In the season finale of Ms. Marvel, the streaming series embarks on its adventure back in Jersey City, picking up with the struggle to understand the new powers Kamran has acquired. Following the conclusion of the penultimate episode “Time and Again,” Kamran’s mother Najma closes the Veil of Noor and passes her powers off to him which leads to him arriving at Bruno’s doorstep out of confusion. The finale picks up with the aftermath of Bruno’s apartment exploding as a result of the Department of Damage Control (DODC) with Kamran and Bruno beginning their escape.
The Khan family return to Jersey City as well with Kamala ultimately revealing to the rest of the family of her superpowers and status as Night Light – yet she figures out quickly that her mother has already informed her father, brother, and sister-in-law. Regardless, Kamala soon hears of the news of the explosion at Bruno’s place of work and apartment which sends her promptly into action to uncover the safety of her friend. Muneeba does stop Kamala initially only to bestow a proper uniform fit for her daughter and reiterates her husband’s words to be careful, exhibiting her apprehension about her daughter’s involvement.
The DODC continue to pursue Kamran and Bruno as they barge their way into the neighborhood mosque that Nakia remains in. Kamala arrives after the DDOC departs for another location of Kamran and now the group of four head over the high school to stay away and limit the destruction on Saturday. Upon arriving at the high school, the group convenes with a plan to safely get Kamran out of Jersey City and away from the DODC. In this moment, both her brother Aamir and the popular girl at school Zoe Zimmer join the cause and the group embarks on a non-fatal escape from the DODC. During these events, Kamala continuous makes the effort to save the audience gathered around the school due Kamran’s inability to control and understand his powers in addition to his learning of his mother’s death in a tumultuous time.
After Kamala pleads to Kamran to escape with the Red Daggers and avoid causing damage as that is what his mother wanted, the DODC collapses in while the community of Jersey City surrounds her in protection. Kamala hops to her safety with her powers and agent Deever leading this group of DODC agents is relieved of her duties over the phone from her higher-up Agent Cleary. The season finale wraps up with Kamala learning from her father that Kamala, or Kamal, in Urdu translates to marvel which sends Kamala into shock knowing that her name matches with her idol in Captain Marvel, aka Carol Danvers. Additionally, Bruno takes Nakia and Kamala on a trip in Kamran’s car before he is off to Cal Tech, yet Bruno stops to inform that Kamala does have a unique genetic breakdown that separates her from her family’s genetics.
Ms. Marvel is an enjoyable ride as there is a great character origin arc for Kamala Khan while also introducing a fellow teenager feel into the MCU outside of the traditional set of Avenger characters. Yet, in the finale, there were two striking moments that stook out. For one, Brie Larson’s cameo in the finale’s credit scene was possibly the smartest utilization of her role within Ms. Marvel as of right now. If Larson’s Captain Marvel were to play a more pivotal role throughout the series or to play savior in the finale’s climax, then it would have robbed the series’ ability to grow a new character and story world – not to say that the two cannot operate on the screen together, but rather allow for Khan to develop her own sense of achievement. Additionally, the inclusion of Zoe Zimmer for the first time since the second episode and to have her play an important role in the climatic finish to the season was an interesting choice. For one, she was the initial reason for the DODC to be involved and it felt as if her inclusion was utilized in the finale just out of convenience to force the large audience. If she were to be more included after Kamala saved her life, then this moment would have served the season’s continuity. Regardless, “No Normal” effectively presented an introduction of a strong new hero within the MCU realm and provided the unique teenager voice within the superhero realm properly.
Rating: 8.5/10