What I’m Watching: Jessica Jones

Jessica Jones: Season 1, Episode 5 “AKA The Sandwich Saved Me” (B+)

What a great title this episode had, and it references some important things we’ve learned this episode. Flashing back to see Jessica trying out being a superhero, with an ineffective mask and stupid names to boot, was informative and entertaining, and I liked seeing her reaction to saving a girl while dressed as a sandwich. It’s clear that Jessica never had much interest in hiding her abilities, as evidenced by her brazen act of strength executed purely to embarrass an obnoxious guy who hit on Trish at a bar. Explaining why she saved Malcolm for the first time to Kilgrave said a lot, and she’s clearly committed to helping people enough to give in to Kilgrave’s request for a picture a day of her to replace his required photography. I was surprised at how quickly the “kidnap Kilgrave” operation came together, but it makes sense that they wouldn’t need to wait the whole season to make their move. I like the banter between Will and Jessica and how Trish plays mediator, and their plan was actually pretty solid. Jessica salvaging Kilgrave seeing Will by drawing his attention to her seemed like it had saved the day, but of course Kilgrave was smart enough to hire help that wasn’t brainwashed to ensure that he wouldn’t be taken. The game has changed now, but that’s only going to make Jessica – and Will – more determined to bring down the scourge who has made so many suffer and has sent Hope to a dark place.