Wonder Man – Episode 2 “Self Tape” Review

Episode 2 of Wonder Man, titled “Self Tape,” leans even harder into the Hollywood satire while quietly building the show’s larger Marvel mystery. It’s a slower episode than the premiere, but in a good way, it gives the characters room to breathe, especially Simon Williams.

We open not with Simon, but with Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley) on a plane, casually chatting with another passenger. The moment they land, Trevor is immediately arrested, which is both funny and very on-brand for him. He’s played a montage of the Mandarin’s “greatest hits” and given a choice: go back to prison or work for the Department of Damage Control. Naturally, they already have a plan, and Trevor is clearly part of it whether he likes it or not.

Back in the present, Simon (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) gets a call from his manager Janelle about Ruth reaching out regarding his Wonder Man audition. There’s a catch: it’s a small role for another film and they need a self tape fast. What should be simple turns into a disaster. Simon spirals during the process, and while it’s uncomfortable to watch, it really highlights Yahya’s range as an actor. He makes Simon’s frustration feel raw instead of whiny.

Things get worse when Simon watches an old video of his ex helping him with a self tape. That emotional trigger leads to another explosive moment, reinforcing that Simon’s anger issues aren’t just emotional, they might be something more.

Meanwhile, Trevor officially meets with his handler, who gives him a ring that can hack into Simon’s computer. Trevor insists he hasn’t seen any signs of powers, which either means Simon is good at hiding them or Trevor is in denial.

Trevor tries to visit Simon’s apartment, but Simon refuses to let him in. They end up bouncing between locations trying to record the self tape: a studio with bad vibes, Trevor’s memorabilia-filled apartment, and even battling loud music from a neighbor. The constant movement reflects Simon’s mental state, he literally can’t settle.

Just when it feels like they’ve run out of options, Trevor has an idea that leads them to Joe Pantoliano (yes, Joey Pants) starring as himself might I add. After some banter it is revealed that Joe stole a role from Trevor, making this reunion very uncomfortable, because Joe recalls Trevor once asking him to take the role because he feared it would be too much for him at the time. They leave after Pantoliano suggests that Trevor's career is over.

They go back to Simon's apartment , where Trevor successfully plants the ring on Simon's computer but also discovers a massive hole in the wall, while also almost being caught by Simon, but he distracts Simon by suggesting they order a pizza.

“Self Tape” is quieter but effective, deepening Simon and Trevor’s odd friendship while reminding us that someone is always watching. The pressure is building and it’s only a matter of time before Simon breaks.

What did you think?

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