Ok, point made, She-Hulk. You already know all the theories people were going to have about your sudden turn into the superhero world after a season nicely ensconced in the legal comedy with a side of superhero hijinks realm. I will fully admit that I laughed out loud when Jen broke the fourth wall to suggest that since the finale is on the horizon, this might be the time to bring out a secret Red Hulk (something I think it likely coming down the line in the MCU, just not in a series like this one) or even that the MCU might fridge Jen (yeah, they aren’t about to kill her off, no matter how happy that might make a certain segment of the MCU fan base). I’m glad the series recognized its own switch in tone.
Because up until that quick dip to the gala, the episode had all the hallmarks of your typical light and fun She-Hulk episode – inept super character needs help, Jen gets involved, thinks go haywire – this time with the always welcome addition of Charlie Cox’s* Matt “Daredevil” Murdock to the proceedings. And let me just point out, I love that Daredevil was put out that Jen had never heard of him, the savior of Hell’s Kitchen, all the way out in LA. Come on, man, you’re a local hero – you don’t have national pull yet (even if he apparently has admittance to the California Bar, which isn’t easy to get – you actually have to sit for the Bar Exam there and that’s not particularly fun). But that story with rich boy Leap Frog bungling everything up was a nice appetizer to the main meat of the episode, and getting to see Jen actually work as a superhero was exciting – especially seeing that she did, in fact, need Daredevil’s help to complete the save. It’s always nice to see superhero show’s making it clear that their hero can’t simply just do everything on their own.
*One note for Charlie Cox as he embarks on playing Matt Murdock again: You’ve got to get that American accent back in check. Now, it might be that I haven’t seen the series in years, but I don’t remember it being this English back in his Netflix days. Either way, clean up that accent – especially the hard o’s – and we’ll be back in business. You’re supposed to be from New York – talk to Tom Holland (not Benedict Cumberbatch) and figure it out.
Now, as to that “big reveal,” I’m good with it. We didn’t get a Red Hulk, but we absolutely did get a Hulk awash in red light, signaling to us that this She-Hulk is certainly not our Jen anymore. She couldn’t even say anything to us while breaking the fourth wall at the end, she was so angry and consumed by rage. And, you know what? I don’t blame her. Of course she acted out and smashed the video board. Of course she tried to snag the henchman (because he clearly believes in the cause, hat tip Matt Murdock) outside of the venue. It’s a bit odd that there appeared to be DoDC agents at the ready outside – I’m guessing the Intelligecia bros tipped them off? – but that is a solid way to create a season climax.
Now the question becomes where does the show go in terms of wrapping things up. While Jen’s actions are wholly understandable (freaking Josh filmed their hook-up without telling her and then helped them released the video in public – that is, in fact, illegal), I doubt anyone is going to be willing to sit down and say “Hey, incredibly powerful and potentially killer She-Hulk! Totally get why you Hulked out. No harm, no foul, just don’t do it again.” So, does she get an inhibitor a la Blonsky? Does she get a last minute save from the Avengers? Does she get a call from Blonsky after getting the inhibitor where he says “You know, we can work around these?” And, perhaps most importantly, does she keep her job now that she can’t be She-Hulk? Because I’m almost certain we end the season with Jen lacking the capability of Hulking out and her at rock bottom, so that we can see her rise again in another property.
With the Intelligencia now, presumably, in control of Hulk DNA, I do think some Red Hulk version is coming – perhaps once Bruce returns from his latest sojourn so that he can team up with Jen/save her from a life sitting on the bench without her abilities. But until we get a threat so large to humanity that the world needs Hulk help, I think Jen needs to sit in the penalty box. Remember, the only reason Bruce gets to roam free is because he had the Avengers at his back to help him through he crisis and ensure that he was seen as a key member of the team. Yes, Jen shouldn’t have smashed so much, but I was glad the show made it clear that her reasons were solid. Unfortunately, I suspect Jen’s about to get sent to the MCU bench until they need her back. Which is a bummer.
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