In a surprising turn of events, Marvel’s Ironheart series exhibits resemblances to Black Mirror’s emotionally impactful “Be Right Back” episode as much as it does with any Iron Man feature.

On the Iron Man front, we encounter an exhilarating story about an inventor crafting a sophisticated armored suit. In the case of Ironheart, that inventor is the talented Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), who first appeared in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. (Wakanda Forever and Sinners director Ryan Coogler also serves as an executive producer for Ironheart.) Now back in Chicago after her expulsion from MIT, Riri resorts to crime to finance the development of her suit.

As Riri progresses with her suit creation, Ironheart takes a turn reminiscent of Black Mirror. In her quest to develop a new AI assistant for her armor, Riri unintentionally conjures an entity that resembles her deceased best friend, Natalie Washington (Lyric Ross). This reflects the premise of Black Mirror’s “Be Right Back,” where a grieving widow (Hayley Atwell) converses with an AI representation of her late husband (Domhnall Gleeson).

While “Be Right Back” presents a heartrending television hour, Ironheart provides a more optimistic interpretation of navigating grief through technology. Although it lacks the focus and emotional resonance that “Be Right Back” possesses—often diluted in a six-episode sprint to introduce fresh MCU personas—Ironheart nonetheless weaves a touching, intricate connection between Riri and her apparently lost best friend.

Riri’s relationship with her new AI N.A.T.A.L.I.E. stands at the heart of Ironheart.

The show’s opening scene does not depict Riri constructing her suit or confronting villains. Instead, it captures her and Natalie conversing about their aspirations. Riri aims to surpass the likes of Jobs, Gates, Pym, and Stark, while Natalie’s simple wish is for happiness (and perhaps to meet Thor).

This moment underscores Riri and Natalie’s rapport, with showrunner Chinaka Hodge highlighting their friendship as the series’ foundation. Later, we discover that Natalie’s and Riri’s stepfather, Gary (LaRoyce Hawkins), tragically lost their lives in a drive-by shooting. Riri witnessed these events, powerless to intervene. Their deaths fueled her drive to create her suit, which offers immediate protection to those in peril. The armor represents Riri’s intellect and the legacy she aspires to leave, but Ironheart suggests it is also a way to shield herself from experiencing the trauma of losing Natalie and Gary again.

The arrival of AI N.A.T.A.L.I.E. (Neuro-Autonomous Technical Assistant and Laboratory Intelligence Entity) further complicates Riri’s journey through grief and innovation. The AI mimics Natalie’s unique traits and memories. Though she comes as close to Natalie as possible, is she truly Natalie? Riri wrestles with this inquiry throughout the season, especially as she forms a connection with N.A.T.A.L.I.E., laughing and arguing as if time has stood still.

N.A.T.A.L.I.E. does not function like a conventional AI that merely follows commands. She playfully teases Riri, questions her plans, and shows hurt when Riri doubts her reality. Ross delivers a particularly poignant performance in these moments, yet her vibrancy and enthusiasm during lighthearted scenes with Riri are infectious.

With this whimsy, Ironheart seems more ready to accept N.A.T.A.L.I.E. as an extension of her lost counterpart. Conversely, Black Mirror’s “Be Right Back” examines the limitations of utilizing AI to replicate a departed loved one. Whereas the AI in “Be Right Back” relies on limited social media inputs, N.A.T.A.L.I.E. is rooted in Riri’s own recollections. Within the MCU, where gods exist, half of existence vanished only to return, and AI can be impeccable.

Beyond the parallels with Black Mirror, Ironheart also mirrors contemporary society. With advancements in AI, individuals are utilizing chatbots to engage with the memories of deceased loved ones, as presented in the 2024 documentary Eternal You. Is this technological advancement a beneficial aid for processing grief, or is it a morbid imitation?

Ironheart lightly touches on the ethics surrounding N.A.T.A.L.I.E., emphasizing the joy, sorrow, and complexity of reconnecting with someone who has passed. Thorne and Ross appear magnetic together, treating the stakes of their relationship with sensitivity. The responses from those close to Riri, particularly her mother Ronnie (Anji White), deepen the N.A.T.A.L.I.E. quandary. For Ronnie, it represents a chance to heal and restore a missing aspect of their community. The more people engage with N.A.T.A.L.I.E., the greater support Riri acquires during her darkest hours.

Ironheart also brings Parker “Hood” Robbins and his criminal entourage into the mix.

N.A.T.A.L.I.E. isn’t the sole companion Riri has in Ironheart. The criminal Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos), dubbed “Hood” for his enigmatic red-hooded cape, recruits Riri to elevate his crew with high-tech innovation.

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