Yeah, Marvel Knows MCU Shows Have An Unfortunate Problem

Warning! SPOILERS for She-Hulk: Attorney At Law.Marvel Studios reveals through She-Hulk: Attorney At Law that they know that their Disney+ series has one unfortunate problem. After an extended break following the end of the Infinity Saga, MCU’s Phase 4 was kicked off with the critically-acclaimed WandaVision — the franchise’s first small screen endeavor. Since then, there have been six more Marvel Studios/Disney+ series, with She-Hulk: Attorney At Law being the eighth one.

All MCU shows on streaming have been generally well-received, although some more than others. Initially, they have been avenues for previously existing characters’ own stories such as Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), and Loki (Tom Hiddleston). In 2022, however, they have been primarily origins stories with Moon Knight, Ms. Marvel, and She-Hulk: Attorney At Law. Regardless of their nature, however, most of them have one persisting issue: the expectations that they will regularly feature cameos.

Finally, Marvel Studios admitted to knowing this in the Easter egg-filled She-Hulk: Attorney At Law episode 3 titled “The People vs. Emil Blonsky.” After the appearances of Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Emil Blonsky/Abomination (Tom Roth), as well as the impending arrival of Wong (Benedict Wong), Jennifer Ann Walters (Tatiana Maslany) broke the fourth wall and addressed the string of guests in the project. “I know you can’t wait to see Wong. I get it. I just want to make sure that you don’t think this is one of those cameo-every-week type of shows. It’s not. Well, except Bruce. And Blonsky. And Wong. Just remember whose show this actually is,” she said, effectively reminding viewers that it is still her series. This is Marvel Studios’ sly way of acknowledging this recurring issue that has been plaguing their Disney+ projects since the public came up with various theories including Mephisto appearing in WandaVision every week. Looking forward to a potential cameo worked to the MCU’s advantage as it kept the public hooked, but it shouldn’t be the primary hook for a series.

MCU Shows Need To Change In Phase 5

As beloved as the MCU Disney+ shows have been, it has a couple of recurring issues. That includes using cameos to keep fans interested which takes away the focus from the narrative’s titular character, hence Walters’ quip in She-Hulk: Attorney At Law episode 3. It’s also the same issue that plagued what was otherwise a well-done WandaVision finale since there was a built-up expectation that a major Marvel character like Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Wanda’s possible father, Magneto would show up. Moving forward, Marvel Studios needs to prioritize its series’ primary narrative and not rely on the public’s interest in potential guest stars. Aside from this, there have also been issues with pacing. Like their films, Marvel Studios’ small screen endeavors follow a format, but more often than not, they’re segmented quite awkwardly. She-Hulk: Attorney At Law somehow addressed this by getting Walters’ origins story out of the way early on instead of saving it later in its run. This way, the project can focus on the narrative that it’s actually telling without having to do flashbacks. There is also criticism about using decoy villains like Echo (Alaqua Cox) in Hawkeye and the ClanDestines in Ms. Marvelinstead of introducing the story’s main bad guy right away.

The MCU thrives in its interconnectivity and one of its biggest perks is seeing character crossovers. Marvel Studios’ Disney+ shows are capitalizing on this advantage but overdoing it has its fair share of disadvantages. For starters, it’s incredibly unfair for titular characters, especially those who are just starting their stories like Walters in She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, to be overshadowed by the idea of another MCU hero potentially appearing in their project. Hopefully, moving forward, Marvel Studios can find a better way to address this recurring problem than just making a joke about it.

She-Hulk: Attorney At Law airs every Thursday on Disney+.