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Jessica jones villain1/11/2024 Jessica Jones tells the story of a retired superhero, a woman who tried to help and failed. Jessica Jones gives a full and thorough exploration of his powers, his personality and his motivations.If you're considering watching this show, chances are you've already watched Marvel's Daredevil and know what to expect: a darker, grittier tone than the rest of the Marvel universe, great production values and strong characterization. But where other villains feel like missed opportunities, either killed off too quickly or with little fanfare, Kilgrave's death feels earned. It's a bit of a shame, actually, that Kilgrave is finished off within the 13-episode series because he's easily the most captivating villain Marvel has had in years. And the very fact that Jessica has to kill him only cements how dangerous of a villain he is. His motivation was so clear, his goal so singular, that Jessica is left with no other option. She realizes that some men are too dangerous to be left alive. In a confrontation reminiscent of Batman facing The Joker, Jessica makes the tough call and snaps Kilgrave's neck. When he takes control of Trish, attacking the only person Jessica has ever loved, it's the final straw. The final encounter between Kilgrave and Jessica is harrowing. She's trying to move past the trauma their relationship inflicted, while his only concern is winning her back - which he tries to accomplish by destroying all she loves, leaving her little choice between returning to him or watching her friends suffer. Kilgrave's obsession with Jessica is every bad breakup with an abusive, possessive partner cranked up to 11. Given the same abilities, how many of us would make different choices? It's why his powers are somewhat enviable. (Again, what a petulant child.) It's twisted, to be sure, given that Kilgrave also held Jessica in his thrall for some time, but it's also (sickeningly) relatable. Failing that, Kilgrave seeks to destroy her - if he can't have Jessica, no one can. All he wants is for Jessica to fall in love with him, as he has come to love her. Unlike many of the MCU's villains who have needlessly complicated plans for revenge or domination, Kilgrave's goal is simpler, it's uncomplicated and personal. The final key to why Kilgrave is such a compelling villain are his motivations. Best known as the lovable Tenth Doctor on Doctor Who, Tennant is clearly playing against type in Jessica Jones. So much of his intonation is eerily familiar - due in part to Tennant using the same inflections he perfected on Who - and the results are unnerving. Tennant is given the chance to play not only with our perceptions of Kilgrave, but of the actor himself. The character he creates is at first charming, seductive, but upon further examination is a grotesque, selfish sociopath with little to no concern for anyone but himself. Tennant's performance, however, is captivating. Most MCU villains aren't given this level of depth. Kilgrave is a lot of things, but most importantly he is a multi-faceted character the series takes its time developing. He gloats, he pouts, he throws veritable temper tantrums when things don't go his way. We don't just despise Kilgrave, we pity him. He's remorseless, using his powers to act on his every whim like a spoiled brat. What's worse, Kilgrave proves himself dangerous even without his powers, manipulating others with promises and pleas.Īt first, Kilgrave comes across as exceptionally charismatic, but the more we learn about him, the more pathetic he becomes. Kilgrave relishes in his control of other people, and Tennant's performance taps into our own desire for everything to go our way, making the whole scenario alarmingly alluring. Kilgrave's abilities are frighteningly powerful, but what's even more upsetting is how much he enjoys using them. These commands are extreme in their specificity and they must be carried out to the letter - giving Kilgrave unimaginable control. In Jessica Jones, Kilgrave commands a man to stand in front of a fence forever and a woman to slice another woman with a knife 1,000 times. Mind control is often shown making bystanders fetch and carry or forcing heroes to fight one another. It becomes all the more terrifying when we consider what those specific commands are. Most of his victims don't alter their behavior much beyond whatever specific command they've been given. It's usually pretty easy to pick out who Loki or Grodd are controlling - they're the ones not acting like themselves.īut when someone is under Kilgrave's control that distinction isn't as blatant. On The CW's The Flash, Gorilla Grodd is capable of controlling people's words and actions through thought. Yet in each of these cases the people being controlled act like zombies, they lose any spark of individuality within them. Loki used the mind gem for just that purpose in The Avengers, enslaving Hawkeye, Dr.
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