She-Hulk: Attorney-at-Law (TV)
At a certain point, franchises need to shake things up and adapt to telling different stories. It’d be unimaginative to introduce Jennifer Walters in the same way we’ve been introduced to Bruce Banner over the years. She’s an individual with her own life and own personality; simply making a variation of “Hulk smash” action and storytelling would be lazy. I love my introduction to Jennifer Walters.
Looking at her filmography, and how much of it I’ve seen, it’s kind of surprising that I haven’t really taken notice of Tatiana Maslany prior to “She-Hulk”- partly because I’ve never watched “Orphan Black,” the series that has gotten her the most notice- but I’ll admit, Jennifer Walters has me excited for more of her. It’s been funny to see people criticize this show by saying, “It’s just not believable any guy wouldn’t want to date Jennifer Walters when she’s Tatiana Maslany,” but that’s not only a fundamental misunderstanding of just how naturally shallow men are, but in the world of the show, you kind of get it. For some men, She-Hulk is more interesting because- in her green form- she’s a physical knock-out, and I’m sure there’s more allure to trying to tame the beast than just dating a lawyer who’s certainly attractive, but doesn’t always project a lot of outward confidence. One of the things I love about Maslany’s performance is how, by Walters not really wanting to be She-Hulk (she’s contaminated by her cousin Bruce’s blood in an accident), it allows her to play some role reversal, and we feel her being much more confident as Jennifer than she is as She-Hulk through most of the series. It’s deflating for her to be asked by people to be She Hulk, with the commentary being how society traditionally values women for what’s on the outside than their mind. As the series goes on, we don’t feel as though she’s completely embraced the persona yet, but she understands how it’s a part of her. I truly want more of this character.
The series created by Jessica Gao is, essentially, a lawyer comedy set in the Marvel Universe. Can you imagine how boring this show would have been had it just tried to do what other Marvel shows have done? Yes, there are things about it that don’t really work- the visual effects can be iffy, and, reflecting on it, the fourth wall-breaking finale with Walters in the Marvel production offices (while entertaining) perhaps breaks the reality of the show too much- but collectively, this show works because Maslany’s Walters is a terrific engine for it to be powered by. By making us believe Jennifer is a genuine individual- and selling when she’s talk to the audience so well- Maslany keeps us entertained, whether she’s sharing drinks with her best friend, Nikki Ramos (Ginger Gonzaga); fighting with social media influencer Titania (Jameela Jamil), whether it’s legally or with fists; interacting with Bruce (Mark Ruffalo) while he tries to get her to take the responsibility of her new powers seriously; or dealing with issues in her job, including having to represent Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth), better known as Abomination. One of the smart things about the inclusion of Blonsky is not only the legal pickle it puts in front of Jennifer, but by showing how Emil is “trying” to reform, it also gives Jennifer someone to maybe even relate to in her own struggles to make her duel nature harmonious moving forward…at least, when he’s not being a motivational speaker for a misogynist group trying to humiliate Jennifer for existing. Oh, and Matt Murdock comes into tow, and Charlie Cox looks like he’s having a blast playing the character again.
“She-Hulk” is entertaining so long as you’re willing to go with the goofy as well as the usual superhero stuff. The highlight on that is Madisynn King (Patty Guggenheim), a drunk woman who’s transported around the world by a magician who’s a former student of the mystic arts, and whom strikes up a friendship with our beloved Wong (Benedict Wong). If you watch no other episode of the series, make it that one; if it doesn’t work for you, this show isn’t for you, and that’s fine. I, for one, will be waiting for more of Jennifer Walters’s story with bated breathe.
