Jones drinks bourbon like a fish and eats beef jerky. Since mutants are off limits in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its TV offshoots for now and the entire internet shouting at me about how the mysterious IGH stands for “Inhuman Growth Hormone”, well…you see where this is going. She doesn’t care for costumes.
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When Andrea Dworkin chronicled and released her experiences of sexual assault, she wrote in the most graphic, grotesque and harrowing terms imaginable. She takes on low-level cases that sometimes have a connection to the larger Marvel Universe, but she never saves the world – not even the neighborhood. Kilgrave’s powers make him altogether more risky, even to the most powerful Marvel heroes.
That isn’t to say that every episode in itself is a man-fighting microcosm of feminist action and justice.
But again, just as season one wasn’t a beat for beat adaptation of the comics, any of this could be rendered virtually unrecognizable were it to get to the screen. It’s certainly true that it would be unnerving if people just did whatever you suggested to them, particularly as a child. Kilgrave, of course, has a security detail, a private chef, and a housekeeper all under his control to do his bidding for Jessica but insists he will not force her to do anything she doesn’t want to do.
The thing is, Jones used to fight crime. The villain Kilgrave (David Tennant) has the power to control minds, using it in sickening ways to get others to do his bidding. A somebody that wanted to be a nobody. According to the actress, Jones did not have money, so she did not change her outfit every day. The writers pay careful attention to all the subplots in this show and the characters are anything but cardboard cutouts. The yellow USB drive that led to the death of Luke Cage’s wife at Jessica’s hand comes back here. Having Jessica (or even Luke Cage) be a product of the same experiments that created Kilgrave would feel a little too tidy. Here is a superhero who puts on a t-shirt and jeans and is ready to rock. Best of all, Colter has found himself a role that he was born to play.
This one might be a lot of fun. She lacks the perpetually styled hair of S.H.I.E.L.D’s female agents or Natasha Romanoff’s slick fashion sense. He’s just a man, while she’s “gifted”.
The choice by Rosenberg to ratchet up the active depictions of Jones’ abuse may come down, in the end, to tone, pace and expectations for a successful, binge-worthy TV show in today’s crowded “peak TV” landscape. They let us see how grimy, dirty, and terrifying the city is. But as the trap is sprung, you realize there is no trap at all.
I’m still not really sure what Simpson is doing in the cast of this show, though.
The main difference between the two shows was that Matthew Murdock’s work in court was as compelling as his work as the Daredevil, and it was the legal work which laid the foundation for his ultimate defeat of Fisk. It is an incredible depiction of struggle and discomfort that goes where no other mainstream show has gone. Right when you think it’s tapped for a certain direction, it pivots out and moves elsewhere.
Kilgrave’s powers are generally a metaphor for both male privilege and addiction, and the latter is most explicit in this episode. A room full of cops pointing guns at each other. Most of those moments are in the third act. People may be sickened and upset by what they watch, but by God they watch it. Their own given bodies are painful enough reminders of the damage they can hide and the war they can wage. More groundwork is being laid, characters are coming out of the woodwork (and cockroaches out of sinks), and Jessica is getting closer to finding Kilgrave. Jones will most likely show up in that series. Kevin Feige and company have composed a seamless system of original character construction.
Each episode builds in a satisfying way and the story never feels like it is moving too slow or too fast. It’s more of an adrenaline placement of action than a nervy twitch. People get hurt in her wake. To his lover, Trish, he becomes heedlessly violent, and he tries to murder Jessica.
“Jessica Jones” lead star Krysten Ritter does not like her character to wear heels, according to reports.
This trend really started with Daredevil. When Daredevil returns this summer and introduces Jon Bernthal’s take on Frank Castle, the engine will keep on roaring. It is understood if you breathe, you go to the restroom. No waiting. No sitting around for six days.
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If its season premiere is any indication of the rest of the season, “Jessica Jones” promises to be an exciting, show. “And if I wear that thing, you’ll have to call me Camel Toe”. Like the video game, the comic book has different versions of characters fans know and love taking on familiar villains while being the pawns of something bigger.
