Not Binging Jessica Jones: Episode 4
The deeper into our non-binge of Jessica Jones, the more we’re drawn into her world, and the more we learn to feel what she feels. After the reveal of the last episode, we know that Kilgrave has had one of his minions tailing Jessica. The apartment he stayed at was filled with pictures of her, pictures that could have only come from someone who was watching her every move, every step she takes. It’s the Police song turned horrifyingly wrong.
The theme of Episode 4 “AKA 99 Friends” is paranoia. Jessica’s paranoia from being watched by Kilgrave’s spies. Trish’s paranoia of being attacked again. None of their fears are without justification. But first, there’s cases to attend to. A new client, Audrey Eastman, shows up asking for Jessica’s help on a case. At first, Jessica is skeptical. After all, Kilgrave sent the last case to her, with disastrous consequences. But Eastman seems legit, a jilted wife looking for proof of her husband’s infidelity. Although wary, Jessica agrees to take the case.
Meanwhile, Trish is addressing fears of her own. After coming out from under Kilgrave’s influence, the cop—Will—is filled with remorse at almost killing Trish. He’d make it up to her, if only she’d let him. But Trish is having none of it. She’s not quite able to forgive Will for what he did, even though he did it while being controlled. The Will/Trish dynamic presents some interesting questions. First: is someone to blame for the actions they perform when they’re under Kilgrave’s influence? Trish thinks so, and so does Jessica; she takes full responsibility for all the sins she committed while under Kilgrave’s power. It’s one reason she breoke it off with Luke in Episode 3. This hard line about accepting personal responsibility is something very different from today’s modern world, where people are often taught that the crime they commit while being influenced by anything—alcohol, drugs—isn’t their fault. Jessica rejects that notion; it’s one reason she’s trying to atone for her past deeds.
The other question the Trish/Will relationship asks is how far should someone go to ask forgiveness? Will’s actions in this episode seem very selfish to me. He continues to seek forgiveness even though Trish has made clear she isn’t ready to grant it. In a way, he’s demanding that Trish forgive him, and for that I’m not that keen on the character. (The scene where Trish has a gun pointed at Will’s head is very powerful, and I would not have been surprised had Trish pulled the trigger.)
The episode also reminds us that regular people have their own fears. Audrey Eastman lost her mother during the Battle of New York…and she blames Jessica. Kilgrave didn’t send Audrey to Jessica, but Audrey set Jessica up nonetheless, executing an unsuccessful ambush while trying to put the blame for her mother’s death on any and all superheroes. In this way Jessica Jones is both calling back to the issue of collateral damage first raised in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and setting up Civil War. Collateral damage also seems to be a big thing in the DC universe, from the trailers of Batman v. Superman. But this is one time where Jessica doesn’t accept responsibility, nor should she. Jessica doesn’t deserve the blame for Audrey’s mother’s death just because Jessica is a superhero. Thankfully, Jessica recognizes this and is able to escape the ambush with her life, and without killing anyone.
At the end of the episode we learn who has been following Jessica and taking pictures for Kilgrave: her junkie neighbor Malcolm. While Malcolm has been in the background over the first few episodes, during his brief screen time his relationship with Jessica has been well established, and this will surely deal a blow. Malcolm betraying her is something Jessica won’t bounce back from quickly. I guess we’ll find out in the next episode how she’s going to address this latest breach of trust.
