She-Hulk: Attorney at Law continues to build Jennifer Walters into a fan-favorite character while examining a number of compelling themes, namely the legal ramifications of having superpowered individuals live in the modern world. This fifth episode also sets the stage for what promises to be a devilishly delightful return.
1. Leaning Into The Human Side
The first few episodes have leaned into the balance of Jennifer Walters, the person, and She-Hulk, the budding superhero. This week’s installment still incorporates this duality, but it focuses on the human side more so than its predecessors. While Jennifer is in She-Hulk form for the majority of the episode, there’s no smashing or crime-stopping to be found this week. Instead, the primary conflict comes in her legal fight with Titania. In doing so, the series adds more depth to Jennifer as an overall character, which helps cement her status as the next big thing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
2. What’s My Name?
As seen at the end of the previous episode, Titania trademarked She-Hulk, and she sued Jennifer for the usage of the name. This week’s installment opens with a commercial for “She-Hulk by Titania,” a range of beauty products. The popular line also has a billboard and an advertisement on the radio, so Titania’s theft of the name is inescapable for Jennifer. She gets increasingly frustrated, especially when she sees that Titania is literally selling a lip plumper that’s infused with snake oil. “She’s literally selling snake oil,” she tells Nikki.
But at first, Jennifer can’t do anything about it from a legal standpoint, as Titania technically owns the name. Naturally, as a lawyer, Jennifer knows she can win the battle in a court of law, setting the stage for the climactic hearing later in the show.
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3. The Drip Broker
One of the show’s running themes has been Jennifer’s questionable fashion sense, given the lack of stylish options available to someone who often transforms into a Hulk-sized being. Thankfully, Nikki and Pug connect with Luke Jacobson, a tailor that specializes in the superhuman. Pug has a connection through his “Drip Broker,” who supplies him with limited edition sneakers — including the new Iron Man 3s. Nikki bends the truth by telling Jacobson that Jennifer is already an Avenger and while he’s reluctant, he eventually makes her a new suit that will fit her human self and her superhuman size.
The tailor also gives Jennifer something “extra”, but she says that she doesn’t foresee a use for it. The viewer doesn’t get to see what this item is, but it’s fair to assume that it will eventually be She-Hulk’s costume. With that in mind, it’s only a matter of time before we see the hero in all of her glory.
4. Unusual Courtroom Tactics
Jennifer continues to showcase her unusual courtroom tactics, as her brilliance once again saves the day. Previously, she realized that she had to practically insult one of her firm’s clients to win the case because she had to prove that he was delusional enough to think that Megan Thee Stallion would date him. (It’s a long story.)
This time, with her right to use the She-Hulk name at stake, Jennifer has a “Eureka” moment once she sees that she can prove her ownership by having her previous dates testify about her in court. These individuals recall how Jennifer referred to herself as She-Hulk, thus showcasing her claim to the name. This tactic works to perfection, as the judge sides with the titular hero and forces Titania to cease her utilization of the She-Hulk name at once.
5. Devil’s In The Details
One of the most exciting moments in this week’s episode was practically a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Easter egg. In the closing moments of the show, the aforementioned Drip Broker walks over to a box containing a helmet that looks quite familiar. Of course, its horns are unmistakable; the helmet belongs to Daredevil. What it’s doing with the Drip Broker remains to be seen.
However, fans have known for quite some time that “The Man Without Fear” will be part of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, at least in some capacity. Along with the recent announcement of Daredevil: Born Again, the sight of the helmet is sure to excite hardcore and casual fans alike, as it will be fascinating to see how this series brings Matthew Murdock (and his alter ago) back into the MCU.
Five episodes in, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law has firmly found its voice as a heartfelt, realistic depiction of a new character’s struggle to embrace her identity as a superhero while remaining true to her past life as a lawyer. The combination of these two worlds continues to be a fruitful ground for exploration, and we can’t wait to see what happens next.