Squad Review: Ms. Marvel Episode 3

It's been a tradition here on the Bro Force Squad Podcast to review every episode (with the exception of "What If") of the MCU Disney+ shows, and with me being unable to corral the other Bros to record one for Ms. Marvel, we're taking it back to a good old Squad Review as I'll give you my thoughts on the latest series introducing us to Kamala Khan. We dive in as always, using the four Bro Force Squad criteria for tv shows. Today we tackle episode 3 and what it's setting up for the rest of this very intriguing entry to the MCU.

ACTING - We are introduced to a whole slew of new characters with the Djinn and they will be very important going forward, but to me the real standout performance here was Matt Lintz as Bruno. Up until now he's been the quirky tech sidekick who seemed to be constantly jealous of any other male figure in Kamala's life she wasn't related to, but here we get him fleshed out a little more. His comedic timing with Iman Vellani is impeccable, and I think he is a great supporting character to balance out her struggle both with her new powers, and dealing with her family dynamic changing.

Rish Shah as Kamran, again I hate to bash on the guy, but there's really not much charisma in his performance. He had a chance in this episode to really drive home the emotional struggle he's dealing with between being loyal to his mother and her quest to go home and his desire to do what he knows is right and altruistic. I feel like he's just eye candy at this point, but hope I'm wrong and he can bring it in the latter half of the series.

STORY - Our plot synopsis according to IMDB reads, "Ahead of Aamir's wedding, Kamala may face grave consequences due to a crucial decision she makes." I have to say this episode REALLY picked up the narrative and ran with it, and it was much needed. I know that there is a lot of exposition, and the Djinn haven't been very fleshed out yet, but now we know what's going on both behind Kamala's power set, and her family as it pertains to the plot. I'm still very unsure of what role Damage Control is playing in the series, and they seem to now be a hybrid of SWORD and the cleanup crew they were previously.

The Djinn being apprehended towards the end of the episode will be a very interesting development. Do they have a mole somewhere in the DODC, or was it part of their plan to get taken in? Either way we now know enough about the Bengal that Kamala possesses to have stakes in the story which was much needed.

One last compliment I'll pay this show, the pressure Kamala feels to please her family is very well adapted to the screen. We all feel for her and it makes me as invested in the family side of things as I am the superhero parts of the show. A tough feat to pull off, but it has been executed very well so far.

BEST SCENE - I have to go with the Bollywood dance done at Aamir's wedding, and really just the whole wedding in general. I know it gets cut short when the Djinn show up unannounced messing with all the finger foods, but it still made an impact on the episode. To see Bruno and Nakia such an intricate part of Kamala's world and having a blast brought a smile to my face. It's also a million times better than any DJ in history who plays the electric slide and that stupid "Tonto jump on it" song.

THEORIES AND QUESTIONS - Sort of struggling here as I have SO MANY questions about the Djinn that I don't even really know what I'm asking, but I'll try to put down a few coherent ones.

T - DODC has more than one Skrull running things, and will be the connection to The Marvels (aside from Carol Danvers showing up at the end of the series).

T - The Bengal Kamala has could be related to the Ten Rings and the beacon Shang Chi possesses that was sending out some beacon in the universe. This could be what calls Carol back to Earth.

Q - Does Kamran have powers like his mother and the rest of the Djinn? I couldn't tell when he was fighting if he had abilities or not, but could come into play later.

I feel like this show really ramped things up in episode 3, and while I'm not entirely sure of the direction it's going I am intrigued. It feels like standard MCU fare, which is something I usually like, but with the potential to be something more. We're half way through already which is crazy. Let us know what you guys think. See you next week!

-JH