She-Hulk's most recent episode avoids the customary big-name guest to concentrate on its core group. While also introducing some welcome new characters.
Titania is front and centre, finally getting a real introduction. The superpowered influencer of Jameela Jamil is involved in a legal dispute with Jennifer Walters. She first makes an appearance at the launch of her new She-Hulk skincare line in peak influencer mode. Although, she's just as narcissistic as you'd expect, waltzing in with a flashy sequin outfit and a cutting mean girl vibe.
She isn't the only great newcomer to the She-Hulk universe, either. When Jen needs legal representation for the ensuing court case, Mallory Book is given the case. Mallory is an accomplished attorney who quickly turns the tables in Jen's favour. By building a strong case against the influencer, serving as a welcome counterbalance to both Titania's opulence and Jen's meekness.
Jen needs to call everyone she went on dates with as She-Hulk in the last episode. Including the dream guy she slept with before understanding he was just interested in her green alter ego. This is all to testify in order to win the lawsuit.
As Jen squirms through the evidence, he confesses to only being attracted to the She-Hulk alter ego, a tragic passage that gives her character a much-needed depth. After dealing with the conflict between her superpowers and her everyday existence, it feels like we're now truly examining her identity dilemma. Now we can see how it affects her self-worth and self-esteem.
The next scene features Jen and Mallory lamenting modern dating, and this sincerity spills over. Most women can identify with it, especially since the two characters perfectly reflect the unique female alliance that emerges in careers dominated by males. Though Jen's opening episode monologue on how women are always furious is an example of how feminism in this show may occasionally be overt. It's these more subtle instances that best represent the MCU's shift to portraying more female storylines after three periods of male protagonists (minus only Captain Marvel and The Wasp).
Yes, there is still a long way to go before we have characters that are as beautifully written as those created and directed by Greta Gerwig and Ava DuVernay. Yet, it's still energising to have a Marvel programme that has strong, complex women at its core. The series really thrives when it focuses on a novel and accessible subject.
It's unfortunate that the bar scene ends with Jen awkwardly tagging on to the B-Plot, which this week is all about finding Jen some new clothes. Pug and Nikki are searching for the elusive "drip broker," whose specialty is creating outfits for superheroes. It's a plot that only truly merits one scene. Although the endearing Nikki (Ginger Gonzaga) tries her best to make the situation more interesting, it is still merely a shopping scene, and we aren't even allowed to view the finished garment. Jen trying on her new clothes in the final shot seems superfluous because it's really just a way to advertise Daredevil's confirmed forthcoming cameo.
If She-Hulk didn't have to adhere to a strict weekly release schedule, these less significant incidents might be excused, as the frustration only grows stronger after waiting a full week for fresh material. She-Hulk is not Moon Knight, where the mystery develops in episodes; it is a comedy, and there isn't much to ponder in the interim.
These episodes are an easy watch. Yet the overarching story is missing some pace and excitement. As we reach the end, I do wonder what the finale will be like.
Performance | 3.9/5 |
Enjoyment | 3.5/5 |
Overall Rating | 3.8/5 |