'Jessica Jones' Season 1 Review

Non Spoiler Review- Like all of Marvel's efforts 'Jessica Jones' has it's own genre and feel to it. It seems that Marvel's Netflix series will be mirroring how each of the Marvel solo films have different subgenera, for example 'Ant-Man' is a heist film, 'Guardians of the Galaxy' is a space opera, 'Captain America The Winter Soldier's a political thriller. The other Netflix series released earlier this year 'Daredevil' emulated a crime drama, and 'Jessica Jones' feels much like a psychological thriller. 'Jessica Jones' is a very refreshing new superhero series and like 'Daredevil' once again has a very dark tone and subject matter. Also similarly to 'Daredevil', 'Jessica Jones' manages to distance Hell's Kitchen from the MCU while acknowledging that they coincide in the same universe through a few small references and easter eggs which i will discuss below in the spoiler section of the review. 'Jessica Jones' like 'Daredevil' before it has some very great action and feels like a very different type of action since Jessica Jones has powers which allow the show to show different type of action on screen as opposed to 'Daredevil'. This series however isn't very action based like it's predecessor but rather focuses on the drama between the characters. The acting is top notch with Krysten Ritter perfectly cast as Jessica Jones, Mike Colter as Luke Cage and David Tennant as the sick, twisted villainous Kilgrave. Overall, I can say this series was able to hook me within the first few episodes and I personally preferred it to the first season of 'Daredevil' and highly recommend it for those who enjoyed 'Daredevil' or anything Marvel related but be forewarned that it is a very dark show with very dark subject matter unlike the films. I hope to see it renewed for a second season like 'Daredevil' and can't wait for the next Marvel Netflix series, which as of now will be 'Daredevil' Season 2 followed by 'Luke Cage', and then 'Iron Fist' as well as the culmination of all of the series in the final Marvel Netflix series 'The Defenders', which will be the Marvel Netflix equivalent of The Avengers.

*******There will be Spoilers from this point on*******

Earlier this April when the first Marvel Netflix series 'Daredevil' was released I was unsure of how to review it since all the episodes were released at once and decided to review the season as a whole. I decided to review this season of 'Jessica Jones' in the same manner and will include my top 10 highlights throughout the season as well as compiling the easter eggs featured in the series. 

Highlights of the season

1. Jessica Jones- Jessica Jones made for a fantastic heroine to watch onscreen bringing a breath of fresh air with her character with her sassy sarcasm, her characterization and her overcoming the demons of her past. She suffers from alcoholism and PTSD which allows for great character development and character arcs throughout the season. Her powers were interesting to see onscreen and Krysten Ritter is incredible in the role. 

2. Kilgrave- I can't say enough how phenomenal David Tennant is in the role of Kilgrave and he makes for a fantastic villain to juxtapose against Jessica Jones. His character was so interesting yet repulsive and twisted at the same time. He also represents everyday people through the use of his powers of mind control in selfish ways that the everyday person would use them for. That was something that I think made his character that much more compelling and somewhat relatable yet sickening.

3. Jessica and Luke- Jessica and Luke Cage had a very interesting trouble relationship that is explored and complicated throughout the series and I really enjoyed it and hope it remains a part of the foundation for the upcoming 'Luke Cage' Netflix series. 

4. Jewel Costume- There was a very small easter egg where Trish shows Jessica her idea for a suit for Jessica to wear and Jessica ridicules it. This costume was a costume worn by Jessica Jones before she was controlled by Kilgrave and she was called Jewel. I liked how the show included the costume and even made fun of how ridiculous and impractical it is. 

5. Malcolm is the one supplying Kilgrave with photos of Jessica- One huge plot twist in the series I found very interesting was the reveal that Malcolm had been controlled by Kilgrave all along and had been ordered to take pictures of Jessica discretely and I think this allowed Malcolm's character to become interesting and be explored in the series by exploring the after effects of being controlled by someone that made for a great subplot arc of the series. 

6. Kilgrave's origin- Like Kingpin, Kilgrave has a very tragic origin that explains where his motivations came from as well as his powers and how one incident shaped him up to become the villain he is in the shows modern setting. I enjoy being given the opportunity to flesh out characters backstory's in different ways such as the video Jessica finds in addition to flashbacks.

7. Hope sacrifices herself- Probably one of the most crucial moments of the entire series was when Hope chooses to kill herself giving Jessica the freedom necessary to stop Kilgrave. This eliminated Jessica's necessity to leave Kilgrave alive for evidence and a huge final moment for Hope. 

8. Luke Cage vs. Jessica- One of the coolest action sequences of the entire series was a fight between Jessica Jones and Luke Cage the fight is also given much more depth thanks to their romantic relationship.

9. Kilgrave's manipulation- One thing I liked about Kilgrave as a villain is how he was able to manipulate the situation and I liked how he got through to Luke Cage and carefully scripted everything Luke said to Jessica. He also managed to use the one thing Jessica cared about against her when he gained control of Trish. I just really liked this aspect of his character and how it made him a significant threat.

10. The Ending- I really liked the ending to the first season as it wrapped up the first season nicely while teasing potential plot lines that could be explored in a second season. I liked how Malcolm seems to be joining Jessica and becoming  part of Alias Investigations and also how the series resolved the conflict with Kilgrave. Although I was sad to see Kilgrave die as he was a thrilling villain. I'm interested to see Jessica and Trish look into the IGH and learn more about how they tie into Jessica's past as well as Simpson's. I'm curious to see how all of these plot points explored in a second season if it is indeed greeenlit.

Easter Eggs

Screen Rant has published an article with the major easter eggs seen in 'Jessica Jones' if you are curious in seeing them all. I will discuss the major easter eggs that tie in with the MCU. http://screenrant.com/jessica-jones-easter-eggs-netflix-marvel-mcu/?utm_source=SR-FB-P&utm_medium=Social-Distribution&utm_campaign=SR-FB-P

MCU Movie Easter Egg

1. Small References- There are several tiny references to the larger MCU, in particular a reference to the "Big Green Guy" and the "Flag Waver", who are of course Hulk and Captain America. Another thing I noticed was a child running around in Central Park in a Captain America costume. 

2. Paranoia of powered people- There is one episode where a woman is terrified of Jessica and this slightly lays the foundation of people's fear of powered people. I think this will help lead into the Sokovia Accords which will be an important part of 'Captain America: Civil War' requiring superheroes to be submitted to government oversight.

'Daredevil' connections

1. Sergeant Mahoney- This officer who also appeared in 'Daredevil' shows up in 'Jessica Jones' in one episode of the series.

2. A familiar locale- The location Jones and Cage find Antoine in was previously used in 'Daredevil' for a base of operations for the Russian associates of Kingpin.

3. Ben Urich's article- An article written by Ben Urich appears in the background at the NYPD station near Clemons' desk. 

4. Night Nurse- The biggest connection between 'Jessica Jones' and 'Daredevil' comes in the form of Night Nurse's cameo in the final episode and her appearance allowed for several little nods to events that occurred in 'Daredevil' as well as the character himself that kept me wondering if Matt Murdock would make a cameo but unfortunately he does not show up in any capacity. I liked her inclusion that doesn't feel forced but makes logical sense however I think the series seriously missed out on at least acknowledging Nelson and Murdock's law firm as there were several opportunities where Jessica needed a lawyer however the series provided that in the form of another character Hogarth that will possibly link 'Jessica Jones' to the future 'Iron Fist' series. 

Stan Lee cameo

Stan Lee once again has a subtle cameo in the background pictured as one of the NYPD officers. 

Future MCU Characters teased

1. Hell Cat- Patricia Walker in the comics becomes the heroine, Hellcat. Throughout the season it is hinted she will eventually become Hell Cat in a later season.

2. Nuke- It is heavily teased that Officer Simpson will become the super villain Nuke. Nuke is another attempt by scientists to recreate the Super Soldier Serum, the pills he takes that enhance him are a clear indicator given that there are red, white, and blue pills he takes that enhance him are a clear indicator given that there are red, white, and blue pills that mirror how the character has an American flag tattooed on his face. I wouldn't be surprised to see him return in the second season of 'Jessica Jones' as one of it's villains. 

3. Iron Fist- Jeryn Hogarth is a gender-bent lawyer who is originally associated with Danny Rand, aka Iron Fist. Hogarth has had a long history in the comics, acting as a shaky ally to Iron Fist and Luke Cage as well as The Avengers. 

4. White Tiger- A reference is made to Angela Del Toro, another private investigator. Del Toro is the latest to claim the title of 'White Tiger', a costumed crimefighter who uses a set of mystical amulets of power to boost her own abilities to superhuman levels. So it's likely she will appear in the MCU Netflix Universe given the references. Especially since the major Marvel characters referenced in 'Daredevil' will be in it's second season.