I'm a bit late to the party here. As promised, I have a brand new cocktail for this new season that's perfect for Jessica Jones:
Just kidding, I don't want to die.
More seriously, I decided to go with an Aviation. The goal was to copy the color scheme of Jessica Jones - so a purple or blue cocktail.
1 1/2 oz Gin
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/4 oz Creme de Violette
1/2 oz Maraschino Liqueur
I may have doubled the recipe, which, in retrospect, was probably a mistake.
Now for my review:
I have to say that Jessica Jones's opening may be one of my favorites. It does a great job of having this detective-y/noir-ish vibe while also being very true to the David Mack covers that we saw in Alias and her current series. I like the introduction to Jessica's journey with an investigation in the classic detective voiceover. The story quickly establishes that she's a PI, but she's a superhero vigilante that doesn't want to be classified as a superhero vigilante. And she kileld someone.
Trish's efforts are interesting. She is trying to get Jess to investigate her past, but is sinking to lower and lower lows to do it. Pretending to be Patsy again isn't too bad (have to admit, I enjoy all throwbacks to Patsy Walker), but the family ashes is cold. There's definitely a sense that her actions are driving Jessica to new lows. Speaking of throwbacks (not new lows), we get possibly the most unexpected cameo: The Whizzer. I love that they somehow manage to incorporate a Mongoose. I'm really happy that he isn't entirely a joke character who's crazy. He does, in fact, have super speed. This season is probably going to get a positive review for that throwback alone.
The other PI isn't particularly interesting yet, but I'm glad to see Hogarth. I love the speech that she gave about female lawyers and "good enough." I'm sure I've said before that I'm a lawyer and the sexism in the field hits home. More importantly, there seems to be a conscious allusion to the TV industry. This season is entirely directed by female directors. Are we going to say "good enough for a woman" or acknowledge that they made the right call?
The final two moments I want to comment on are these: Jessica with the ashes is a genuinely sad moment. Krysten Ritter's performance is great overall. Her witty banter makes her more fun than any other character, but that moment of sadness really sells it. Second, the final investigation into IGH is genuinely creepy, while setting up intriguing moments to come. As of this moment, I'm sold on this particular story. Hopefully the execution - particularly with this "monster" will be worthwhile.
Stray notes:
Jessica noted that heroes die. This feels almost certainly a reference to Daredevil and is a nice bit of continuity.
The whole assault thing was resolved shockingly quickly. I wonder if New York has some kind of diversion or Probation before Judgment or if there was at least a mini-time jump.
I like Trish's British boyfriend. He might contribute to her character arc, but a normal relationship is good to see regardless.
Four and a Half Stars.
