She-Hulk Episode 3 – “The People Vs. Emil Blonsky” REVIEW
A sitcom’s basic conventions are simple: a group of characters is in a room solving a problem, and there is some humor along the way. This is a proven formula used in many countries since the beginning of regular TV programming in the 1940s. These shows, typically 22 minutes in length, feature 8 minutes of ads per half-hour. They have an A/B plot that intertwines and tell one story.
The concept is simple, but MCU TV shows have struggled to execute it despite its simplicity. Old sitcoms visually inspired some WandaVision episodes. But the disturbing currents that swept through those episodes made them something new. She-Hulk and this episode of She’Hulk are the first Marvel episodes to attempt to incorporate the MCU’s creations into a traditional sitcom format.
“The People Vs. Emil Blonsky” continues with Jen confronting Blonsky about the video of him as an Abomination at an underground cage fight against Wong. (Benedict Wong) This complicates his parole hearing. Jen’s best friend and paralegal Ginger discovers from Wong’s online presence that a photo of Jen with a pile of books will trick him into speaking to them. As Jen is working on this, Josh Segarra (Josh Segarra), her superhuman law division coworker, takes on a case about a shape-shifting Asgardian Light Elf. The latter impersonated Megan Thee Stallion and robbed Jen of her former job.
It sounds crazy and chaotic if you don’t believe it. It is similar to sitcoms such as Community and Parks And Recreation in its energy. It is a constant stream of ideas and jokes, and references. This could lead to something unintelligible, but it never does.
There are some running jokes in “The People Vs. Emil Blonsky” that get too boring. But the show either finds a natural ending or gets into something more entertaining. This is evident in how Megan Thee Stallion’s nickname gets misunderstood by everyone. She finally appears during the end credits to complete the joke.
This bit is significant, and it pays off. However, I think the best parts of this episode are the many ways it uses established MCU lore to make it funny. It’s a fun way to include the entire MCU, most entertainingly. This bit is excellent because the light elf’s defense of “Asgard wasn’t a location” (referring to this moment) is stopped by a judge not amused by her Thor references.
Moments like Abomination with a pair of Crocs, Wong’s strategic use of portals, and a news anchor asking She-Hulk for her fitness tips all take advantage of the comedy inherent in a world full of superheroes. The previous episode was a struggle for me because of how the scenes were used to set up the next MCU event and how it took away from the current show.
They are doing something different in “The People Vs. Emil Blonsky”. They include something from the MCU if it adds to the comedy. The jokes aren’t dependent on the reference. They are still funny enough without it.
I hope that “The People Vs. Emil Blonsky” represents a shift in the season’s direction towards a more traditional sitcom format. It also shows how they interact with the MCU. There is so much material available and so many great actors to call upon that it’s disappointing that so much effort is being put into setting up the next thing. This episode of TV was great and stood alone.
I’m looking forward to the next.
