First an apology for not managing to blog last week... Not even Insecure first Wednesday... I planned to. And then I lost my mind. So sorry about that...
Now I am NOT GOING TO SPOIL PLOT but I do plan on giving some detail about character, which includes some relationship stuff and a bit of backstory, so I will say minor spoilers if you haven't watched. My focus though, is on a few character lessons.
(this harkens to Katniss Everdeen, too, but Jessica Jones has it in spades). And Jessica has an advantage her to Katniss. Her unpleasant snark is sometimes REALLY FUNNY. But she is isolating herself, cutting off the very few... okay one... person she cares about, pushing people around (sometimes literally) to get them to listen. But as the show reveals why, the watcher really comes to love her. She considers her major weakness to be that sometimes she gives a damn. And we understand that, too.
I think it is easy when we plot to think “this relationship is this way and that relationship is that way” but in reality relationships can be fluid changing things. Learning something about somebody can change how you feel. People can have a rift over some real life trauma so it looks like one thing, but the love there runs deeper than is apparent and if that comes out? WOW. Jessica's only real relationship is with her foster sister Trish and it looks at first like this naggy (on Trish's part) call when I need something (on Jessica's part) relationship. But digging down to the gritty details this is the most powerful friendship I think I've seen display in the media.
But in addition, Jessica has a couple of symbiotic relationships—people she doesn't like but needs, people she just feels irritatedly responsible for...
And she is drawn to people she shouldn't be for her own sanity...
OHMYGAWD David Tennant. This villain's power is mind control. He says “you want to come with me” and you do. He says “cut out your heart” and you do. And he has NO conscience. He isn't even getting off on being mean—he doesn't care. He is annoyed so those are the commands he gives. But from a viewer perspective, he is vulnerable, charming, funny... and then he does something that drops the jaw. I think this nuanced villain is so much scarier than one that is just all evil. And and interview with David Tennant gave away what I think the key is here: See, he doesn't think he's the villain...
In fact there is NOT just one villain. There are good guys who pose obstacles, they can be selfish people trying to take advantage, they can be idiots who think they can outclever someone... This show has all of them. Sometimes they foil the MC. Sometimes they help the villain (inadvertently or intentionally) and sometimes both. This show has all of the above and it's amazing what it does for pace and tension.
So have you guys watched? Any other character lessons you noticed? Any lessons you learned elsewhere you'd like to share?
11 comments:
Sounds like an interesting show! No, I've never watched it. I like the thought that a MC can be unpleasant with just-cause...there are always so many tips for making a character likeable and likeable doesn't fit all storylines.
I really want to watch this show! (Because David Tennant. Does one need another reason?) It sounds very interesting, too. I just need some time to catch up on my other shows before I dive into something new.
I haven't watched it yet but I'm going to. I love Netflix's Daredevil. They did such a great job on that show with complicated and deep characters.
I watched it. Like watching a train wreck as far as the characters, and I mean that in a good way. I will keep watching, as it's fascinating, but not sure I can say I enjoy it with a villain like that.
I watched the first three episodes. I am a poor Netflixer, I know. But I agree with you completely these characters make you tune in.
Yeah, I didn't read any of that because I haven't started watching, yet.
Ah, crap! Another really good show to start watching. Oh, the agony! But seriously, I'd like to start watching this show, especially since you make the characters sound like they have some real depth and complications.
Hi Hart - it's not a Show I watch .. but I can imagine the creativity and thought processes authors would get through watching and then letting their imagination run. You've hooked people here .. cheers Hilary
I've only got one episode left! I'll finish it out tomorrow morning. So. Frickin. Good.
I've never even heard of this show and will not likely watch it. You have brought up some great points about characterization though. A charming intelligent villain for whom we can feel empathy is the best. It's refreshing to have well-rounded characters that seem like people we could actually know in real life. This makes it easier to invest oneself in the story.
Arlee Bird
Wrote By Rote
We watched the first episode...or part of it. It's one we wanted to get into but with so little time, it's going to have to wait. Why are there so many epic TV shows lately?
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