Jessica Jones 2.11: “AKA Three Lives and Counting”
The purple light. That slow, deliberate clapping. He’s baaaack. Jessica’s trauma over killing the prison guard manifests itself in the form of the Kilgrave. And from the moment he appears it’s clear how much Jessica Jones season 2 has been missing him. Not the character himself per say, but a clear, defined evil. The IGH conspiracy didn’t last long enough to be really interesting and it seems that the show is trying to make Alisa into a misunderstood character not a true villain (despite all the horrible things she’s done). Really who is the big bad of season 2?
The most important thing about Kilgrave’s appearance is showing just how much Jessica has grown. Yes she’s taken “three lives and counting”, but she also realizes she’s stronger than he will ever be. Deep down Jessica knows she’s not a killer. And unlike Kilgrave and Alisa she has self control. Hearing Jessica say, “I am enough” in the face of her deepest fears is an incredibly powerful moment. She still has a long way to go, but her road forward is looking clearer.
“Do you know what it’s like to feel powerless?”
“Everyone does.”
“Not everyone has an abusive mother and a superpowered sister.”
And then there’s Trish. Trish has been spiraling since the season began and it’s only getting worse. She doesn’t even have Simpson’s inhaler to blame her erratic behavior on anymore. She has become skilled in manipulating everyone around her. She gets Malcolm to help her find Karl and then locks him in the trunk of her car for his efforts. She tells Karl she cares about his research when all she really cares about is getting powers herself. And time and time again she lies to Jessica under the guise of wanting to help her.
If you have a sister, you can understand Trish’s motivations. They are extremely close, which also makes them extremely competitive. Trish is Jessica’s number one fan, but she is also jealous. There is a part of Trish that believes Jessica doesn’t deserve her powers and that she could do a better job. Jessica will do anything to stay under the radar while Trish has lived her life in front of the camera and basically wants to suit up and run around the city rescuing people. I really wish Jessica Jones season 2 had focused a little more on this tension in Jessica and Trish’s relationship rather than the animosity between Alisa and Trish. (I honestly don’t understand why Alisa hates Trish exactly.)
Stray Observations
- David Tennant singing, “Hey, hey, I want your cray, cray” is something I never knew I needed
- #MalcolmDeservesBetter
- RIP Karl, I’m going to miss your laid back hippy mad scientist vibes
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