Marvel's Jessica Jones: AKA Ladies Night - Episode 1 Review

This is the first part of our 'Jessica Jones' show where we review every episode currently streaming in Netflix, because the Purple Man says so. Click here to check reviews of other episodes.
When Marvel announced a 'Jessica Jones' television show is in the works as part of their partnership deal with Netflix, the consensus questioned under what limits will this program have. Based on the Alias comic books by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos, its adult-themed subject matter which includes glorified use of sex and violence brought a big amount of curiosity if the studio will push for a faithful adaptation or the usual low-tempered tone just like their movies.

We certainly got the answer with its very first scene. Episode One, "AKA Ladies Night" opens with a cheating couple "boning" it out under the bridge. The very first graphic sex scene was featured in the opening of a television show that looks like it's gonna have more. Turns out they are being spyed by Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), a private investigator who goes out at night to sneak on cheating spouses and expose it because it pays large. This is Ritter's first major break after starring in acclaimed television programs like Breaking Bad (Jane!) and Don't Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23, and she is off to a great start here with a cool and strong performance as Jessica.

What I love about Jessica and why i'm already looking forward to watch the next episode is how she was presented here. While she is a physically strong character, she is morally and psychologically damaged which makes her more human despite her super power capabilities. She is fearless, but once a man in a purple suit (David Tennant) whispers to her in a hallucination, she turns into a vulnerable person because she knew this man will come into her, very scared that she frantic to fly to Hong Kong just to get away. There's really not much to talk about Tennant's character at the moment, but he sure does is likely to stand against Wilson Fisk as Marvel's best villain.

One of the best moments in this episode is the "flirt"-session between Jessica and Luke Cage at the bar. The two, surprisingly has chemistry and I can't wait to see how their paths will cross in future episodes. It's very unusual though to see this relationship being built by "breaking" each other in a sex scene between the two.

The episode ends in a brutal, gut-wrenching scene that proves Marvel is taking it all out. The studio is clearly confident in taking new grounds on their name with this. 'AKA Ladies Night' both started and ended with sex and violence. That's no strange coincidence, right? Anyways, this is a really good pilot episode, and I can't wait to see the surprises come out in the future.

The geek rates it 8/10!