Episode 2 of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law follows the recently fired Jen Walters as she struggles with the ramifications of taking a new job with a rival firm.
She-Hulk Season 1 Episode 2 Recap: Superhuman Law
After Jen’s (Tatiana Maslany) superhero moment in the Metropolitan Courthouse, her status as a new superhero spreads like wildfire across the city as news channels report her heroic stint against the detained superpowered influencer Titania’s (Jameela Jamil) attack. Much to Jen’s indignation, the public names her “She-Hulk”.
Unhappy with the newfound publicity and superhero status, Jen grudgingly enters the pub with best friend Nikki as the bar erupts in raucous cheers of support. Conversing with Nikki (Ginger Gongaza) about her recently changed status in society, she rants about her staunch unwillingness with the superhero status, bringing up realistic concerns of a distinct lack of benefits or healthcare upon joining the superhero league of Avengers.
When her boss pulls her aside, he uncomfortably points out the logistical problems of her continuing at the DA’s office. He reveals that the firm lost its case due to her hulk-incident after the opposing council with GLK&H deemed it a mistrial. Jen is subsequently fired, becoming a liability for the DA’s office.
Dejected by the disastrous outcomes of her transformation, Jen’s day only worsens when every other recruiter she meets refuses to hire her, believing her superhero status will become an unsavoury distraction at court.
Professional concerns momentarily set aside, Jen prepares herself to attend her much-dreaded family dinner. As expected, her family makes her uncomfortable with talks of She-Hulk and her unemployment.
Her father pulls her aside to check on her, as the father-daughter duo have a heart-to-heart. Jen confides in her father about her concerns with her drastically changed lifestyle. Jen receives momentary relief as her father consoles her and motivates her to move on with life, just as her cousin Bruce dealt with his situation years ago.
When Jen has given up all hope after multiple rejections, Mr Holliway, the opposing counsel from her case against GLK&H approaches her with a job offer.
Grudgingly acknowledging her calibre in laying out a winning case before they dismissed it with a mistrial, he proposes she work for GLK&H as the head of a new division. Jen immediately accepts the offer, under the condition that she be allowed to bring Nikki as her paralegal.
Excited for her first day at GLK&H, Jen is shocked when Holliway reveals he wants her to head their new superhuman law division as She-Hulk. Forced to change into her “Hulk” form, Jen once again breaks the fourth wall as she rants about her discomfort and humiliation at being paraded as a superhero instead of being valued for her capabilities as a lawyer.
Still hesitant about the job offer, Jen’s reluctance is heightened when Holliway offers her Emile “The Abomination” Blonsky’s parole case. Jen immediately refuses, declaring a conflict of interest based on Blonsky’s attempts to kill her cousin Bruce.
However, Holliway dismisses her concerns as he reveals Blonsky has signed a conflict waiver, specifically wishing to retain Jen as his attorney. Moreover, Holliway issues an ultimatum to Jen, her employment being contingent upon her taking on Blonsky’s case.
Left with no choice, Jen reluctantly visits the Department of Damage Control to visit Blonsky. As she gingerly approaches him, the almighty Abomination is revealed to be a runty middle-aged caged man.
Blonsky addresses her visible confusion, confessing that he has physically and spiritually transformed himself and is simply Emil, choosing not to be the Abomination. A tête-à-tête reveals how Blonsky was a Russian-born British-raised Royal Marines Commando on loan to the US government.
A highly decorated soldier, Blonsky’s life was changed when he was injected with the super-soldier serum leading to his transformation into the Abomination and his subsequent destructive rampage at Harlem city. He reveals his attack on the Hulk was nothing personal as he was only following orders, disclosing his bitterness with being used as a pawn by the government.
Jen empathises with his situation, explaining that he needs to show remorse for his actions for the parole board to release him. Blonsky seems cooperative as he exhibits his remorse and displays conciliatory haikus written to victims for expressing his sorrow.
Somewhat convinced, Jen rings Bruce to check if he is alright with her taking on Blonsky’s case. Bruce gives the green signal, revealing that Blonsky wrote him a heartfelt letter and haiku to clear the air. When Jen asks Hulk if he plans to come to LA anytime soon, he is revealed to be in a spaceship in outer space.
As Jen calls Holliway to accept the case, another rude shock awaits her. In a twist of fate, news channels report that the Abomination has allegedly broken out of prison, last seen, in shocking leaked footage, participating in an underground fight club.
A humorously domestic mid-credits scene follows Jen as She-Hulk, going around her parents’ house and using her strength to aid in daily chores such as lifting the car to fix the tires, levelling the television, and carrying barrels of water.
She-Hulk Season 1 Episode 2 Review
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law gains pace as Jen is inducted into the world of superhero law and the potential antagonist of the show is introduced.
In a humorous and relatable portrayal of newfound superpowers, Jen becomes the voice of pragmatism as she vocalizes real-world concerns of being a superhero- from tackling six-figure student loan debts to the inherent instability of the superhero profession.
The world of superheroes is no longer a far-reached alternate dimension as daily-life problems integrate with the surrealism of the heroic world, making it a more accessible and relatable reality for viewers.
Antagonists are no longer the boisterous animalistic villains of the past as they are humanized and depicted as victims of ill-planned government operations and failed missions. The super soldier serum makes a surprising return after previously alluded-to failed experiments last seen in Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
With familiar faces returning to screens and Marvel’s characteristic cliffhangers making a glorious return, She-Hulk promises plenty of twists, drama, and action in the weeks to come.
Rating: 4/5
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is now streaming on Disney+.
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