Marvel's newest teen genius, Ironheart, starts off a bit slow, but by episode three, she has enough heart and innovative tech to really keep us engaged. I'm excited to share my thoughts on the first three episodes!
Ironheart, the latest Marvel series to hit Disney+, picks up the story of Riri Williams following her debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This solo outing gives Riri space to shine, and while the series has a rocky start, there's enough intrigue to suggest it could evolve into something special if it finds its footing.
The show begins with Riri being expelled from MIT after drawing the last straw with her projects, like building her own Iron Man-style suit, and sending her back home to Chicago. Desperate to rebuild and recapture her spark, she joins a heist crew to fund her project. At the same time, she's haunted by he loss of her stepfather and best friend, Natalie, whose memory of her, in a creative twist, now lives as the A.I. in Riri's new suit, like Jarvis.
The first few episodes struggle with pacing and a thin plot, and Riri doesn't immediately click as a traditionally likeable protagonist. But that's not necessarily bad; many of the best MCU characters needed time to grow on the audience. By episode three, Riri begins to come into her own, and the emotional weight behind her motivations starts to hit.
One of the show's most compelling and unexpected aspects is the inclusion of Natalie as an AI. While it sounds like a far-fetched concept, especially for a character grounded in trauma and science, it works emotionally. The A.I. serves as both a narrative device and a coping mechanism, letting Riri process her grief and guilt in a fresh, character-driven way.
The villain, Parker, starts off feeling underwhelming (and yes, slightly reminiscent of Terrence Howard), but begins to evolve with more nuance after episode three, particularly after the loss of his friend, John. There's clear potential for him to develop into a morally complex antagonist rather than a standard MCU villain.
And just when you think the series is playing it safe, a surprise character reveal in episode three ties directly back to the first Iron Man film, a bold callback that could signal deeper implications for Riri's place in the MCU. Whether this character becomes an ally or not remains to be seen, but it's a hook worth hanging onto.
Overall, Ironheart has had a bit of a rough beginning, but it also shines with moments of emotional depth and thematic potential. The real test will be whether it can embrace that growth in the second half of the series. All in all, I’d rate the first three episodes a 7.5 out of 10.
Have you checked out Ironheart yet? What do you think of Riri's journey and that surprise character reveal? Leave a comment.
You can catch new episodes of Ironheart Tuesdays on Disney+
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