She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is not only the newest TV series from Marvel, but it is also their very first sitcom. With the first episode finally available on Disney Plus, the show is already packed with MCU easter eggs and references.

Of course, before we delve more into the episode, fair warning that this will be full of spoilers! Take caution in reading further if you have not seen the first episode yet. Episode 1 is the origin story of how lawyer Jennifer Walters, starred by Tatiana Maslany, becomes the green superhero She-Hulk. 

In addition, the first episode also included a few subplots that show Bruce Banner after the chaotic Avengers: Endgame story. Truthfully, there is not much action nor dramatic revelations to be seen in this episode. It simply sets the scene by introducing Bruce’s cousin, Jen, as she becomes a superhero apart from the fact that she already is. 

As a new addition to the MCU, the easter eggs and post-credit scene of Episode 1 do not hesitate to show the nature and humor of Marvel shows.

MCU Easter Eggs and References

The “savage” look 

• After Jen rehearsed her closing speech for an upcoming court case, she was told she could use the “savage Jen Walters look.” Besides its amusing line, this is also about the title of the first She-Hulk comic book titled: The Savage She-Hulk. 

She-Hulk breaking the fourth wall

• She-Hulk was the first character to break the fourth wall in the comics – not Deadpool. This ability was shown in the TV series as well. In certain situations, the audience is confused as to whether she was breaking the fourth wall. There were instances when she might look like looking at the camera, but she was talking to someone behind the camera. The gag becomes more humorous when other characters react to her confusion, with one entertaining moment in which the Hulk is irritated by his cousin’s comment “to herself.”
• However, there is one exact scene that shows Jen breaking the fourth wall. She converses directly with the audience and gradually introduces herself as the She-Hulk.

Shang-Chi’s post-credits and Bruce Banner’s situation explained

• Bruce Banner, also known as the Hulk starred by Mark Ruffalo, made an appearance in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings‘ post-credits scene. Not only was it his first appearance since the Avengers: Endgame, but he was also in his human form instead of Smart Hulk. 
• In She-Hulk, it is finally explained that Bruce built a device to help him control his powers and help him change to human form. The device also helps gradually heal his arm that was injured from using Thanos’ Infinity Gauntlet. 

The Sakaaran Spaceship that caused She-Hulk

• Bruce and Jen were conversing along the road when they were caught up in a car accident. MCU slightly changed She-Hulk’s origin story with her blood mixing with Bruce Banner’s after the accident. The cause of the accident is the arrival of a Sakaarian spaceship. 

• Assumingly, the people of Sakaar are looking for their old champion, the Hulk. Since Sakaar is where Bruce/Hulk spent his time after leaving Earth, first seen in Thor: Ragnarok.
• In the comics, Jen receives Bruce’s blood through a blood transfusion after the accident. Her cousin, Bruce is the only available donor. 

A Glimpse of the Avengers: Endgame’s Gamma Lab

• The first episode also showed Smart Hulk to the Gamma lab in Mexico. In Avengers: Endgame, Bruce was explaining he spent 18 months in a ‘gamma lab’ figuring out how to put brains and brawn together. Therefore, this is probably where Bruce was able to figure out Smart Hulk, where he is both Bruce Banner and the Hulk. 
• It also seems that the lab was helped by Tony Stark. Or Tony must have been making visits to the lab and leaving some clothing. Because Jen is wearing a Led Zeppelin T-shirt that assumingly belonged to Tony. 

Remnant of the past featuring an Iron Man helmet

• It seems that Bruce Banner kept the treasured possessions of his dearest friend, Tony Stark. While Jen was looking around the house, he spots a broken Iron Man helmet. It was the Iron Legion helmet worn from Avengers: Age of Ultron. Perhaps, this was also another detail that Tony was there and purposefully left the helmet. 

“Smart Hulk” is canon in the MCU

• In the comics, the combination of Bruce Banner and the Hulk is originally called “Professor Hulk.” However, MCU preferred the playful Smart Hulk that nods to how fans nicknamed this version after Avengers: Endgame. Bruce Banner insists he didn’t choose the name but doesn’t necessarily hate it. 

Hulk references Avengers: Age of Ultron and Thor: Ragnarok

• When Jen asks Bruce how he used to transform back to human form, he mentions two ways. First, it was through Black Widow’s odd lullabies seen in Avengers: Age of Ultron. He also mentions being stuck as the Hulk for two years living in Sakaar as seen on Thor: Ragnarok, where was beaten up back to his human form.

The Hulk’s Thunderclap makes a comeback

• Bruce was convincing Jen needed a mentor to guide his cousin after gaining his powers. When Jen refuses, arguing that she wants to go home, they used the thunderclap on each other. This was the Hulk’s trademark move in The Incredible Hulk, not seen on the big screen since. 

Titania joins the MCU

• Jameela Jamil makes her MCU debut as Titania, a known rival from the She-Hulk comics. She is a brawler created by Doctor Doom himself. In the episode, she appeared during a court trial and was used as a trigger for Jennifer Walters to reveal herself as the She-Hulk to the public.  

The post-credit scene is a Captain America easter egg

• MCU makes one of the most humorously random post-credit scenes on the first episode of She-Hulk. Bruce reveals to his cousin that Steve Rogers, or Captain America, is not a virgin. He says that Steve had sex with a woman while he was on the USO tour in 1943, before he went to the front lines. It also includes another “America’s ass” joke and shows a fadeout F-bomb. 
• Chris Evans himself, the star of Captain America, has already commented on the scene.

https://twitter.com/ChrisEvans/status/1560294942467313664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1560294942467313664%7Ctwgr%5Eb07f8258586a77c8f79b26c6cc6f146dd048ec27%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzfeed.com%2Fnoradominick%2Fshe-hulk-episode-1-easter-eggs-details

Definitely, the numerous amount of MCU references is meant to tie up She-Hulk together with the rest of the cinematic universe. However, it is also amusing to hear or see them in a new show, as if reminiscing the past. 

Until then, stay with us here at Spiel Times for more content.