She-Hulk Just Jen Review: Immortality leads to the best episode of the season

If you were expecting Daredevil after the conclusion of last week’s episode, you may be disappointed. However, Just Jen is the best episode of the series so far.

In the best 4th-wall-breaking scene of the season, Jen tells the audience Just Jen is a wedding episode. She even acknowledges these types of episodes always come at inopportune times, just like getting invited to a real wedding. In the last episode, Titania’s case against Jennifer Walters fizzled out when it came to comedy. Titania works much better in Just Jen as a surprise wedding guest who is only at the wedding to pick a fight with Jen.

While Jen serves as a bridesmaid in a Thursday wedding, Nikki and Mallory work together on a case. Showrunner Jessica Gao clearly realizes Ginger Gonzaga is the show’s breakout star. In the last episode, her pairing with Pug was the comedic highlight. In Just Jen, Nikki and Mallory form a terrific tandem. They take on Mr. Immortal’s case.

He has a pattern of faking his own death to get out of multiple marriages. The premise is funny enough. What takes the subplot even further is Mr. Immortal’s disposition. He is terrified of confrontation and Kara Brown‘s script does a great job of using this cowardly man for maximum comedy.

The fight between Jen and Titania is kept brief which allows all of the other storylines room to breathe. The bride-to-be, Lulu is the perfect bridezilla. On the surface, she doesn’t say anything too offensive, but Tatiana Maslany‘s reactions illustrate how dismissive Lulu is to her former high school friend. Jen also seems to meet a nice guy at the wedding. He doesn’t seem to be too distressed about Jen’s dual identity.

The only issue is Jen showing up as She-Hulk instead of Jen seems like a leap in character development. Even in Just Jen, she mentions she won’t ever have to wear the super suit. Yet, in the next scene, she shows up as She-Hulk. The only reason for Jen to show up as She-Hulk seems to be so the bridge can tell Jen not to steal her spotlight.

Overall, this is a prime example of what She-Hulk should be as a series. Set up a fun, unique case, establish an awkward setting for Jen and keep the action sequences short.

With the overview out of the way, let’s dive deeper into the elements that stood out in Just Jen. There may be some minor spoilers. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is available to stream on Disney Plus.

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Just Jen is pretty awesome

Jen is invited to her friend Lulu’s wedding. Lulu and Jen haven’t spoken much since high school. However, Jen feels like if you’re invited to be a bridesmaid you have to go. Nikki hilariously points out she doesn’t. The opening scene does a great job of once again showing Jen is such a good person.

Jen decides not to pack the super suit created by Luke Jacobson. She shows up at the wedding as She-Hulk. Lulu asks Jen to just be Jen and not She-Hulk during the wedding. She doesn’t want to be overshadowed.

Eventually, Jen escapes outside for some fresh air. Josh Miller joins Jen on the patio. They immediately hit it off. Lulu interrupts the conversation so Jen can clean up. Lulu irritated the wait staff to the point that they quit. Later, Jen discovers Lulu has paired up Jen with Josh as a bridesmaid and groomsman.

Maslany does a great job adding subtle expressions that takes a pretty routine wedding plot up a few notches. Maslany is one of the best actresses I’ve seen at playing an endearing drunk. Her conversation with Josh at the reception is quite sweet and her inability to transform into She-Hulk due to her drinking is hilarious.

Immortality is a coward’s weapon

Unlike the last episode, where Jen and Mallory butt heads on occasion. Mallory and Nikki are a great team. When Mr. Immortal explains his scheme, Nikki and Mallory are incredulous in response to his cowardice.

Renée Elise Goldsberry was terrific in last week’s episode. She’s even better in Just Jen. In last week’s episode, Mallory was forced to be the straight man. While she still comes the closest to being one in this episode, she dishes out a fair amount of jokes.

David Pasquesi is phenomenal as the cowardly Mr. Immortal. Even the slightest bit of confrontation causes him to wince. In fact, during his meeting with Mallory and Nikki, he jumps out a window.

Nikki and Mallory force Mr. Immortal to face his ex-wives in a deposition. The different ways in which he has exited these relationships are creative, funny and pretty pathetic. My favorite is probably Mr. Immortal getting hit by a car four times. Eventually, Mallory and mostly Nikki are able to settle the case with the women.

After learning more about Mallory’s life, they also discover She-Hulk is receiving death threats.

Goldsberry and Gonzaga are phenomenal together. In some ways, Gonzaga has just as good of chemistry with Goldsberry as she does with Maslany. Unlike last week’s case, the jokes worked throughout the case. Furthermore, it allows Nikki to shine as a paralegal, which is great to see.

Titania’s Scheme

You can’t have a wedding episode without a crasher and Titania’s a pretty awesome one. Technically, she’s not crashing as Titania was invited as a plus-one. Titania denies it, but she’s at the wedding to mess with Jen.

Throughout Just Jen, Tatiana tries to get Jen to fight her as She-Hulk. Jen is angry at Titania for showing up and tells Lulu Titania’s purpose for attending the wedding. Of course, Lulu thinks Jen is crazy and jealous over Tatiana being someone’s date.

After having one too many, Jen finally gives in to Titania’s provocations. However, Jen can’t transform initially as the alcohol is making it difficult for Jen to get angry. When she does transform, She-Hulk easily defeats Titania.

Jameela Jamil is much better in Just Jen. Titania was more overt with her actions in the last episode. In Just Jen, she’s a bit more subtle and that creates a more interesting conflict between the two.

Just Jen Final Thoughts

Just Jen is terrific from the start to finish. Jen showing up to the wedding as She-Hulk is the one questionable scene.

Mr. Immortal’s subplot is hilarious. Mallory is wonderful. Nikki is awesome. Maslany continues to shine as one of the most likable leading women on television.

All of the wedding scenes worked well as the majority of scenes featured Jen Walters, not She-Hulk. Maslany’s facial reactions are terrific. Unfortunately, the CGI for She-Hulk can mask the small inflections Maslany gives Jen.

The shorter, snappier action sequence also works well for the series. I hope the series uses Just Jen as an opportunity to keep building with this talented cast. The guest stars are cool. However, this cast of She-Hulk is more than capable of being its own self-contained, unique, legal comedy.

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