Jessica Jones Season 3 (Review)

Season 3 of Jessica Jones is the end of a short, usually sweet, but sometimes bitter era in superhero genre of TV shows. The Defenders had Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and last but not least, Jessica Jones. We had some hits like Daredevil S1 and S3, Luke Cage S1, The Defenders mini series, and Jessica Jones S1. All while we had some misses like Daredevil S2, Luke Cage S2, and Iron Fist S1. Jessica Jones S2 wasn't bad, and I actually liked some of lessons/plot lines through out, but the villain, while still personal, wasn't nearly as powerful or menacing as one David Tennant as Kilgrave. So how was the last season of JJ, and the last season of Marvel's Defenders we might not get for another year or more? Well let's talk about it.

So there were things I liked about this season, and there were things I really hated about this season. If there was one thing that could really sum up what this season, it's that "they thought they had more time." Sadly, with most of the twists and plotlines through out this season, I kept getting the nagging feeling like they felt they had more time, before Netflix started axing each and ever show back in what? September last year? Of course, we know that's not the case, and it's really upsetting considering Daredevil S3 was a damn near masterpiece and JJ S3 sadly felt like it was suppose to be split up between a S3 and a S4. The main villain was menacing, yet I felt like by the end of the season, he was the second fiddle to who really wound up becoming the bad guy. Gregory Sallinger (Played by Jeremy Bobb), was a worthy opponent for Jessica in my honest opinion. He was smart, two steps ahead, and completely ruthless. The scariest thing about him was that he wasn't powered, yet he was able to go toe to toe with Jessica, strictly with his wit alone. I really did like that, and it was one of the better parts of the season. I loved Jessica's growth through it all as well. Yes, there are still those usual Jessica moments we still love and know, but she feels more mature. I know that's kind of cliché, but before she had her mannerisms, but she really tried her best to NOT be a hero. However, by S3, she's actively TRYING to be a hero. Something we haven't seen to this point. Having her mom in S2, as well as what went down in both seasons and the Defenders mini series did change and challenge Jessica. This is what you look for in your main character.

It's the side characters that are rough here. It's not all of them, but in the past two seasons, Jessica Jones has done a far better job of character building than they did here in this last season. It only strengthens my idea that this season was jumbled with the idea that it wasn't to be the last. Where Daredevil didn't focus on a S4, setting up for one, sure, but ultimately not piling their eggs into one basket. Just focusing on telling a great story with the time they had. Some of the side characters in this season really went off the rails, and not for any kind of good reason. Not for deeper stories or lessons, not for any logical path, they just did things to do things. Sometimes like the previous two seasons didn't even happen. Characters like Malcolm had a decent plot progression, but what the Hell happened with Pyrce Chang? He pulled a Laurie Forman and he just disappeared, and I didn't even hear a mention of him. Didn't Malcolm work with him, to assist Hogarth? Now suddenly he works for Hogarth. It's details like that that derail S3 horribly.

Hogarth? Her story was so up and down and all around. It's like, we get it, she's suppose to be cold and calculating. She only thinks about herself. But in three seasons, that hasn't fostered a ton of growth, even with her dying from ALS. Don't get me wrong, the moments that focused on her mortality were easily the best and showed what Carrie could pull with that character. It reminded me of the times when House had to face his own mortality as well. I'll fight for the fact that I think Carrie was the best person to play Hogarth, and through out the different seasons and heroes, she's had some great moments. However, this season had her flounder a bit too much, and it's upsetting. Although the "past relationship" that comes back for this season was where some of the better moments came up too. What left me so confused was the total 180 she pulls about half way through the season. I get where they were TRYING to go with it, but it doesn't fit. Hogarth basically turns her back on Jessica, and throws away everything built up over the last several seasons.

Of course there is Trish. Trish was the hardest one to watch most of the season. I won't spoil much with the review, but her character at times is baaaaad. It isn't the actresses fault by any means. It's the script and plot. She really doesn't feel bad about what she does at the end of S2 to Jessica. I get that it is leading up to the second half of the season, but it doesn't mean it's good. She has powers now, as was hinted in S2, and at times it's cool. I loved the connection they made with Trish's past and her new found superpowers, and why it was such a big deal to her. BUT, a lot of the development that happens just flies off to the right and explodes. It honestly makes me think and feel like it was setting up something big for a S4, but instead it had to be rushed out the last couple of episodes to happen at all. That's the only thing that makes sense. Also, those last two or so episodes FLIES off the deep end. It gets bonkers honestly, and not in a good way.

Cinematography is great, there are some really great looking shots through out the season, but it's Marvel, what do you expect? They have some of the best in the business, and I'll say it over and over with each product they have out there. Fight scenes are great too. Music isn't remarkable, it really just gets the job done. I don't really remember much about it, so it didn't stand out OR annoy me. So there is that. The 13 episodes to me weren't utilized the same as the shows and seasons previously mentioned. I loved the detective stuff Jessica Jones is known for, I loved seeing her be a heroine, but it just wasn't enough to save this season.

The main plot was good overall. The new side character Erik (Played by Benjamin Walker), who is a Super himself, was interesting and well done. His story is a sad one, and I thought he was treated really well. The main plot revolves around mostly him and the new villain, Sallinger, who is a very smart serial killer. Like I mentioned earlier, the back and forth between him and Jessica is always tension raising and good. However, the main plot is mostly fleshed out and finished by like episode 10. So that's it from me. Overall, I was saddened by this last season, as I was hoping it would take the Marvel TV series on one last hurray, and really, it was a bit of a dud. For the season 3 of Jessica Jones, I'm going to give it a...

6/10

It pains me honestly. I wish it was a bit better, and I wish it stuck this final landing. But alas, it is what it is. I'll be finishing up Stranger Things 3 here soon, as well as putting the final touches on a video review of Wolfenstein: Youngblood. So stay tuned for that. If you like what you read, or found it helpful, just give me a thumbs up and maybe share this review? I'll talk to you guys soon!