Podcast Summary: The Watch

Episode: ‘Wonder Man’ Is the Rare Marvel TV Show That Works. Plus, Does ‘The Pitt’ Need More Conflict?
Date: January 30, 2026
Hosts: Andy Greenwald & Chris Ryan (The Ringer)

Overview

This episode of The Watch brings Andy and Chris together for an in-depth discussion of two new TV series: Marvel’s “Wonder Man” on Disney+, and the latest episode of the medical drama “The Pitt.” The hosts offer an effusive review of “Wonder Man,” describing it as an unexpected highlight for Marvel television. They then turn a critical yet affectionate eye toward “The Pitt,” examining its current strengths and asking whether it lacks some internal conflict compared to its previous season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Marvel’s “Wonder Man” – A Surprising Standout

Origins, Showrunners, and Production

• “Wonder Man” is created by Destin Daniel Cretton (“Short Term 12,” “Shang-Chi”) & Andrew Guest (“Community”), both praised as thoughtful, talented creators ([08:23]–[09:36]).
• Production began before the 2023 strike, but the show's vibe captures an earlier, less franchise-driven Marvel era ([10:03]–[10:56]).

Low-Key Marvel Spotlight

• The show is released under the “Marvel Spotlight” banner, meant for more standalone stories not bogged down by MCU connectivity ([12:02]–[12:30]).
• Chris jokes about not even being sure what that branding now means, highlighting Marvel’s shifting internal strategies ([12:22]–[12:26]).

What Makes It Work

• Andy: “This is a wonderful, low-key, universally enjoyable television show, full stop. It's great. I really love the show. And not with the caveat of for a Marvel thing.” ([12:47])
• The hosts stress that “Wonder Man” is clever, warm, character-driven, and largely ignores the MCU’s usual baggage.

Character, Casting, and Tone

• Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars as Simon Williams, an out-of-work actor with latent superpowers ([14:02]–[15:14]).
• Ben Kingsley returns as Trevor Slattery, reprising and deepening his comic-relief role in unexpectedly rich ways:

  “Ben Kingsley is one of the best actors of his generation. He's 82 years young and he's crushing it on this show.” (Andy, [16:59])

• Chris: “I would say it’s closer tonally to like a Sterling Harjo show than it is to a Marvel show.” ([17:06])

Inside Hollywood, Satire, and Groundedness

• The series offers a clever satirical take on the realities of Hollywood, mixing earnest struggles with industry in-jokes without spiraling into farce.
• “It's two people on either end of their careers, kicking around Hollywood, going to auditions, going to matinees of classic films, doing self tapes...” (Chris, [17:12]–[17:26])

Binge Release and Marvel’s Evolving Strategy

• The full season was released at once, which the hosts think helps the show, even if Disney’s promotion has been minimal ([18:33]–[19:15]).
• Andy: “I'm so given the pedigree, I'm not surprised that the show is good, but I am surprised how good it is...” ([19:40])
• The show sidesteps the burdensome MCU “connective tissue,” referencing the larger universe lightly, but never making it central ([22:07]).

Artistic License and Diversity

• Andy notes the show’s attention to character backgrounds (e.g., Simon’s Haitian mother), L.A. specificity, and willingness to take creative detours (e.g., a black-and-white episode about a supporting character) ([23:06]–[23:43]).
• “That stuff matters. It adds to a more cohesive and I think fulfilling viewing experience.” (Andy, [27:18])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chris: “...this is one of the first shows in a while that I've been like—beyond my professional obligation—freely hit next episode.” ([19:15])
• Andy: “What Andrew and Destin Daniel Cretton have done here is carve out a little room to play that feels tonally consistent.” ([19:40])
• Chris on the show’s restraint: “I was watching something from Marvel and something in this genre that wasn't full of exposition, where the exposition was more about character rather than tesseracts or an object that needed to be found.” ([27:26])
• Both hosts agree: highest possible recommendation for “Wonder Man.” ([31:12])

2. “The Pitt” – Strong Execution, But Is There Enough Conflict?

General Impressions and Tone

• Andy admits: “I'm so happy to watch it. I'm always surprised when it's over and I want more... I don't know if my normal critical faculties are even functioning at this point because I'm enjoying it so much.” ([32:53]–[33:11])
• Chris voices a nuanced critique: he misses the internal ER tensions and the character of Dr. Collins, which brought conflict in Season 1 ([33:50]–[35:09]).

Character Dynamics and Softening Drama

• Most current doctors get along well; major interpersonal or philosophical clashes from last season have lessened.
• Chris: “I think I have a little bit of agreement fatigue. The characters are walking down the hall saying things that I'm like: I agree. The people who are like: I need help. I'm like: you need help.” ([36:20])
• Andy: “Over time, everyone becomes friends... and conflict goes down and we are rewarded, our pleasure centers are rewarded, but sometimes the drama can suffer as a result.” ([38:07])

Specific Storylines & Missed Opportunities

• Chris runs through new and returning characters (Dr. Al Shimi, Ogilvy, Joy, Langdon, Santos, etc.), flagging that none provide much tension or “cut against the grain.”
• Andy agrees, saying they may be missing the chance to complicate Langdon’s arc and overall conflict, though he wonders if more is coming ([38:46]–[41:13]).

Plotlines in This Episode (Approx. [42:00]–[44:53])

• Family with no insurance and daughter starting a GoFundMe
• Eyelash lady (played by Patrick Ball’s real partner)
• Parkour influencers, social media themes
• Bulimia, chronic illness, and misdiagnosed student story
• Joy’s storyline: accidental blood exposure and potential consequences
• Overall, these are “interesting and well-executed, but lack the higher-stakes debates and personal risk of Season 1” (paraphrased content).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Andy: “The show works better if something is cutting against the grain... Yes, I think that’s a really good point.” ([40:32])
• Chris on the pacing: “I was having a hard time understanding [Santos'] turn... was that sheerly because Al Hashimi had threatened her status?” ([45:01])
• The show continues to be “among the best things on television,” yet opens itself to real-time critique due to its unusual format and ambitions ([49:52]).

Fun Tangents & Meta-Observations

• The hosts riff about LA winters, social media doctors, their own “core temperatures,” and the backstories of supporting characters (notably real-life nurse/musician Ned Brower as Nurse Jesse) ([49:52]–[52:26]).
• Chris: “He definitely seems like he's been in those rooms.” ([53:23])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:19]–[04:47]: Boston trip, L.A. winter jokes, opening banter
• [08:23]–[12:30]: Introduction to “Wonder Man”: creators, origins, MCU context
• [12:47]–[19:40]: Praise for “Wonder Man,” industry context, character focus
• [22:07]–[23:43]: Minimal MCU references, side-episode for a supporting character
• [27:18]–[30:13]: Diversity, intentionality, Marvel/Andor comparisons
• [31:12]: Final, highest recommendation for “Wonder Man”
• [32:49]–[35:09]: Switch to “The Pitt,” Chris’ critique, Season 1 vs. Season 2
• [36:20]–[42:53]: Current episode’s plotlines, missing conflict
• [45:14]–[47:37]: Robbie’s character arc and the nuances of serialized TV drama
• [49:52]–[52:26]: Meta-reflections, Ned Brower/Nurse Jesse’s real-world backstory

Notable Quotes (with attribution & timestamps)

• Andy Greenwald [12:47]: “This is a wonderful, low-key, universally enjoyable television show, full stop. It’s great. I really love the show. And not with the caveat of for a Marvel thing.”
• Chris Ryan [17:07]: “I would say it’s closer tonally to like a Sterling Harjo show than it is to a Marvel show.”
• Andy Greenwald [19:40]: “What Andrew and Destin Daniel Cretton have done here is carve out a little room to play that feels tonally consistent...”
• Chris Ryan [27:26]: “I was watching something from Marvel and something in this genre that wasn’t full of exposition, where the exposition was more about character rather than tesseracts or an object that needed to be found.”
• Andy Greenwald [33:11]: “I don’t know if my normal critical faculties are even functioning at this point because I’m enjoying it so much.”
• Chris Ryan [36:20]: “I think I have a little bit of agreement fatigue. The characters are walking down the hall saying things that I’m like: I agree. The people who are like: I need help. I’m like: you need help.”
• Andy Greenwald [38:07]: “Over time, everyone becomes friends... and conflict goes down and we are rewarded, our pleasure centers are rewarded, but sometimes the drama can suffer as a result.”

Conclusion

Andy and Chris deliver an enthusiastic endorsement for “Wonder Man”—calling it one of Marvel’s best TV efforts, notable for its sharp writing, character depth, and refreshing take on the superhero genre. Meanwhile, “The Pitt” remains a favorite, but the hosts observe that its second season may lack the character-driven conflict that made the first season so gripping. The episode features lively, insightful banter and plenty of memorable lines, providing a highly entertaining overview for listeners curious about current TV standouts.