She-Hulk: Attorney at Law – Ribbit and Rip It review S1 E8

Apparently, She-Hulk’s formula is a really good to great episode every four episodes. Not an awful ratio in a 22-episode season, but not the best for a nine-episode one. Forget that nonsense as for now, I’m here to praise She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.

The biggest issues for this season has been Jennifer barely spending any time in the courtroom, her complete disinterest in being a hero and a lack of any worthwhile action. All those problems got addressed this episode in addition to coming up with an antagonist for She-Hulk to smash by the season finale.

Of course, the big complaint is why didn’t they just do this sooner? Good question with no great answer. The important thing is it actually happened along with the long-anticipated cameo from a certain devil of Hell’s Kitchen.

She-Hulk is representing Leapfrog (Brandon Stanley), a bit of a bumbling wannabe hero who causes more harm to himself than criminals. Jen figures this is a pretty simple case since Leap Frog’s jet boots malfunctioned. Only catch is Leapfrog’s suit was designed by Jen’s go-to outfitter Luke Jacobson.

Luke’s not happy his reputation is questioned and dismisses Jen. Time to get Jen back in the courtroom. And she’s squaring off against Luke’s attorney, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox). The work put in the Daredevil series has given Cox some serious MCU credibility. He’d get a Road Warrior pop if this were in a movie theater.

Matt quickly drives holes through Leapfrog’s accusations and has the case thrown out in record time. That’s enough for him to extend an olive branch to Jen at the bar. He even provides more gentle encouragement that Jen can still be a lawyer and a hero. The tension here is serious, but before either can act on it, they’re called in separate directions.

Jen has to respond to douchebag Todd, who wants to show off his Wakandan spear…hmm, should have phrased that better. The Wakandan spear he bought from an antique dealer. It’s really just an excuse to hit on her now that he knows she’s She-Hulk. This is an all-too rare moment where the intended humor works really well.

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Leapfrog calls Jenn up to save her from an assailant and this time she grabs the super suit Luke designed. Of course, we know the assailant is Daredevil giving She-Hulk her first misunderstood hero vs. hero fight. And the mystery doesn’t last long as Jen yanks off Daredevil’s helmet to reveal Matt. This would unintentionally set up a problem later though.

Turns out Leapfrog kidnapped Luke and took him to his headquarters/hideout, The Lilypad. Best part about this hideout? The vintage frog-theme video games. Another banger joke, nice!

Daredevil reminds Jen she’s got zero experience fighting goons and lays into the first round of henchmen. Staging the fight in a hallway was a nice touch too. As expected, the fight doesn’t last long, but it was fun seeing Daredevil in action. It would have been nice to get some explanation for the costume color change, but why quibble over small stuff?

After wrapping up Leapfrog and Jen makes peace with Luke, it’s time for some action. Jen is clearly the horniest hero this side of Luke Cage. Maybe Matt could arrange an introduction?

We’re not done with the episode, which even Jen notes is odd. Time for the big Female Attorney of the Year gala with…multiple winners? This award is bogus especially since the winners aren’t being called the Woman Attorney of the Year.

Fellow honoree Mallory addresses the annoyance of being called a female attorney — while accepting the award — but when it’s She-Hulk’s turn, the video monitors start playing The Intelligencia’s propaganda hit piece and slut-shaming efforts. Jen forgets the Zen state of mind she explained to Bruce that women have by default and rages out. It was a little silly that Jen had one of the Intelligencia goons and forgot her unmasking trick.

Weirdly, there’s armed authority officers ready for a Hulk outbreak. I smell set up.

A lot happened in this episode, but not so much that this wasn’t a sustainable formula throughout the season. It’s why the off episodes have been so frustrating. She-Hulk can clearly be portrayed as a great character with minimal ties to The Hulk, but the writers settled for so much lame low-hanging fruit instead of just telling a story about Jen.

Next week’s finale should also have very little comedy, but it’ll be interesting if the episode can officially introduce the bad guys, explain the various subplots and deliver some satisfying action? It seems like a lot to ask, but at least this episode came through with an excellent model of good She-Hulk episodes for the future.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Photo Credit: Disney