After the fallout of the first three episodes, Riri is reeling from a failed heist and the death of Cousin Joe. Her use of Joe’s tech at the crime scenes leads to his wrongful arrest and the shocking reveal that he’s Ezekiel Stane. The weight of these events begins to take a serious toll on Riri’s mental health. Meanwhile, Parker, influenced by the growing darkness of the cloak, becomes increasingly unstable and orders his crew to eliminate Riri. As Riri starts uncovering the truth behind the cloak’s origins, a more powerful demonic force emerges, revealing itself as the true power behind everything.
Episode 4 introduces a noticeable shift in tone as Riri’s world of tech begins to overlap with the realm of magic through her encounter with Zelma Stanton. Zelma and her mother, both skilled Black witches living in Chicago with ties to Kamar-Taj, bring a new mystical energy to the series. Their presence, along with the rise of a deeper supernatural threat, brings more magic into Ironheart than seen in earlier episodes.
The strength of Ironheart lies in its ability to blend down-to-earth, complex characters with the growing presence of larger-than-life supernatural elements in their world. Riri notes that their world has dealt with aliens, wizards, and superpowers. Still, even as the supernatural becomes more familiar and accepted, the show sometimes struggles to deliver emotionally believable reactions.
For instance, when Zelma suddenly whisks Riri and her mother, Ronnie, away to a magical space, Ronnie’s reaction is surprisingly calm, especially after seeing magic firsthand and discovering a close friend is a witch. While it’s nice that characters in superhero shows aren’t always shocked by magic or powers, moments like this can feel a bit too subdued, which might lessen the impact of the story’s seriousness.
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In Episode 5, Parker orders the crew to kill Riri, and she puts up a fight even without her suit and N.A.T.A.L.I.E. to back her up. This proves that she is never helpless or weak, even without her tech and gadgets. The fight scenes make it clear that Riri’s strength comes not from her suit but from her quick thinking, instincts, and determination. This gives Thorne an opportunity to truly stand out in her role. She keeps delivering a nuanced performance that truly brings Riri’s character to life.
The rest of the cast also impresses with their performances. Especially Sacha Baron Cohen as Mephisto. He is a powerful demon from another dimension in the Marvel Universe, known for manipulating, deceiving, and corrupting the souls of others. Fans have long speculated about his arrival, especially in shows like WandaVision or Agatha All Along.
While his appearance in Ironheart might catch some off guard, it fits thematically. Mephisto is drawn to individuals with traits such as ambition, vengeance, tenacity, or emotional vulnerability, qualities that both Riri and Parker exhibit, making his involvement feel more fitting than it might initially seem.
Cohen effortlessly captures Mephisto’s dark charm and sinister deals, delivering a magnetic performance that immediately engages the audience. His sharp delivery adds intensity to every line, bringing extra mystery and tension to the character and making his interactions with others feel especially electric.
Mephisto’s role in Ironheart raises the stakes not just for the series but for the wider Marvel Universe. While the show doesn’t fully reveal his larger plan, it’s clear he’s involved in something dark and potentially universe-shaking. His arrival hints at major consequences and sets the stage for deeper dives into Marvel’s supernatural side, opening the door for more mystical storylines and lore in future projects.
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The second half of the show focuses more on character growth and emotional depth, particularly through the stories of Joe McGillicuddy and Parker Robbins. Joe revealed as Ezekiel Stane, starts with good intentions but ends up in a dark place after being unknowingly betrayed by Riri and arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. Alden Ehrenreich brings a quiet intensity and simmering anger to his character.
Parker’s downfall is driven by the dark influence of his cloak, making his story just as tragic and emotionally intense. Haunted by his father’s abandonment, craving validation, and hungry for power, Parker becomes an easy target for Mephisto’s manipulation. Anthony Ramos adds deep emotional weight to Parker’s shift from a smart crime boss to a desperate, power-obsessed pawn. Both Joe and Parker’s journeys reflect Riri’s battles with grief, legacy, and the moral challenges of power.
The show delves deeper into themes of grief and technology when N.A.T.A.L.I.E. meets Xavier. His reaction to encountering an AI modeled after his sister is striking and deeply unsettling. Unlike Ronnie, who was happy to see Natalie’s essence preserved in the AI, Xavier finds it disturbing. He sees the AI as blasphemy against his sister’s memory. To him, it’s like facing something that believes it’s Natalie but isn’t truly her, just a frozen snapshot of who she was.
This moment introduces a new ethical dimension to the show, pitting Riri and Xavier against each other in a complex debate. For Riri, N.A.T.A.L.I.E. isn’t just an object. She’s a friend and has her form of life. While Xavier and Riri manage to repair their friendship before the finale, their very different views on N.A.T.A.L.I.E. create lingering tension between them.
Ironheart wraps up with a powerful finale that might surprise or challenge viewers, but it suits the character’s story arcs. The ending raises more questions than it answers, yet it ultimately feels satisfying. The last episode provides an opportunity to delve deeper into the journeys of Riri and the other characters.
In the end, the finale skillfully mixes superhero action and magic with deeper, thought-provoking themes. The second half of the season raises the emotional and narrative stakes, focusing on complex characters and exploring grief, power, and morality in a nuanced and reflective manner.
‘Ironheart’ Episodes 4-6 Review: Riri Does Magic
In the end, the finale skillfully mixes superhero action and magic with deeper, thought-provoking themes. The second half of the season raises the emotional and narrative stakes, focusing on complex characters and exploring grief, power, and morality in a nuanced and reflective manner.
