Bad Magic

I feel like there wasn't really a great deal that happened this episode. It was all about dealing with the aftermath of Episode 3 and setting the scene for the show's endgame. It was dialogue-heavy and lacked anything really resembling a superhero series but definitely leaned further into the theme of 'technology vs magic'. It's doing a great job building-up to a long-awaited reveal (that I won't give any specifics on), even if the show itself isn't that amazing.

I will say that I absolutely love some of the cast! Dominique Thorne is fantastic, Lyric Ross is great, Anthony Ramos is good and Alden Ehrenreich is awesome. The show's main problems revolve around the one-dimensional characters, the poor script and the predictable plot-points (which is very clear in this episode).

Anyway, now that this episode is out of the way... We can move onto the more exciting stuff in Episode 5!

The universe has long maintained a complex relationship between technology and magic. Initially, technology was often used to circumvent certain magical elements from the comics that the universe was not yet ready to explore. However, following films like "Doctor Strange," the exploration of magic became a more prominent focus, creating a fascinating dynamic between the two. This dynamic is one of the show's most exciting aspects, contributing to some memorable moments in an episode that, while solid, still falls short of greatness.

A notable strength of this episode is the direction, led by Angela Barnes, who takes over the final three episodes from Sam Bailey. Barnes brings a more dynamic vision to the series, successfully infusing the show with unique visual elements that help establish a distinct identity-something that has been lacking in previous episodes. However, in terms of storytelling, the episode still struggles to maintain audience engagement. Riri's involvement with the heist crew reaches a new level following John's death in the previous episode, introducing new stakes. Yet, the show fails to capitalize on these stakes, rendering them somewhat inconsequential. While there are compelling moments of emotional distress from Riri, they lack a solid foundation within the narrative. Simultaneously, the characters around her begin to feel increasingly detached, which strains her relationships, particularly with her mother and with Alden Ehrenreich's character, whose development here feels somewhat rushed. A standout aspect of the episode is its portrayal of magic, with several moments that effectively showcase its full potential, adding an enjoyable element to the story. Overall, while the episode improves upon the show's visual style, it still falls short in terms of narrative depth.

"Bad Magic" possesses a great deal of potential and injects a much-needed burst of energy into its style. However, the substance requires further refinement, as the emotional resonance lacks depth. The film struggles to establish a solid foundation for its emotional impact, which feels unrealistic given its short runtime.

The script for this episode was really good, with rich character development. I love how interesting and three-dimensional most of the supporting characters are. Natalie, Ronnie, and Xa aren't just there to accompany Riri; they have their own goals, their own desires, clear boundaries, and they're not afraid to call her out when she crosses the line.

One of my favorite scenes was when Riri asks Xa if she's a good person. Xa's answer wasn't just for Riri, i think it was also for the audience, to tell us that if we're looking for a perfect protagonist, we won't find one in Riri. She's human. Humans are complex, and the Ironheart writers understand that perfectly. They allow their protagonist the right to be imperfect.

Zelma, I just met you and you already have all my attention! Strange Academy is definitely coming next! That scene in the shop honestly left me speechless.

Riri has to deal with the consequences of John's death. Parker Robbins suspects Riri's involvement in John's demise.

Ezekiel Stane and his arsenal of weapons are busted by the police. All because his yech used by Riri was found in the crime scene.

This gives Parker Robbins access to Stane. Disguised as the Hood, he busts into prison and makes a deal with Stane. The Hood can bust him out and give Stane bionic upgrades.

As for Riri, she needs to get ready to deal with Parker Robbins and his gang. If only her mother stopped nagging.

Then there is the matter of her mother's friend who is a sorceress and has an understanding of the piece of cloth that Riri stole from the Hood's cloak.

This was just a horrible episode. It is hard to sympathise with a lead character who seems to be selfish and gets everyone else in trouble.

How convenient that Riri's mother knew Madeleine and Zelma.

The fact that IMDB gave iron heart a 3.1/10 is borderline criminal. This show isn't daredevil, but it's entertaining and new. Lots of comic references, good story, and solid acting. Ironheart is a relatively new comic in the realm of how far marvel stories go back. I feel like giving the show more episodes to dive into the backstory of the hood, and some of the background marvel characters introduced into this series, would have helped the ratings. Hoping iron heart makes her way into the upcoming marvel shows and movies. In the comics she is supposed to be an integral member of the "new avengers".

I legitimately dont understand how it's 3.1/10.