Nadeem In Daredevil Season 3
Jay Ali’s Special Agent Rahul “Ray” Nadeem was a key part ofDaredevilseason 3, featured as Wilson Fisk’s point of contact when he enacted his plans to escape from prison and manipulate the FBI. Nadeem eventually learned the error of his ways and realized the danger posed by Fisk, leading to him working with Daredevil to investigate Benjamin Poindexter, and later joining forces withMatt Murdock, Foggy Nelson and Karen Pageto expose Fisk.When his court testimony amounted to nothing, Nadeem recorded a dying declaration accusing Fisk before letting Poindexter kill him.
Ray Nadeem’s dying declaration ensured that Wilson Fisk landed in prison, butDaredevil: Born Againhas now revealed that Nadeem’s knowing sacrifice was all for nothing.Nadeem’s failed testimony and the corruption in the FBI, brought to light by Wilson Fisk’s manipulations, meant that the Kingpin’s charges were overturned. It was a shame that Nadeem was practically forgotten inDaredevil: Born Again, and his putting his life on the line to reveal the truth about Kingpin and bring down the tyrannical supervillain ultimately meant nothing, but this actually played intoBorn Again’sthemes perfectly.
Matt Murdock Becomes Daredevil Again Because Of People Like Ray Nadeem
While it’s unfortunate that Ray Nadeem’s sacrifice ultimately amounted to nothing, and Wilson Fisk has been freed despite the FBI agent’s damning testimony, this actually makes sense forDaredevil: Born Again’snarrative. Matt Murdock retired as Daredevil afterFoggy Nelson’s death inDaredevil: Born Again’spremiere, and spent the next year doing regular legal work and not enacting his vigilante justice. However,it was the clear injustices of the world that caused Murdock to become Daredevil again, and Ray Nadeem’s meaningless sacrifice surely contributed to this.
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Matt Murdock citedHector Ayala’s death and Angela del Toro’s emotional state, the injustices facing Leroy Bradford, Frank Castle’s continued vigilante work in New York City and Muse’s serial killing and graffiti art for reasons to suit up as Daredevil again.Ray Nadeem’s attempt to bring down Kingpin with his dying declaration and the fact that this ultimately meant nothing adds to this injustice perfectly. Even though he didn’t mention Nadeem inDaredevil: Born Again, it’s clear that Ray Nadeem’s demise had a huge impact on Matt Murdock, and contributed to the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen returning.
