Ms. Marvel Episode 3 review: Not just a superhero in the making, Kamala Khan's self-discovery path takes a different route

3.5/5

Before Aamir Khan's (Saagar Sheikh) wedding, Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) could have severe repercussions as a result of a significant choice she makes.

In the very first episode of Ms. Marvel, Aamir (Saagar Sheikh) asks Kamala (Iman Vellani) if she wants to keep the lights on in her room as she fears the Djinn. On hearing that, she says she is not old enough to be scared of the mystical beings who are mentioned in Islam. Little did she know that she would be facing them within a couple of days of possessing the bangle which belonged to her great-grandmother Aisha.

The third episode of Ms. Marvel starts with the flashback sequence where we finally get to see Aisha, and she is seen talking to Najma, who happens to be Kamaran's mother. Yes, the cliffhanger which made us impatient was burst within a few seconds of the latest episode.

The cave sequence takes place in British-occupied India back in 1942, and interestingly, there's also the symbol of the 10 Rings carved on the floor of the cave. Well, what's happening, and how?!

The Eternals' kind of flashback gives us an idea of who the Djinn are. For the uninitiated, Djinn are mystical creatures with limitless power who frequently become trapped in things and serve whoever discovers them.

The presence of Djinn is something that has always been in the Marvel comics, and it's the first time they have been translated to the screen. Well, what appears to look like humans is way more powerful than one can think of.

Destined, as the title of the third episode suggests, what's now in store for Kamala, who has faced problems that have taken the series to another level?

Amid her self-discovery path, we are also taken into the wedding festivities of Aamir and Tyesha, where they dance to the fullest to popular Hindi tracks, namely Joote De Do Paise Le Lo from Hum Aapke Hai Koun, Mehendi Rachnewali from Zubeidaa, Hadippa from Dil Bole Hadippa, Tere Bina: Khanvict Remix from Guru, and Yeh Mera Dil Yaar Ka Diwana from Don.

It's yet another colourful and vibrant sequence in the series, which stays true to culture and shows off their immense love for Bollywood.

But, we are watching a superhero series, and the hero is unsafe but has to ensure that everyone else is. The four Clandestines arrive in no time to make the wedding venue a place of massacre.

With the background music of Livin' on a Prayer by Jon Bon Jovi, the stupendous action sequence takes place where Kamala keeps on discovering her powers, which she knew she had. However, it's tough to fight four powerful people who have been a part of the world for centuries now.

The third episode has put us halfway through Ms. Marvel, but there's a lot more to come.

It also carries the baggage of the second episode, wherein we see the Department of Damage Control entering the mosque and accusing Night Light of being a part of their community. It brings back the discussion of Good Muslims and Bad Muslims, initiated here by Nakia (Yasmeen Fletcher).

While keeping her innocence intact throughout the episode, we saw more of the superhuman side of Kamala, which Iman nailed, and how! She is a true breakout actor in the MCU, and she shines in every scene she appears in. So has Matt Lintz as Bruno Carrelli, playing the genius best friend a superhero always needs.

With yet another cliffhanger, we will be digging more not only to learn about the backstory of the bangle but also about Aisha, the great-grandmother of Kamala, who is the inception of all.

It will be intriguing to see how the Clandestine or Djinn try more ways to destroy Kamala. Well, they don't like talking, they only fight to kill!

The third episode of Ms. Marvel has set a better premise about the history of the mystical bangle and how everything goes back to the pre-Independence era of India, where it all started. However, along with the history, once again we saw a touch of Bollywood with many popular tracks being a part of the wedding sequence.