Will the Real Natalie Please Stand Up?

On the up side, the music is picking up. I'm really enjoying this soundtrack! It's great, truly. Also, it's great to see more of Anthony Ramos, who I've been a fan of since Hamilton, and more of Zoe Terakes, who I've been a fan of since the more-recent Talk To Me, and more of Dominique Thorn is always welcome too. The material here may not be spectacular, but the cast are doing pretty damn well with it.

The story is no great shakes yet though, and that sucks because I can't stop being hopeful that the people at Marvel are gonna get back to making quality stories sooner rather than later, and if this is gonna be the start of that with their TV shows (I'm not counting Daredevil here because I haven't watched that yet and until I do that's more of a continuation of the Netflix stuff than a straight Marvel show) then they've gotta kick it up a bit more.

It always seemed like an unconventional choice to introduce this character in a project not directly centered around her, and many viewers likely found her introduction in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" somewhat underwhelming. In this series, however, it feels as though the narrative is revisiting much of the setup for her character, providing additional depth and shaping her into a figure that audiences can genuinely support. This approach not only enhances her character but also ensures that her role in the film feels more substantial. So far, the series has done a commendable job in achieving this.

In many respects, this show feels distinctly tailored for a 2025 audience, engaging with contemporary debates surrounding AI and the ethics of using specific individuals as AI representations, which provides some of the episode's most emotionally charged moments. However, these thematic explorations also lead to some of the show's more questionable creative choices, particularly as they delve into the complex theme of grief. At times, these two elements conflict, forcing the narrative to bypass simple logical coherence, which can result in certain scenes feeling underwhelming. Nevertheless, the show is gradually building a strong ensemble of characters, each emerging as solid additions to the broader MCU. Yet, questions remain regarding the show's treatment of technology in contrast to the mystical elements central to the character of the Hood. The series also struggles with a lack of visual identity; while culture plays an important role in the narrative, it is not fully reflected in the show's stylistic approach. Sam Bailey demonstrates skill, particularly in the execution of the action sequences, but a more distinctive visual language could have further elevated the series. Dominique Thorne continues to shine, bringing exceptional chemistry to every interaction and solidifying her as a standout in the cast.

"Will the Real Natalie Please Stand Up?" is a solid second episode that advances the narrative in an engaging direction. The episode tackles significant questions and is willing to explore them, yet it is also marked by several questionable decisions, particularly regarding the show's visual appeal and its treatment of technology and emotion.

This episode gave me a little more hope for the series. Episode one felt weak and forced. However, this episode had more chemistry, better acting, even if it's still not perfect. I'm glad I watched two episodes at once because I might not have continued after the first one. This one gives some intrigue and looks to be setting some things up. And giving Riri some more character depth than "misunderstood arrogant, distant genius" was a nice addition.

Alright, two episodes deep into Ironheart, and after that surprisingly decent opener, I was proper buzzing to see if the second instalment could keep the good vibes going. And honestly? It's a bit of a mixed bag, but still not a total write-off.

Riri Williams is still the absolute guv'nor here, no doubt. This episode really digs into her struggles, not just with the tech wizardry, but with the sheer weight of what she's getting herself into. Dominique Thorne is still smashing it, making Riri feel dead relatable and proper human, even when she's building some mad, next-level gear. The suit upgrades were sick, and watching her push boundaries is always a laugh.

But, and there's always a 'but' with these Marvel shows, the pacing here felt a bit more all over the shop than the first episode. There were definitely a couple of bits that just dragged their heels, proper pulling me out of it. We also got a bit more of The Hood, and yeah, his powers look mint, but his reasons for being a villain still feel a bit bog-standard. He's menacing enough, but he's not exactly giving off 'iconic bad guy' vibes just yet.

And speaking of not quite hitting the mark, the supporting cast, bless 'em, felt a bit... beige. Their acting was alright, I suppose, but they didn't really pop or add much proper depth. It was like they were just there to react to Riri, rather than being actual characters with their own thing going on. A bit of a shame, that.

So, this episode wasn't as electrifying as the premiere. It's still got Riri, who's brilliant, but some of the other bits (the pacing, the supporting performances) need a bit of a polish. It hasn't lost me completely, but they definitely need to step it up and give the rest of the crew more to do. Fingers crossed for next week, eh?

My Rating: 5.5/10.