The Wonder Man miniseries is a show most saw coming as a flop, but turned out to be the complete opposite among viewers, with 90% rotten tomatoes, and is the top-trending title on Disney+ in 69 countries, as well as in the top 10 in 11 others. There is no denying that this show has done unexpectedly well, outperforming some of Marvel’s projects from the past few years that haven’t been well-received. Starring in the show: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams and Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery in a very meta landscape, actors performing as actors. The official synopsis for the show is a grounded, satire-heavy MCU series following Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), an actor and secret, ion-powered superbeing trying to make it in Hollywood. He befriends a desperate Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley) to audition for a Wonder Man film while avoiding the Department of Damage Control. Throughout the series, these two actors share an incredible chemistry or broship, making it seem impossible for one to function without the other. The first three episodes, “Matinee,” “Self-Tape,” and “Pacoima,” serve as an introduction to who Simon Williams is and why he acts to cover up his powers. We met Simon’s family at his mom’s house party, as Trevor, working for the Department of Damage Control and attempting to avoid life in prison, tries to look out for any evidence that he is an “extraordinary threat.” It is at this birthday party that we see Simon use his powers on a larger scale, frustrated at himself, Simon and Trevor leave the party only to find out they both got callbacks, a second, more focused audition, for the film, directed by Von Kovak (Zlatko Burić), Wonder Man. The fourth episode, “Doorman,” acts more as a standalone, moving away from the main story to concentrate on Doorman, DeMarr Davis (Byron Bowers). The episode explains why superpowered individuals are no longer allowed to act in Hollywood, relating to the earlier discussed “Doorman Clause” in episode one. While episode five, “Found Footage,” focuses back on Simon and Trevor. After some good news, they both celebrate at a bar until someone from Trevor’s troubled past confronts him, forcing Simon to expose his powers to protect Trevor and himself. In the aftermath, a videographer on a scooter catches him in the act, attempting to flee the scene, Simon and Trevor catch up to negotiate a solution to avoid the blackmailer from posting the video online. The episode spirals into a conflict that gets in the way of focusing on the callback Simon and Trevor both received for WonderMan. The overall episode was a hilarious break from the seriousness of the auditions Simon endures without exceeding half an hour. “Callback,” the sixth episode of the series, consists of, well, Simon’s and Trevor’s callback to perform in a last audition to hopefully solidify their roles in the film. While this episode might feel boring, it includes one of my favorite scenes in the whole series, when Simon slips up in his audition, Trevor offers him guidance to redirect his focus. The sequence can cause chills as the talk can hit right at home with the audience’s feelings. The last two episodes, “Kathy Freidman” and “Yucca Valley,” continue the story of Simon and Trevor’s friendship in the acting field. Simon is left anxious and nervous as he has to complete an interview with Kathy Friedman, a well-known journalist, without exposing his powers. At the same time, Trevor is forced to inform Simon that he had been spying on him and working for the DODC (Department of Damage Control). After this shocking news, Simon walks into one of the show buildings, field by anger, causing everything to crumble to the ground from his “ionic powers.” In the final episode of the series, expecting Simon to be punished for his actions, Trevor comes in at the last second to save Simon from his inevitable fate by posing as “The Mandarin,” his former role as a terrorist last seen in Iron Man 3, covering up Simon’s powers with his character’s antics. Trevor is arrested and put in prison as he leaves Simon to perform in the movie without his most trusted friend, and for a short time, enjoys his stardom. With the thought of his friend being locked up haunting him, he goes on to try to save his home, as he takes on a fake identity, living with a man who works at the prison, and his family. While living with the family because of his “secret acting role,” he convinces the dad to take him to his place of work. Once in prison, Simon locates Trevor and utilizes his powers to crush a hole in the ceiling and fly out into the vast western desert. The show leaves us with this scene as we wait anxiously for, hopefully, another season of this show. There’s no doubt that WonderMan had an excellent run with its first season, aspects like the relationship between Simon and Trevor, a complex balance of personal and professional life, and meaningful life lessons taught along the way.