IR TV Review: MS. MARVEL - EPISODE 4 [Disney+]

The progression into Episode 4 of "Ms. Marvel" is bringing Kamala Khan to her roots. While understanding that her view of the world is bathed in America, the idea of returning to Pakistan has to be almost alien to her until its beauty and mysticism become familiar. It is an interesting balance but also key in making the MCU more accessible. "Moon Knight" did certain things but this approach is trying to use the elements from the ground up. The use of the concepts of the Djinn as portrayed in certain horror movies recently is given more archetypal uses here which make sense.

Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan is the right representation of being accessible, intense but also transformative when she needs to while still able to connect with younger people on just being a teenager in an extraordinary situation. While the series does engage in an interesting chase [Thailand stands in for Pakistan], the stakes in this episode seem to become much more real but the resonance in Khan has not happened yet. She needs to see what is happening. Her grandmother Nani understands the weight. It might be still unfolding but we need to see it more in Vellani's eyes. The reveal at the end of the episode might speak to it but also to a connection point elsewhere just waiting to be discovered...or hidden away. B

By Tim Wassberg