In solely its second episode, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is already separating itself from the remainder of the Marvel Disney+ household. So a lot occurs in such a small period of time that it feels prefer it ought to solely be six episodes, tops, like a number of of its predecessors. But no, She-Hulk is 9 episodes and this second one actually set the stage for what that’s all going to be about.

After Jen’s antics save a courtroom full of individuals, she immediately turns into a celeb. Every information station and individual on social media is speaking about this new hero, who’s haphazardly nicknamed “She-Hulk.” Jen doesn’t just like the identify, primarily as a result of she doesn’t really feel like she must be a spinoff of the unique Hulk. (Even although he actually is in her blood, however we digress). Jen and her finest good friend Nikki (Ginger Gonzalez) are celebrating her newfound fame and success when Jen finds out her regulation agency misplaced the case. Not due to how she was doing—in truth, everybody was certain she would win—however as a result of the opposition argued She-Hulk saving the jury unfairly swayed them in her favor, and the choose agreed. Jen is then fired, all of which occurs earlier than the opening title card. See what we imply? A lot occurs.

It’s time to discover a new job however Jen finds her newfound skills are literally a legal responsibility in getting employed as no different agency desires to tackle somebody who could also be a “sideshow.” Thankfully, she will take that ache and burden again dwelling to her household. Jen’s dad and mom, Elaine (Tess Malis Kinkaid) and Morris (Mark Lind-Baker), are sympathetic to her scenario, particularly as a result of, as Morris factors out, they’ve already needed to cope with the problems of getting a Hulk within the household. He tells her every little thing goes to be okay, which involves fruition quicker than he may have imagined. Out for a drink, Jen is approached by Holden Holliway (Steve Coulter), who was the lawyer she was going towards within the earlier case. Holliway defined that he felt she was going to win and presents her a job, which Jen takes earlier than even actually discussing the small print… which is a mistake.

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Immediately upon strolling into the brand new gig at GLK and H, Holliway explains he desires She-Hulk, not Jen, to go up their new superhuman regulation division, the primary of its sort. It would require her to stroll round work and the courtroom as She-Hulk and take a case she actually doesn’t need: the parole listening to of 1 Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth), a.ok.a. the longtime Hulk foe the Abomination. Blonsky debuted waaaay again in Phase One of the MCU within the one movie that just about at all times will get skipped, The Incredible Hulk, as a result of it starred Edward Norton because the Hulk as an alternative of Mark Ruffalo. This results in top-of-the-line jokes in MCU historical past later within the episode, however we’ll get again to that.

Since Blonsky tried to kill Jen’s cousin Bruce, she doesn’t suppose she may take the case, however Holliway provides her an ultimatum: take the case or don’t have a job. Jen decides to check the waters and goes to see Blonsky, who’s being held at a jail run by the Department of Damage Control. There, Jen jokes that it’s like Silence of the Lambs, which is humorous as a result of it’s true—like Hannibal Lecter, Blonsky is being held in a cage that Jen can’t go too near and he immediately wins her over along with his obvious change of coronary heart. Blonsky says he now not needs to be the Abomination and feels actual regret for every little thing he’s accomplished. Jen appears to purchase this, particularly when Blonsky tells the story of his battle with the Hulk from his perspective, the place he didn’t see himself because the unhealthy man. This scene may be the longest and most in-depth the MCU has ever acknowledged 2008’s The Incredible Hulk.

Now, as an MCU fan, you will have been watching this scene and considering “Wait, when is this?” as a result of we noticed the Abomination collaborating in a battle membership throughout Shang-Chi, so he’s clearly not in jail at the moment. Plus, Bruce Banner nonetheless had his arm in a sling within the Shang-Chi finish credit, which he seemingly fastened within the earlier episode. These questions get extra advanced within the very subsequent scene.

Jen goes dwelling and, earlier than accepting the case, decides to name Bruce. Still in Hulk type, he tells her that he utterly understands if she takes the case and that he buried the hatched with Blonsky years in the past. In reality, he says, “That fight was so many years ago I’m a completely different person now.” Reader, once I let you know I laughed at this line, I’m not mendacity. I laughed so laborious I practically missed that he stated “Literally” on the finish. It’s only a good technique to acknowledge Ed Norton and the 2008 movie. Bravo, showrunner Jessica Gao.

Actually, make that double bravo, as a result of when Jen asks Bruce if he’s going to be in Los Angeles anytime quickly he says, “I’ve got some things I have to take care of” and it’s revealed that he’s in that Sakaaran ship from the earlier episode and is being flown into area. Is this a tease for The Marvels? Secret Invasion? Something else? Does this imply the top of Ruffalo on She-Hulk? We don’t know, however it’s a damned good MCU tease. (We requested Gao about each of these items—search for the solutions right here on io9 later right now.)

And talking of MCU teases, Jen calls Holliway to just accept the job and he tells her to activate the TV. She then sees that Abomination has escaped jail and was sighted at an underground flight membership (Hello Shang-Chi crossover!). As his lawyer, that is unhealthy information for Jen, however it’s truly excellent news for the viewers although as a result of now we all know tells us precisely when within the MCU timeline we’re.

Overall, She-Hulk’s second episode was a really robust episode of TV that each actually turned the main focus again on Jen and her journey whereas additionally offering a ton of nice MCU connections. Linking her and her new job to Blonsky is so attention-grabbing, and the best way she’s being exploited by the regulation agency may be very fertile floor as effectively. She-Hulk has solely two episodes underneath its belt however it’s already impressively propulsive and planting seeds for lots extra to return.

Random ideas

• Once once more there’s a mid-credits scene. This one is a flashback to earlier within the episode when Morris requested Jen for some assist round the home, and we get to see her assist him change a tire, transfer a TV, and a bunch of water bottles. Funny stuff. I’ve obtained a sense most of those mid-credit scenes shall be like this.
• Last week was Captain America’s virginity; this week had questions concerning the Avengers. Do they receives a commission? Do they’ve insurance coverage? I like that She-Hulk is changing into a platform for the MCU to handle a few of these enjoyable, fan discussions.
• After final week’s episode ended so randomly, I liked that the very very first thing this episode did was explains how dumb it appeared that Tatiana jumped into the courtroom out of nowhere. It was as a result of she was foolishly operating from site visitors court docket. Boom. Done.
• Blonsky retains mentioning his seven penpals. Do you suppose that can quantity to something?

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