She-Hulk: Attorney at Law keeps rolling with a strong fourth episode that dives into several key themes and delivers arguably the clearest characterization of Jennifer Walters yet. Plus, it offers plenty of laughs and more connections to the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe.
1. You Can’t Own Magic… Or Can You?
As previously mentioned, one of the most compelling parts of the series comes in its consideration of how superhuman issues would be handled in the court of American law. Wong seeks Jennifer’s help when Donny Blaze, a magician who was kicked out of his school of the mystic arts for summoning three kegs, is using what he learned at cheap magic shows. This includes sending audience members like Madisynn, who becomes an important part of the episode, to other dimensions. He warns that someone tampering with other dimensions threatens all life, so Jennifer first tries to approach Blaze outside of court. When she tells him to stop, he responds by emphasizing that you can’t own magic or copyright it. Ironically, he’s right, as magic isn’t governed by the same laws as American society. This battle plays out in court, and the judge sides with Blaze because she doesn’t think the use of a spell is gross negligence.
But when Blaze continues to use magical portals for cheap pops at magic shows, he accidentally summons a horde of demons. It takes the combined might of She-Hulk and Wong to defeat this army, and only then does Blaze agree to cease his usage of the mystical arts. As fun as it is to see She-Hulk smashing demons, the most fascinating aspect of the episode comes in this ongoing analysis of marvelous matters in a legal context.
2. The Joys of Dating
Throughout the duration of the episode, the secondary story focus on the tribulations of online dating. Jennifer sets up a profile, using her own name and face, but she comes up empty, aside from one unpleasant date that rudely texts during their conversation and checks out other women. However, Jennifer’s luck turns around when she makes a profile as She-Hulk. Her phone blows up, and she gets a number of matches, setting the stage for a speed-dating montage that highlights the struggle of trying to find the right partner.
One prospective candidate asks her about her powers and calls her a “specimen”, which is surely a red flag in the dating world. Eventually, she meets an attractive doctor, and they hit it off. After Jennifer is forced to step away to fight some demons, she literally carries him off to bed. There’s no happy ending this time though, as the date leaves the following morning after he’s clearly turned off by the sight of Jennifer in her human form. Here, the series continues to examine the conflict between Jennifer and her superhuman side, a theme that will likely continue to be explored in subsequent episodes.
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3. Besties With Wong
Wong is back for the second week in a row, and he steps into the spotlight this time. In addition to his role in the main story, his unexpected friendship with Madisynn provides the comedic heart of the episode from the moment she lands in his home. Though she spoils The Sopranos for him, they wind up forming a quirky bond. Madisynn calls Wong her “bestie”, and they keep hanging out in the mid-credits scene. The duo watches This Is Us together, and she asks him about his favorite drinks. He reveals that he’s tried a few cocktails, but he has a particular taste for gin and tonics. Moments like these add layers to Wong’s character and will likely help make him even more of a fan-favorite character in the MCU moving forward.
4. “Twitter Armor” For A Week
Shortly after Wong’s return, Jennifer breaks the fourth wall and notes that viewers must be happy to see him back. She also says having him in the episode practically gives She-Hulk: Attorney at Law “Twitter armor” for a week. This comment is striking due to its accuracy as it relates to social media and the impact of special guest stars. First, the series has drawn plenty of flak; Megan Thee Stallion’s cameo, and the subsequent twerking scene, have been the target of harsh negativity on Twitter. At times, this discourse has overshadowed the discussion surrounding the overall quality of the show. This throwaway line from Jennifer indirectly pokes fun at the blowback and also acknowledges that, at the end of the day, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is part of the MCU, and many fans want to see it lean into that deep mythos. Featuring a beloved character like Wong indeed gives the show metaphorical armor because people are happy to see him.
5. Tatiana Looms Large
Jennifer doesn’t have long to celebrate her triumph over the demons. Shortly thereafter, she gets notified that Tatiana is pursuing legal action against her. She-Hulk’s first rival, who crashed her court case in the debut episode, is suing her, as she has evidently trademarked the hero’s name. The courier notes that Tatiana has some legs to stand on because Jennifer hasn’t legally claimed her alias yet. This brief scene at the end of the episode sets up Tatiana’s return and serves as a smooth transition into next week’s installment, as it’s clear that Jennifer must brace for a legal, and perhaps physical, battle with Tatiana, who was been cleared of all charges.
In its fourth episode, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law continues to hit its stride, both in terms of its characterization and its storytelling. The previous episodes largely leaned into Bruce Banner and Emil Blonsky, so the show felt like an extension of The Incredible Hulk. While this connection helped flesh out the mythos of the film, the series starts to come into its own in episode four, and it’ll be exciting to see where it goes from here.
