Episode 9 is the finale to 'She-Hulk: Attorney at Law'. It presents an unexpected, yet perfectly on-point conclusion to a show that has consistently kept its focus on the human aspect of life in the MCU, superpowers notwithstanding. This episode centers on a key argument that Jen has with Nikki. Given what Intelligencia had done to Jen in betraying her trust, violating her privacy, making her look like a monster to everyone she loves and respects, and legally depriving her the use of her She-Hulk power, Jen has a very strong revenge motive that, regardless, she insists on seeking a legal resolution for. Nikki, however, wants to punish the group "by any and all means", though she defers to Jen with a wry "boring".
"Boring" sums up the entire season, and is the whole point of the show. In a universe that boasts an ever increasing menagerie of people -- including the protagonist -- who possess a diversity of incredible powers, this show wants us to see life from the normal, non-powered perspective. The real heroes of this show are Nikki and Pug who represent the power of friendship at all cost; and Jen's dad who wields the formidable power of family acceptance and support. Mallory Book, and to some extent, Emil, help Jen with perspective and balance. These are powers that are easily taken for granted, but they are real and accessible to us since there's no way in our universe that we can get hold of any conceit (like She-Hulk blood) that will grant us superhuman ones.
So when the big showdown between Intelligencia and She-Hulk occurs, and the scene degenerates into unintelligible chaos, reminiscent of Titania bursting into the courtroom for no reason in episode 1, which she does again here, along with Nikki, Pug and Bruce to face off against Abomination and Todd-Hulk, Jen has had enough. Jen invokes another superpower unique to She-Hulk that she used in her John Byrne comic book run c.1985: her ability to crossover from her universe into her writers' and artists' workplace to complain about their crappy writing and editorial choices.
One thing Marvel is not shy about is how it parodies itself. Here, Jen confronts her writers portrayed as a bunch of noodle-heads discussing a cringey plotline for "season two", all beholden to Kevin, or K.E.V.I.N. as they reverently refer to him. K.E.V.I.N. possesses the algorithm that churns out "near-perfect" Marvel properties, though it leaves quality ratings to the Internet. K.E.V.I.N. knows that the fans want big action, high stakes, satisfying conclusions, and spectacle. The problem, Jen points out, is that while the formula been highly profitable so far, it has become worn and transparent. For the narrative she wants to tell, the formula shoehorns in a lot of extraneous elements that distract from the key narrative: that of a normal person learning to live with and incorporate a physical disability into a normal existence. Boring.
That K.E.V.I.N. relents and renders the Hulk blood plotline into a red herring is good news. This move suggests that future Marvel projects could rely less on crowd-pleasing formula, and support more original, more creative stories, yet remain resolutely focused on the human element, which is the core of how Marvel has always Distinguished itself from its Competition.
"Who's show is this?" It's Jen's. Having regained control of the narrative, Jen resolves her issue with Todd and his hate group in a normal human way. "I'll see you in court". There is no resolution in this outcome. Given Jen's track record in the courtroom, Todd and company could still win and get off scot-free. We don't know as the season ends just before the trial begins. This ending is unsatisfactory to us, but it is non-formulaic. It is also very human in that Justice is never a foregone conclusion, but a process that we make our best effort to pursue. Justice is attained not on a battlefield, but in a boring court of law.
I've always held the notion that comic books aren't just for kids. It's interesting then, that this TV series based on a comic book has seen lots of kids leaping to their feet, flailing their hands, and screaming, "yer tellin' it wrong!!!" To which I respond, ok. I'm sure y'all have had fun doing that too.
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