In the explosive season finale of Marvel’s Ironheart on Disney+, John and Derek from TV Podcast Industries break down Episode 6: “The Past Is The Past”, directed by Angela Barnes and written by showrunner Chinaka Hodge. With the arrival of Mephisto, a dramatic battle between Riri and Parker, and major MCU implications, this episode delivers a powerful conclusion and sets the stage for what’s next.

Episode 6 Recap: What Happened in “The Past Is The Past”?

We begin in the past, where a young Parker Robbins and his friend John break into Parker’s father's mansion. While escaping, Parker meets a mysterious hooded man who promises him power, respect, and wealth — at a mysterious cost he’ll “barely notice.” Parker agrees and seals his fate with a handshake.

In the present day, Parker confronts the same mysterious partner, furious that his desires haven’t materialized. But the hooded man reminds him: everything he needed was already given.

Meanwhile, Riri is at a low point. She can’t rebuild her AI, N.A.T.A.L.I.E., and goes against advice to confront Parker directly. At his headquarters, she faces Ezekiel Stane, who is still under Parker’s control. With Ezekiel’s help, she defeats him and forces him into a reset.

Riri battles Parker and successfully removes his hood, leaving him broken. But the fight isn’t over — Mephisto reveals himself and offers Riri a deal. She accepts, with one condition: leave her loved ones alone.

Back at her garage, Riri believes she’s rebuilt N.A.T.A.L.I.E., only to find a physically resurrected Natalie Washington. As Riri embraces her friend, Mephisto’s mark begins spreading across her skin…

Mid-Credits Scene

Parker, now unhooded and vulnerable, enters Zelma Stanton’s sweet shop and pleads for some “Supreme-like” assistance.

Cast & Characters

Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams / Ironheart

Anthony Ramos as Parker Robbins / The Hood

Lyric Ross as Natalie Washington / N.A.T.A.L.I.E.

Matthew Elam as Xavier Washington

Anji White as Ronnie Williams

Alden Ehrenreich as Ezekiel Stane

Regan Aliyah as Zelma Stanton

Sacha Baron Cohen as Mephisto

Ironheart MIT Student Bar Quiz – Final Episode Challenge

Our final question of the season is here:

Question 6:How many of the people in the Forbes Top 100 Rich List have made a deal with Mephisto?👉 Bonus point: How many kings, popes, and Beatles have made deals?

📩 Submit your answer to [email protected] for your chance to win Ironheart-themed goodies!

👉 Find all previous quiz questions & details here:🔗 www.tvpodcastindustries.com

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Stay Tuned!

We’ll return in two weeks with our Ironheart wrap-up podcast, including the announcement of our MIT Student Bar Quiz winner!

Until then —Keep watching, keep listening, and keep defending!— John & Derek, your Marvel Defenders

⚖️ Legal & Credits

All images and audio clips © Marvel Studios and Disney+. Used under fair use for commentary and review.

🎵 Intro & Outro Music:“tech” by Voide, via Free Music Archive Licensed under Creative Commons 4.0 🔗 Creative Commons License