Wonder Man Episode 3 - Discussion Thread

This thread is for discussion about the episode.

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|EPISODE|DIRECTED BY|WRITTEN BY|ORIGINAL RELEASE DATE|RUN TIME|CREDITS SCENE?|
|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|
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|Episode 3: Pacoima|[James Ponsoldt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Ponsoldt)|Paul Welsh & Madeline Walter|January 27, 2026|\--||

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Commentaires

MaruKENTA2026-01-28 04:02

Could that possibly be Eric Williams? Things may be a bit grim.

demonoddy2026-01-28 04:48

Yes it is

JauntyLurker2026-01-28 04:03

Really enjoying this show. They did a great disservice by putting it all out at once.

demonoddy2026-01-28 04:49

I think it’s a service

Okamana2026-01-28 05:29

This show wouldn’t work weekly in my opinion. It would have to be in three episode batches. I do honestly prefer to binge it all at once, reminds me of the Netflix Defenders days.

CaptHayfever2026-01-28 06:39

I don't think the release format is a disservice. I think people making assumptions about the quality *because of* the release format is the disservice.

SixPointTwoLiter2026-01-28 08:03

It didn't have an audience yet for weekly episodes and it's not the show with drama to keep you waiting. It needed a full drop to spin up buzz and keep viewers engaged

JauntyLurker2026-01-28 04:04

>Our prison is half-empty

How evil you gotta be to think that's a bad thing

Acrobatic-Dark-44022026-01-28 04:06

The average American politician

justafanboy10102026-01-28 04:22

![gif](giphy|duM6JZemPlOjUyqmxd)

CrazySnipah2026-01-28 04:50

That felt like a real thing and I like that it tied into the fact that we’ve only seen a handful of people get sent to the Raft in the MCU, despite it being this enormous prison for supervillains.

CaptHayfever2026-01-28 06:38

The Raft probably needs to be enormous just to keep the ocean from destroying it. Damage Control's terrestrial prison, on the other hand, was over-constructed for a quota they never should've set.

CrazySnipah2026-01-28 07:10

Oh, I didn’t realize it wasn’t the Raft.

steadysoul2026-01-28 04:58

it's unfortunately how prisons operate.

ComebackShane2026-01-28 08:56

And somehow filling them up would make them cost ... less?

JauntyLurker2026-01-28 04:06

You really couldn't give him a better wire, Cleary?

staleluckycharms2026-01-28 04:07

So far it doesn’t feel like the typical Marvel show which I think is a good thing

deleteandrewind2026-01-28 04:09

Porta potty explosion had to be horrendous

O_its_that_guy_again2026-01-28 06:54

I mean that’s pretty standard for me

Joshdabozz2026-01-28 04:09

Can’t wait to Eric Williams

Joshdabozz2026-01-28 04:11

I can already feel the tension between Simon and Eric

BCDragon30002026-01-28 05:00

hi josh

Joshdabozz2026-01-28 04:16

It feels like everyone in Simon’s family hates him besides his mom

demonoddy2026-01-28 04:48

The brother is a dick head

russketeer342026-01-28 07:57

I wonder if his other identity will be in the show, cause Eric Williams certainly is a dick head

your_mind_aches2026-01-28 08:38

Seems like the skull in Trevor's apartment is the only reference we'll get. Much like Wanda and Pietro's, I think Simon's family is normal.

For as much as they seem to push the MCU being a "616" universe, it feels like everything is remixed a lot to create these stories. And I'm totally fine with that. Karen Page is alive, Kate Bishop is the clumsy one, Aunt May says the responsibility line.

JauntyLurker2026-01-28 04:19

This is like every awkward family party I've ever seen, complete with people you've barely seen since you were a kid thinking you're a bum. 😭

J-L-S2026-01-28 04:21

This whole middle section feels like an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm

justafanboy10102026-01-28 04:22

The Rookie. AHS. Simon’s filmography is crazy

RoboFunky2026-01-28 04:23

Prob a small role on greys aswell

justafanboy10102026-01-28 04:23

Or Law and Order

steadysoul2026-01-28 05:18

I figured it's just a collection of things under the disney umbrella

SixPointTwoLiter2026-01-28 08:01

The man is on the Pedro Pascal career path

LMkingly2026-01-28 13:21

Honestly it's not that bad of a career so far. Many struggling actors would kill to have had those roles.

deleteandrewind2026-01-28 04:22

Seeing all the party food is making me hungry

RoboFunky2026-01-28 04:23

RIP the new Kitchen Island

Corydoran2026-01-28 04:54

That was a nice island, too. I liked the features the characters were showing off.

Am I reading too much into it, or did Eric not seem surprised by Simon's strength?

AmayaRumanta2026-01-28 05:06

I thought his reaction was weird as well.

some-guy02026-01-28 05:18

I think that was the point.

MetaversePop2026-01-28 05:29

He said no one outside of his family knew so they know about the powers

your_mind_aches2026-01-28 08:40

Yup. Hence why Trevor had a hard time getting any info out

jojopojo642026-01-28 09:10

I noticed how weird Eric was about Simon getting nosy and didn't clock till later that "oh yeah, they might be slightly aware that Simon is probably a walking nuke and other people shouldn't know this."

LMkingly2026-01-28 13:19

You mean Trevor getting nosy right?

SixPointTwoLiter2026-01-28 08:01

They already knew what he was, hence his mom asking Eric not to anger him

axb20022026-01-28 04:24

Random thought, is MCU Simon Williams an Omega-Level Mutant?

CaptHayfever2026-01-28 06:35

IIRC, omega-level mutants control fundamental aspects of the world; it doesn't just mean they're super powerful. Magneto & Storm & Iceman are omega-level, but Xavier notably *isn't*.

SixPointTwoLiter2026-01-28 08:00

He could also be a mutate. Doesn't have an X gene, just had an outside force release a genetic condition

Joshdabozz2026-01-28 04:26

There we go. Trevor destroying the Wire. I saw this coming lowkey. Trevor is gonna be in a lot of trouble

hpbradviloria2026-01-28 04:26

Two members of the Great Lakes Avengers in the MCU with that Doorman reference.

kwickedbonesc2026-01-28 04:29

At its core, this is a mutant story. A kid around puberty discovers he has powers, and recluses back into himself, afraid to hurt or show anyone his power.

Then, as he gets older, something happens to someone like him in the industry he loves to never want to show that side of him again.

All the while, the government is tracking him down because he has powers, and they’re afraid of what he *might* do.

This is a mutant story. Whether he’s changed in this series to become an actual mutant (I read online he’s a mutate not a mutant) remains to be seen. Nonetheless, if this is the kind of stories we’re getting in the mutant saga- I’m hyped.

demonoddy2026-01-28 04:30

I really like this so far. Feels like a real tv show

MACGamer12026-01-28 04:32

Best episode that I've seen so far my god simon.....his story is so...SAD.

justafanboy10102026-01-28 04:34

Sam/Cap/Falcon catching stray for no reason

Bright_NightLight12026-01-28 04:36

Wow, this show is so great so far. An actual, full-fledged TV show with an emotional core, actual characters, and fun references. A real promise to the potential the MCU holds with creativity

CrazySnipah2026-01-28 04:48

The first three episodes feel like they’re not even in the MCU, which is a feeling I haven’t had since the Netflix shows.

Bright_NightLight12026-01-28 05:01

It definitely feels like it could be its own thing in a totally separate universe, but the MCU references and background makes it feel unique. That context and connections to the extended universe are actually well utilized in this, probably the best use of the universe in a long while.

KingofMadCows2026-01-28 04:48

Really impressed by the show so far. I was concerned about the episode length but it's perfectly paced. The character dynamics and drama are great. Ben Kingsley is just fantastic, he balances the drama and comedy perfectly. I don't even care about the Marvel super powers stuff. This is just a great show on its own.

McNugget632026-01-28 04:54

He’s a mutant isn’t he

SomeRedHandedSleight2026-01-28 10:46

Human mutate

AmayaRumanta2026-01-28 04:58

Holy smokes, his brother really sucks.

BCDragon30002026-01-28 04:59

this episode is beautiful. critiquing the "laziness" of actors and the disapproval of how the industry runs compared to others. topped off with the alone factor and trevor being there as a friend. that's good writing

TheCVR123YT2026-01-28 05:00

The convo his mom had about him being lonely and not having friends hit different gang

![gif](giphy|3QWfMsI8IaarXxtBt6|downsized)

This movie lovin no friend havin loser is just like me

Edit: I bet Simon and Bob would be really good friends 🥲

some-guy02026-01-28 05:21

Yeahhhh that was. Brutal

SixPointTwoLiter2026-01-28 07:58

I had 1 friend until I learned to open up in college. But prior to that, mom was always my ride or die. Woman never let me feel like I was alone. God I'm 34 and I still think about when she'd call me off school after a bullying episode to take me out to lunch and a movie!

jojopojo642026-01-28 09:08

"Thank you for loving me."

Fuck. Protect Simon's mom at all costs.

SorryRoof16532026-01-28 09:21

Literally me

vistaprank2026-01-28 18:31

Lmfao I love this comment so much

WombatChilli2026-01-28 05:01

I had not looked at episode titles or additional casting. That DeMarr "Doorman" Davis name drop was everything and now I have to watch the next episode right away.

Other than that it's been a great show so far.

ScarlettMi2026-01-28 05:01

I could just watch those two performing great monologues at each other for an entire series.

CaptHayfever2026-01-28 06:41

I recognized Trevor's from Amadeus; I didn't flag Simon's, though. What was it?

jeobleo2026-01-28 06:51

Grapes of Wrath I think?

CaptHayfever2026-01-28 07:17

Thanks! (That would explain why I didn't recognize it; I haven't seen Grapes of Wrath.)

TheCVR123YT2026-01-28 05:03

I feel like Eric was slightly important in the comics right? Or am I misremembering idk I don’t read much GLA/West Coast stories so I wouldn’t remember

CodeFun17352026-01-28 05:20

He was the Grim Reaper I think

TheCVR123YT2026-01-28 05:25

Holy Christ you’re right I knew his name sounded familiar oh man lol

Jteleus272026-01-28 05:10

I appreciated the Haitian Creole representation this episode wasn’t expecting it at all. The scene with this cousins calling his lazy in front of his face not thinking he knows it is too familiar

smrtphonrtistcf2026-01-28 07:26

I hear that, I rarely speak the language at my household, but I do understand it when spoken.

Jteleus272026-01-28 13:53

Same here

MarkMVP012026-01-28 05:12

Why is Simon’s brother actually such an asshole

smrtphonrtistcf2026-01-28 07:25

Eh, it's a working older sibling and non progressing younger sibling thing, heck, it often feels very familiar...even myself.

jojopojo642026-01-28 09:06

Yeah. I've actually been in Eric's shoes, and its kinda painful seeing that side, especially when you think your younger siblings aren't pulling their weight while you're having to pick up the slack just for the sole sin of being the eldest.

Like Eric is an asshole and I'm rooting for Simon, but I can't help but empathize for *why* Eric is being an asshole.

OhioKing_Z2026-01-28 12:41

Seems like there’s also some jealousy. Jealous that Simon has powers, favoritism/coddling from their mom, and that Simon is chasing a dream while he settled for the corporate life.

jojopojo642026-01-28 18:47

So basically he's the younger sibling. :p

I'm joking but it's not that far removed from the truth tbqh lmao

eagc72026-01-28 07:36

Well in the comics he's a supervillain

LMkingly2026-01-28 13:24

It's hard being basically the sole provider for his family. He's seemingly supporting both his mom and his struggling little brother's acting career that he feels isn't going anywhere.

MarkMVP012026-01-28 05:13

Trevor is Simon’s only ever friend?!

That betrayal is gonna be the most heartbreaking thing

your_mind_aches2026-01-28 08:41

Susie Deltarune levels of feeling betrayed

steadysoul2026-01-28 05:16

am I crazy or did they make simon a non toxic film bro

FloppyShellTaco2026-01-28 05:18

Super advanced computer hacking ring. 1980s wire.

polydicks2026-01-28 07:48

This show had been so grounded and realistic up until that point that the ring really took me out lol.

Also, I love how the ring is so advanced yet they couldn’t figure out how to discreetly download off the computer without a giant fucking loading box on screen.

JJJ9542026-01-28 09:47

Haha yeah, but to be fair that was for the benefit of the audience to visually let them know the hacking was happening.

polydicks2026-01-28 20:03

Lol it's honestly not an actual criticism I have, just something funny, but they probably could have gone for a more subtle option.

The ring could've gone from glowing blue to an orange buffering and then green when it was complete, we could've got to the DODC guy with him realizing it's connected and we see it start downloading remotely, etc... The problem is, when so many people watch these shows while playing Subway Surfers on their phone, you gotta make it super obvious like they did haha.

Cypher_862026-01-29 02:16

Didnt Tony use a similar device to hack the Helicarrier in the first Avengers movie?

DODC took all the Stark tech...

your_mind_aches2026-01-28 08:43

Not exactly 1980s. It had a micro SD card holding the data.

demonoddy2026-01-28 14:28

I thought that was funny too

xGhostCat2026-01-29 01:53

The ring was stark tech. Which DODC has a bunch of

demonoddy2026-01-29 02:25

Yep

SuninOrJack2026-01-28 05:18

The ZOMBIES audition tape at the start really caught me off guard

Bushinyan212026-01-28 07:03

Wait that was zombies 😂😂

Aritche2026-01-28 07:25

Yeah he was Zed from zombies.

Bushinyan212026-01-28 07:31

Beautiful

MarkMVP012026-01-28 05:19

The way I got so scared that Simon’s mom had a stroke or heart attack when he got out of the car at the end

FirstV12026-01-28 05:38

Fuck Eric lol, what a stuck up prick.

OzilSanchez11172026-01-28 13:22

“I paid for this kitchen so you think you can gube our mother a gift?” 😂

Indo_raptor20182026-01-29 02:33

He’s so Grim, if he’s not careful he’ll reap what he sows.

helzinki2026-01-28 06:12

Standing around awkwardly at family gatherings

Mom talking about him not having friends

This episode hits a little too close to home

ShantJ2026-01-28 06:20

“…his Criterion DVD collection…” 💀

atomicbrunette12026-01-28 08:13

He’s just like me fr

CaptHayfever2026-01-28 06:40

Simon & Trevor are supposed to still be in Cleveland, but they're clearly parked on the cliffside from La La Land.

EDIT: I misheard a line, sorry.

Jermz123452026-01-28 06:45

They didn’t go to Cleveland, Simon was comparing Pacoima to Cleveland, they’re still in LA

CaptHayfever2026-01-28 07:15

Ohhhh, I misheard that line, sorry. Thanks for the correction!

Jermz123452026-01-28 07:16

No problem!

smrtphonrtistcf2026-01-28 07:19

I'm currently on there right now.

Man, Simon and I have much in common.

We're both Haitian Americans who are actors (I started being a BG actor again since last summer) in coastal areas of the U.S., and feel inadequate compared to our older sibling's successes.

Heck, the Haitian part was a bombshell at the beginning with me getting giddy at the spoken language.

jojopojo642026-01-28 09:03

I gotta ask, how accurate were the party mannerisms? Everything was so vibrant and so...*authentically lived* in that party and I couldn't tell if that was just from me enjoying the show or how much actual extra attention the directors were paying attention to details.

JJJ9542026-01-28 09:35

I've never met a West coast Haitian family, but I'd say it was overall quite accurate. They did a very good job with the language and background Latin music. The neighbor lady and annoying cousins were 100% on point lol.

gotchibabe2026-01-28 07:32

Ben Kingsley is 82 and is still so with it! I love him

These_Trip_56282026-01-28 09:58

Wait what he looks 20 years younger than that

demonoddy2026-01-28 14:27

I actually didn’t believe you lol that’s insane

your_mind_aches2026-01-28 07:57

Oh my god, Simon had a mental breakdown on the set of The Rookie of all things. He really takes these bit roles too seriously 💀

WarningNo78432026-01-28 21:03

Its funny that Simon's brother actually was in The Rookie, back in season 1.

Cypher_862026-01-29 02:10

A nod to Fillion's cut casting as Simon Williams in GotG2?

your_mind_aches2026-01-28 08:13

I am over the moon to have our first Caribbean MCU hero!!!

I don't know much about Haitian music. What song is it that plays when all the family just comes into the house for the party? It sounds just like an old time Trinbagonian calypso but, I assume, in Haitian Creole. I love it.

Seekasak2026-01-28 12:00

Bushmaster & White Tiger too.

your_mind_aches2026-01-28 14:01

DAMNNNNN I knew I forgot someone. White Tiger absolutely.

I need to finish Luke Cage, my friend loves Bushmaster. I didn't know he was descended from the Caribbean

superseri188882026-01-28 19:57

The ending of Luke Cage is such a big plot twist

your_mind_aches2026-01-28 08:27

It's a testament to how great this show is that they turned what I thought was an underwhelming moment in the trailer of him smashing the kitchen island into a MASSIVE, chilling moment that the entire show hinges on.

Simon is a mystery that we are unraveling, and despite spending almost every moment of this show with him, I still can't figure him out.

TypingGetUBanned2026-01-28 08:40

Simon, I'll be your friend

TheSneakySeal2026-01-28 09:20

This show is awesome! WOW!

Altruistic_Eye_11572026-01-28 09:30

At least from what they say in the show, he does seem to be a mutant. But something I'm liking is that the show isn't focusing on that. In fact, the term "mutant" isn't even mentioned.

Simon is simply the way he is, period. It's just another part of him, but it's not his whole being, and he doesn't want it to be. It's even funnier that Damage Control isn't after him for being a mutant; they're basically harassing him because, with budget cuts coming, the agent who hired Trevor doesn't want to lose his job and took the first poor sap he could find.

minyoo2026-01-28 12:02

This show is *very* Existentialist

WildFire2552026-01-28 09:47

My prediction is still he’s a Mutant like Ms. Marvel.

thehairharringt0n2026-01-28 14:56

I had the same thought, especially since his eyes glow almost the same color as Ms.Marvel powers

Seekasak2026-01-28 12:07

Daniel Cretton, writers, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II making Simon (assume now named after Simon Bolivar) Williams Haitian is such an upgrade. Why diversity creolization only makes the gumbo stronger.

Whereas Williams as created by gads of CIShet white corporate comics creators on work for hire bullpen deadlines always has had such a convoluted mixed bag of origins, much improved by just a who cares who knows origin here.

ian_macintyre2026-01-28 16:10

Very fitting that they do all of this on a show about an actor who obsessively works out the backstories of his characters.

justintrenell2026-01-28 12:52

As someone who has practically watched Bob Hearts Abishola through YouTube shorts, I hit the Leo meme at the beginning of the episode.

tacoorpizza2026-01-28 13:38

That is a a fun sitcom, it was cool to see Auntie Olu show up in this episode. I’ll recognize that big smile in any show.

RJSquires2026-01-28 13:01

That "Thank you for loving me, mummi."... Ouch. Just... It's so clear that he's trying to make those connections he missed out on through creating backstories for his characters. As if he can make up for it/experience it by creating different memories for himself.

Just... Ouch...

An-292026-01-28 13:05

Once again, Simon and Trevor are such a great duo. The way Trevor hounded back at Esther that he wasn't asking her preference between Simon and Eric was great, lmao.

Still gotta say tho, the rest of the family and friends in the party are a bunch of assholes even compared to Eric tho. Especially those two that was looking down on Simon right in front of him, like they were looking down on Simon so much they even assumed Simon wouldn't understand them talking to their native language. They're lucky they weren't the island counter in the kitchen.

Jeroz2026-01-28 18:03

the real tragedy is that Trevor isn't really there being actually his friend to shield him on his career choice.

He's a star in his own right, his words carries a lot more weight than someone who failed to break through. If he doesn't have ulterior motive Simon would have someone that can step in to help him at his most vulnerable moment.

Remote-Direction9632026-01-28 18:50

I'm genuinely loving the monologues between Trevor and Simon. Holy shit, this show is so GOOD!!

atomcrafter2026-01-28 19:13

Martha Kent.
Martha Wayne.
Maria Stark.
Maria Rambeau.
Martha Williams.

Guardian_Of_Light22026-01-28 19:54

Eric is such a dick.

electriclightthemoon2026-01-28 21:12

How did his father pass away? Maybe it's not that important to get into but his death could be why Simon's power came to be. I think Simon is a mutant and the stress of his father's death might have gotten to him.

cosmosomsoc2026-01-28 23:23

It’s a blink and you’ll miss it moment but there’s a shot where the houseguests put items in a blue barrel when entering the home. I looked it up and it’s to send goods back to Haiti for those in need. What a cool little detail!

Speakatron2026-01-28 23:25

Ok it's official, I love this show. So damn good.

Uncle_Beanpole2026-01-29 00:02

No friends with a criterion collection?

![gif](giphy|l3fZFvp94ljepXoPe)

VVantaBuddy2026-01-29 00:26

that story about Simon was very sad and related.