Marvel's Jessica Jones, according to a good number of initial reviews, is the best television series Marvel has ever made. If you have watched the whole Netflix series or the first few episodes, you would have understood by now that rape and trauma experiences from past constitute an integral part of Jessica Jones' themes.
Melissa Rosenberg, the showrunner of the recently launched series, has talked to The Hollywood Reporter on how it handles that aspect of the story. Claiming that they were very conscious to treat rape and trauma with "˜sensitivity and responsibility' she criticized contemporary television shows and films for using it on demonstrating its impact on the men around the victim. Rosenberg explained:
"It’s like, “Oh his wife was raped and murdered so he’s going to go out and destroy the world.” That’s so often what it’s about, just this kind of de rigueur storytelling to spice up often male character."
She added that dealing in that particular way with the sensitive topic is "˜hideous messaging' and in Jessica Jones, they have dealt with it as its impact on the victim and about "˜healing, survival, trauma and facing demons'.
The showrunner went on to say that she didn't want to make rape into the specific topic of discussion because it was what Krysten Ritter's titular character lives "˜out in her daily life'. She added:
"We didn’t want to tackle it as an “issue.” Nobody wants to be preached to and I have no interest in doing any preaching, so it was really just informing her character, why she makes the choices that she makes."
On the next page - Melissa Rosenberg talks about Jessica Jones' using her feminine wiles and the possibility of a season two before The Defenders!
Jessica Jones doesn't use her "˜Feminine Wiles' to get Info!
In the interview, Melissa Rosenberg also remarked on her cautiousness to NOT "˜sexualize' or "˜objectify' Jessica Jones in spite of the character being "˜actually very sexual'. She didn't want to present the character as "˜some buxom chick with her boobs hanging out and a size 18 waist' which she believes is an "˜unrealistic model for women'. She added:
"One of the things I said out from the beginning is, “I never need to see Jessica Jones in high heels and a miniskirt using her feminine wiles to get information out of a suspect.” Any time you have a woman in the role of cop, detective or something to that effect, one of the first things they do is put her in heels and nice, tight black dress and send her out to go and get the information."
According to her, such demonstration is "˜JUST FRICKIN' LAZY'! She claimed that Jessica Jones is a character that would never do that. What would she do then? Hear it from the showrunner:
"She’d beat it out of them first, that’s actually a much more effective method."
There's Room for Jessica Jones Season 2 before The Defenders!
Now, Marvel's Daredevil is getting its second season before Marvel's Defenders comes out - so, is there the scope for Marvel's Jessica Jones? Here's how Rosenberg responded:
"I hope so. There certainly is storytelling wise."
However, she revealed her doubt about having enough time since Defenders, as per contracts, has to film by A CERTAIN TIME. She claimed that since she isn't involved with that series, she isn't sure about that. And the showrunner also expressed that she would love Jessica Jones to get a second season before Defenders but TIME and AVAILABILITY are concerns on the matter.
I'm sure you would desperately want a Season 2 for Marvel's Jessica Jones but the question is when do you want to watch it - before or after Marvel's Defenders? Share via comments!
