Not Binging Jessica Jones: Episode 2
Making myself write episode-by episode reviews of Jessica Jones is a great way to combat binging. I’ve said before I have too many life obligations that preclude sitting in front of a screen for the span of several episodes. By waiting until after I’ve written about the latest episode to write about the next one, I keep the latest events fresh in my mind. I don’t have to worry about what to spoiler, because I can’t. Haven’t seen episode three yet.
If you aren’t caught up, check out my review of episode 1.
Episode 2, “AKA Crush Syndrome” picks up after the horrific conclusion of the first episode. Hope, the girl Jessica was hired to find, was taken over by Kilgrave and forced to murder her parents. As the show opens, Jessica is brought in for questioning. Jessica knows Hope is innocent, but she needs to be able to prove Kilgrave’s existence, both to the police and to Jeri, so that Jeri will take Hope’s case.
The search for tangible evidence on Kilgrave takes up most of Episode 2. Along the way we find out the horrific lengths Klgrave went to stay alive after his bus accident where he was left for dead. The trail leads Jessica to an ambulance driver who had both his kidneys transplanted (against his will) to Kilgrave. The doctor who performed the surgery is also a link to the puzzle, although he isn’t too keen on helping Jessica at first. We also learn more about the mysterious bartender Luke. The episode has an amazing fight scene where Jessica and Luke must fight off five rugby players, who are friends of a man whose wife Luke was seeing. It’s a great scene and one that reveals something about Luke—he’s also a superhero.
For me, the episode started off unevenly, as I’m still not 100% sure what Trish is up to. Is she truly Jessica’s friend? An ex? Someone who will eventually double-cross her? The extended scene with Trish and Jessica felt a little stiff. Things quickly took off from there, however, and not just because of the great bar fight. Jessica Jones succeeds at implied creepiness. One great example is when Jessica confronts the ambulance driver who’s had his kidneys removed. The driver frantically writes “KIL” on a piece of paper. “Kilgrave,” Jessica says. “I know. Where is he?” But the driver isn’t done; he writes KILL ME in large shaky letters. It’s a powerful scene and left me disturbed for a day afterward.
The reveal of Luke’s superpowers at the end of episode 2 leave me wanting more, as does the extended scene with Kilgrave, where he takes over a family’s apartment. One thing I’ve noticed about Kilgrave. He takes particular delight in making women piss themselves. Hope mentioned how she wet the bed in Episode 1 because Kilgrave wouldn’t let her leave. In Episode 2 he sends a young girl to the closet; a puddle of piss is later seen leaking from under the door. Not sure there’s something greater to be said for Kilgrave’s piss fetish, but we’re 2/2 with making women pee themselves. We’ll see if it happens again in Episode 3. Stay tuned…
