Jessica Jones Episodes 1-3 Reviews: Finally A Superhero For Adults (Series Premiere)

NetFlix launched it's newest foray into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) last week with "Jessica Jones". This is not your typical superhero show though. First of all, the lead character is a woman. As I've discussed previously, there's a serious lack of female superheros as leads. The two exceptions currently airing are "SuperGirl" (which just began on CBS) and "Agent Carter" (soon to return for a season 2 on ABC). Secondly, the main character does not fly around defending truth, justice and the American away.

Instead, Jessica (played by Krysten Ritter) is a tortured, antisocial, alcoholic. She works as a private investigator using the name "Alias Investigations". Jessica mostly works cases where spouses are cheating on each other. This definitely doesn't give her much faith in humanity. She lives in a run down building in Hell's Kitchen, NY. Other tenants include a drug addict who breaks in her apartment to eat her peanut butter (Malcolm) and a weirdo brother/sister duo (Robyn and Ruben) who live right above her.

Jessica's bestie (they have been on the outs for a while) is radio talk show personality Trish Walker (played by Rachael Taylor of "12 Monkeys" fame). Jessica suffers from PTSD due to her time with a guy named Kilgrave (played menacingly by David Tennant). He can control the minds of anyone he comes in contract with. He forces a girl named Hope to kill her parents right in front of Jessica.

Jessica does a lot of work for lawyer Jeri Hogarth (Carrie Anne Moss). We learn that Jeri is no nonsense and has a wife (and an assistant/lover on the side). Jeri is a very busy woman. I'm hoping we'll see more of her in the future.

Jessica has a fling with Luke Cage (played by Mike Colter). Like Jessica, he has special powers. He is "indestructible". Jessica gives him the brushoff at the end of episode three. I assume it's because Luke is getting his own show soon. Luke has not learned yet that Jessica was responsible for his wife Reva's death (while she was under the control of Kilgrave).

Favorite Quotes:

"God didnt do this. The Devil did. And I'm going to find him."- Jessica Jones to one of Kilgrave's victims.
"A big part of the job is looking for the worst in people... turns out I excel at that."- Jessica.
"I dont give a bag of dicks what kinky shit you're into. Just be into it quietly."- Jessica to her upstairs neighbors.

Episode Guide (there are 13 episodes total). Each begins with "AKA" since the original title of the show was "AKA Jessica Jones":

Episode 1: "AKA Ladies Night"
Episode 2: "AKA Crush Syndrome"
Episode 3 "AKA It's Called Whiskey"
Episode 4: "AKA 99 Friends"
Episode 5: "AKA The Sandwich Saved Me"
Episode 6: "AKA You're A Winner"
Episode 7: "AKA Top Shelf Perverts"
Episode 8: "AKA WWJD?"
Episode 9: "AKA Sin Bin"
Episode 10: "AKA 1,000 Cuts"
Episode 11: "AKA I've Got The Blues"
Episode 12: "AKA Take A Bloody Number"
Episode 13: "AKA Smile"

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). So far I'm really enjoying the show. The lead is tortured and compelling. I'm a sucker for flawed superheroes. The baddie (Kilgrave) is menacing. Given his power, Jessica is not safe anywhere (which greatly ups the stakes). The other main characters also have great chemistry. After three episodes, I'm going to declare "Jessica Jones" a hit for NetFlix. How do you feel about the show? Please leave your comments in the notes below.