So this morning, I had the utmost pleasure of watching the
first episode of Netflix's original series, Jessica Jones and I can tell you it
did not disappoint. I will tell you first off that I have never read the comic
book series, so I cannot tell you if the
series holds true to the mythology or not, only if I liked the TV series in
general.
Jessica Jones follows the story of a private detective named
Jessica Jones played by Krysten Ritter who is endowed with super strength and
the ability to hold down a lot of liquor. She is your typical private dick -
lives alone, hates everyone, has a mean wit about her and barely has 2 dimes to
rub together. She spends her time picking up cases from either people who walk
through her door or the paid gigs she pulls from a local law firm given to her
via lawyer, Jeryn Hogarth which is played by Carrie-Ann Moss.
Jessica Jones takes place in the same universe as the
Avengers but the whole super hero thing is not used like a crutch here to carry
the show. Jessica has super strength but other than a few broken doors and a
moment with a dirt bag strip club owner, you barely remember Jessica even has
powers throughout most of the episode. She relies on her street smarts to get
the job done and I respect her for that. She only pulls out the big guns when
she has to.
In the first episode, you discover that Jessica was once held
captive by a man named Kilgrave played by David Tennant who has the ability to
make people do anything he wants just by telling them to do it. Our heroine
still suffers from PTSD from her experience, and we soon find out that her
ordeal is not over and her newest case is making her crossing paths with this
mad man again.
While you never actually see Kilgrave on screen for more
than a few seconds at a time in the first episode, David Tennant's performance
of him is chilling. I mean that literally as I got chills from the moments that
he flashed behind Jessica and whispered in her ear. Plus it was scary to think
about what a villain with the power of suggestion could do with all that power
to innocent people.
The first episode briefly introduces the a few other of the
show's characters like Luke Cage played by Mike Colter, whose name is not mentioned
I believe, but he is around Jessica long enough to bang her and then make her
throw up about afterwards. We also meet her only 2 friends, Trish Walker played
by Rachel Taylor, who is a local on-air personality and a fiercely protective friend
of Jessica's, and Malcolm played by Eka
Darville, her homely neighbour who is just as messed up as Jessica is.
Jessica Jones is definitely not your kid's marvel. It is a
seedier and darker version where only adults should venture. It doesn't need
flashy costumes or big names to draw people in. Best of all, this series is
more proof that the women of the marvel universe can not only hold their own
but fucking grip you tight and leaving you screaming for more and more, baby.
This is the series that every warm blooded adult should be
watching right now. Seriously, stop working and go home to watch to binge watch
this.
Definitely 5 stars from me.
