Since the dawning of Marvel’s first Disney+ series, we’ve been forced to ask one question. And now, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has finally given us an answer to it.
**Spoilers for the Marvel Cinematic Universe series Ironheart ahead**
Back when WandaVision was airing, fans asked if it was a tricky man behind it all. Every theory for surrounded him, every move that Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) made was somehow tied back to him. And yet, he did not show. I am of course talking about Mephisto. Remember how many jokes we had to deal with about this guy?
Mephisto (Sacha Baron Cohen) shows up in the finale of Ironheart after Riri uses magic to try and find out everything she can about Parker’s magical hood. It leads her to an impossible choice: Leave Mephisto and not take his bait or get to make a wish and bring her best friend back to her. It is a question that anyone would struggle with and Riri deciding to lean into Mephisto’s powers isn’t something to be angry with her over. But it does set a scary precedent for the future.
We all thought he was the one behind Westview. Then, with Death (Aubrey Plaza) showing up in Agatha All Along, we assumed he’d appear in some way but we all also thought she was Blackheart, Mephisto’s son. Look, we were going through it. Now, Mephisto is here and granting twisted wishes and it is dangerous yet fun.
Honestly, I’m happy Marvel made us wait
During WandaVision, fans were so annoying about every theory. Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) dares to mention an aerospace engineer and everyone logged on to say that Reed Richards was coming to Westview. Reed decidedly did not show up and it was simply just an aerospace engineer that Monica knew. Things like that made the weekly episodes of WandaVision both thrilling and hilarious because none of our theories actually worked out. Like Mephisto.
Sure, it is now 4 years later and the Mephisto of it all has become a joke for any kind of storyline happening in the Marvel Cinematic Universe but I’m glad they made us wait for it. It could have been quick and something that showed up in a series prior to this or even with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Instead, we had to wait.
Frankly, I love the payoff. It makes sense for Riri’s tie to both the tech side of the Marvel cannon and her connection to magic through Zelma (Regan Aliyah). The Red Hood needed a magical connection too and Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos) connecting with Mephisto works! So why not allow Ironheart to be the series to finally bring the meme to an end?
I’m glad it happened with this show because I do think it is one of Marvel’s best and so making Riri’s story important to all those who wanted to see Mephisto? Perfection. But also, now that he’s been introduced, it is about to get so much worse trying to figure out who is behind anything in the MCU moving forward. It probably was Mephisto all along.
(featured image: Disney+)
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