Ms. Marvel: Season 1 – Episode 4 ‘Seeing Red’ REVIEW
“Seeing Red” begins by asking why Kamala can travel to Karachi. In a hilarious exchange between her mother and a citizen caught in the middle, it is revealed that Kamala cannot travel to Karachi to visit her grandmother as she is too old. This is a plausible storyline, but Marvel should have reorganized their story to avoid this. This week’s comic relief is Kamala’s cousins, who are introduced at the airport. They aren’t overly present, which is a plus.
Karachi is much more alive than New Jersey’s streets, which are indistinguishable from New York. Karachi is alive with tuk-tuks cruising through the streets. There are also many colorful shops along the narrow roads. The MCU looks better when it leaves America’s streets, which are the same.
Iman Vellani plays a more relaxed role in “Seeing Red,” mostly as a confused tourist who learns about Karachi’s history, purchases souvenirs, and receives some information about her powers and the stakes. This helps clear up the villains’ goals. Although they are generic, villains are seldom where Marvel shines. The interdimensional beings seem to be the real villains of the show. The Department of Damage Control is relegated as an afterthought.
Kamala is given this exposition by the Red Daggers. They are an organization that studies interdimensional beings as well as the bangle. This is quite a departure from the Red Dagger comics, which was merely Kareem’s nickname. They also seem to be experts in knife fighting and have been doing so for generations. This is a refreshing departure from Red Dagger’s comic book origins that taught people how to use knives and guns online.
Kamala and Kareem fight briefly. This shows that Kamala is becoming more skilled with her powers, learning how to use them. Her powers are now crystal-like and can shatter when broken. The fight sequences are now more visually appealing, and hopefully, this trend will continue into the final episodes.
It is implied that Kareem could fall in love with Kamala, but this would be a mistake. Their relationship is very superficial. This would make it seem like they are in love. The romance that the show previously created with Kamran would be much more compelling if Marvel only addressed his familial connections with Kamala.
They make it to Pakistan and chase the Red Daggers, Kamala, and Kamala. They take advantage of the verticality that Karachi has to offer and not just a run through the streets in America. Although the leader of Red Daggers is killed, it has no impact on the audience. He is only introduced in the opening scene. His main purpose was to provide exposition. The audience doesn’t care much about him. Despite the fact that ‘Seeing Red” shows them as having a close mentor-student relationship, Kareem doesn’t get a chance to his reaction.
‘Seeing Red’ offers a better balance of superpowers, interdimensional beings, and family. Kamala spends time with her grandmother who she has never met in person. Kamala is as eccentric as her video calls suggest. She takes it all in stride that Kamala and she are interdimensional beings without a problem. It’s surprising because Kamala and the audience thought the opposite. However, it matches her eccentricity.
Muneeba Kamala’s mother also gets to spend time with her, and it is just as awkward as the show is telling us. Muneeba attempts to reach out to her daughter in an episode later, but it’s ruined by the unexpected nature. It is an attempt by Muneeba to show her character has grown and to reach out to Kamala. However, the episode comes across as creepy with Shroff’s voice.
It’s easier to understand the show’s storyline and visuals with ‘Seeing Red’. Although the villains may have a common motivation, it’s not a problem because they play a smaller role. The balance between interdimensional plots and family is better than in previous weeks. This allows the audience to find some answers.
