She-Hulk: Season 1

 

Based on: Marvel comics featuring the titular character created by Stan Lee & John Buscema

Disney+ Series Created by: Jessica Gao

Executive producers: Kevin Feige, Louis D'Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, Kat Coiro, Jessica Gao, Wendy Jacobson

Starring: Tatiana Maslany (Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk), Jameela Jamil (Titania), Ginger Gonzaga (Nikki Ramos), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/Hulk), Tim Roth (Emil Blonsky/Abomination), Benedict Wong (Wong), Charlie Cox (Matt Murdock/Daredevil)

This series got very mixed reviews, with critics and magazines loving it and audiences more critical. 

I found myself somewhat divided as well. I had high hopes at the beginning and really enjoyed the finale; I thought the show set itself up excellently at the pilot for a potentially great, hilarious, and deep show. However, a few episodes in, it seemed that it was only sticking with one of those descriptors: comedy. 

While comedy is great, it usually needs depth and intellectualism to remain great, and I felt that She-Hulk lacked both of those. It mostly stayed at a surface level, running largely on its 4th-wall breakage and trolling of toxic masculinity (which does deserve to be trolled). A lot of She-Hulk's jokes are effectively self-aware and do a good job at making fun of fragile men who can't deal with powerful women-- but after a while, it seemed to me that that's all the show was doing. 

She-Hulk talking to us/the camera, as she did frequently throughout the season

My main criticism is that I don't feel like either Jennifer or She-Hulk went through anything difficult or had to learn anything over the course of the show. The pilot set her up for success: she didn't inherit the main Hulk's anger issues or dissociative issues; she remained fully aware in She-Hulk mode and fully able to power up and down at will. I was totally fine with that because I assumed her law career would present significant issues that she'd have to persevere through and overcome. But... she didn't? Every episode seemed to end with a nice bow, with no major problem carrying forward and nothing for her to overcome and grow in. 

I still enjoyed the show for what it was. Jennifer on her own was a fun enough character to watch and I enjoyed her adventures and frustrations as She-Hulk, with some exceptions. So the basic concept kept me going. But there was no point when I felt truly excited for what was to come and there was never a point when I really sympathized for what she was going through or rooted for her to overcome something difficult. Everything just seemed... easy? 

The cameos (and full guest appearances) definitely added something great to the show. It was perfect (and necessary) that Bruce stayed in for the full premiere, helping Jennifer understand and train in her She-Hulk powers, and providing an important comparison to show how She-Hulk's experiences were different than his. It also served as an apparent jumping-off point for Bruce's own arc, which I assume we'll see more of later. Wong appeared in multiple episodes to much applause and his scenes (and episode) were definitely some of the better ones; he just adds such great comedy and pizzazz wherever he goes. Not to mention the great Madisynn (Patty Guggenheim) who stole the show alongside Wong for their excellent partner chemistry. 

Hulk/Bruce teaches Jennifer to understand and control her powers

But arguably no guest appearance was more anticipated or loved than Daredevil, who was wickedly teased within the show multiple episodes before he appeared. The dynamic between She-Hulk and Daredevil and Jennifer and Matt was just excellent. Their different strategies were very complementary, with his ninja-like stealth bringing a level of strategy and intelligence to her smashing. Their shared attorney careers aided the chemistry, enabling themselves to banter on law and throw legal jokes back and forth as they fought, leading much of the internet (including myself) to ship them. Here's to hoping that Jennie (??) becomes official. It seems quite likely, considering the family dinner Charlie participated in in the finale. 

My favorite episode was probably when Charlie Cox visited as Daredevil and he and She-Hulk teamed up. He has a lot to teach her. He's also quite handsome!

I enjoyed the season finale for, if nothing else, its extensive fourth wall breakage. She-Hulk literally climbs out of her show and breaks into the writer's room at Marvel to request a different ending. 

I'm pretty sure we'll be seeing more of She-Hulk to come in the MCU, and I hope either movies, sequel seasons, or even other shows will give She-Hulk more of a chance to have her character sharpened. In a fun but mostly surface season, I just wish she had more chances to overcome, strengthen herself, and rise above challenges.