I feel like this show has some potential going forward. I do like the universe expansion that we’re seeing, and I feel like Jennifer Walters is a very interesting character with a good story to tell. I’m apprehensive about any non-sitcom series that immediately takes a lighter tone, as I feel like being too humorous can sometimes contrast with conflict later. When a lighthearted show tries to get serious or dark, it sometimes feels forced or out of character. However it certainly is possible, if it is written well, for a humorous show to take on a darker or more high-stakes conflict in a realistic way. There are things from the story that I like. She-Hulk has a very rich personality in the comics and, though her origin story changed, I feel like her essence has been pretty well preserved so far. I like that the story dives a little more into her family life and tries to flesh out her world a bit. I love the extra information that we get on Bruce’s character, I’m a big fan of the Sakaraan subplot and I like the shout-out to Tony Stark. I also especially like that they discuss how She-Hulk has an advantage in managing her anger because of the misogyny she faces daily. I think not only does this bring focus to an important issue, it also adds layers to the character and sets up a source of tension that could very meaningfully be worked in throughout the show. Especially if fans become attached to Walters and can experience her frustration and anger at the sexism she faces alongside her, which could be a powerful message. I also like the idea that was briefly mentioned of Jen’s Hulk having different triggers than Bruce’s, which I hope can be explored further in the show. I think the show should primarily focus on Jen, but if a second season follows I hope the show will flesh out not only She-Hulk, but also add a lot to the Hulk mythos that has been missing from the movies for years.
Having the first episode as a flash back was an interesting choice that I didn’t completely agree with. I feel like it creates a choppy exposition and a rushed feeling, as if the show is trying to rapidly establish a backstory so we can just jump in to the action. In my opinion, it would have been better to either start with the accident and build forward or to start where the show did, but slowly expand and build up the backstory throughout the episodes to make it feel more natural and more meaningful. Which leads me into my second point, how quickly the flashback ended.
Walters seemed to almost immediately come to peace with this life changing event. I think something that really builds viewers attachment to a character is watching them grow because it invests the viewer in how their journey ends. This feels like a missed opportunity for She-Hulk. Personally I’m not a fan of new, young heroes beating older and more experienced heroes when I’m invested in the older hero. I’ve watched Bruce Banner grow and evolve and become more than he ever thought he could. To me, She-Hulk immediately showing him up both invalidates his journey and gives her more power than her character deserves as she just got her strength. However I think her beating up Banner would’ve been more palatable if we got to see her wrestle with the emotional repercussions of becoming a hulk, but she seems to adapt without much issue and I think that this makes her character much less relatable and interesting. Walters immediately blows off the advice of someone who’s dealt with her condition for 15 years, and then succeeds anyway. I don’t like the implications for Bruce’s character and I feel like it doesn’t give She-Hulk the challenges that a rich character like her deserves. The conflict the writers seem to be setting up is dealing with the fallout of her hulk-side being revealed, which could be interesting but I think it was set up poorly.
First of all, the fight in the courtroom that revealed Jen’s identity seemed implausible. Why would a supervillain be in traffic court? Why would they have been issued a ticket instead of arrested? Why would they show up in full supervillain garb? Why would they wait until losing in traffic court to start destroying things? I understand the goal of turning superheroes and villains into a more common thing, as they are in the comics, as opposed to a select group that fights off alien invasions, but the way it’s done feels very clunky.
The show promises an interesting subplot of emotional turmoil when Jen is assigned to Emil Blonsky, but then dismisses any kind of conflict attached to the situation. The only conflict so far that doesn’t seem to be immediately and irrevocably resolved is Jen’s apprehension about being desired only for being She-Hulk and not for her skills as an attorney, though she seems to have mostly moved past her hesitation. All in all the show seems to keep setting up interesting situations and then not delivering.
Although this is certainly not a dealbreaker, it bears mentioning that the CGI for She-Hulk is slightly disappointing, and a much more realistic looking character could have been created. In my opinion, with several notable exceptions, Hulk CGI has declined since the first Hulk movie. My only other issue is with the fourth wall breaks. I know this is canon from the comics, but I don’t like it’s implications. Deadpool’s fourth wall breaks made more sense for two reasons. For one, he was driven insane, which seemed to be why he was aware of the audience. And for another, he was much more isolated in his original movie. For Jennifer Walters, neither of those conditions are true. Why is she aware of the audience? What gives her that ability? Furthermore, if she is aware of the audience, is Bruce? She is joining very well established characters, none of whom break the fourth wall, and it seems out of place for her alone to have that ability. I hope the show improves on its promise soon.
After seeing episode 3 I’m more hopeful. Although Walters seems to have moved past her apprehension about her job, sexism remains a major theme which provides a great touch point between real world conflict and superhero world conflict. Additionally, emotional conflict is being supplied by the court of public opinion, though that potential seems underdeveloped thus far. And finally, the main conflict seems to be being established via the mysterious “boss” who seems to, for unknown reasons, desire She-Hulks blood.
