7 Major Questions Marvel’s Ironheart Left Unanswered

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Disney+’s “Ironheart” could potentially be a Marvel miniseries, yet it seems to leave several plot points unresolved. Despite some harsh review bombing, most critics who took the time to watch it have found it to be a decent addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe library. Moreover, as the conclusion of Phase 5, it marks the end of the MCU’s most contentious era to date. Here’s hoping that Phase 6, which starts with “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” improves upon its predecessor. Realistically, it needs to for two reasons: firstly, due to the low points reached in Phase 5; secondly, to ensure the continuation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole.

As an enthusiastic fan, I can’t help but wonder if we’ll be treated to another chapter in the Ironheart saga during this upcoming phase. Whether it’s another season or a feature film, there’s certainly more story left untold about Riri Williams and her companions… and adversaries too! Spoiler alert for Ironheart!

1) What’s Next for Parker Robbins?

In the show, Parker Robbins initially appears as a Robin Hood-like character, working with his team to rob the wealthy who intend to cause harm or have already done so to society. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Robbins himself isn’t entirely virtuous. He possesses a magical red hood, which was bestowed upon him by an enigmatic and elusive figure. When his longtime friend John passes away, the entity associated with the magical hood accuses Riri through a vision that only Robbins can perceive. Consequently, this event serves to further fuel Robbins’ vengeful nature.

In the climactic ending, Riri goes head-to-head with Robbins, eventually taking away his title or position symbolized by the hood. This leaves Robbins in intense agony, and the ominous red and black veins spreading across his body now move towards his face. As Riri departs, a brief post-credits scene unveils that Robbins has tracked down Madeline Stanton’s shop, which was once attended by Riri’s mom as a trainee at Kamar-Taj. Robbins appears to be aware of their magical past and seeks their help. Similar to Jonathan Pangborn and Stephen Strange from Doctor Strange, it appears that Robbins has discovered a method to alleviate the torment he’s enduring, implying he won’t easily forgive Riri for his current state and may not let go of his newfound abilities or healing.

2) Will Zeke Come After Riri?

It’s clear that Parker Robbins still has business with Riri, but what about Ezekiel “Zeke” Stane? Initially, we encounter Zeke under the alias Joe McGillicuddy, a black market arms dealer and a new associate of Riri’s. In fact, he assists her in designing her helpful AI, modeled after her late friend, named N.A.T.A.L.I.E.

As a movie critic, I’d rephrase that passage as follows: In this gripping miniseries, Zeke, a complex character who shares biomesh skin with Riri, embarks on an illicit heist. Unfortunately, his actions land him in prison, transforming him into a secondary antagonist. Despite his questionable past, Zeke exhibits moments of kindness that distinguish him from his father.

When Robbins orchestrates his escape and infuses him with advanced bionic enhancements, Zeke remains hesitant in his confrontations with Riri. He has the power to end her life, but chooses not to. When asked to join Robbins’ crew, he refuses, further highlighting his moral compass.

In the series finale, Riri and Zeke clash once more, with the shared goal of freeing Zeke from Robbins’ control. Together, they manage to achieve this objective, but the lingering bitterness from his arrest tarnishes their relationship. Zeke expresses that he and Riri still have unresolved issues, yet it remains to be seen how long he will harbor anger towards her as she strives to leave her criminal past behind.

3) Where’s the Hood?

In the show and comics, Robbins is nicknamed “The Hood”. However, our focus isn’t on his location. Instead, we’re curious about the whereabouts of the actual red hood associated with the character.

Following Riri’s acquisition of the artifact from Robbins during the final scene, she descends to the pizza joint situated beneath his hideout/condo where she encounters the individual Robbins had been conversing with all along (details about him will be discussed later). This man presents Riri with a proposition similar to the one he extended to Robbins, a deal that carries a significant cost for the recipient. However, we don’t get another glimpse of this location afterwards. One may wonder if she returned the artifact to this enigmatic antagonist. Such an action seems out of character for her given their unfamiliarity and the known danger associated with it. Is she planning on investigating it further? Or, even more concerning, is she considering putting it on herself?

4) Have We Seen the Last of Mephisto?

With Mephisto, a long-awaited Marvel villain, now part of the MCU, we wonder how his character will be developed in future productions. As he makes his debut in the last episode of Ironheart, he has yet to leave a significant mark across the entire universe.

Regardless if another season of Ironheart occurs, it appears that Mephisto’s story isn’t over just yet. Sacha Baron Cohen’s portrayal has been a delight to fans and he excels in his limited screen time. It’s clear that Mephisto is an asset worth keeping, and the MCU likely will continue to use him. The query now is where they might utilize him. Similar to Doctor Doom, Mephisto could become one of the MCU’s future major villains on par with Thanos.

5) How Will Riri’s Deal with Mephisto Change Her?

To clarify, Riri entered into a deal with Mephisto that bore some resemblance to the one Robbins had made. While the nature of their deals differed – his was primarily about gaining power, while hers seemed more compassionate – they were both essentially bargains that required a sacrifice. In essence, Mephisto referred to this as something the signer “won’t miss,” and given that he is often depicted as the devil, it appears they would be giving up their soul.

Riri will indeed go through with the deal, which means one of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s heroes has made a pact with the Devil for a worthy cause. However, her storyline may revolve around learning that you can’t resurrect the deceased and instead finding peace. The intriguing question is whether this agreement can be reversed. As the series progresses, we see signs that the same marks that afflicted Robbins are appearing on Riri as well, suggesting she’s been affected. It remains to be seen if she’ll try to undo the deal now that she has Natalie instead of hologram N.A.T.A.L.I.E., but finding a way out may not be easy.

6) Can Riri and Xavier Patch Things Up?

Xavier Washington is Natalie, who’s been Riri’s best friend, her brother. Similarly to Riri, he has been deeply affected since Natalie and Riri’s stepfather Gary were victims of a drive-by shooting. From the very first episode, “Take Me Home,” it becomes evident that there exists a strong connection between Riri and Xavier. Whether this bond is based on romantic feelings or shared sorrow is yet to be determined at this stage.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, let me rephrase that intriguing plotline:

In Episode 4, titled “Bad Magic,” Riri and Xavier experience a rift. The finale of Episode 1 sees Riri’s AI, whom she’s affectionately named N.A.T.A.L.I.E., modeled after Natalie – much like J.A.R.V.I.S. and F.R.I.D.A.Y. were to Tony Stark and E.D.I.T.H. for Peter Parker. N.A.T.A.L.I.E., as the Ironheart suit, later transports Xavier to a junkyard, aiming to lift Riri’s spirits. However, when N.A.T.A.L.I.E. unveils Natalie’s likeness, Xavier reacts negatively, finding the imitation disrespectful.

Although Xavier eventually assists Riri, her mom, and N.A.T.A.L.I.E. in crafting a suit, their relationship remains strained. The question now is how Xavier will adapt to the agreement Riri has made to genuinely resurrect his sister. Will he once again view this as disrespectful towards his sister’s memory? It seems plausible.

7) Is Natalie Truly Back?

In the finale, does Riri strike a bargain with Mephisto? Indeed. However, one might ponder if this was merely a glimpse into a potential sequence of events. The idea of an Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) character entering into a pact with the devil might seem daring, yet it could be a risk worth taking in terms of storytelling potency, given that the MCU has been characterized by a more conventional and secure approach during its recent phase.

From where I stand, it appears as though Natalie has returned, but I can’t help but wonder if she’s truly the same Natalie Riri once knew. After all, when one signs a pact with the devil, one doesn’t enter into an agreement with someone who is truthful or transparent. It hardly seems plausible that Mephisto has merely honored his word and restored his latest victim’s acquaintance without any strings attached. There must be a condition to this return. The question now is, what exactly is the condition?

All six episodes of Ironheart are now streaming on Disney+.

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2025-07-07 01:42