Netflix's Daredevil TV series ended up becoming one of the best live-action comic book adaptations to date, and that's in part due to its villain. Charlie Cox has cemented himself as the definitive Daredevil, but Vincent D'Onofrio's almost insurmountable iteration of the Kingpin of Crime completed the show's enthralling character dynamic.
A great supervillain is instrumental in creating a compelling story, and the show's writing for the character as well as D'Onofrio's excellent acting chops and dialogue delivery helped ensure Daredevil's high quality. Across all three seasons, including Kingpin's brief role in season two, the show spawned several memorable and haunting quotes that sell the story's high stakes as well as highlight what an excellent villain Kingpin was.
When He Dissected Daredevil
"That's What Makes You Dangerous... It's Your Ideology."
Charlie Cox's fledgling Daredevil and D'Onofrio's shadowy Kingpin's first meeting was fitting for a villain of the latter's stature. The eerie way Matt Murdock was introduced to the crimelord was even reminiscent of the supervillain's presence in Frank Miller's origin story The Man Without Fear, which earned the status of one of Daredevil's best comic books.
Hearing Kingpin talk through the radio to a buried-alive Murdock gave an overpowering sense of anxiety and powerlessness, with Fisk's commendation for the Devil of Hell's Kitchen making it more frightening in a way. Fisk telling Matt what made him a threat felt like an ominous dissection of Daredevil, despite them being literal miles apart. It's a scene and quote that effectively gave a sense of scale to the danger Kingpin poses, as if the "young man" Matt Murdock was merely a starry-eyed kid in over his head.
When Daredevil And Kingpin Met Face To Face
"Take Your Shot."
It's a straightforward quote, but when Daredevil threatens that he's going to kill Fisk and the latter invites him to take his shot, the impact is more about Vincent D'Onofrio's delivery, mannerisms, and facial expression used to sell it. This was the first time that Matt met the Kingpin of Crime face-to-face as a "proto-Daredevil" persona, and the sheer indomitable confidence Fisk overwhelms him with left a feeling of impending dread.
When Fisk tells Daredevil to "take your shot," he gradually extends his arms and gives a disturbing grin as if welcoming him. He was eager for a chance to put this cocky youngster in his place, and his grin looked like Kingpin was still holding back some enthusiasm. Of course, Kingpin wasn't aware of the rivalry with Daredevil that would grow, but the villain's terrifying presence was a mainstay throughout the history of their dynamic.
When He Started His Dramatic Monologue
"I'm Not The Good Samaritan... I'm Not The Priest, Or The Levite... I'm The Ill Intent."
Undoubtedly the most iconic quote, which ends up unraveling into an intimidating monologue, was Kingpin's speech about his role in the biblical story of the good Samaritan. Supervillains typically have monologues in the rising action and climax of their respective stories, but Kingpin's in the first season finale proved to be a timeless one.
Up until that point in the show, Wilson Fisk genuinely thought of himself as the hero of his own story. That's an excellent way to write a villain, especially for a gritty superhero-themed crime-noir drama. Once he was seemingly apprehended by the FBI and that the heroes finally won, Kingpin's speech of the good Samaritan was him realizing that not only is he the villain of his own story - the "ill intent" - but that he is now wholeheartedly embracing it.
When He Offered Frank Castle A Deal He Couldn't Refuse
"The Tide Raises All Ships, Mr. Castle."
Season 2 of Daredevil was solid, but it was admittedly had a Kingpin-sized hole when it came to the season's villains. However, Kingpin's brief role in a couple of episodes reminded fans of the dangerous presence he carries, regardless of where he is. The Punisher comics were among the influences for the Daredevil Netflix series, as his role was crucial towards the beginning and driving the coming character arc for Kingpin in season 3.
Frank Castle/Punisher finds himself used as a weapon by the crime lord, and when Castle meets Fisk in prison, he offers him what is essentially a deal he can't refuse. Fisk admits to the Punisher that he intends to use his "talents" to benefit his gradually-rebuilding status, but also tells him that "the tide raises all ship." Kingpin speaking in foreboding proverbs is a tried-and-true staple for the show and expertly conveyed what audiences knew would turn out to be a deal with the (wrong) devil.
When He Compared Prison To The Animal Kingdom
"When An Animal Wants Something, When It Needs Something, Other Things Need To Be Stepped On."
In the short amount of time the two were given screen time together, Kingpin and the Punisher's dynamic already showed a wealth of potential that fans are surely hoping gets realized with Daredevil's MCU revival. After Frank Castle survives Kingpin's secret suicide mission for him, the latter readily admits it to Castle's face. He even releases Castle's chains, commends him for his skill, and lets him escape free.
However, he doesn't let this happen without a catch or reminding the Punisher of who's truly in control. Kingpin does so by explaining to Castle how "refreshing" he found prison despite its inherent savagery and barbarism. That prison was an excellent replication of the wild animal kingdom, and that it taught him not only how to survive it, but to conquer it. Like what the villain would say in season 3, this was a warning for the mayhem he would cause as soon as he was freed.
When He Explained That Prison Was Just A Challenge
"You Can Build A Prison Of Stone And Steel, But You Merely Present The Prisoner With A Challenge."
In season three, the show becomes somewhat amusingly self-aware of Kingpin's monologuing. However, it doesn't stop the writing and D'Onofrio's acting from delivering a powerful quote about how Fisk managed life in prison. Being sent to prison was effectively the first major loss that Kingpin experienced, leaving him to wallow in his rage but also learn to become more cunning.
After he successfully manipulates the FBI into orchestrating his house-arrest order to his presidential suite, his quote to Agent Ray Nadeem about prison merely being a "challenge" served as chilling foreshadowing. This foreshadowing was a mirror for some of the worst things to happen to Daredevil in the comics, too. And coming from Kingpin, this wasn't just for show. He meant everything he said - with his puppets none the wiser - and truly believed that prison was just another obstacle for him to overcome.