Quickie Reviews #9

Jessica Jones

In the finale, Jessica Jones has narration where she says “People say everyone is born a hero.” I think that sums up this show really well, because I have literally never heard of anyone saying that before, and that quote makes about as much sense as everything else that happens in season one of Jessica Jones. Character motivations only exist to further the plot, people like Luke Cage and Claire are only included to expand the Marvel television universe, and Jessica Jones herself is a completely narcissistic moron who makes the wrong decisions at every turn and then feels sorry for herself about it. She isn’t a character worth rooting for, because not only does she not believe in herself, she doesn’t seem to really care about anyone besides herself, no matter her protests to the contrary.

On the positive side, David Tennant is brilliant as Kilgrave. His motivational writing leaves a little to be desired, as he flounders between being insanely in love with Jessica and wanting her violently murdered basically on a whim as the story demands. But Tennant makes the most of the material, which is something I unfortunately can’t say for Krysten Ritter with Jessica Jones. Ritter isn’t bad, it’s just that Jessica is such an unlikable character on this show. She’s selfish, stupid, proud, insecure, and worst of all, uninteresting. She says everything with a glower on her face, hates everyone and everything, and pouts constantly when things don’t go her way, which is only ever the case because she’s the one who royally screwed up in the first place. I can’t get into enough detail on this show’s flaws in such a short review, but it seriously boggles my mind how much people seem to love this show. I just don’t get it. I only kept watching because I felt like I had to as a comic book fan, but if season two ends up going in the direction they teased in the finale, I can’t say that I’m interested one tiny bit. This was a wasted opportunity, and the first Marvel universe project that completely misses the mark. I’m gonna go watch Daredevil, that show is awesome.

5.6/10

The Beginner’s Guide

If you played The Stanley Parable when it came out in 2013, you were probably as excited as I was for The Beginner’s Guide, Davey Wreden’s newest game. But while The Stanley Parable felt personal to its creator yet approachable to an audience, The Beginner’s Guide is too personal for its own good. The game deals with some compelling ideas about friendship, ownership, and depression, but does so in an overly melodramatic way.

Game of Thrones – Season Three

Man, this show can be such a huge bummer. It’s amazingly conceived, written, and acted, but sometimes it can be exhausting watching terrible things happen to good people over and over and over with no justice. It’s gotten to a point that whenever something good does happen, you’re just left waiting for the other shoe to drop and for everyone to die in a fire. Damn you, George R.R. Martin, you’ve made me even more of a cynic than I already was.

Season three of Game of Thrones changes the trajectory of several major characters, most notably Tyrion, Jaime, and Theon. The latter two are particularly interesting, because up until now, they’ve mostly been portrayed as villains. Jaime, the favorite son of the most hated house in Westeros, back-stabbing murderer, incest lover, and all around smug prick. Theon, betrayer of house Stark, whiny baby boy, and also all around smug prick. They were two characters you loved to hate, but this show has now made you feel sorry for them, and that’s insane. Tyrion also went through some major changes from the fallout of last season, and things seem to only get worse for our one and only favorite Lannister. Jon went north of The Wall, joined the bad guys, fell in love, and then betrayed her. Dany continued her freedom trek across the desert, freeing slaves and gaining followers at each city. Stannis and Davos continued their love/hate relationship under the terrifying manipulation of Melisandre, and Arya continued to be a complete badass on her search for revenge on those who have wronged her family.

The most exciting thing about season three was that it set the ground work for the awesome events that are about to come. The battle between the Night’s Watch and the Wildlings, the approach of the White Walkers, Bran Stark going north of The Wall, Dany growing her army. Game of Thrones is getting bigger and more intense with every season, and I love it. My biggest complaint was the usage of Theon in this season. I understand that they didn’t want to leave him out of the story for more than a few episodes at a time, but his constant torture became a bit much towards the end. But that’s a small issue when compared with the rest of the season. And that doesn’t even make mention of the Red Wedding. Season one it was Ned’s death, season two was the Battle of the Blackwater, season three was the Red Wedding. It’s to a point where I’m terrified of what will happen in episode nine of a season of Game of Thrones.

10/10