Episode 1
August 19, 2022
Screenshot of Hulk training Jennifer. In this scene, Bruce tests Jennifer to see what triggers her transformations, a main point in the first episode’s plot.
For how first episodes go, “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law” breaks the mold set up by other series by speeding through the origins of the character and going straight to the action.
In this episode, the audience is introduced to Jennifer Walters, a lawyer who is the cousin of Bruce Banner. After a car accident involving a Sakaar spaceship, Walters is contaminated with the gamma-radiated blood of the Hulk and transforms into She-Hulk.
During the episode’s opening, the audience is reintroduced to Bruce and told how he was in his human form during the post-credits of “Shang-Chi.” The five-year gap between “Infinity War” and “Endgame” is also filled in, showing an underground lab made by Tony Stark where Bruce worked on merging both Hulk and himself.
He tries to help Jennifer control the Hulk but since she can control her anger from the start, she does not need help.
Something I really enjoy about this show is Jennifer herself. It is refreshing to see a character who actively does not want to be a part of the superhero life and just wishes to be normal. Bruce tells her that since they are two of the strongest people, they have to help. This conflict of interest showcases a vast difference in views between our leads.
The show is not entirely serious, however. As a legal comedy, it is important that the jokes land and I can confidently say that they do. Whether it be the conversations about Captain America between Bruce and Jennifer or the end fight against Titania in court that had a lot of build-up only to end in one punch, the show is funny.
This first episode introduces a brand new character to the MCU and it also answers questions about the Hulk’s status post “Endgame.” By the end of this episode, viewers should have a better understanding of the Banner family than when they went in.
To wrap up this week’s episode, here are some things to keep in mind going into next week.
- Someone is trying to reach the Hulk from Sakaar.
- Jennifer does not want to be She-Hulk.
- Bruce has a device that can bring him back to human form.
- Titania was sent to the court by something.