TV REVIEW: Jessica Jones: Season One

If I’m being completely honest, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is beginning to wear thin for me. I haven’t been really impressed by anything since Phase 1 (except Guardians of the Galaxy) and I was dubious at best with my expectations for their television universe. Especially following Agents of Shield, which wasn’t able to hold my interest for the length of the pilot episode.

Knowing nothing whatsoever about the comic series, I decided to watch Jessica Jones on a whim. So let me say, completely unbiasedly, I think this television show is the best thing to come out of Marvel Studios, including Iron Man 1 and the first Avengers movie. Younger viewers should be cautioned that this is a far cry from the family friendly tone of the usual Marvel slate. Jessica Jones works very hard to earn its R rating, with numerous sex scenes, graphic depictions of violence and surprisingly dark adult themes.

Throughout this 13-episode season, we follow private investigator, and meta-human, Jessica Jones, along with her personal struggle for revenge and redemption from Kilgrave, a terrifying figure from her past. I’m hesitant to reveal anymore, as the characters, their interactions and relations to each other are better left a surprise. You can be rest assured that the series will keep you engaged, and on the edge of your seat from the first episode, all the way to the last. The cast of the series is absolutely fantastic. It’s full of what I would consider B-List celebrities - various actors who have been in projects much greater than themselves, but are finally on the cusp of becoming household names.

Krysten Ritter is fantastic as the alcoholic and nihilistic Jessica Jones. She's a character that could very easily have become cliché and trite, however Ritter’s performance made her consistently realistic, engaging and entertaining. Not to take credit away from the very clever screenwriting, which fed in perfectly to her portrayal.

The supporting cast is fantastic from Mike Coulter, as charming bar owner, and fellow meta-human, Luke Cage, all the way to David Tennant’s terrifying and captivating villain, Kilgrave. Tennant gives us one of the all time greatest comic book villains to be portrayed in movies, or TV. His aspirations are a lot simpler than world domination, or legions of doom, however, this makes for much more intimate fear when he is on screen, completely raising the personal stakes. Something the Marvel Cinematic Universe is sorely missing.

Carrie-Anne Moss, Rachel Taylor and Wil Traval are equally captivating in their supporting roles, and all have their moment in the sun. I would fully recommend Jessica Jones to anyone who is fan of well made and well produced TV shows, let alone superhero or procedurals.

It already has a place in the television hall of fame and personally, in my top 5 seasons of TV.

What do you guys think of Jessica Jones? What do you want to see from Season 2? Let us know at paperclipnews@gmail.com