Yes, I have seen Iron Fist. Yes, I agree that Danny Rand is a bitch and a square simultaneously. But when the day is over, after finishing the second season of Netflix’s Jessica Jones, I can still say that I found Iron Fist to be the more enjoyable show.
Granted, this is like debating on Pizza Hut or Papa John’s over who’s the worst pizza, and both shows sit at the bottom of the barrel in my opinion when it comes to Netflix’s ever expanding library of Marvel properties set primarily in Manhattan. But for reasons I can’t comprehend, Jessica Jones always seems to have this pass that the majority of the populous I ever speak with in regards to these shows always seems to think that it’s such a fantastic show.
I get that it’s a show with a strong female lead created by a crew with primarily females in key roles, so I understand the importance of the show from that standpoint, but from just the sheer storytelling and enjoyment factor, I just don’t see it.
The main takeaway I had after I finished the last episode of season 2 of Jessica Jones was it was a season with an objective of deconstructing all of the characters in the series, and presumptuously setting up for a third season that hasn’t even been confirmed yet. I will say that I do think it was better than the first season, which literally reset three times, versus the actually linear singular plot of season 2, but again, that’s another comparison of two low-grade things. I walk away from Jessica Jones S2 with feelings of unsatisfied disappointment, little excitement for another season, and a general loathing of the Trish Walker character.
I will say that prior to the release of the first season of the show, I was widely unfamiliar with the source material, and I had little idea of how she fit into the Marvel Universe, only to discover her loose associations in Hell’s Kitchen with Daredevil and Luke Cage, and the all-connecting Claire Temple.
But I think the issue I have with the Jessica Jones storyline is the sheer lack of character development throughout both seasons. I get that Jessica Jones is the reluctant hero, who just wants to go about her own business and getting drunk when not doing gritty private investigation work. It’s abundantly clear in the first season, and the script barely changes throughout the duration of the second one. Trish Walker is an obnoxious, insecure wannabe crime fighter, who begins to demonstrate a willingness to go to extremes in order to gain super powers. Malcolm the neighbor is a recovering addict who is somehow deconstructed in both seasons, leading to him finally getting some seeds thrown his way in the last 20 minutes of the second season.
Frankly, the only character that I felt had any growth or potential was Jeri Hogarth, the high-powered lawyer; mostly on account of her very easy cross-program capabilities, and her development can easily lend itself to the plots of any of the other Netflix Marvel properties aside from just Jessica Jones.
Put it this way, if Netflix decided to not order a third season of Jessica Jones, then the show will have effectively ended on a completely loose end, with almost nothing settled, seeds that will go unsown, and plots that have been teased only to go nowhere. Although I’d wager money that it’s only a matter of time before Netflix announces that a third season had been ordered, I never think it’s in the best interests of any episodic television show to deliberately end a season so busted wide open, presuming there will be a next season in which they can then grow the plot seeds that took an entire season just to plant.
Although this is a practice that all the other Netflix Marvel shows have done, at least in my opinion, they’ve all told better stories and developed characters that leads to the necessary lingering interest that makes loose endings lead to anticipation and excitement and optimism for a future season. I have high hopes for Luke Cage’s second season, and although the events at the end of The Defenders left the Daredevil storyline kind of up in the air, without The Defenders, Iron Fist’s storyline probably has no interest whatsoever. Unfortunately, The Defenders did Jessica Jones little favors, and blatantly gave her the shaft in terms of spotlight and bonus character development.
If there is a third season of Jessica Jones, I’d watch it. At this point, I’d vested too much time and am aware of all of the seeds planted, and I’d want to see if a season 3 would be the season where Jessica Jones actually gets as good everyone else seems to think it is. But at least in my opinion, unless they start introducing some less insufferable characters, and actually pull Jessica’s head out of her own ass, season 3 will be my breaking point.
Ultimately, I hope Jessica Jones gets better. Krysten Ritter is a compelling actress, and she deserves better than what the show’s subjected her to for two full seasons as a titular character.
Updated Netflix Marvel Rankings, post Jessica Jones season 2:
- Daredevil
- Luke Cage
- Punisher
- The Defenders
- Iron Fist
- Jessica Jones
