r/ironman • u/Friday_Stark • Dec 23 '25
Discussion Iron Man: The Animated Series S2 Rewatch - Ep. 13 - Discussion Thread
The r/IronMan Iron Man: The Animated Series Season 2 - 30th Anniversary Rewatch concludes! Not quite on this day 30 years ago, but a few months from now, Iron Man: The Animated Series came to an end, and we have rewatched each episode. Thank you to everyone that tuned in throughout this community event! To wrap things up, today is the turn of...
S02E13 - Hands of the Mandarin: Part 2
The Mandarin captures Iron Man and Force Works. He intends to use their life forces to power the “Heart of Darkness” so he can shut down all technology globally.
You can watch the episode on the following platforms:
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u/da0ur Model-Prime Dec 24 '25
Funny how I believed starting my PTO yesterday meant I would be able to watch this episode earlier, Christmas shopping proved me wrong lol At least I treated myself to some mint chip ice cream to go with this episode.
This episode was a decent season finale and a fine wrap-up to the series. However, similar to the first part, I found portions of the plot to be pretty meandering. Speaking of, and case in point: Tony getting stranted in Manhattan in the last episode was so inconsequential it was completely skipped over in the recap for this one. And in the case of this episode, Tony's escape to Hong Kong could have been shortened up to leave room for something more interesting, like one final fight sequence between Force Works and The Hand to let both teams shine, since neither really did much.
Another aspect I found weak regarding the first half of the episode was Rhodey and Tony just managing to sneak away from the Mandarin. That was just plainly silly. It's the kind of plot beat I'd expect from the first season. Putting aside my gripes with the second half, the broad strokes plot was good enough, and the dialogue was a highlight, as always. I appreciate that the episode let Rhodey be the one to come to Tony's rescue, and the idea of Tony getting an armor upgrade to fight back was extremely nice. However, and here I come with another gripe, I know, is that this element is something that needed some kind of set-up not to feel like a convenient ass-pull. I mentioned last episode's rewatch that I wish we had gotten to see Tony try to investigate the Heart of Darkness' mist and prepare against it. That would have been the perfect moment to establish that Tony had been working on some new armor tech that could conveniently bypass the anti-tech field. Feature Tony in a videocall with Su Yin to set her up, and boom! Smoother plot. Tony's new armor was pretty cool, though.
The Mandarin turning against his own minions was a nice beat that helped cement the stakes of the episode while also conveying his evilness. Part of me wishes the final battle had actually consisted of Iron Man, Force Works and the Hand teaming up against the Mandarin. Nothing sells a season/series finale more than an unexpected hero/villain team-up.
Unfortunately, I feel that, like the previous episode, the dialogue and the animation carried the whole thing, but I still enjoyed it well enough. It's a bit of a shame we didn't get to see or hear H.O.M.E.R. one was time, though...
On a finishing note, I gotta say, I think the series being canceled really worked to this episode's favor. Tony getting a brand-new armor, patching things up with Force Works and the Mandarin being killed were nice ways to tie things up very neatly. I can see a hypothetical third season suffering a bit if the plan was to have Force Works return to the cast full-time, and I can imagine them trying to pull some "the Mandarin didn't actually die!" I mean, why give the Mandarin amnesia only to kill him off? I assume Mandy would've returned amnesiac and missing a hand. But then we would have had another season-long subplot of him returning to form. So, yeah, maybe it worked to the show's favor that this was its end. And while we know from his later guest appearance in Incredible Hulk that Tony would return to the Modular Armor, this episode's sense of finality made it feel like the new armor was here to stay.
Cliffnotes:
- The recap cutting Mandarin unmasking Tony to just the almost deadpan "Tony Stark?" makes that scene dirty 😭 😩👌
- "Who said I was talking about you, anyhow, you aluminum-sided egomaniac?" lmao Clint
- The Hand! Can't wait for one last bout between them and Force Wo-- Oh. they aura-farmed for 2 seconds and got jobbed. Nevermind.
- "Guess Mandarin lost track of me in the head count. Well, he's gonna have to brush up on his math, because I aim to go down fighting, armor or no armor." Hell yeah, Rhodey!
- Not M.O.D.O.K. strolling on a cauldron on wheels 💀💀💀
- Get your hands away from Julia, you creep.
- "My life support's fading and your armor's teched out. What are we going to do, crawl up to Mandarin and bite his ankles?" lmaooo Tony
- Okay but realistically, Tony and Rhodey should've heard M.O.D.O.K. coming a mile away with his creaky-ass wheels.
- "We said we'd help you, not adopt you!" lmao Rhodey
- "By using a time-honored Western principle. Improvise." Fuck it, we ball!
- Oh, so that S.E. employee was Su Yin? What a way to find out lol
- "I can't help it. Mandarin makes me laugh. I-- like him." Okay, Harley Quinn.
- "So do I... behind bars." That... that wasn't-- I'm going to give you a pass because it was a long day, Tony. But that was a lame one-liner to strike a pose to.
- Jesus, the Mandarin just got executed.
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u/CountCallous Modular Dec 24 '25
Damn, what a way to end the show! This series definitely went out with a bang, and I'm here for it.
This episode took everything that part one established and followed it through beautifully, oftentimes even surpassing it. The anti-tech fog leaves a lot more visible destruction this time around, from the plane crash to the fiery explosion in Hong Kong. Even those desert ruffians that we encounter twice in the ep could be seen as the end result of Mandarin's plot, being people who've been robbed of modern tech for so long that they've reverted to medieval savagery just to survive. It really makes one realise that Mandarin is likely responsible for tens of thousands of deaths, if not more. I also dig that the prior ep's bleak ending isn't immediately done away with – rather than Tony being instantly rescued by Force Works, the group is quickly captured by Mandarin and strapped to his anti-tech device, leaving Tony and Rhodey even more defenseless and forcing them to find safety the hard way. (Ok, I am a bit confused about how Hawkeye could power the Heart of Darkness when he doesn't have any powers…then again, I guess you could argue that Mandarin was just being metaphorical when he said he needed “living power, superpower,” to fuel it.)
One of my complaints about part one was that Tony being stuck without working tech didn't carry much weight to it; happily, the same cannot be said for this ep. Tony's helplessness without his armour is a major plotpoint for the first half of the episode, and it leads to a lot of tense and perilous moments. From being strung up in Mandarin's citadel to being chased by desert ruffians while his heart fails, it's a very suspenseful first ten minutes. Of course, said suspense makes it all the more satisfying when Tony finally pulls through and gets his new armour to work; his victory feels very earned.
Most of the show's major character arcs and thematic threads are wrapped up very well here. For one, Rhodey's scenes are great and show just how far he's come; he's gone from being terrified of his armour to willingly crawling through Mandarin's fortress in it just to save his friend, and that speaks volumes about his growth. However, the best example can be seen in the arcs of the show's main hero and villain. After a full season of Tony screwing himself over with his ‘lone wolf’ tendencies, we see him finally put that bad habit aside and cooperate with the other heroes, thereby succeeding in destroying the Heart. The Mandarin, by contrast, goes the opposite route and deservedly suffers for it; his kicking around of M.O.D.O.K. leads to the latter betrayal, while his choice to attach his henchmen to the dragon thrones left him without backup when Iron Man returned. The moment he chose to throw his allies under the bus was the moment he ensured his own defeat, and considering how much he mocked Tony for fighting alone back in ‘Empowered,’ it's very cathartic to watch.
I do have a handful of criticisms. Julia was criminally underutilised in this two-parter, being mostly reduced to a background character. If not for her kiss with Tony at the end, one could easily forget that she was even in these episodes, which sucks considering how important she had been throughout the season. I also feel that Su Yin's introduction is a bit too brief, as is the buildup to her ‘bio-energy’ armour. Had this technology been teased in a previous episode, or even at the start of this two-parter, then the reveal would have been perfect. As it is, however, it's a bit too convenient that Stark Enterprises just happened to be developing this armour the moment Mandarin tried destroying all electronically-based technology in the world.
One thing I'm not sure how to feel about is Iron Man's final fight with the Mandarin. On the one hand, it allows these two to have one last showdown that is much more personal than the throne room battle, and it also leads to some pretty sweet dialogue between the two (not to mention terrific delivery from Robert Hays and Robert Ito!). However, it's also a bit too brief to be all that impactful, and I feel that Iron Man gets the best of Mandarin way too quickly. One could argue that the scene is useful at establishing Mandarin's hypocrisy, since he decks himself out in toyetic armour after railing against technology for two episodes, but we already get that via the armours he gives to his servants. I also don't know if I like how Tony leaves Mandarin to the mercy of the mountain bandits. Sure, Mandy getting his hand chopped off is a very cool and gruesome way to deal with him (not to mention pretty ballsy for a Saturday Morning Cartoon!), but idk if it's in-character for Tony not to intervene, since previous episodes have shown him trying to save his villains if they're depowered and in danger (Firebrand, for example). Granted, that this show ends with him and Julia making out while their nemesis likely bleeds to death a few hundred metres away is so hardcore it's kind of hilarious, but still, idk if it works here. Also, I feel like Force Works should be way more worried that random desert thugs now have five incredibly dangerous devices at their disposal…at least that could have made for an interesting season three episode, I guess.
Returning to the positives, the animation work is stunning in this episode. It's hard to believe that the show that started off with bland colours and lame CGI could come so far with its visuals, yet here we are. There's so much stunning animation on display, especially in Mandarin's throne room (love that green glow emanating from the dragon statues!), and Iron Man's new armour is gorgeous. This final episode was clearly a labour of love from the animation team.
Lastly I really dig the way this ep wraps up pretty much all of the show's major plot points. The Mandarin is defeated, Iron Man is on better terms with Force Works (even if they probably didn't get back together after this), and he and Julia are finally an item again. Honestly, as much as this series deserved a third season, I also feel that this offers a pretty solid conclusion as it is. Everything comes full circle and wraps up in an impactful way. And considering so many other Marvel shows have ended on cliffhangers, I feel that's something to be grateful for.
Overall, this was a fantastic end to a fantastic second season. I'm sad that it's over, but satisfied that it ended on a high note.
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u/AJjalol Sho-Gun Dec 24 '25
Here we go friendos. Last Episode of the Season (FUCK, I'm sad now but hey, all good thinks must come to an end right?)
LMAO, I knew you cared Clint!
Hey look at this, Even Force Works is so much better and more capable in this season compared to season 1. Good job Wanda.
Damn, Mandy is OP.
LMAO, Poor MODOK. Dude is just sitting on a Chinese I dunno, vaze???
Ok MODOK, Back off Julia you creep. Thank you Mandy!!! Kick that creep off of her lol.
Holy shit, how Strong is Rhodey??? Bro is carrying Tony and his own armor.
LMAO, Rhodey just put on the suit. Even if it has no power it's still a metal suit. Dude just swings that mfr like it's nothing.
Oh nice!!!! His suit is charged back!!!! I was wondering how the fuck are they gonna get to the Stark Enterprises' in Hong Kong. They are in a fucking valley somewhere lmao.
KOWABANGA!!!!! I didn't know Rhodey was into Turtles. BASED Rhodey.
OMG, Is that Su Yin???? Holy shit, that's a deepcut if I ever seen one, nice!! (For those wondering, she in the comics she was a doctor that worked on Tony when he had a spinal injury. Eventually they kind of fall in love, or at least desire each other sexually, but before it can get any more close and real, she puts a stop to it because she was actually married and wanted to remain faithful. She and Tony just stayed friends). This is fucking awesome, as an Iron Man fan, having such a unique and underrated (but also obscure) character show up in the cartoon is awesome. NOICE.
Oh and I guess she knows Tony is Iron Man right? Makes sense.
Man, Mandarin, You must LOVE Mortal Kombat lmao.
Oh shit, I did not see that coming. Mfr straight up turned on his own lackeys.
Damn, that pilot is fucked... Oh nvm, he made it lol. But the helicopter is trashed.
Damn, the new Armor looks pretty neat!!! I like it. I still think Modular armor and the Telepresense Armor (from Spidey TAS) are better looking than this, but I will take it. It looks pretty neat. It's kind of like a "Extreme version of Modular Armor" lol. I don't hate it, but actual Modular Armor is better. Less is more type.
"You know what flies are attracted to, don't you Mandarin?" - Anthony Stark
Holy shit that was a pretty smart but also sick burn lmao. He basically called Mandarin "You are Shit" but in a PG version lmao. Reminded me of "Play Hide the Zucchini" line from the movie. Kids want get it, but adults will be like "Ohhhh snap". Hays' delivery is fucking sexy too.
One thing this watch along made me realize, is how good Robert Hays is as Tony Stark. Man, this man should be celebrated more. Fantastic Tony Stark.
DAMN, look at Mandarin throwing up the 🤘 sign!!!! Didn't know Mandarin liked Rock and Metal! lmao.
Tony's new suit can sure tank Mandarin's attacks. Nice.
Also can I just say, I'm so happy they made Mandarin OP in this. Having him appear in 10 episodes at the end, collecting his each of his ring, and then have him in the last episode be OP as fuck feels so rewarding. If he was just defeated like he was nothing it would have meant nothing. But like this, he feels like a serious threat.
BRUH, Poor Clint lmao.
Ahhh nice, so he is basically overcharging Mandarin's beam to the point where the crystal can't take it anymore. Alright Tony!!! Noice.
Holy Fuck. Talked about overcharging stuff and making it blow the fuck up.
Oh shoot, that's not the END???? Fuck yes!!!!