'Ms. Marvel: Episode 2: ' A Powerful Character Study That's Light On Action

Episode 2 of Ms. Marvel feels like more of the same world and character building we got from the pilot. We find Kamala (Iman Vellani) with a newfound confidence since her display of power at the Avenger-Con - which the popular girl Zoe Zimmer (Laurel Marsden) is reaping the benefits from as an influencer, garnering a landslide of followers with her footage of being saved at the event.

Besides a quick training sequence with her buddy Bruno (Matt Lintz) - where we get a better read of her abilities - and a hero moment at the end, there is little ere in terms of a Marvel character. Instead, the life of a Muslim girl is mapped out, for those in the audience who don't understand the strict traditional confines of that community.

This does well to show Kamala's need to grow past being defined as such, though at times the show gets a bit heavy-handed in how it addresses the issue. This is a subject which is rarely breached in mainstream programming, but the problem is in the approach.

Throughout the episode, every conversation is an explanation for the viewer's benefit, but the dialogue feels forced, because they make the mistake of having characters who are aware of their situation explain it to another character, who is also already aware. There are more subtle ways to accomplish this, but given the Y.A. nature of the show, it is understandable, given they are speaking to kids.

What follows is a teen drama where Kamala meets the boy of her dreams in Kamran (Rish Shah), who is somehow drawn to her inexplicably, with little prompting. Their meetcute leads to Bruno beginning to show interest in Kamala - only adding to the teen drama which this show is inundated with, almost to the point of forgetting it's a show about a superhero. Thankfully, the characters are likable enough to give the series the benefit of the doubt.

Kamala also begins to deep dive into who her mysterious great-grandmother is, if only to telegraph that she, too, has wielded the magical arm cuff which gives Ms. Marvel her powers. Not pleased, her mother continues to beg her daughter to stop looking into the past.

We next find Zoe talking to the authorities (Alysia Reiner) about what she knows concerning the events at Avenger-Con, leading to an almost ICE-like standoff with the cops during Kamala's hero moment, saving a young boy from falling from a building. She is soon whisked away in a car by her new beau Kamran, only to find out that he was a thirst trap who is related to the woman (Nimra Bucha) she has been having visions about - who is now sitting in the back seat of the car.

The episode is overflowing with character development and little use of abilities, which both helps and hurts if you came to watch a superhero show.

Ms. Marvel, even with the slow start, is a very serviceable series, which is trying to celebrate an underrepresented culture in our modern society. The only issue is the lack of action and the overabundance of teen drama, which older audiences might be inclined to shy away from.

But hey, not everything is for everyone, that's why there are so many Marvel properties to choose from.

Hopefully, as secrets are revealed and Kamala gains a better control of her abilities, Ms. Marvel will find its footing with a broader viewership. I am still on board to see where this all goes - I hope it's worth the watch.

Tags

Disney, MCU