WARNING: The following article contains mentions of sexual assault.
Throughout Netflix’s Jessica Jones, the titular superheroine’s antics prove that she is, without a shadow of a doubt, a strong, independent woman capable of overcoming all manners of obstacles. Jessica Jones explores the intimacy of abuse, including trauma, recovery and guilt. Within those hardships comes a strong sense of empowerment, which makes Jessica Jones so admirably badass.
Netflix may have canceled the beloved Marvel series, but let’s look back on some of Jones’ most badass moments from all three seasons — remembering that in this context, the definition of badass is based on more than just raw strength.
Jessica Jones Puts A Misogynist In His Place
In Season 2, Episode 7, “AKA I Want Your Cray Cray,” there’s a flashback of Jessica Jones and her half-sister, Trish Walker, in their early years as rebellious post-teens. In an inebriated state, Trish is taken advantage of by a misogynistic drug dealer in a club.
When Jones intervenes and threatens him, he derivatively calls her a “b*tch” and continues to assault Trish. After making him fear for his health, Jessica says, “Call me a b*tch again. Compare me to a dog, an animal you can kick and collar. Say it.”
Jessica Jones Tricks and Kills Kilgrave
In the Season 1 finale, “AKA Smile,” Jessica and Kilgrave’s cat-and-mouse game comes to a definitive conclusion. At the docks, Kilgrave plans to make Trish his newest mind prisoner as punishment for Jessica failing to sincerely love him.
In a premeditated plan to trick Kilgrave, Jessica pretends to fall under the influence of his powers to disarm him, then seizes the opportunity to snap his neck, instantly killing him. Therein lies some poetic justice, as Jessica kills her abuser and ends a life-long cycle of torment and suffering.
Jessica Jones Saves A Family From Car Wreckage
In Season 2’s finale, “AKA Playland,” Jones has made amends with her mother, Alisa Jones, whom she initially intends to imprison for her many crimes but instead chooses to become a fugitive with. En route to salvation at the borderline, Jessica and Alisa come across a family in distress; the family’s trapped inside and under several pieces of car crash wreckage and further endangered by imminent explosions.
By performing cooperative feats of heroism, both Jessica and Alisa save the family and bring them to safety. It may be an unconventional bonding moment for mother and daughter, but it still succeeds as a heartwarming tribute to their unbreakable bond, as well as crediting Jones’ status as not just a badass, but a sometimes kindhearted one.
Jessica Jones Wrestles Salinger (and Wins)
In Season 3, Episode 7, “AKA The Double Half-Wappinger,” Jones has already encountered her adversary, Gregory Salinger, who uses his average job as high school wrestling coach as a front for orchestrating calculated murders. When Jones visits the high school to confront him, he challenges her to a wrestling match — much to her amusement and the students’ encouragement.
They wrestle, only for Jones — as expected — to emerge victorious. Salinger gets a taste of his own medicine and some embarrassment to boot. It looks like Jones has earned herself a reputation for beating up disrespectful and narcissistic men.
Jessica Jones Disobeys Kilgrave (Twice)
In Season 1, Episode 6, “AKA You’re a Winner!,” a flashback reveals that Jessica killed Reva Connors, Luke Cage’s wife, while under Kilgrave’s influence. In that same sequence, the unwitting murder of Reva awakens Jones’ immunity to Kilgrave’s powers.
After Reva’s passing, Kilgrave looks to move on with his life, demanding that Jones “come here” and accompany him. When she refuses, unbeknownst to viewers, she becomes henceforth invulnerable to Kilgrave’s influence. Watching her walk away from him is an empowering act of breaking free from an unhealthy situation — an inspirational message for all.
Later, in Season 1, Episode 9, “AKA Sin Bin,” Kilgrave is held captive in the hopes of attaining confessional evidence to clear Hope Shlottman of undeserving charges. When Kilgrave inevitably escapes, Jones pursues him and grabs his arm. In a desperate attempt to make a swift exit, he says, “Let go of me, Jessica.” She disobeys yet again, forcing Kilgrave to improvise an escape method. From then on, she uses this newfound knowledge to oppose him.
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