Season 1 Episode 5 – Riri sets out to create a suit unlike anything she has ever attempted – but at what cost?
Please note, our reviews are based on likes and dislikes. These contain significant spoilers. If you haven’t already watched the episode, we recommend that you click off the article and come back once you have watched the episode. Enjoy!
What I Liked
1. The crew goes after Riri while she’s without the suit. With the two fighters and Clown showing up at the diner where she’s meeting Zelma, this scene delivers. It’s a solid action moment that forces Riri to think on her feet against trained fighters, showing she’s more capable than she often gets credit for. Not a bad start at all.
2. Ezekiel is officially entering supervillain territory. After the surgery in the last episode, we now see him with bionic implants that grant him electric-based abilities and enhanced strength. He looks the part, and he absolutely dominates Riri in combat. Given the Iron Suits’ historical weakness to electricity (Whiplash all over again), this was a cool nod and well-executed moment.
3. Riri finally opens up to her mom, which leads to one of the most emotionally powerful scenes in the entire series. She explains why she obsesses over the suit: it’s the only thing she has control over after watching Natalie and Gary die. That explanation brings long-awaited clarity and emotional depth to her character, finally building the development she’s lacked since Wakanda Forever.
4. The emotional beats keep coming. Riri, Natalie, and her mom return to the garage where it all began. Riri speaks about how it took everything from her, but Natalie offers perspective, projecting a touching memory of young Riri and Gary. It’s a beautiful and grounding moment that finally shows some healing.
5. The team begins building a new suit, and as always, scenes like these create great anticipation. Seeing Riri take charge again feels like a return to form. This is the version of her we got a glimpse of in Wakanda Forever. And when the suit is revealed? It looks stunning.
6. Parker’s intensity continues to escalate. After firing the rest of his crew, he recruits Ezekiel for a heist against his wealthy father. Parker wants everything: the business, the estate, and power. His presence here was genuinely menacing, and the scene hit the right notes.
What I Disliked
Nothing to report this week.
Favorite Moment
That suit-up moment? Incredible. Slug has the suit locked in a van and attempts to take Riri out by running her down. Just in time, Natalie gets the suit to Riri mid-sprint, it latches on, she smashes the van’s front, and then delivers a perfectly placed middle finger. Hands down the best moment of the series so far.
Standout Character
Riri was significantly improved in this episode. We saw a side of her that felt raw, vulnerable, and finally, real. She looked fantastic in the suit, held her own during the diner fight, and carried the emotional scenes with weight. A huge turnaround from the previous episode.
Verdict
This was a major improvement and a genuinely enjoyable episode. Following the low point of Episode 4, this installment brought back emotional stakes, great character work, and solid action. The new suit looks incredible, the tone is shifting in the right direction, and the series feels like it’s finally gearing up for a strong finish.
Rating 8.6/10
The Review
Story - 9
Action - 6
Characters - 9
Entertainment - 9
Quality - 10
8.6
Great
This was a major improvement and a genuinely enjoyable episode. Following the low point of Episode 4, this installment brought back emotional stakes, great character work, and solid action. The new suit looks incredible, the tone is shifting in the right direction, and the series feels like it’s finally gearing up for a strong finish.
