Thursday, September 29, 2022

She-Hulk, “The Retreat”, Review!

She-Hulk has relationship problems and gets help from a super support group!  We have an overhead shot of a shower, while we see a text from Josh who is in the last episode, Jen wipes the mirror, we see as the camera.  She closes her bedroom door and instantly comes out with her blue dress.  Jen smiles as she goes to the kitchen and we also see her at the dinner table pouring herself a drink, shades of Orphan Black?  All preparation for her date with Josh who texts that he arrived.  We get glimpses of their date at food truck and awkward end of the date.  At a GL&H meeting, under the table, we see Josh text about fries in a milkshake food truck.  Then, a date at a food market, Josh leans in, but Jen just closes the door.  Another date, at a drive-in theater, Jen brings in Josh to her apartment.  Jen wakes up alone and in the morning, Josh texts that it was fun and he can’t stop smiling, the same with Jen.  This is of course a more in depth relationship than what she had with her app dates. 


Later, Nikki is impressed that Jen is Lawyer of the Year, but gets no response from her busy with her phone.  Nikki wants her to text after 12 hours.  Saturday, Jen listlessly eats cereal, no text. Sunday, a call from Chuck Donnelly, the parole officer of Emil Blonsky.  Chuck says Blonksy’s court mandated inhibitor malfunctioned, he is headed to the Blonsky’s retreat.  He called because he can’t get any guards with him and wants Jen to meet him there.  She has no plans so drives while checking Josh’s last text, communication works both ways.  Jen singing to Hanson’s “Mmmbop” is funny.  Check is at the Summer Twilight’s gate when Jen pulls up.  Jen becomes She-Hulk as Chuck checks on Blonsky’s ankle inhibitor.  Blonsky says an electric fence was the reason along with his favorite chicken?  Check speeds away in his car while Blonsky walks with Just Jen.  She is about to leave when El Águla (Joseph Castillo-Midyett) slams into her car.  He is attacked by the snarling Man-Bull (Nate Hurd)!  


Man-Bull was introduced in Daredevil #78 (1971) and El Águla first appeared in Power Man and Iron Fist #58 (1979).  Two goofy super villains from the 70’s.  She-Hulk has the Man-Bull by the horns and throws him down!  Blonsky says they are both going through some issues.  El Águla fancies himself a swashbuckler and doesn’t want to be called a matador.  Her car is ruined so Jen has a stay for a bit while the tow truck arrives.  I keep getting the feeling that the fight was coordinated.  Blonsky shows her the grounds including Princess , but Jen is looking for a Wi-Fi signal so she can see her texts.  There is “No Service” around the retreat, Blonsky had said it was for isolation, but Jen finds a cabin.  She interrupts a meeting circle of super villains.  This reminds me of the Bad-Anon support group in Wreck-It Ralph (2012).  Blonksy points out Porcupine (Jordan Aaron Ford), an earlier super villain debuting in Tales to Astonish #48 (1963) and Saracen, the self-identifying vampire, he first appeared in Blade: Vampire Hunter #1 (1999). By the way, I read something about the MCU debut of vampires, but this episode shows nothing that Saracen is an actual vampire.   



The group thinks that El Águla and Man Bull are co-dependent.  Blonsky says that Porcupine should start with taking off his super suit, but he is not ready, kinda funny.  In walks in Dirk Garthwaite, the Wrecker who attacked Jen in “The People vs. Emil Blonsky”, the third episode.  Jen who was working with her phone says to the Fourth Wall that the audience may not remember him so brings up a “Previously on this guy” scene.  She transforms into She-Hulk and slams Dirk into some chairs!  Blonsky wants to send her to the Calming Chair, the rest of group goes whooooa, the scene is funny.  Man Bull welcomes Jen to the circle and she dismisses Wrecker’s apology.  Jen puts away her cell phone to tell the group about Josh.  They have relationship advice for her, I like the absurdity!  The group says she’s been ghosted.  I wonder in all of their relationship if she even mentioned She-Hulk?  Jen confides that She-Hulk is the ideal she always wanted, but says “it feels like cheating.” She says Josh had made her feel that he liked her for being Jen.  


Porcupine and the others want to attack Josh!  El Águla activates his bio-electric sword!  Blonsky says the group to offer advice to Jen.  Man Bull says the group would like to spend time with Jen.  Blonksy has her admit that the group values the whole Jen.  Dirk says she should trust them to be Just Jen.  She transforms back to the group clapping.  Then, Porcupine removes his mask!, but he hasn’t washed himself or the suit!  The group wants Jen to delete Josh’s number and begins chanting, “Delete it.” Jen does so and says, “I’m hurtin’ for a yurtin’”, the yurt hut where she spends time alone as the group waits.  Jen steps out and gives a thumbs up which has the group cheering for her!  The ep. is missing most of the support cast besides Nikki which is fine.  There is something wrong about Josh that may endanger Jen!  This has been teased for most of the episodes, now it all comes down with the next ep. “The Retreat” is part relationship drama, but also some fun with Emil Blonsky’s support group!  


Five Cheetos Chopsticks out of Five!       


#SheHulk, #TheRetreat ,#TatianaMaslany, #GingerGonzaga, #TrevorSalter, #TimRoth, #JosephCastilloMidyett, #NateHurd, #JordanAaronFord, #NickGomez, #TerenceClowe       




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