She-Hulk: Attorney at Law: Is This Not Real Magic?
September 8, 2022 11:08 PM - Season 1, Episode 4 - Subscribe
Jen tries a dating app. Wong tries The Sopranos. Donny Blaze is doing magic and ~*illusions*~. Titania continues to scheme off-screen.
Divisive! This was my favourite episode so far. I'm totally here for superhero case of the week, and I loved the idea of magic causing problems not because it gets into evil hand, but because it gets into bumbling hands.
Bit disappointed by Madisynn though, seemed like a weirdly regressive stereotype for this show. Maybe she's going to turn up again and have hidden depths?
posted by TheophileEscargot at 12:57 AM on September 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
Bit disappointed by Madisynn though, seemed like a weirdly regressive stereotype for this show. Maybe she's going to turn up again and have hidden depths?
posted by TheophileEscargot at 12:57 AM on September 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
Apparently Madisynn is popular though?
posted by TheophileEscargot at 1:29 AM on September 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by TheophileEscargot at 1:29 AM on September 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
I like Madisynn. She's basically a variant on the Stoner Dude. If it's a gender thing at all, it's that that kind of jolly doofus is very rarely cast as a woman. The first example that comes to mind in the MCU is Trevor Slattery.
In situation comedy, it would be the Kramer/Reverend Jim sort of character.
One thing I like about that kind of character is that they sort of exist outside the rules of the drama. Expecting depths is sort of missing the point.
Whether it fits with the tone of the series (and the tone definitely is very much the point of this series) to have Wong demonstrate that he's not only a slightly oblivious comedy character but also The Sorcerer Supreme, I couldn't say. That there's a never-to-be-made series about Wong and Madisynn sitting on a sofa working their way through box sets and sipping cocktails is something I find amusing. Who knows, she may learn some magic.
posted by Grangousier at 3:14 AM on September 9, 2022 [15 favorites]
In situation comedy, it would be the Kramer/Reverend Jim sort of character.
One thing I like about that kind of character is that they sort of exist outside the rules of the drama. Expecting depths is sort of missing the point.
Whether it fits with the tone of the series (and the tone definitely is very much the point of this series) to have Wong demonstrate that he's not only a slightly oblivious comedy character but also The Sorcerer Supreme, I couldn't say. That there's a never-to-be-made series about Wong and Madisynn sitting on a sofa working their way through box sets and sipping cocktails is something I find amusing. Who knows, she may learn some magic.
posted by Grangousier at 3:14 AM on September 9, 2022 [15 favorites]
Actually, I might be wrong, but fully-formed front-and-centre examples of that kind of character (with their name on the cover and everything) would be Squirrel Girl or Ambush Bug. But the Ambush Bug who used to turn up in Superman comics rather than the one with his own book.
posted by Grangousier at 3:17 AM on September 9, 2022
posted by Grangousier at 3:17 AM on September 9, 2022
the thing about Madisynn is that she acts like a regressive stereotype but the second time you see her she’s successfully navigated a fire land, a goblin land, and a deal with a demon, and she has a still-beating heart in her hand. Despite her affect she is as capable as any MCU hero. I’d be down for an I Am Groot style mini-mini-series about her adventure—call it Multiverse of Madisynness.
Wong suing Donny Blaze felt weak, though—the Sorcerer Supreme tasked with protecting our realm from mystic threats would just have taken the damn sling ring away from him. And even if not, since Donny was imperiling people, there would be criminal charges and not a civil case—he would have been arrested by police before going to trial. I was glad to see Wong at least put Donny in the mirror dimension in the closing credit montage. (Though I did like the lawyer’s defense that Madisynn’s experience was spooky in a fun way, which is the sweet spot for magic.)
(When I saw Wong in court in a preview image for the episode, I thought he’d been arrested for breaking Blonsky out of jail, which seems like a more natural plot progression.)
Last week the Wrecking Crew unsuccessfully tried to pierce Jen’s skin with a metal needle, and this week Jen had a creepy date who asked her if a vibranium needle would pierce her skin. Totally unconnected, I’m sure.
posted by ejs at 5:02 AM on September 9, 2022 [24 favorites]
Wong suing Donny Blaze felt weak, though—the Sorcerer Supreme tasked with protecting our realm from mystic threats would just have taken the damn sling ring away from him. And even if not, since Donny was imperiling people, there would be criminal charges and not a civil case—he would have been arrested by police before going to trial. I was glad to see Wong at least put Donny in the mirror dimension in the closing credit montage. (Though I did like the lawyer’s defense that Madisynn’s experience was spooky in a fun way, which is the sweet spot for magic.)
(When I saw Wong in court in a preview image for the episode, I thought he’d been arrested for breaking Blonsky out of jail, which seems like a more natural plot progression.)
Last week the Wrecking Crew unsuccessfully tried to pierce Jen’s skin with a metal needle, and this week Jen had a creepy date who asked her if a vibranium needle would pierce her skin. Totally unconnected, I’m sure.
posted by ejs at 5:02 AM on September 9, 2022 [24 favorites]
Me and probably a lot of other people are wondering if Donny Blaze is related to Johnny Blaze.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 5:16 AM on September 9, 2022 [11 favorites]
posted by 1970s Antihero at 5:16 AM on September 9, 2022 [11 favorites]
I am very, very glad I'm not single right now, because Madisynn has made me realize that while that kind of woman would most likely deeply irritate me after the first day or so, I would nevertheless be horribly fascinated for just long enough to do myself some emotional injury.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 5:40 AM on September 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 5:40 AM on September 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
Multiverse of Madisynness
Perfect.
I enjoyed this episode thoroughly. Wong has been played as the straight man to the humor since the first Dr. Strange movie, so that's nothing new. Madisynn stole every scene, and calling him "Wongers" and being oblivious to his Sorceror Supreme role deflates how seriously Wong has been taking it. Good fun.
Jen struggling with dating as She-Hulk vs Jen is very much part of her character from the comics, and I thorougly enjoyed that as well.
posted by Fleebnork at 6:03 AM on September 9, 2022 [11 favorites]
Perfect.
I enjoyed this episode thoroughly. Wong has been played as the straight man to the humor since the first Dr. Strange movie, so that's nothing new. Madisynn stole every scene, and calling him "Wongers" and being oblivious to his Sorceror Supreme role deflates how seriously Wong has been taking it. Good fun.
Jen struggling with dating as She-Hulk vs Jen is very much part of her character from the comics, and I thorougly enjoyed that as well.
posted by Fleebnork at 6:03 AM on September 9, 2022 [11 favorites]
I enjoyed this, despite it feeling like it wanted the laughs more than anything else and that it was really a filler episode. Not sure that having the Plantiff's lawyer in Hulk form, brandishing a demon from another dimension, is really a good faith negotiation tactic.
My main takeaway was that Jen is lonely and so is Wong; Wong only seems to have Strange to hang with, and Strange is a dick in multiple dimensions. Anyways, he mentioned they had some yak milk and vodka left over from the wedding - whose wedding?
posted by nubs at 6:07 AM on September 9, 2022 [7 favorites]
My main takeaway was that Jen is lonely and so is Wong; Wong only seems to have Strange to hang with, and Strange is a dick in multiple dimensions. Anyways, he mentioned they had some yak milk and vodka left over from the wedding - whose wedding?
posted by nubs at 6:07 AM on September 9, 2022 [7 favorites]
the thing about Madisynn is that she acts like a regressive stereotype but the second time you see her she’s successfully navigated a fire land, a goblin land, and a deal with a demon, and she has a still-beating heart in her hand. Despite her affect she is as capable as any MCU hero. I’d be down for an I Am Groot style mini-mini-series about her adventure—call it Multiverse of Madisynness.
Madisynn needs to meet up with Darcy for a road trip.
I’m digging the series because it’s light and seemingly low stakes, while offering a view of everyday life in the MCU.
It’s not perfect, but it’s very enjoyable and that’s appreciated.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:13 AM on September 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
Madisynn needs to meet up with Darcy for a road trip.
I’m digging the series because it’s light and seemingly low stakes, while offering a view of everyday life in the MCU.
It’s not perfect, but it’s very enjoyable and that’s appreciated.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:13 AM on September 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
The New Rockstars summary speculated that Madisynn might become the vehicle for introducing Mephisto, since she's apparently signed away her soul in a hell dimension.
The court case is the weakest bit because we haven't established that American law in Marvel has any recognition of magic (or superheroism) at all, unless I missed something. What is there for the judge to rule on?
But there should be something. You have the Sekovia Accords and whatever laws were used to allow New Asgard to exist.
Damn it, this is a lawyer show, I need to see some legal jargon and people discussing precedent.
posted by emjaybee at 6:52 AM on September 9, 2022 [7 favorites]
The court case is the weakest bit because we haven't established that American law in Marvel has any recognition of magic (or superheroism) at all, unless I missed something. What is there for the judge to rule on?
But there should be something. You have the Sekovia Accords and whatever laws were used to allow New Asgard to exist.
Damn it, this is a lawyer show, I need to see some legal jargon and people discussing precedent.
posted by emjaybee at 6:52 AM on September 9, 2022 [7 favorites]
Last week the Wrecking Crew unsuccessfully tried to pierce Jen’s skin with a metal needle, and this week Jen had a creepy date who asked her if a vibranium needle would pierce her skin. Totally unconnected, I’m sure.
I'm guessing that Titania is setting up an "Agatha All Along" finale.
Also liking Madisynn's whole thing. And if the Kamar-Taj people were going to confiscate the sling rings of drop-outs and flunk-outs, I'd think that they would do that when the person left? Or maybe the combined disruptions of Kaecilius and Wanda Maximoff have thrown them off their stride? Maybe they need some sort of mystical version of Damage Control, where they go around and shut down the Criss Angel wannabes. Hey, we haven't heard from Earth-616's Mordo for a while, and that was sort of his thing anyway... anyone for a Mordo & Madisynn: Mystic Magistrates spin-off?
posted by Halloween Jack at 6:54 AM on September 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'm guessing that Titania is setting up an "Agatha All Along" finale.
Also liking Madisynn's whole thing. And if the Kamar-Taj people were going to confiscate the sling rings of drop-outs and flunk-outs, I'd think that they would do that when the person left? Or maybe the combined disruptions of Kaecilius and Wanda Maximoff have thrown them off their stride? Maybe they need some sort of mystical version of Damage Control, where they go around and shut down the Criss Angel wannabes. Hey, we haven't heard from Earth-616's Mordo for a while, and that was sort of his thing anyway... anyone for a Mordo & Madisynn: Mystic Magistrates spin-off?
posted by Halloween Jack at 6:54 AM on September 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
This was my least favorite episode. I did love the She-Hulk/Wongers demon battle and, with the exception of the mid-credits scene, I did like Madisynn. She was pretty badass in her other dimension adventure. Otherwise, most of the humor felt really flat in this one. The IP lawyer in the house was nearly apoplectic with rage at the ridiculous trademark infringement suit from Titania, since trademark goes to first-to-use not first-to-file.
I have really enjoyed the show so far though, so I'm happy to let them slide here.
posted by ceejaytee at 7:32 AM on September 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
I have really enjoyed the show so far though, so I'm happy to let them slide here.
posted by ceejaytee at 7:32 AM on September 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
We know from Spider-Man: No Way Home that sling rings don't work unless you have magical abilities. So maybe they're not that hard to make, if they're just a focus for a magician's own power.
posted by TheophileEscargot at 7:36 AM on September 9, 2022
posted by TheophileEscargot at 7:36 AM on September 9, 2022
I totally don't understand why Titania only exists as a character in the media and one cameo in episode one. Seems like a weird choice to keep the main villain (?) off-screen for weeks.
I gather that in the fullness of time, we will learn of how much rearranging of the series went on in post-production. Wasn’t the actual reveal of how Jen got her Hulkness supposed to happen in episode eight or something? They’ve done their best to paper over the cracks but there are still a few weird lacunae I can sense in the narrative where edges do not quite line up.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:37 AM on September 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I gather that in the fullness of time, we will learn of how much rearranging of the series went on in post-production. Wasn’t the actual reveal of how Jen got her Hulkness supposed to happen in episode eight or something? They’ve done their best to paper over the cracks but there are still a few weird lacunae I can sense in the narrative where edges do not quite line up.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:37 AM on September 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
But bear in mind that similarly, Kingpin did not surface until the very end of Hawkeye (and Hawkeye wasn’t even the main character of Hawkeye).
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:39 AM on September 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:39 AM on September 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
nubs:
posted by Schmucko at 8:07 AM on September 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
Anyways, he mentioned they had some yak milk and vodka left over from the wedding - whose wedding?I was thrown by that too, and thought perhaps Wong and Madisynn and Wong had married off screen. But... now I'm thinking: Multiverse of Madness started with Dr. Strange attending the wedding of his ex, didn't it? I don't remember if Wong was there.
posted by Schmucko at 8:07 AM on September 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
Wasn’t the actual reveal of how Jen got her Hulkness supposed to happen in episode eight or something?
Yes, but test audiences kept wondering how she got her powers, so they moved it up.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:10 AM on September 9, 2022
Yes, but test audiences kept wondering how she got her powers, so they moved it up.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:10 AM on September 9, 2022
Madisynn might become the vehicle for introducing Mephisto
Why are some people so obsessed with introducing Mephisto? Wandavision was supposed to be all about Mephisto, too. Is Mephisto even everso-slightly interesting and I've completely missed it over the last forty years I've been aware of his existence? I just remember him being red, and not even that in the black-and-white reprints I used to read as a child.
posted by Grangousier at 9:00 AM on September 9, 2022 [6 favorites]
Why are some people so obsessed with introducing Mephisto? Wandavision was supposed to be all about Mephisto, too. Is Mephisto even everso-slightly interesting and I've completely missed it over the last forty years I've been aware of his existence? I just remember him being red, and not even that in the black-and-white reprints I used to read as a child.
posted by Grangousier at 9:00 AM on September 9, 2022 [6 favorites]
This is the ep that should be Exhibit 1 for upping the budget or production timeline because, while I thank god for Tatiana Maslany's expressive voice, every time she's in Hulk mode I miss her as-expressive face. They almost got it but this clear aesthetic choice that girl Hulks can't have normal amount of wrinkles & texture makes it like... idk, Space Jam.
posted by cendawanita at 9:39 AM on September 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by cendawanita at 9:39 AM on September 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
I had to give up on watching New Rockstars not just because of the Mephisto thing, but because of how they keep speculating on insignificant details like that. They also spent a whole lot of time talking about how Ms Marvel could actually be an Inhuman, when ultimately, it doesn't matter if she's an Inhuman or a Mutant or whatever. It's just a tiny detail of Kamala's overall narrative. The same with Mephisto. nbd if he shows up.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 10:15 AM on September 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by 1970s Antihero at 10:15 AM on September 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
Grangousier, just some appreciation for the deep-cuts Reverend Jim reference.
posted by kokaku at 10:30 AM on September 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by kokaku at 10:30 AM on September 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Why are some people so obsessed with introducing Mephisto?
I'm guessing that they want an MCU archvillain to replace Thanos, and Kang is taking a while to really spin up (he's expected in the next Ant-Man movie, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which isn't due until February). He's easy to hate because he's the Kirkland-brand Satan and he fucks with people. I agree that he's really kind of bland, and probably (AFAIK, I don't really follow most Marvel and DC comics these days) best known now for the regrettable retcon of Spider-Man's marriage. Then again, TBH, the MCU and Josh Brolin helped make Thanos more interesting than he'd ever really been, so who knows.
Anyway, besides Kang, if the MCU wants an archvillain to tie things together for the big crossover movies, they have access to the X-Men's rogues gallery now, not to mention Victor von Doom. (Doom, and most of the major X-villains for that matter, have already had outings in movies, but Marvel seems to be working on reboots; it would be difficult to do worse than the previous movie Dooms, certainly.)
posted by Halloween Jack at 10:37 AM on September 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'm guessing that they want an MCU archvillain to replace Thanos, and Kang is taking a while to really spin up (he's expected in the next Ant-Man movie, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which isn't due until February). He's easy to hate because he's the Kirkland-brand Satan and he fucks with people. I agree that he's really kind of bland, and probably (AFAIK, I don't really follow most Marvel and DC comics these days) best known now for the regrettable retcon of Spider-Man's marriage. Then again, TBH, the MCU and Josh Brolin helped make Thanos more interesting than he'd ever really been, so who knows.
Anyway, besides Kang, if the MCU wants an archvillain to tie things together for the big crossover movies, they have access to the X-Men's rogues gallery now, not to mention Victor von Doom. (Doom, and most of the major X-villains for that matter, have already had outings in movies, but Marvel seems to be working on reboots; it would be difficult to do worse than the previous movie Dooms, certainly.)
posted by Halloween Jack at 10:37 AM on September 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I like She-Hulk because it's fun and low stakes and I hope they don't try to plot it up. I get that's part of the MCU but I get tired of the whole "but where is this going??????" attitude. Does it need to go anywhere? What if it's just playful superhero lawyer show and that it? Does that mean it's bad?
(This is not really directed at anyone here.)
Maslany is so adorable and is clearly having so much fun. Parts of the show could be better but I like how they're leaning fully into the comedy aspects of it. Comic books are ridiculous and goofy, after all, and I like seeing that.
posted by edencosmic at 10:37 AM on September 9, 2022 [15 favorites]
(This is not really directed at anyone here.)
Maslany is so adorable and is clearly having so much fun. Parts of the show could be better but I like how they're leaning fully into the comedy aspects of it. Comic books are ridiculous and goofy, after all, and I like seeing that.
posted by edencosmic at 10:37 AM on September 9, 2022 [15 favorites]
What wedding was Wong referring to in the end credits? Where he was talking to Madisynn about vodka an yak milk.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:51 AM on September 9, 2022
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:51 AM on September 9, 2022
I really enjoyed this episode. I dont really get the fillter complaints here: unlike other Marvel shows where the over arcing plot really matters, this is a lawyer show! Episode of the week is just fine if theyre going to be as entertaining as this
posted by Cannon Fodder at 11:01 AM on September 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Cannon Fodder at 11:01 AM on September 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
Oh, I'd love a plain ol' superhero law case-of-the-week dramedy too, but it very much seems like they're setting up something.
posted by Halloween Jack at 12:34 PM on September 9, 2022
posted by Halloween Jack at 12:34 PM on September 9, 2022
Oh, I'd love a plain ol' superhero law case-of-the-week dramedy too, but it very much seems like they're setting up something.
Well it wouldn't be a Disney+ MCU show if everything fun and interesting and unique from the first five episodes wasn't swept aside for the climactic fight in the sixth. (I kid because I love.)
posted by ejs at 1:02 PM on September 9, 2022 [6 favorites]
Well it wouldn't be a Disney+ MCU show if everything fun and interesting and unique from the first five episodes wasn't swept aside for the climactic fight in the sixth. (I kid because I love.)
posted by ejs at 1:02 PM on September 9, 2022 [6 favorites]
Multiverse of Madisynness
Oh hell yes
posted by schoolgirl report at 1:27 PM on September 9, 2022 [5 favorites]
Oh hell yes
posted by schoolgirl report at 1:27 PM on September 9, 2022 [5 favorites]
I wasn't thinking Mephisto but Ilyana's dimension. I was also really disappointed with Jen's approach to the case. Surely, there would have been a better argument to be made of misuse of the proprietary technology (sling ring) by somebody who should have returned it once he was expelled from the program, thereby jeopardizing the reputation of all legitimate sling ring wielders, not to mention something about kidnapping (forcing audience members outside of state lines against their will), or something else that makes more legal sense.
Overall, this felt like a really short episode. I have no idea of what the actual runtime was.
posted by sardonyx at 3:06 PM on September 9, 2022
Overall, this felt like a really short episode. I have no idea of what the actual runtime was.
posted by sardonyx at 3:06 PM on September 9, 2022
I'm going to recommend Kurt Busiek's Astro City for stories about "normal life" in a superhero world. The stories often touch on little-considered aspects of such a life. For example, in one story a very busy superhero counts the minutes that he's allowed to simply enjoy flying while zipping from crisis to crisis. In another, a man is confronted with dreams of another life, a life in which he was happy somewhere else in the multiverse before it was retconned out of existence. There aren't a lot of Big Event stories, just ponderings of the repercussions of having supers in the world.
posted by SPrintF at 3:09 PM on September 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by SPrintF at 3:09 PM on September 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
I'd think if Mephisto was going to pop up in the MCU, it'd (first) be in the new Daredevil D+ series aka "season 4" in a plot borrowing from the Ann Nocenti run on the comic.
posted by Fiberoptic Zebroid and The Hypnagogic Jerks at 3:24 PM on September 9, 2022
posted by Fiberoptic Zebroid and The Hypnagogic Jerks at 3:24 PM on September 9, 2022
I really like the direction that this show is going, I hope the showrunners have the juice to keep it up.
Digging Maslany's Jen for sure.
posted by porpoise at 6:37 PM on September 9, 2022
Digging Maslany's Jen for sure.
posted by porpoise at 6:37 PM on September 9, 2022
Madisynn was a hoot. She’s like a gender-swapped Jason Mendoza.
And now I want to see them team up for adventures in the multi-verse.
posted by los pantalones del muerte at 11:04 PM on September 9, 2022 [23 favorites]
And now I want to see them team up for adventures in the multi-verse.
posted by los pantalones del muerte at 11:04 PM on September 9, 2022 [23 favorites]
"When you meet someone irritating, try to imagine they are a Zen master who is trying to teach you something." : I canNOT remember where I read this coping mechanism, but "gender-swapped Jason Mendoza" just brought it back to my memory. Please let Wong finally realize what Madisynn is trying to teach him. :)
posted by Mogur at 4:12 AM on September 10, 2022 [14 favorites]
posted by Mogur at 4:12 AM on September 10, 2022 [14 favorites]
The IP lawyer in the house was nearly apoplectic with rage at the ridiculous trademark infringement suit from Titania, since trademark goes to first-to-use not first-to-file. For what it's worth, Jen was also scoffing at the lawsuit as she took the papers. "Is that how it works, Your Honor?"
posted by Mogur at 5:29 AM on September 10, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by Mogur at 5:29 AM on September 10, 2022 [5 favorites]
Madisynn and Tynnyfer (parks & rec) need to have a travel show or something.
posted by alchemist at 6:15 AM on September 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by alchemist at 6:15 AM on September 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
The IP lawyer in the house was nearly apoplectic with rage at the ridiculous trademark infringement suit from Titania, since trademark goes to first-to-use not first-to-file. For what it's worth, Jen was also scoffing at the lawsuit as she took the papers. "Is that how it works, Your Honor?"
But, did Jen actually, publicly use the She-Hulk name before the trademark was filed? She pretty roundly decried the name when the fans came up with it.
posted by Thorzdad at 7:34 AM on September 10, 2022
But, did Jen actually, publicly use the She-Hulk name before the trademark was filed? She pretty roundly decried the name when the fans came up with it.
posted by Thorzdad at 7:34 AM on September 10, 2022
I believe she used it on the dating profile? I would assume that counts as public.
posted by tautological at 8:39 AM on September 10, 2022
posted by tautological at 8:39 AM on September 10, 2022
Can Kanye West trademark "Ye" despite all of the "Ye Olde Tea Shoppes"? Is his "Ye" the same word as their "Ye"? (Well, no. The "Ye Olde" "Ye" is actually a thorn. The more you know!) Still, it seems like "intent to build a brand" should be in there somewhere.
posted by SPrintF at 9:43 AM on September 10, 2022
posted by SPrintF at 9:43 AM on September 10, 2022
Considering that She-Hulk was originally created for intellectual property protection, charging her with trademark infringement is hysterically meta.
posted by cheshyre at 11:59 AM on September 10, 2022 [13 favorites]
posted by cheshyre at 11:59 AM on September 10, 2022 [13 favorites]
If they're not gonna have Jen do much superhero hulking, they need to at least have her do some cooler lawyer stuff. Helping Wong sue a guy for doing magic wrong ain't it.
So far, Jen's legal prowess consists of 1) having an assistant who is sufficiently hot to get Wong to return her messages about Blonsky*, and 2) threatening her client's opponent by waving a demon in his face. Although the second could arguably be characterized as "Look at this. I'm gonna show the judge exactly what kind of trouble you caused unless you agree to desist." For a moment it seemed like Jen might make an interesting case about Blonsky being under the influence of the the government's experimental attempt at a Super Soldier serum. But that got dropped.
A problem with Jen being a lawyer is that it makes it harder to suspend our disbelief at all the ways superheroes tend to do stuff that ranges from dubiously legal to super illegal. Hitting people or threateningly brandishing her hulk muscles at them is not allowed!
*Also Wong's "I grabbed Blonsky 'cause I needed somebody strong to train against" explanation was neither a sufficiently cool Shang Chi payoff nor a sufficiently funny She Hulk joke. Disappointing.
posted by straight at 2:42 PM on September 10, 2022 [4 favorites]
So far, Jen's legal prowess consists of 1) having an assistant who is sufficiently hot to get Wong to return her messages about Blonsky*, and 2) threatening her client's opponent by waving a demon in his face. Although the second could arguably be characterized as "Look at this. I'm gonna show the judge exactly what kind of trouble you caused unless you agree to desist." For a moment it seemed like Jen might make an interesting case about Blonsky being under the influence of the the government's experimental attempt at a Super Soldier serum. But that got dropped.
A problem with Jen being a lawyer is that it makes it harder to suspend our disbelief at all the ways superheroes tend to do stuff that ranges from dubiously legal to super illegal. Hitting people or threateningly brandishing her hulk muscles at them is not allowed!
*Also Wong's "I grabbed Blonsky 'cause I needed somebody strong to train against" explanation was neither a sufficiently cool Shang Chi payoff nor a sufficiently funny She Hulk joke. Disappointing.
posted by straight at 2:42 PM on September 10, 2022 [4 favorites]
Still happy with the show. Beloved Spouse still enjoys the show.
Yeah, the tone does feel kind of uneven, and I'm okay with that because the comic runs were often uneven (for various reasons. (But I understand why folks might want it to settle down.)
Yeah, I do want to see Jen be more of a lawyer badass, and I thought the argument against Donny should have focused more on the harm Donny was doing with the sling ring.
I was happy to see Jen handling the demon attack alongside Wong. That felt like a lot of the comics appearances I've liked, where Jen gets pressed into Avengers business on the fly.
And yesterday, Marvel put out a Sneak Peek of the upcoming bits. More Titania conflict. More Mallory Book. More Matt Murdock.
posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 5:03 PM on September 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Yeah, the tone does feel kind of uneven, and I'm okay with that because the comic runs were often uneven (for various reasons. (But I understand why folks might want it to settle down.)
Yeah, I do want to see Jen be more of a lawyer badass, and I thought the argument against Donny should have focused more on the harm Donny was doing with the sling ring.
I was happy to see Jen handling the demon attack alongside Wong. That felt like a lot of the comics appearances I've liked, where Jen gets pressed into Avengers business on the fly.
And yesterday, Marvel put out a Sneak Peek of the upcoming bits. More Titania conflict. More Mallory Book. More Matt Murdock.
posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 5:03 PM on September 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
I would love an indepth procedural about superhero law and order, but I would also love to go for bottomless gin and tonics with Madisynn and Wongers. This silly show is fun.
Also I enjoyed the "why is that even an alert" joke about no new matches, but my boyfriend was deeply offended by the premise that Tatiana Maslany would not be a hit on the dating apps, corporate headshot profile pic or no. This is where his suspension of disbelief broke, and fair enough.
posted by the primroses were over at 7:28 PM on September 10, 2022 [8 favorites]
Also I enjoyed the "why is that even an alert" joke about no new matches, but my boyfriend was deeply offended by the premise that Tatiana Maslany would not be a hit on the dating apps, corporate headshot profile pic or no. This is where his suspension of disbelief broke, and fair enough.
posted by the primroses were over at 7:28 PM on September 10, 2022 [8 favorites]
Q: What wedding was Wong referring to in the end credits? Where he was talking to Madisynn about vodka an yak milk.
A: Multiverse of Madness started with Dr. Strange attending the wedding of his ex, didn't it?
The dating site had a QR code pointing to a free comic on marvel.com - currently Avengers West Coast #4, though that might change from day to day.
posted by Pronoiac at 10:32 PM on September 10, 2022
A: Multiverse of Madness started with Dr. Strange attending the wedding of his ex, didn't it?
The dating site had a QR code pointing to a free comic on marvel.com - currently Avengers West Coast #4, though that might change from day to day.
posted by Pronoiac at 10:32 PM on September 10, 2022
This suit wouldn't have been out of place out in Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law. Which is great, because I loved that show. DidyagetthatthingIsentya?
The hot doctor is a cliche, but the way he dismissed Jen immediately hurt. And she had orange juice and everything!
Also Wongers and Madisynn's Excellent Adventure needs to be greenlit immediately.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 10:42 PM on September 10, 2022 [7 favorites]
The hot doctor is a cliche, but the way he dismissed Jen immediately hurt. And she had orange juice and everything!
Also Wongers and Madisynn's Excellent Adventure needs to be greenlit immediately.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 10:42 PM on September 10, 2022 [7 favorites]
I believe she used it on the dating profile? I would assume that counts as public.
That was also a relatively (in comic time) long time after the public coined the term, and long after Titania arrived on the scene. I think we’re going to enjoy some tricky tv courtroom fun over this.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:46 AM on September 11, 2022
That was also a relatively (in comic time) long time after the public coined the term, and long after Titania arrived on the scene. I think we’re going to enjoy some tricky tv courtroom fun over this.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:46 AM on September 11, 2022
I've enjoyed the series so far and I really loved Wong and Madisynn's vibe. I immediately thought of Hitchhikers Guide re. the gin and tonics (jynnan tonnyx). I want to see outtakes from their Multiverse pub crawl, sampling all the local drinks and snacks, with Madisynn spoiling every hit show in every 'verse.
posted by skye.dancer at 10:00 AM on September 11, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by skye.dancer at 10:00 AM on September 11, 2022 [2 favorites]
Somewhat OT but not really: Marvel recently revealed the cast of Thunderbolts, a 2024 movie based on the comic that featured former/secret supervillains, and in this incarnation draws from the casts of Black Widow and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, plus Ghost from Ant-Man and the Wasp. Not listed is the Abomination, whom I was kind of speculating might end up as the team's heavy hitter; other people not on the team include Baron Zemo (who was in the original incarnation of the comics team) and Trish Walker/Hellcat (last seen getting sent out to the Raft in Jessica Jones). Not that they couldn't be part of the movie anyway. In D&D terms, the team seems pretty rogue/fighter heavy.
posted by Halloween Jack at 1:54 PM on September 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Halloween Jack at 1:54 PM on September 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
I enjoyed it. Madisynn comes off as dumb/ridiculous/drunk and then somehow it becomes sillier and sillier but in a good way, especially since she IS actually hanging out with "Wongers."
"the thing about Madisynn is that she acts like a regressive stereotype but the second time you see her she’s successfully navigated a fire land, a goblin land, and a deal with a demon, and she has a still-beating heart in her hand. Despite her affect she is as capable as any MCU hero."
LOL, this is GREAT.
If this is going to be Superhero Law Case Of The Week, this fits with it nicely. I did sort of think, "Hey, why don't they distinguish between "magic tricks" and actual magic legally, and also "they teach you to open fire holes within the first week?!"
Dating in your thirties: wait until you're over 40 and they all still suck, girl.
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:55 PM on September 11, 2022 [5 favorites]
"the thing about Madisynn is that she acts like a regressive stereotype but the second time you see her she’s successfully navigated a fire land, a goblin land, and a deal with a demon, and she has a still-beating heart in her hand. Despite her affect she is as capable as any MCU hero."
LOL, this is GREAT.
If this is going to be Superhero Law Case Of The Week, this fits with it nicely. I did sort of think, "Hey, why don't they distinguish between "magic tricks" and actual magic legally, and also "they teach you to open fire holes within the first week?!"
Dating in your thirties: wait until you're over 40 and they all still suck, girl.
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:55 PM on September 11, 2022 [5 favorites]
Gosh darn it I want more baron zemo
posted by bq at 9:32 PM on September 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by bq at 9:32 PM on September 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
Team Madisynn all the way! “Have you had a tequila sunrise?…Have you had a Long Island iced tea?…Have you had straight vodka?” is so perfectly early-20s.
I’m currently losing it at this.
posted by MrBadExample at 10:01 PM on September 11, 2022 [6 favorites]
I’m currently losing it at this.
posted by MrBadExample at 10:01 PM on September 11, 2022 [6 favorites]
Jen is still adorbs and in complete Eleanor speak - a total snack.
Madisynn is silly and hysterical.
This is the first of the Marvel D+ shows that I've been able to watch past week 2 without having to take a break. (and I've enjoyed them all... just more leisurely)
posted by drewbage1847 at 10:53 PM on September 11, 2022
Madisynn is silly and hysterical.
This is the first of the Marvel D+ shows that I've been able to watch past week 2 without having to take a break. (and I've enjoyed them all... just more leisurely)
posted by drewbage1847 at 10:53 PM on September 11, 2022
The IP lawyer in the house was nearly apoplectic with rage at the ridiculous trademark infringement suit from Titania, since trademark goes to first-to-use not first-to-file.
That doesn't preclude someone filing a suit, though, does it? My limited experience with trademarks (that is, things related to trademark and open source like dispute over Linux as a trademark) is that a bad actor can file first and cause problems even if they lose in the end. (Also, they had to 1) pull Titania in somehow, and 2) establish she's a jerk, apparently.)
So far this is my favorite episode and seemed to elicit the most enjoyment from the rest of the fam. Wong, sorry "Wongers," getting into The Sopranos nearly 20 years late and then having the final season spoiled was hilarious to me for some reason. I would totally watch a commentary series with Madisynn and Wong watching TV or movies.
I like the theories that Madisynn is going to be how Mephisto gets into the series, and might have a tie-in with Daredevil / Matt Murdock.
At least for my money, casting is the MCU's real superpower. Even when the stories or scripts are a bit thin, I enjoy the cast so much that I don't find that I care very much.
posted by jzb at 7:06 AM on September 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
That doesn't preclude someone filing a suit, though, does it? My limited experience with trademarks (that is, things related to trademark and open source like dispute over Linux as a trademark) is that a bad actor can file first and cause problems even if they lose in the end. (Also, they had to 1) pull Titania in somehow, and 2) establish she's a jerk, apparently.)
So far this is my favorite episode and seemed to elicit the most enjoyment from the rest of the fam. Wong, sorry "Wongers," getting into The Sopranos nearly 20 years late and then having the final season spoiled was hilarious to me for some reason. I would totally watch a commentary series with Madisynn and Wong watching TV or movies.
I like the theories that Madisynn is going to be how Mephisto gets into the series, and might have a tie-in with Daredevil / Matt Murdock.
At least for my money, casting is the MCU's real superpower. Even when the stories or scripts are a bit thin, I enjoy the cast so much that I don't find that I care very much.
posted by jzb at 7:06 AM on September 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
Apparently the D23 event showed more of the scene with (non Hulk) Jen and Daredevil on a roof and they have a moment because her heart beats faster around him and he can hear it? That would be super cute honestly. Someone who appreciates both her superhero and lawyer sides.
Did they hook up in the comics...?
posted by emjaybee at 10:26 AM on September 12, 2022
Did they hook up in the comics...?
posted by emjaybee at 10:26 AM on September 12, 2022
Apparently not? But it would amuse me SO MUCH that out of all the NMCU lore that gets ported over, it's his (comics accurate) sluttiness. They did go against each other in court though.
That scene is apparently up on yt, as part of their midseason sneak peek.
posted by cendawanita at 11:01 AM on September 12, 2022 [3 favorites]
That scene is apparently up on yt, as part of their midseason sneak peek.
posted by cendawanita at 11:01 AM on September 12, 2022 [3 favorites]
Gosh darn it I want more baron zemo
Oh god, can you imagine him and Madisynn dancing?!
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:24 AM on September 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
Oh god, can you imagine him and Madisynn dancing?!
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:24 AM on September 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
Since it pops up in the midseason sneak peek... can I just complain about the fact that the show uses the hook from Tom Tom Club's "Genius Of Love" but taken from Latto's "Big Energy" which apparently samples the hook from Mariah Carey's "Fantasy."
They may have played a more substantial bit at some point, but I keep noticing them using just the hook so... why not just go with the original?
posted by jzb at 1:11 PM on September 13, 2022
They may have played a more substantial bit at some point, but I keep noticing them using just the hook so... why not just go with the original?
posted by jzb at 1:11 PM on September 13, 2022
Also I enjoyed the "why is that even an alert" joke about no new matches
I also liked that her home screen wallpaper is Captain America's butt.
posted by Superilla at 7:10 PM on October 1, 2022
I also liked that her home screen wallpaper is Captain America's butt.
posted by Superilla at 7:10 PM on October 1, 2022
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Donny Blaze and Madisynn were totally cringe and while I like this show for not having world-ending stakes, I need to care about the case of the week. I do love Wong but going to the "funny Wong" well two weeks in a row seems like a bad idea.
I totally don't understand why Titania only exists as a character in the media and one cameo in episode one. Seems like a weird choice to keep the main villain (?) off-screen for weeks.
This show is 9 episodes, so we're almost half way through and it's a shame this one felt so much like filler.
posted by crossoverman at 11:16 PM on September 8, 2022