Los Angeles Times

Season 2 is the perfect parable for our times The fierce return of ‘Jessica Jones’

- LORRAINE ALI TELEVISION CRITIC

Arguably the most popular character of Netflix-Marvel’s superhero franchise, Jessica Jones finds the fiercest battle is internal when she returns Thursday for Season 2 of “Marvel’s Jessica Jones.”

The superhuman strength she once hid is now public knowledge after her epic battle in Season 1 with mind-controllin­g madman Kilgrave (David Tennant). Jones (Krysten Ritter) fell under his spell, and he used her formidable force as a weapon, threatenin­g New York and humanity, until she ultimately defeated him.

Now the press, law enforcemen­t and the public can’t decide what to think of Jones, the hard-drinking PI whose superhero “costume” is often the same rumpled jeans and T-shirt she slept in the night before.

Is she an avenger, criminal or victim? The scrutiny is wreaking havoc on the misanthrop­ic Jones, who would rather hide out at her local bar, drinking away past traumas that include the sexual abuse she suffered while under the influence of Kilgrave.

When the series debuted in 2015, it preceded the fall of film mogul Harvey Weinstein and the rise of the #MeToo movement. Upon its return, Jones is now among the millions of American women whose anger and sense of justice are upending the landscape.

Dealing with that anger constructi­vely without self-destructin­g is Jones’ greatest challenge when she returns for 10 new episodes filled with salty language, bourbon and brute strength.

The brilliantl­y executed comeback of an already smart series is the perfect parable for our times. Guilt, rage and self-

Where: Netflix When: Any time, as of Thursday Rating: TV-MA (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 17)

 ?? David Giesbrecht Netf lix ?? CHAINED, cuffed and on the phone: It can mean only one thing for Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter).
David Giesbrecht Netf lix CHAINED, cuffed and on the phone: It can mean only one thing for Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter).

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