The Following Recap/Review Contains Spoilers for Episode 4 of ‘Ms. Marvel’. For a Review of Last Weeks Episode Click Here.Â
Ms. Marvel returns after its exposition and action-filled third episode with episode 4 which has Kamala returning to her roots. In order to understand the visions the bangle gives her, Kamala takes a trip to Pakistan with her mother. Kamala needs to understand what being a descendant of Aisha means. So, her visit to Pakistan is most fruitful in what results in a compelling fourth episode that is a step up from last week.
While Kamala juggles her responsibility to her friends and family, her investigation into the family’s past leads her to an encounter with a member of the red dagger. This group’s goal is to protect the world from the clandestine and the hidden world that lives in another dimension overlaying ours. He eventually learns that Kamala is a friend and not a foe, introducing himself as Kareem (Aramis Knight). Ms. Marvel continues to pull from the rich cultural history of Pakistan and struggles such as the Partition of India to ground the larger-than-life superhero story.
On the other side of things, Najma and her group of Djinn escape Damage Control in a short but thrilling sequence. The Djinn show themselves as capable survivors, but more importantly, damage control shows themselves as a little more ruthless behind the scenes. In one of the more interesting parts of the episode, Kamala is given a reason for why and how her powers work because of her half-human half-Djinn genetic makeup.
Kareem and the red dagger organization make for a creative, compelling, and welcome addition to the MCU. Kamala’s self-discovery is unfortunately cut short by the arrival of Najma and her Djinn. Ms. Marvel episode 4 then shines with an elaborate and intense chase sequence which has some of the best action of the series. Kamala and the red daggers do their best to fend off the Djinn in a fight that tears through Karachi but unfortunately, only Kareem and Kamla make it out alive with the red dagger leader Waleed killed protecting her. Having been her guide in this episode, his brief introduction and screentime leave this death that’s meant to impact you feel a little shallow because of how quickly he was introduced/killed.
One of the best parts of Ms. Marvel as a series is its ability to make the stakes feel real. The past few Marvel shows haven’t felt like they’ve had any real consequences. For both the world and its characters, Ms. Marvel makes every choice and event feel like it matters. Add to that the well-balanced family drama to compensate for all the typical MCU-fare, and you have an excellent fourth episode. One that is only ever so slightly dragged down by its world-building.
Overall, the fourth episode of Ms. Marvel is great. Najma continues to show herself as a formidable and dangerous enemy. The red dagger organization is an exciting new corner of the MCU. And of course, Kamala’s home life looks to be even more complicated following the ending of this episode. With Kamala seemingly transported to the partition following her fight with Najma, next week’s episode looks to be the most intense yet. – Ernesto Valenzuela
Rating – 9/10
Ms. Marvel Airs New Episodes Every Wednesday on Disney+
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