We in Danger, Girl

Alright, so we've hit the third episode of Ironheart. After the first two being a bit of a mixed bag - a decent opener, then one that felt a bit flat - I was hoping this one would properly kick things into gear. And, well, it certainly throws some curveballs.

Riri Williams, once again, is the main reason I'm still tuning in. Dominique Thorne continues to absolutely boss it. This episode sees her getting into some proper sticky situations, and her reactions feel genuinely earned. The stakes are definitely ratcheting up, and seeing her grapple with the consequences of her choices, especially after that wild reveal about Joe McGillicuddy (that was a proper 'blimey' moment, wasn't it?), adds some much-needed depth. Her tech is still looking slick, too.

However, while the plot got a bit more spicy, the pacing still feels a bit off. There are moments where things fly by, and then others where it just drags its heels. The Hood, bless him, is still visually impressive with his powers, but his motivations are still a bit thin on the ground. He's doing villainous things, but I'm not entirely feeling his grand plan yet.

And the supporting cast? Still a bit hit or miss, to be honest. Some characters get a bit more to do, and there are flashes of potential, but overall, they're not consistently pulling their weight. It's like they're still finding their footing, and in a six-episode series, you really need everyone firing on all cylinders by episode three.

So, Ep 3 ramps up the tension and gives Riri some solid character moments, but it's still wrestling with those pacing issues and a supporting cast that needs to step up. It's not a disaster, but it's not quite the full throttle Marvel TV I'm always hoping for. Still, I'm sticking with it for now to see how Riri navigates this mess.

My Rating: 6/10.

Ironheart is a fantastic addition to the Marvel universe and a standout Disney+ series, especially with its powerful Black female lead, Riri Williams. The show brilliantly blends action, heart, and innovation. It's refreshing and inspiring to see a young, intelligent Black woman take center stage in a tech-driven superhero story. The storyline is engaging and emotionally layered, with well-developed supporting characters who bring even more depth. My teen daughters and I are absolutely hooked, every episode sparks conversation, inspiration, and excitement. Highly recommended to those who really enjoy Marvel or any those who aren't really interested in superheroes. It's a great watch.

THIS is how you Marvel, Marvel. Keep it up.

It might take until the last act of the episode to really kick it up, but this is much closer to what I was hoping for from this show, and from Marvel in general now. I mean, I get that we kinda 'had to' start off how we did with Riri to make it more believable that she become who she's supposed to be, I'm just glad that they gave her that one big push in that direction now - in the first drop of episodes - rather than making us wait longer. I'm also glad that they're diving into Parker's story a bit harder and faster now too. We knew it was coming so putting it off much longer would have felt cheap.

Here's hoping that this is where Anthony Ramos and Dominique Thorn in particular really get to stretch their metaphorical legs and start running with their characters, because that ending was DAMN good!

This series strives to assume the mantle of exploring technology and its potential for further revolution. This was a central theme in the "Iron Man" films, and it was subsequently carried over into the "Black Panther" films. In many ways, "Ironheart" draws from the functional elements of both franchises, incorporating them into its own narrative, while juxtaposing technology against magic. The first two episodes have been solid, and this installment continues the momentum, though it does not introduce any novel elements to enhance its established formula.

As Riri becomes more deeply entangled in the criminal underworld, the central themes of personal accountability begin to emerge. Riri, accustomed to operating on the fringes of the law to further her own objectives, has not deviated from this approach. Although she claims she is not a criminal, her actions increasingly suggest otherwise. Narratively, Riri proves to be far more compelling than the crew she interacts with, as they still lack substantial development, with the notable exception of Anthony Ramos' Parker Robbins, who shines in this episode with several memorable moments. While the show's overarching technological plot is intriguing, it arguably shouldn't dominate the narrative focus. The emotional dynamics between Riri and the AI, Natalie, as well as between her and Alden Ehrenreich's character, are the true strengths of the episode, offering meaningful character development. However, it is frustrating that these moments do not substantially advance the storyline. The episode also includes some striking action sequences in its third act, providing a visually engaging portion of the show, as much of the series has yet to establish a distinct visual identity. Ultimately, the episode concludes with the most captivating ending of the released episodes, sparking genuine intrigue to continue watching.

"We in Danger, Girl" is the first episode to significantly escalate the action, yet a notable disconnect persists between the audience and the central storyline. Riri remains an engaging character, and the show is at its strongest during her emotional moments with other characters, rather than when it centers on the primary heist narrative.

Some big action!

Episode 3 has Riri finally waking up to the real extent of the shady characters she is with, as The Hood's motives become more and more clear.

For all her genius, Riri is still niave. We've seen this for Marvel's hero journeys many times before. As soon as you think you know something, you're hit with an event that means you know nothing.

Alden Ehrenreich has had an up and down career, but he fits well into this show, and his back story is certainly interesting. But yeah, he was in Star Wars, so stop mentioning Star Wars Marvel, because I find it distracting.

Natalie's back story is fleshed out, I hope the obvious twist isn't so obvious.....