Let’s Talk about She-Hulk 1-5
What’s in a name? While DC Comics created the one true Identity Crisis, the latest She-Hulk episode also explored the theme. What happens when a short attorney cannot come to terms with her other identity as a giant green monster? Let’s talk about She-Hulk episode 1-5, the one where She-Hulk gets a makeover.
Own Who You Are
Source: Marvel Studios
Today’s story begins with splashy ads featuring Titania’s name brand of beauty products, SHE HULK by Titania. As a reminder, even though everyone called Jennifer Walters She-Hulk, she never trademarked the name.
Ever the opportunist, Titania swooped in and legally claimed the name as her own. Now, she’s selling literal snake oil thanks to a catchy slogan. The ads openly taunt Walters, too. One says, “Be strong. Be. Beautiful. Own who you are.”
Walters forgot to own her identity legally, and now she’s paying the price. Every new commercial doubles as a poke in her eye, at least from a legal perspective.
Source: Marvel Studios
Hilariously, Jen’s less competent cousin, the one who works at Best Buy, not as an Avenger, pities Jen for legal oversight. Even the dumb guy thinks she screwed up. In a perfect moment of storytelling, he mansplains the law to her…AN ATTORNEY!
Jen goes on tilt and heads to an in-person promotional appearance by Titania. At this point, I realize that the showrunners on She-Hulk love The Good Place just as much as me. They basically recreate this scene:
The difference is that Tahani from The Good Place is now the Kamilah, the pretentious celebrity with a cult following, while Jen is the Tahani, the one who sneers with disgust over the absurdity of the whole thing.
Walters demands that Titania stop using the She-Hulk brand for her tonics and cosmetics. Obviously, Titania refuses since they seem to be best-selling products. We’ve got the makings of a legal battle regarding copyright law! That sounds like great television, right? Well, it may not sound that way, but it is!
Courtroom Drama and the B Plot
Source: Marvel Studios
She-Hulk’s boss calls her into his office. Then, he asks a simple question. “Why did I pass a billboard on Santa Monica Boulevard today advertising a She-Hulk Booty Boost Smoothie?” As an FYI, there’s pretty much no valid response to that question.
She-Hulk tries, only to acknowledge that Titania has outmaneuvered her legally. That’s a problem since Titania, unlike She-Hulk, isn’t a lawyer. GLK&H lawyer Mallory Book earns the assignment of winning She-Hulk’s case. They try to prove that Walters is the only one who can go by the She-Hulk moniker.
Meanwhile, GLK&H employees Nikki and Pug go on their adventure. Nikki wants Jen’s She-Hulk fashion to look, you know, less hobo-y. Pug knows a guy who knows the Drip Broker, a person who creates costumes for superheroes. Yes, the MCU is getting an Edna Mode!
Source: Marvel Studios
After a humorous scene involving the purchase of knockoff Avengers gear (spelled Avongers and Avingers), the two speak with the Drip Broker. Well, they talk to a doorbell camera, and it goes poorly. The unseen Drip Broker isn’t impressed by either of them. He emphatically says no twice.
Eventually, they reveal that the client is an Avenger, which isn’t true…yet. I’m pretty sure A-Force is coming, though. Anyway, Jen needs help because the court case isn’t going well. The defense shows the previous video of Walters saying she will never go by She-Hulk.
Book counters with video of Walters explaining that she didn’t like the name at first, but she cannot deny that she’s She-Hulk. We’re at an impasse. Nikki convinces She-Hulk to meet the Drip Broker, played by the brilliant Griffin Matthews. He is NOT impressed by her.
Source: Marvel Studios
However, he agrees to work on a costume due to the creative challenge of making something that will fit She-Hulk and Walters alike.
Bad Date Déjà vu
Source: Marvel Studios
Book and Walters recognize that they won’t win this court case against Titania unless they can prove something. Walters must demonstrate that she accepted her She-Hulk identity before Titania filed for the trademark.
Awkwardly, only one solution comes to mind. Jen runs into Todd, her blind date. She quickly describes him to Nikki as “the guy with the fetish.” Again, I’m pretty sure he’s a supervillain instead, but we’re not there yet.
Fittingly, Todd reveals himself as one of GLH&K’s top clients. Do you know who has a lot of money? Criminals. Anyway, Todd agrees to testify on Jen’s behalf. He only agreed to go out with her after viewing her She-Hulk dating profile.
Source: Marvel Studios
So, a courtroom scene follows wherein all She-Hulk’s terrible dates (and one magical date) from the last episode reappear. The humiliation factor here is off the charts, and the show plays up the awkwardness for maximum comedic effect.
Book argues in court that her client “used She-Hulk” as a “genuine part of her own identity.” Apparently, She-Hulk’s dating profile marketed herself as “mean, green, and straight-poured into these jeans.” Yes, that’s the name of the episode.
The guy Jen likes also testifies on her behalf, albeit in an emotionally devastating way. He reveals that he wouldn’t have dated Jen, just She-Hulk. While that statement wins the case, it also breaks Jen’s heart. But, then again, she’s not the only one.
Source: Marvel Studios
Titania cannot bear the news that her entire She-Hulk promotional line must be recalled. “This isn’t over, hater.” As far as villainous dialogue goes, that’s not a winner. However, it does hint that Titania and She-Hulk will come to blows again soon.
Former wrestler and Jennifer Hudson ex David Otunga asks Titania out. She grudgingly accepts with “Fine, you can buy me things.” Titania’s great!
Where Is My Super Suit?
Source: Marvel Studios
Book and Walters celebrate their victory in court by having a drink. Jen is happy they’re friends after Book previously stated they weren’t even colleagues. For her part, Book remains reserved, but she has clearly grown to like not-She-Hulk’s company.
Still, the conversation ends with Book telling her new friend, “I thought you were getting better clothes.” The running joke throughout the episode is that Jen’s outfits look like a David Byrne video. However, when she’s She-Hulk, they somehow fit even worse.
This brings us back to the Drip Broker, whose existence proves that MCU showrunners aren’t afraid of teasing one another. The character obviously riffs on the Power Broker from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Source: Marvel Studios
We end this week with the Drip Broker showing her the new outfits. Unfortunately, the audience doesn’t get to see them yet because they’re saving that for next week. We get a different tease instead. The Drip Broker chastises one of his employees for leaving a different superhero’s helmet in plain sight.
“Tinsley, does client confidentiality mean nothing to you?” That’s the joke, but most people miss it because they’re losing their minds over the helmet. Yes, that’s the twin pointed horns atop Daredevil’s helmet. Expect Matt Murdock to appear next week!
Also, we may get our first look at Jennifer Walters in her iconic white and green ensemble. Overall, this episode wasn’t on a par with the previous three, but that’s because the bar had been set so high. However, it was still a ton of fun.
Source: Marvel Studios
Also, I like the storytelling mechanism of Jen rejecting the She-Hulk identity until somebody else tries to take it. We’ve now established that she accepts that She-Hulk is an intrinsic part of who she is. And that Titania’s a vapid jerk.
