What to Expect from Jessica Jones
The long-awaited, release date-dodging Netflix series is almost here. The formerly titled AKA Jessica Jones about the former superhero has been discussed since the beginning of the Marvel-Netflix projects, and nothing has happened to make us doubt this show. The casting is good, the material’s good, and people can’t stop raving about it already. Before the show premieres and we go back to 13-hr viewings again, we have the lowdown on what the series is and what could very well happen.
It should be noted that Jessica Jones won’t Marvel’s first property with a female lead (that would be the amazing Peggy Carter in the slightly disappointing Agent Carter) or its first demonstration of a female superhero (that would be the more surprising Daisy Johnson AKA Skye AKA Quake in Agents of SHIELD). That’s not to say there can’t be more projects with female leads, but it is impressive that we’ve gotten to this point where even a Netflix show didn’t produce something this revolutionary. Besides, going over the fact that this show has a female superhero lead allows us to give more attention to the real heart of the story and characters and the fact that this will probably be the darkest Marvel property seen yet.
Going on the Alias comic that this series is based on and all the obvious promotion, this show follows Jessica Jones, a superhero with impressive strength among other things, as she rebuilds her life following a traumatic encounter with a sadistic mind-controlling villain through her lackluster private investigation business in New York and a lot of alcohol. Once the villain returns to the city wreaking havoc once again, she has to rise to the occasion to take down the monster and protect others from his wrath despite her own demons. Those things have been promoted in trailers and all things to do with the show, but as they say, the devil’s in the details. Those details might include the actual Daredevil, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
As I’ve said before, one of the interesting concepts of the show is Jessica Jones’s status as a superhero, or at least someone with superpowers. The show doesn’t look to be shying away from it as it has her destroying clocks, stopping moving cars, or punching heavy guys through walls. Having superpowers already distances her from Matt Murdock, but the focus on her PTSD keeps the show dark enough to bring back the fans. In that case, we can expect a lot of interesting fight scenes that could easily rival the previous series with half the effort. However, this show also looks like the mental fight will be half the battle for the 13 episodes. As a Marvel project, it’s obligated to have impressive fight sequences, but don’t expect the promotion (or detraction) of beating up criminals.
Like Daredevil, Jessica Jones has its own characters and world to worry about for a season. The most popular one is obviously Luke Cage, her on-again, off-again lover and future father of her child. He’s destined to have some awesome scenes in line with his own series set to premiere next year, not to mention easily become the greatest side character from this picture alone. Not to mention, of course, David Tennant’s role as the Purple Man whose presence stands to make Kingpin look compassionate. There might not be any car-door head slamming, but a room filled with police officers aiming to shoot themselves is just as unnerving. And the fact that there’s no hiding the dude is pretty much a sociopathic rapist. There’s no way Marvel could focus on a more messed up villain.
On top of all that, there are the adapted characters Trish Walker, Jeri Hogarth, and Will Simpson to prove that this show is indeed based on a comic-book. Trish Walker becomes the street hero Hellcat, Jeri Hogarth, as a man, had some connections to Iron Fist, and Will Simpson may be the guy who later becomes Nuke. All of these histories are definitely worth putting in a show, but given the things we have now, it’s likely none of these destinies will be realized this season. There will definitely be some hints, maybe an ambiguous ending for one of them, but nothing to really beat Jessica’s story.
However, this is still a Marvel project, so there needs to be some greater universe hints, especially since this show will have half of the Defenders. Taking place in Hell’s Kitchen, it wouldn’t kill someone to have a newspaper article about the “Daredevil” or at least a familiar street location. Rosario Dawson’s already set to reprise her role as the Netflix Nick Fury for connection, but there has to be more than that. After all, this Netflix series has a super-powered hero prior to Civil War. There has to be some tension about someone in New York being able to rip off a fender. Even Daredevil had its allusions to The Avengers since people just can’t get over millions of people almost dying. I’m also not saying that Charlie Cox may reprise his role in this show, but Charlie Cox may totally reprise his role in this show.
Even without the easter eggs and connections, Jessica Jones has a lot to deal with in one season. Nearly every character has some sort of demon to conquer whether physical or mental, though with Jessica it’s both. With Kilgrave’s powers being mind-control, it’s hard to guess what could be the climactic ending for the season or even the fates of the other characters (except Luke Cage, come on now). I’d like for Kilgrave to be dead by the thirteenth episode, but I can’t hope for that in comparison to a series where they killed Ben Urich and have the Kingpin live. In response to the grimness of this particular season, I’m going to hope that more characters than not make it to the end, especially since I would like to have a not-as-traumatized Jessica Jones for season two.
Jessica Jones looks to be both the perfect comparison to Daredevil as well as an interesting new show in its own right. I can’t be officially sure until I’ve seen all thirteen episodes to compare, but this show was always near the top of my anticipation list. Even if it’s similar to Daredevil, that would be the furthest thing from an insult at this point.
