Oh, hey Netflix! Just when we thought we weren’t spending ENOUGH of our lives glued to our TVs/tablets/laptops, you come and hit us with another amazing original drama in the form of Jessica Jones – and we’ve devoured all 13 episodes in a weekend. Here’s why we think you should be lapping up the new Marvel TV series too…
Netflix’s original dramas so far have been brilliant. Orange is the New Black, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidtt, House of Cards, BoJack Horseman, Wet Hot American Summer… They’re all BRILLIANT. Without the constraints of a TV network, they can be a bit more daring, they don’t have to stick to certain times or messages and they’re creating some really gripping telly while they do it.
Jessica Jones is the latest offering. From the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this is yet another superhero story, but Jess (played by Krysten Ritter of Don’t Trust the B**** in Apartment 23 fame) is a superhero with a difference. From the film noir inspired intro, we know this is going to be dark – and it’s oh so good.
We meet Jess as she’s setting up her own private investigator business, having retired from a previous attempt at the superhero game – it’s her super strength which sets her apart from civilians, able to pick up a two-tonne car as if it weighs nothing. She’s designed for beating up bad guys and getting answers, basically.
Jessica is approached by a couple whose daughter has gone missing – and our unlikely hero (she’s a heavy drinker, a bit crabbit and generally hates everyone) sets about finding her. She quickly realises though that it’s someone from her past who’s taken Hope – and she gets on a mission to save her.
The series marches ahead with Krysten trying to track down and put a stop to her evil ex, Kilgrave, who has powers of his own and a mission to win back Jessica, get her back under his control and take down anyone who gets in his way. Jessica is, however, immune to Kilgrave, who has the power to control people’s minds and make them carry out unspeakable, violent tasks, which makes his whole idea a little bit trickier – but he’ll stop at nothing to win her over.
This is possibly the most grown-up-offering from Marvel in a while. Expect blood, guys and gore, insane levels of violence, strong language and the odd sex scene too – but it’s all totally justified in the murky world of Jessica Jones. Interesting too is the fact that all the main characters are women – but it avoids the outdated ‘superheroes for girls’ formula. There are no pretty costumes and grand romances here. This is gritty, raw, pacey and disturbing – and the women in the show are all fantastic, strong and flawed, their friendships and relationships real. There’s hardly a single scene in the whole series without a woman present – and that’s amazing to see in the man’s world that is film and TV.
Ritter is perfect casting at Jessica. She’s a proper badass, hard as nails, but not without her flaws, struggles and challenges – the kind of female character we’ve been itching to see in a superhero series for ages, because she’s real. She’s damaged too – she’s a survivor of unspeakable abuse – and suffering with PTSD, and Ritter manages to get across the combination of vulnerability, coldness and determination that makes Jones such a compelling, interesting character.
The terrible Kilgrave is played by Scotland’s own David Tennant, and he does a spine-tinglingly good job of playing the baddie. This guy has ‘Bond villain’ written all over him. He’s very casual about his nasty ways – making people cut off their own arms, stab themselves, fling themselves off buildings – and there’s no evil laughter or OTT bad guy behaviour from this one. Sometimes, he’s actually pretty likeable. He’s a definite highlight in the show.
With characters like Trish, Luke Cage and Night Nurse all introduced, there’s plenty of potential for spin-offs, continuations and bigger, more exciting stories and crossovers from elsewhere in the world of Marvel. And I cannot wait to see how the story continues.
Jessica Jones had me from the get go. It’s not a superhero story as you’d know it – no capes and rescuing fair maidens from burning buildings here – but the modern take is must-see TV. Grab your remote, get settled down and get ready to watch your weekend disappear. You won’t regret it.
