MCU Doubles Down On Its Controversial Daredevil Change (It's Perfect)

Warning: This article contains spoilers for She-Hulk: Attorney at Law episode 9.She-Hulk: Attorney At Law brought Charlie Cox's Daredevil back to the MCU following his brief appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home, though the occasion presented a more humorous version of the character. The so-called Devil of Hell's Kitchen who goes by Matt Murdock in his everyday life as a lawyer engaged in a love affair with the titular character Jen Walters (Tatiana Maslany) in She-Hulk episodes 8 and 9. The Disney+ series' final episode reinforces Daredevil's changed characterization and limited role in She-Hulk, which works perfectly for the MCU despite displeasing some viewers.

Although Cox's screen time donning Daredevil's iconic red and yellow suit didn't amount to much, his humorous portrayal of Murdock garnered plenty of attention. Daredevil's altered persona in She-Hulk may have angered those accustomed to the imperturbable figure lurking in the shadows of Hell's Kitchen in Marvel's Daredevil TV series, however, Murdock's humor-inspired role as Jen's love interest fits the series well and opens a world of possibilities for the character in the MCU going forward.

Why Daredevil Being Funny Or Romantic Isn't A Problem

Charlie Cox as Daredevil smiling at Jen Walters played by Tatiana Maslany in She-Hulk episode 8

Since She-Hulk's premier on Disney+, the MCU made it clear that the series was always a comedy through and through, differing from the franchise's habitual formula of action-packed narratives with only traces of humor. Even though Netflix's Daredevil established Murdock as a predominantly serious persona, the funny and romantic side of him in She-Hulk shows his character growth post-Defenders Saga. Additionally, in the superhero genre, most often female characters solely serve as love interests, so Daredevil's assumption of that stature supports the series' commentary on sexist tropes in superhero media by reversing the roles. Some viewers might be displeased at the sudden change of Daredevil, but it's merely enacting what Marvel has done to women for far too long — leaving them on the sidelines and treating them as an afterthought. After all, this was She-Hulk's show.

She-Hulk & Daredevil's Relationship Is Great For Both Characters (Will It Last?)

Charlie Cox as Daredevil and Tatiana Maslany as Jen Walters in She-Hulk episode 8

She-Hulk's relationship with Daredevil allowed her to be centered in her own show without another popular character overshadowing her. Even though Jen was not Murdock's first on-screen love interest, his affair with She-Hulk enabled him to engage more deeply with another character as a way to further integrate him into the MCU. Furthermore, Cox expertly undertook the portrayal of a humorous Daredevil, fully leaning into the She-Hulk's lighthearted tone.

As for a potential long-term romance between She-Hulk and Daredevil, the possibility certainly exists with Disney+'s Daredevil: Born Again series on the horizon in MCU Phase 5. The upcoming series will follow Murdock more closely and Jen would be a fitting supporting character, especially if Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) and Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson) don't return. Although She-Hulk and Daredevil didn't date in the comics, the MCU could make something more of their fling in the future. But even if their love doesn't last, it was a fun plot point that perfectly emphasized She-Hulk's rom-com story.

New episodes of She-Hulk release on Thursdays on Disney+.

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