As Riri and the team celebrate their successful mission and the money they’ve earned, the conversation turns to the mysterious Parker after “Clown” steals his red hood and starts fooling around with it. Riri attempts to analyze the hood, but John storms in and snatches it back, firmly warning everyone never to touch it again. This sparks growing tension between Riri and John, until Parker steps in to de-escalate the situation. As things settle, the team begins to plan its next mission. Sensing the tension, Parker decides to give everyone the day off. However, Riri stays behind to talk to him.

During their conversation, Parker reveals that the power behind his red hood is magic—and that wearing it makes him feel like “somebody.”

Riri heads home, only to find Joe McGillicuddy at her front door. He needs her help and refuses to take no for an answer. Joe even threatens to tell Riri’s mother the truth about her current job, forcing her into reluctant cooperation. At the same time, Riri wants to upgrade her Ironheart suit, but her A.I., N.A.T.A.L.I.E., insists on developing a better emotional connection first. The two spend the day bonding, reflecting on memories of the real Natalie. Although the A.I. holds some of Natalie’s memories, many are missing. They visit Riri’s late stepfather’s old auto shop, which N.A.T.A.L.I.E. hopes will give Riri perspective. However, the visit triggers a panic attack due to painful memories. N.A.T.A.L.I.E. is able to calm her using breathing techniques only the real Natalie once knew.

Later, Riri is questioned by police regarding Rampage’s death, prompting her to come up with a plan to analyze Parker’s hood. She begins upgrading Joe’s biomesh skin tech to bypass security scans and sneak her Ironheart suit into Parker’s operation. When she visits Joe for more tech, he’s hesitant—concerned that it might trace back to him. It’s here that Joe is revealed to be Ezekiel Stane, son of Obadiah Stane. He ultimately agrees to help, but only after Riri promises it won’t backfire on him.

The crew reunites for their next heist—stealing a powerful heirloom. Riri follows the plan initially but breaks away to secretly collect a sample from Parker’s hood. Things go smoothly—until the team triggers an alarm. As Riri nearly finishes extracting the sample, Parker turns invisible and kills a man. Riri watches in horror but confirms she successfully retrieved a piece of the hood.

The mission quickly falls apart. With CO2 flooding the building, Riri tells N.A.T.A.L.I.E. to help the others escape while she finds her own way out. She ends up in a greenhouse, where John catches her with the hood sample and without her suit. A brutal fight breaks out. Riri narrowly escapes, leaving John trapped in a sealed room, filling with CO2.

Back with the team, Riri lies—telling them John didn’t make it out. At home, she suffers a panic attack, overwhelmed by guilt over John’s death and realizing she dropped Ezekiel’s biomesh tech, which could implicate them both.

Meanwhile, Parker returns home and angrily demands answers from his hood. The hood reveals itself as a demonic entity, showing Parker a vision of how John died—pinning it all on Riri. With that, Parker sets his sights on revenge.

This was the strongest episode of the series so far. It effectively captures Riri’s growing moral ambiguity, moving her away from traditional superhero ideals and pushing her into morally gray territory. The episode excels at balancing crime-thriller tension, emotional stakes, and Riri’s psychological unraveling as she grapples with the cost of her ambition. The series still has its ups and downs, but it remains compelling—driven by Dominique Thorne’s grounded and emotionally layered performance.

Rating: 7.5/10