terrytsui0504
02-16-16, 11:06 AM
After finishing Jessica Jones a few weeks before, I feel the need to write something in praise of this unique and spectacula show. The show is unique not only in the sense that it features more sex and violence than other marvel superhero shows, but also its discussion on some issues integral to heroism.
First I understand that this is a movie forum, still I want to take this chance to share some thoughts on this tv show. This is not meant to be a review but an opinion piece. My focus is to point out some aspects that I think are seldom covered in other superhero movies, but not to introduce. There will be spoilers.
I am from Hong Kong so I apologize upfront for my bad English.
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A Unique look at Heroism
In recent years Marvel has made a bunch of superhero movies, yet the nature of 'hero', or its opposite, 'villan', is seldom discussed. Over the years we have come to the stereotype that special abilities is the most essential requirement to being a hero, but that is often not the case. In the real world when we refer to someone as a 'hero', we not only praise his capability, but a larger moral scheme that he fights for.
That moral goal is what seperates a hero from a villan.
A typical superhero would usually have a goal that is understandable by the public, and is willing to put this goal in priority of his personal gain. For example Captin America (defending USA and the values it represents), Batman (Ensuring that Gotham is free of crime). Of course that is not always the case, sometimes the goal can be more personal. Ironman (Fame and publicity) or Deadpool (Revenge and saving a love one).
A villan on the other hand, can have a much wider variety of motivation. They often has an agenda that is not acceptable by the public : Wilson Fisk ( Building a better city but in the process causing great casualties), Joker (Proving his Nihilistic philosophy), and the numerous others who pursue money and power.
The point here is that most shows will insert moral goals to the characters, as a distinction between the hero and the villan.
In Jessica Jones however, the hero (Jessica Jones) and the villan (Kilgrave) are, to a large extent, not motivated by an moral agenda, but instead their own personal feelings.
When show starts, Jessica Jones attempts of being a superhero had already failed. She has very little interest in other people's welfare. The motivation of her actions is simply to earn a living, and escaping the guilt that haunts her from the past.
After she witnesses Hope, a girl which Kilgrave uses to lure her out, kills her parents under the command of Kilgrave. Her goal becomes capturing Kilgrave, to prevent him from harming others and defending Hope from her murder charges. I would argue that the change in attitude does not mean that Jones has now acquired a mindset of a superhero. It merely signifies Jones is now willing to face her past, to redeem herself, instead of running from it. The topic of redemption will be discussed further in the latter part.
Kilgrave is also a very unusal villan. On the surface, his goal is simply to gain back Jessica Jones, whom he sees as a pet with special talents. The motivation is at first sight almost childish, but it actually adds a lot to the tragic story of Kilgrave. Kilgrave acquired his abilities at a very young age. Although he can command anyone to 'love' him, he also understands that those are not genuine. Furthermore, his ability to command everyone to speak the truth means that he has never had the blessing to be lied to. Everyone he encounters has shown deep hatred against him. In this sense, Kilgrave is a tragedy, he seeks genuine affection and recognition, as a little boy who lacks self-esteem and feeds on praises from others. Jessica Jones, as the only one Kilgrave cannot control, serves as a representation of what he seeks. This is why Kilgrave is so eager to impress Jessica Jones, to prove his own worthiness without using his powers.
We can see that Jessica Jones and Kilgrave are not good material for hero and villan. However, a brief exchange between the two still provides some interesting insight to the discussion of heroism. In roughly the middle of the show, Jessica Jones attempts to persuade Kilgrave to use his ability to do something good. They go to a house where a man has held his family hostage. After Kilgrave commands the man to put down his gun, Jones suggests that the hero thing to do would be to tell the man to turn himself in while Kilgrave argues that commanding the man to shoot himself is more appropriate because he is not likely to have any contribution but imprisoning him would cause tax money. This brief exchange signifies the different views on the sanctity of life and justice. Jone's justice would be to hand the man over to the authority and let the court decide, while Kilgrave take a more practical and utilitarianistic approach. Although the idea of justice doesn't seem to be an important focus of the show, this is nevertheless a fun piece.
Manipulation
Manupiliation, and its collateral damages, are the central theme of the show. I have established in the above how the protagonist and antagonist is different from your usual hero and villan. In fact, many have argued that this is more of a psychological drama than a superhero show. Beyond the coating, it is a realistic and horrifying drama about manupilation and exploitation.
I have heard that in the Nuremberg Trial, one of the most common defense against war crime is that the offendor has no choice. If they do not carry out the orders of the authority, they will endanger themselves and their family.
It is not hard to see that in the present day, no one is entirely the master of his own. We are all controlled and manupilated, in the form of pressure coming from the ones around us. It may be the order of your boss, the persuation from your family, a request of a friend. Our decisions are shaped by all kinds of influences. Some even go so far as to say that free will is an illusion.
The show has shown effort in illustrating this point. The twisted relationship between Robyn and Ruben is an example of how undue influence can lead to extreme reliance. The relationship between Jeri and Pam, althougt not as twisted, also involves one party constantly applying pressure to the other.
In this sense, Kilgrave's ability is based on what is already very common in the real world. The ability to persuade, to manipulate, to make other obey you and act according to your wills. Such is evidenced by the description of Kilgrave's ability by the show. His ability is not mind control, but to insert an enormous desire into someone's mind. The manipulated is fully aware and conscious of their actions. And just as the defendants in the Nuremberg Trial, they must too feel guilty, and a sense of responsibility.
Whether the manipulated should be responsible for their actions is at least debatable. In the show, we can see victims blaming Jessica Jones for Kilgrave's action, although they are fully aware that Jessica Jones is not in control at the time. This is of course a sophisticated topic and I intend to make no further comments. What is important is that guilt and responsibility is what drives Jones. She blames herself for what happened to Hope and Cage's wife. There is an instance that Hope is referred to as Jone's 'collection of guilt' (Forgot actual wording). The determination to help Hope is actually an attempt for Jones to redeem herself, and fulfill her responsibility.
Empowerment
Seeing that Kilgrave is a representation of the public, the next question is whether it is inevitable that someone having Kilgrave's ability will act as he does. In the interrogation room, Kilgrave makes a comment of how Jessica must 'feel good to be in control'. The idea that people would love to be empowered, to take control, not because they want to advance any particular purpose, but because it is an enjoyable thing to do. This is, although quite haunting, an accurate depiction of the society. Jeri for example is a character that loves to take control, both in her relationship with others and in the court room. Furthermore, her power is admired by Pam as a quality that attracts her. The red pill is another obvious symbol for power, which Trish expresses her excitment over after defeating Simpson.
Conclusion
I believe that good story and good characters make good shows. Jessica Jones possess both qualities in my opinion. Furthermore, it is a realstic story of a survivor, where we can all draw connections from. For this reason it stands out from other superhero shows.
I do realize I have only touched what could be discussed. Please feel free to leave a comment if you have watched the show, or go watch it if you haven't
Thank you.
First I understand that this is a movie forum, still I want to take this chance to share some thoughts on this tv show. This is not meant to be a review but an opinion piece. My focus is to point out some aspects that I think are seldom covered in other superhero movies, but not to introduce. There will be spoilers.
I am from Hong Kong so I apologize upfront for my bad English.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Unique look at Heroism
In recent years Marvel has made a bunch of superhero movies, yet the nature of 'hero', or its opposite, 'villan', is seldom discussed. Over the years we have come to the stereotype that special abilities is the most essential requirement to being a hero, but that is often not the case. In the real world when we refer to someone as a 'hero', we not only praise his capability, but a larger moral scheme that he fights for.
That moral goal is what seperates a hero from a villan.
A typical superhero would usually have a goal that is understandable by the public, and is willing to put this goal in priority of his personal gain. For example Captin America (defending USA and the values it represents), Batman (Ensuring that Gotham is free of crime). Of course that is not always the case, sometimes the goal can be more personal. Ironman (Fame and publicity) or Deadpool (Revenge and saving a love one).
A villan on the other hand, can have a much wider variety of motivation. They often has an agenda that is not acceptable by the public : Wilson Fisk ( Building a better city but in the process causing great casualties), Joker (Proving his Nihilistic philosophy), and the numerous others who pursue money and power.
The point here is that most shows will insert moral goals to the characters, as a distinction between the hero and the villan.
In Jessica Jones however, the hero (Jessica Jones) and the villan (Kilgrave) are, to a large extent, not motivated by an moral agenda, but instead their own personal feelings.
When show starts, Jessica Jones attempts of being a superhero had already failed. She has very little interest in other people's welfare. The motivation of her actions is simply to earn a living, and escaping the guilt that haunts her from the past.
After she witnesses Hope, a girl which Kilgrave uses to lure her out, kills her parents under the command of Kilgrave. Her goal becomes capturing Kilgrave, to prevent him from harming others and defending Hope from her murder charges. I would argue that the change in attitude does not mean that Jones has now acquired a mindset of a superhero. It merely signifies Jones is now willing to face her past, to redeem herself, instead of running from it. The topic of redemption will be discussed further in the latter part.
Kilgrave is also a very unusal villan. On the surface, his goal is simply to gain back Jessica Jones, whom he sees as a pet with special talents. The motivation is at first sight almost childish, but it actually adds a lot to the tragic story of Kilgrave. Kilgrave acquired his abilities at a very young age. Although he can command anyone to 'love' him, he also understands that those are not genuine. Furthermore, his ability to command everyone to speak the truth means that he has never had the blessing to be lied to. Everyone he encounters has shown deep hatred against him. In this sense, Kilgrave is a tragedy, he seeks genuine affection and recognition, as a little boy who lacks self-esteem and feeds on praises from others. Jessica Jones, as the only one Kilgrave cannot control, serves as a representation of what he seeks. This is why Kilgrave is so eager to impress Jessica Jones, to prove his own worthiness without using his powers.
We can see that Jessica Jones and Kilgrave are not good material for hero and villan. However, a brief exchange between the two still provides some interesting insight to the discussion of heroism. In roughly the middle of the show, Jessica Jones attempts to persuade Kilgrave to use his ability to do something good. They go to a house where a man has held his family hostage. After Kilgrave commands the man to put down his gun, Jones suggests that the hero thing to do would be to tell the man to turn himself in while Kilgrave argues that commanding the man to shoot himself is more appropriate because he is not likely to have any contribution but imprisoning him would cause tax money. This brief exchange signifies the different views on the sanctity of life and justice. Jone's justice would be to hand the man over to the authority and let the court decide, while Kilgrave take a more practical and utilitarianistic approach. Although the idea of justice doesn't seem to be an important focus of the show, this is nevertheless a fun piece.
Manipulation
Manupiliation, and its collateral damages, are the central theme of the show. I have established in the above how the protagonist and antagonist is different from your usual hero and villan. In fact, many have argued that this is more of a psychological drama than a superhero show. Beyond the coating, it is a realistic and horrifying drama about manupilation and exploitation.
I have heard that in the Nuremberg Trial, one of the most common defense against war crime is that the offendor has no choice. If they do not carry out the orders of the authority, they will endanger themselves and their family.
It is not hard to see that in the present day, no one is entirely the master of his own. We are all controlled and manupilated, in the form of pressure coming from the ones around us. It may be the order of your boss, the persuation from your family, a request of a friend. Our decisions are shaped by all kinds of influences. Some even go so far as to say that free will is an illusion.
The show has shown effort in illustrating this point. The twisted relationship between Robyn and Ruben is an example of how undue influence can lead to extreme reliance. The relationship between Jeri and Pam, althougt not as twisted, also involves one party constantly applying pressure to the other.
In this sense, Kilgrave's ability is based on what is already very common in the real world. The ability to persuade, to manipulate, to make other obey you and act according to your wills. Such is evidenced by the description of Kilgrave's ability by the show. His ability is not mind control, but to insert an enormous desire into someone's mind. The manipulated is fully aware and conscious of their actions. And just as the defendants in the Nuremberg Trial, they must too feel guilty, and a sense of responsibility.
Whether the manipulated should be responsible for their actions is at least debatable. In the show, we can see victims blaming Jessica Jones for Kilgrave's action, although they are fully aware that Jessica Jones is not in control at the time. This is of course a sophisticated topic and I intend to make no further comments. What is important is that guilt and responsibility is what drives Jones. She blames herself for what happened to Hope and Cage's wife. There is an instance that Hope is referred to as Jone's 'collection of guilt' (Forgot actual wording). The determination to help Hope is actually an attempt for Jones to redeem herself, and fulfill her responsibility.
Empowerment
Seeing that Kilgrave is a representation of the public, the next question is whether it is inevitable that someone having Kilgrave's ability will act as he does. In the interrogation room, Kilgrave makes a comment of how Jessica must 'feel good to be in control'. The idea that people would love to be empowered, to take control, not because they want to advance any particular purpose, but because it is an enjoyable thing to do. This is, although quite haunting, an accurate depiction of the society. Jeri for example is a character that loves to take control, both in her relationship with others and in the court room. Furthermore, her power is admired by Pam as a quality that attracts her. The red pill is another obvious symbol for power, which Trish expresses her excitment over after defeating Simpson.
Conclusion
I believe that good story and good characters make good shows. Jessica Jones possess both qualities in my opinion. Furthermore, it is a realstic story of a survivor, where we can all draw connections from. For this reason it stands out from other superhero shows.
I do realize I have only touched what could be discussed. Please feel free to leave a comment if you have watched the show, or go watch it if you haven't
Thank you.