All 8 Episodes of 'Wonder Man,' Ranked

Spoiler Alert: This list contains spoilers for Wonder Man.Marvel Studios' newest Disney+ production to hit the Marvel Cinematic Universe is here, and it is shaking things up unlike any other series from the company ever has before. The one and only Wonder Man is something completely new, rumbling the ground beneath the Marvel Disney+ shows. Created by Andrew Guest and upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day director, Destin Daniel Cretton, no one expected this wild reception that Wonder Man has.

Starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II — aka the villain of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Black Manta — this series takes everything that one would expect from a Marvel show, and rips it away in the best way. Rather than being an action-packed epic, Wonder Man is a satire on the film industry that, instead of having hero vs. villain action, takes its time focusing on character drama and arcs. It's filled with eight great episodes, but which are the best?

8 "Self-Tape"

Episode 2

After a great first episode (one of Marvel Television's best pilots), Wonder Man had a lot to prove with their second episode. Could the team follow up such a great first episode and prove that they weren't one-hit wonders (pun intended)? Wonder Man Season 1, Episode 2, "Self-Tape" does exactly what a second episode needs to, and while it isn't the best of the series, it still does a good job at what it needs to. When Simon needs to record a self-tape, he gets help from Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley), and their relationship continues to build and develop.

Picking up where episode one left off, this second entry continues what was set up in a natural-feeling manner and shows exactly where they plan on taking the character arcs with the rest of the series. With the episode itself being directed by Destin Daniel Cretton himself, there was no way that this was going to be a slog, even if it's not the best episode. If the second episode proves anything, it's that Cretton is going to be sticking around Marvel Studios for quite some time, continuously proving himself as a profound talent.

7 "Callback"

Episode 6

With an eight-episode season, the sixth entry is around the time when the finales of different characters' arcs begin to get put into motion and set up the endgame of the series' story. Wonder Man Season 1, Episode 6, "Callback" does this very well as our two heroes drive back to Von Kovak's mansion for a callback that could potentially change everything. However, with Simon being low on sleep, he begins to panic, setting the stakes for the huge callback to come.

This is a great episode that continues to build on the character drama at play and the tension regarding the truth behind Trevor. Directed by the wonderful Tiffany Johnson (known for directing episodes of Poker Face, Dear White People, and How to Die Alone), she does an excellent job at building on the episodes prior and making sure that the character work at play, especially given the fact that she directed the episode immediately prior. After her work here on Wonder Man, one can only hope she returns to the MCU. It also continued to prove that this series is a potential masterpiece, as even their sixth episode, one of the lower episodes, is still awesome.

6 "Kathy Friedman"

Episode 7

Despite everyone being well-aware that a major confrontation was definitely coming for Simon and Trevor, it still manages to hurt the heart as the two come to the climax of their relationship. The scene they have together in the trailer is wildly emotionally compelling. It proves how absolutely well-developed these two characters are, as this blowup would not be as effective had they not been written excellently.

The performances by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley throughout the entire episode — not just the big moments — are incredibly well-done. They've done great work throughout the entire series, but Wonder Man Season 1, Episode 7, "Kathy Friedman" really drives home just how talented they are and how well their character dynamic is executed.

Episode 5

When Simon becomes increasingly anxious about his callback, Trevor tries to guide him through finding serenity— only to be interrupted by a conflict with a drug dealer to whom Trevor is in debt. This plot slowly but surely devolves into some hilarious antics that can make one think, "Stuff like this definitely only happens in a place like Hollywood." From owing money to stealing a bike to a full-on gunfight, this episode continuously brings laughs and antics.

The first episode in the season directed by Tiffany Johnson, Wonder Man Season 1, Episode 5, "Found Footage" brings the humor tenfold, making it one of the funniest episodes of the entire season. It emphasizes one of the best aspects of Wonder Man: it doesn't always take itself too seriously — it does at times, yes — and allows itself to have fun whenever it has the chance.

4 "Matinee"

Episode 1

Wonder Man Season 1, Episode 1, "Matinee" introduces the world to the one and only Simon Williams at a very low point in his life. Right off the rip, he's fired from his job, and his girlfriend breaks up with him. It's a rough time for Simon when he meets the iconic Trevor Slattery, known for being the "Mandarin" in Iron Man 3 and helping Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) and the gang in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Things begin to get complicated, though, when Slattery is hired to spy on Simon because they suspect he may have powers — the Hollywood of the MCU does not allow meta-humans to act on film.

The debut episode of Wonder Man is one of the better MCU pilots to date. Destin Daniel Cretton steps in to bring his new corner of the MCU to life and does so with wonder and grace. It gets people invested in its protagonist almost immediately and does a great job introducing his internal and external conflicts, setting up the series for a wonderful ride that has gone on to become one of the best MCU projects to date.

3 "Yucca Valley"

Episode 8

After the massive explosion in the previous episode, Trevor feels terrible for what happened and redeems the old Mandarin persona to take the fall for what happened. However, Simon can't let this slide, pretends to be a Department of Damage Control guard, and breaks his old pal out of prison, knowing that he truly doesn't deserve to be there. This ends the season on a great note, in which, even if it doesn't get a Season 2, it could be considered a satisfying ending.

When it comes to delivering a satisfying finale, Wonder Man does it incredibly well. It brings all of the character arcs to a full circle, raises the stakes, and makes it nail-biting to the very end. Simon gets what he wants with the "Wonder Man" reboot he's part of, as it explodes in popularity, but he proves himself to be a hero in real life as he makes his final decision of the season, solidifying him as a great protagonist to have followed.

2 "Pacioma"

Episode 3

When Trevor gets put on a wire by the DODC, with intentions of recording their conversations, Simon actually invites the veteran actor to attend his mother's birthday celebration in his hometown of Pacioma. Despite Trevor trying his best to isolate Simon, it doesn't really work out, as things get tense with his family. After confiding in himself to his friend, said friend decides to abandon his wire and keep Simon's secret safe.

If a show isn't going to hold up its quality throughout its entire season, it's typically clear as day by the third episode. It's one thing to hold up quality from a great first episode to a second one, but hitting the nail on the head with a third is not easy, which Wonder Man does. In fact, this third entry manages to be far better than the first two episodes, which is quite an accomplishment and a testament to the great writing. The work done to continue building Simon up as a character is done very well.

1 "Doorman"

Episode 4

Providing an origin of sorts for Hollywood's "Doorman Clause," the legislation that made it impossible for superheroes to perform in Hollywood films, Wonder Man Season 1, Episode 4, "Doorman" is a very interesting episode that does some great worldbuilding. Featuring the legendary Josh Gad, this episode is genuinely such a joy to watch.

There are viewers even claiming that this is one of the best episodes to hit Marvel Television's Disney+ lineup. Directed by James Ponsoldt, the director of The Spectacular Now, this entry in the Wonder Man episode catalog is not only great at worldbuilding, but the character work done is beautiful. The performances (Josh Gad, specifically) are top-notch, as well. All of this comes together to make the best episode of Wonder Man and one of the best Disney+ series episodes.