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Daredevil: Born Again season 2 episode 2 carries through some intriguing imagery from season 1, placing a rose in some scenes with Wilson and Vanessa Fisk. Though it could simply be an affectation to convey a mood, it's impossible not to question whether the show's use of the rose could in some way have a connection to Richard Fisk, AKA the Rose, Wilson and Vanessa's supervillain son.
That speculation goes hand-in-hand with rumors that Michael Gandolfini's Daniel Blake is secretly Wilson Fisk's son hiding in plain sight. Meanwhile, in the first season of Born Again, the rose motif is also connected to Bullseye, who has his own MCU connections to Vanessa Fisk.
Nonetheless, the potential that Richard Fisk/the Rose will play a role in Daredevil: Born Again season 2 remains. The Rose's comic history with Daredevil and Spider-Man only adds fuel to the fire. Fortunately, we've broken down everything you need to know about Richard Fisk so you can keep your eyes peeled for clues hiding throughout the remaining episodes of Daredevil: Born Again season 2.
Who is The Rose?
Richard Fisk was first introduced in 1970's Amazing Spider-Man #83 by Stan Lee and John Romita, Sr., all the way back when Kingpin was one of Spidey's arch-enemies, before he really began his beef with Daredevil.
While Richard would be a supporting character throughout the '70s, it wasn't until 1984's Amazing Spider-Man #253 by writer Tom DeFalco and artist Rick Leonardi that the Rose would come into the picture.
At first, the Rose's true identity remained a mystery, with the enigmatic villain serving as one of Kingpin's chief underbosses, characterized by his purple mask, white suit, and, of course, trademark roses. Interestingly, it's not clear whether Richard Fisk was initially intended to be the Rose, as writer Tom DeFalco left Amazing Spider-Man before he could make the reveal.
Still, it's Richard who was eventually unveiled as the Rose – a relatively natural fit considering his father is the Kingpin.
But the Rose wouldn't always be on his father's side. After being betrayed by one of his closest associates in the wake of Wilson Fisk's apparent death, Richard Fisk eventually decides to wage war on the organized criminals of New York City as the Blood Rose, leaving a swath of deadly violence in his wake.
Sadly, Richard's time as the Blood Rose ended with none other than his own mother, Vanessa Fisk, shooting him down. Still, Wilson Fisk was able to resurrect Richard during his time as mayor of New York using a magical artifact, with Richard once again becoming the Rose – an identity he still maintains.
Who is Butch Pharris?
Richard Fisk has yet to appear in the MCU. The rose motif of episode 8 could perhaps be a subtle nod to the idea of Wilson Fisk's children. But as we covered above, Richard Fisk is, in comics, the son of Wilson and Vanessa Fisk.
Still Wilson Fisk does have another son – Byron 'Butch' Pharris, who first rejects any connection to his father's criminal empire before drawing closer to Wilson during his time as mayor.
In fact, Butch eventually changes his last name to Fisk, fully taking up his father's criminal legacy, even going so far as to claim the mantle of the Kingpin in his father's absence from New York City following his fall from grace as mayor.
However, he's since ceded the Kingpin mantle back to his father in the wake of Wilson's return to New York, which has reinvigorated his feud with Daredevil with a new, demonic twist, as Wilson has become possessed by a devilish entity of greed.
Does Kingpin have a son in the MCU?
Speculation that Michael Gandolfini's Daniel Blake may secretly be the son of Wilson Fisk has followed the character into Daredevil: Born Again season 2, though there remains only sparse evidence to support that potential twist.
That said, Gandolfini's role in Born Again season 2 seems to be ramping up, with Daniel becoming more and more embedded in Fisk's mayoral administration. At the same time, the rose motif has been repeated in the new season, especially around Vanessa Fisk. There's also an unconfirmed report that actor Jack Mulhern has been cast as a character named "Philip" in Born Again season 3, who is also speculated to potentially be Fisk's son.
If the rose motif is in some way hinting at Richard Fisk somehow being involved in Daredevil: Born Again season 2, that would indeed likely be a shocking turn of events for Vanessa, considering it would at best be a loose end that Wilson doesn't know about, or a huge secret he's keeping from his wife/partner-in-crime.
New episodes of Daredevil: Born Again season 2 are released weekly on Disney Plus. Make sure you never miss an episode with our Daredevil: Born Again season 2 release schedule, or check out our Daredevil: Born Again season 2 review for our spoiler-free verdict on the show.
