** Warning: Spoilers Ahead **
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law shows no signs of slowing down with Season 1 Episode 4, “Is This Not Real Magic?”. Tatiana Maslany gets better and better, which is saying something since she’s already stunningly perfect. This episode is yet another example of how this series is able to perfectly blend favourite characters and introduce new ones who frankly deserve projects of their own. The formula for this series seems to be working, and we can all only hope that the second half of the series can keep this tone.
Jen Walters is the hero we need at this moment. The fact that she has her corporate headshot as her profile picture on a dating site is really everything we need to know to make her the most relatable superhero Marvel has given us in a long time. She also reads Roxane Gay’s ‘Bad Feminist’ which makes her all the more loveable. Jen truly captures the perils of dating in ones thirties, and how disastrous the pool of men is for heterosexual women. It’s the truth and we should acknowledge it.
Relatedly, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law continues to do such a stunningly good job of portraying the horror that is the modern man. From the man who fancies himself a New Yorker after living there for 14 months, to men explaining Jen’s job to her, there’s a distinct feeling of doom with each successive boy is presented to this phenomenal woman. If there isn’t hope for an accomplished dynamo like Jen, what hope do the rest of us have? Newsroom fans will also recognize Jon Bass, playing the unique kind of dirt-bag that he has perfected.
In all of the humor, this episode takes an important breather to address the attempted assault of Episode 3. Not only does this further the show’s commitment to showcasing female rage in the most compelling way, it’s a sobering reminder that even superheroes who happen to be women aren’t immune from the ravages of a patriarchal society. Additionally, this episode manages to be a commentary on the ineffectiveness of the legal system. Jen’s assessment is correct that her best recourse would be to become a Hulk and attack anyone trying to assault her in future.
On a lighter note, Wong remains the gem that keeps on giving. Seriously, Benedict Wong has always understood his assignment within the MCU. He appears exactly when he’s needed, causes chaos, and leaves immediately. With his backstory now including the fact that he’s a massive TV fan, of The Sopranos of This is Us in particular, makes him even more relatable. He’s the gift that keeps on giving, and is a direct rebuke to the toxic masculinity that this show throws unapologetically into the spotlight.
This show’s minor characters just get more zany and yet better every time a new one is introduced. This episode’s Madisynn (Patty Guggenheim) is among the most endearing characters we’ve seen in this franchise to date. For her limited screen-time, she’s a fully fleshed out character that’s fully three-dimensional. What makes this character work is the fact that she’s allowed to be completely out there, but never in a way that’s over-done or in a way that’s distracting. This is hopefully just the beginning of this character, since she clearly has so much to offer.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law continues its pacing and storytelling in a captivating way. That we are so close to the series’ halfway point should be a point of hope for fans who are used to being disappointed in the closing minutes of a Marvel show. This show is doing something special. The Marvel powers that be would do well to remember that this is the kind of content that makes their characters and stories more relatable, even with super-human stakes.
New Episodes of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law air Thursdays on Disney+.