Ms. Marvel episode 2
Ms. Marvel episode 2 is every bit as charming as the first one, although perhaps slightly less packed with countless MCU references. There’s still a whole lot of ’em, though, and we’re doing our best to break them all down for you. Here’s everything we found so far…
Ant-Man
Kamala tries a bunch of Ant-Man related tests (shrinking, flying, talking to ants) and none of it works. She also listens to his podcast and his name has come up more than any hero other than Captain Marvel – maybe he’s going to take on the role Wolverine served in the comics? In the comics, everyone’s favorite cranky X-Man was one of Kamala’s all-time faves and he makes a surprise appearance early on to help Kamala out. He puts up with her non-stop enthusiasm and teaches her a few things, even begrudgingly coming to like her. Obviously MCU Ant-Man would bring a different vibe than Logan, but she seems especially connected to him, second to Captain Marvel of course. Given the nebulous state the X-Men exist in after Disney bought Fox, it’s unlikely Hugh Jackman will stop by the show, but perhaps Paul Rudd filmed a cameo. Speaking of Kamala’s powers…
Kamala’s Powers
Beyond testing for Ant-Man powers, Kamala asks Bruno if she might be Asgardian and related to Thor. Zoe dubs her “Night Light” and we hear someone in the crowd at the Eid celebration call Kamala that. It seems like other people naming her, dressing up as Captain Marvel, and searching for the source of her powers among all these white heroes are combining to serve the theme in the comics of Kamala thinking she had to literally become a white woman to be a hero, before realizing the best hero she can be is herself, in her own skin and dressed the way she feels comfortable.
The Inhumans and Kamala’s Origin
Kamala’s great-grandmother Aisha’s bangle unlocking the superhuman part of Kamala is similar to the Terrigen concept from the comics: an outside force unlocking something internal, inherent to her. It reinforces the fact that this power was passed down to her from her ancestors, that superpowers originate among her people, too.
Kingo and The Eternals
Kamran and Kamala have a moment connecting over several shared pop cultural touchstones, including Swet Shop Boys, Baazigar, SRK, ddlj, and Kingo. SRK stands for Shah Rukh Khan. But in particular, the line “Don’t tell me you have a massive crush on Kingo, too,” refers to Kumail Nanjiani’s character in Eternals, the member of the squad who has spent much of his immortal life as a celebrity.
Bill & Ted?
Bruno’s convenience store is a Circle Q instead of a Circle K, probably for brand reasons, but I’m taking this as a Bill & Ted reference regardless. In this show, Kamala and her friends are the “strange things” that will be afoot at the Circle Q.
