“She-Hulk” Episode 5 R&R: Avongers Assemble!
“I can do this all day.”
by Rob LoAlbo
All photos courtesy Marvel Studios and Disney Plus
Keeping it real lowkey this week and developing a plot around Jen’s personal identity, the show continues on its comedic slow roll that’s steadily developing everyone around her, making Nikki and Pug some of the most classic MVPs since Norm and Cliff. Taking a page from classic comedies, the stakes are low, the character introspection high, and the plot slight: ah, just how we like our She-Hulk!
My self-esteem is all wrapped up in spoilers, so please don’t insult the size of them.
This week’s case: Personal Dignity v. Walters
FACTS OF THE CASE
Well this is a first: we have no special guest this week! There’s no Wong, Emil, or Bruce within sight, and honestly, that’s just fine with us because it gives the supporting characters a chance to shine. Nikki and Pug have always just existed as plot devices, but this week they truly come out as comic foils and Marvel merch hounds. But before we can enjoy the gifts that they keep on giving, it’s time to delve into what’s really driving Jen wild this week: her identity.
“I’m not insecure, you’re insecure. Right?”
You see, her name has been “stolen” by social media influence Titania (remember the super-powered individual who Kool-Aid manned it through the courtroom walls in episode 1?), and she’s suing for copyright infringement. She’s got “SheHulk” plastered all over her beauty product line (which includes some delicious non-FDA approved Booty Boost Smoothies), but Jen’s media sensationalism is putting a crimp in her leggy, glimmery, shiny style. When a promo confro with that mofo goes no-go, Jen decides she’s gonna put her fists to work, countersue, and get her identity back, which includes a makeover!
Nikki is all up in that glamor lifestyle, so when Pug says he needs a favor with a style select sneaker drop, she wants in on the real deal: Pug’s in-guy is a drip designer who makes clothes for superheroes! When Jen gets all melty with jealousy, Pug and Nikki are off to score some age-appropriate designer duds that stretch in all the right places when Jen rises and converges. After sucking it up with some knock off merch and matching mjolnir, the duo meet with the temperamental Edna Mode Luke Jacobson who reluctantly agrees to design Jen some pliable pantsuits. (But what I really want to know about is his stance on capes!)
“I never look back, dahling. It distracts from the now.”
Back in the office, Jen is working on her own designer briefs to show that she used her moniker before the self-absorbed Titania (played with delicious fervor by Jameela Jamil) in the form of a demeaning parade of ex-boyfriend testimonies. With a strong humiliation factor dialed up to 11, Jen wins the case and loses some self-respect. (Reminds me of the time I tried getting testimonies out of Paul’s exes: no words, just a lot of disappointed looks.) How can she crawl back from that shame spiral? New gear! Apparently, Luke has just what she needs, and a little extra, which we’ll no doubt get our eyes on next week!
EVIDENCE AND TESTIMONIES
Jen is the butt of a lot of jokes this week, facing disgraced moment after Shrek disgraced moment. It’s an episode built solely on her developing an identity but without the pandering origin story tropes. It’s fast, with more throwaway jokes than you can shake a mustachioed purple hulk at, and comically furious, finding a rhythm in the supporting players that hasn’t been there in the past. Even Holliway and Book get in on the act, mortifying our loveable lady lawyer with drippy condescension and disdain. And as opposed to previous week’s, the supporting additions are more than cameos, as The Flight Attendant's Griffin Matthews ensures with his fashion statement of a role. As for Jamil, I only hope that this is just an intro for her and that she’s given more to do than glare and pout. (Renée Elise Goldsberry’s emergence as Book this episode gives me hope that her moment in the sun is coming.)
“Moment in the sun? Let’s really explore what that means for me in my own spin-off show.”
VERDICT
The editing of the jokes has developed, as bits are set up and paid off with framing, hard cuts, and scene cutaways that incorporate technical elements into the rhythm. (Someone got a mid-season pay raise to up the game.) It’s a filmmaking confidence that’s been a long time coming, and it’s finally evolved into a real sitcom maintaining it’s goofy aloofness and silly non-MCU impactable substance. With a barely-there plot thread of copyright infringement that actually engages, it’s refreshing to know that these stakes, although high for Jen, are breezy at best for us, just as they should be.
“I’m mostly concerned that this breeziness is going to give me frizzy split ends.”
WIN, LOSS, or SETTLEMENT
A hands-down win for Jen and her self-worth. In the series’ best episode so far, it’s rare that these Marvel TV shows rise in the middle when they usually sag. The callbacks to previous episodes were completely unexpected and that Jen’s scariest moment was hearing her dating life put on the record was a fun way to spend a half hour (for us, anyway). With casting being one of the show’s greatest strengths, Gao is turning into the show’s second, building its tone with a clear vision and a steadying hand that increases in confidence weekly. It’s more fun than ever and brings hope to ending Phase 4 with a laugh.
Star City Rating: 4 out of 5
Next Week: Murdock needs to pick up his special order, but only if he still has his original ticket.