Rob and Kyle dive into the start of Iron Man 3 with a flashback to New Year's Eve 1999, where Tony Stark's past decisions come back to haunt him. While Rob initially had reservations about the film, having only seen it once before, both hosts find this opening sequence more compelling than remembered, particularly in how it plants seeds for Tony's character development.

The episode explores several key elements that shape Iron Man 3's narrative. First, the hosts discuss how the film opens with Tony's voiceover about creating our own demons, setting up themes that will resonate throughout the story. They examine four pivotal character introductions: Maya Hansen (Rebecca Hall), Ho Yinsen, Happy Hogan, and most significantly, Guy Pearce as Aldrich Killian. Additionally, they delve into the historical context of Marvel Studios' relationship with China during this period and how it influenced certain creative decisions.

The opening sequence masterfully connects to multiple aspects of the MCU. The hosts particularly appreciate how it ties back to the original Iron Man, showing Tony's pre-Afghanistan personality while introducing characters who will significantly impact his future. They also discuss the extensive timeline between The Avengers and Iron Man 3, including the introduction of AIM (Advanced Idea Mechanics) and various Mandarin bombings. Notably, this section features Shane Black's signature directorial touches, including his trademark Christmas setting and sharp dialogue, complemented by Drew Pearce's writing contributions.

These opening minutes effectively establish Iron Man 3's darker tone while building on Tony's established character arc, setting up what promises to be an intensely personal story about confronting one's past mistakes.