When we last saw Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), she was leaving Wakanda and returning to her life at college in the United States. Since that time, Riri has been hustling and making ends meet by writing and creating projects for her classmates for a fee. For being a genius, this might not be the smartest thing to do, but Riri is trying to save up to fund her experiments. She ultimately gets caught and ends up returning home to Chicago, where she is forced to face a new reality.

Ironheart is the latest series from Marvel Studios that expands the world of Riri Williams and her donning the Ironheart mantle. The legacy of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) is mentioned a few times in the first episodes because his donation is funding her school and her projects. Riri feels she is too smart for her school, which causes her some issues, as I mentioned above.

Back in Chicago, she attempts to rebuild her suit but does not have the parts or money to do so. Riri tries to do things her way but catches the eye of Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos) and his crew. Parker’s second in command, John (Manny Montana), offers Riri a quick way to make money to buy her parts. Riri is faced with a decision to walk away or join the crew to make some money.

Ironheart is capped at 6 episodes this season, and in that short time, it does tell a compelling story. Within each episode, we learn more about Riri’s past and her desire to protect her family. The episode centered around Parker’s character gives us a better insight as to why he dons the Robe and what his goals are. We also meet some great new characters like the Blood Siblings, Jerri and Roz (Zoe Tarakes and Shakira Barrera), Joe (Alden Ehrenreich), and a few more that can’t be named yet! 

The real heart of the show comes from Natalie (Lyric Ross). The relationship between her and Riri is one of true friendship and sisterhood. I wish I could say more about this, but you’ll have to see the show to see what I mean. There are many moments between the two that will pull at your heartstrings. 

There are some great easter eggs and callbacks in Ironheart, but there is one that sticks out for me. In one of the characters’ rooms is a poster for A Tribe Called Quest’s documentary “Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest”. As a Tribe fan, it is cool to see that poster in the show, but also, I have a friend who was the cinematographer, and I know he will get a kick out of seeing that! Speaking of backgrounds, keep your eye on the White Castle marquee during a certain fight scene. Little jokes like that take away from the seriousness of this show now and then, and that’s a good thing. 

Episode Breakdown:
Episode 1 – Take Me Home – Great re-introduction to Riri and what lies ahead for her

Episode 2 – Will the Real Natalie Please Stand Up – What will you do with what you created, Riri?

Episode 3 – We in Danger, Girl – (Love the play on that line from Ghost) Some things are not what they seem.

Episode 4 – Bad Magic – Mentions of familiar people and outro song by Anthony Ramos.

Episode 5 – Karma’s a Glitch – Things are starting to get real, and motivations present themselves.

Episode 6 – The Past is the Past – Very interesting, and what does this mean for the MCU?

Final Thoughts: Ironheart continues the story of Riri Williams after Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and how she readjusts to life in college. The 6-episode series could have used a few more episodes to flesh out some of the storylines that felt rushed in the final episodes. The story addresses real-world issues that kids in inner cities face. The action sequences are fantastic and on par with those in recent Marvel movies. 

Kid Friendly: Some strong themes about grief, loss, and family throughout the show that may be too deep for younger kids. This falls along the lines of Agatha All Along in its subject matter.

Violence: There are images of people getting shot and stabbed in the show. There is a few more curse words in this show than in other Marvel shows.

Set after the events of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Marvel Television’s “Ironheart” pits technology against magic when Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne)—a young, genius inventor determined to make her mark on the world—returns to her hometown of Chicago. Her unique take on building iron suits is brilliant, but in pursuit of her ambitions, she finds herself wrapped up with the mysterious yet charming Parker Robbins aka “The Hood” (Anthony Ramos)