Television: Marvel's Jessica Jones

The Witch Trial:
Marvel's continued expansion onto the small screen continued with Jessica Jones.  Do her super powers manage to capture our imagination and will we want to see more?

Who:
Starring: Krysten Ritter, Rachael Taylor, Mike Colter, Carrie-Anne Moss, David Tennant
What:
Season One
Why:
Part of the greater plan of Marvel in their attempt to dominate the world!
When:
Released 2015
Where:
Takes place in Hell's Kitchen in New York

The Case For:
Jessica Jones is one of those lower level super heroes from Marvel who doesn't have enough pulling power on her own to green light a movie but has enough of a following to warrant the gamble of a small screen debut.  Along with Daredevil, Iron Fist and Luke Cage (who is part of the cast here) and also not forgetting Agent Carter as well as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Marvel are certainly expanding into television in a big way.
In a similar vein to the film releases, Marvel have created enough of a difference in the storylines amongst their TV output so you don't feel you are watching the same repetitive tales.  It is a clever marketing tool and one that I hope they continue with as each show certainly has its merits and audience appeal.
Again they have shown they are a modern forward thinking company with this show based around a strong female lead.  Along with Agent Carter and the forthcoming Captain Marvel film, as well as super heroine Black Widow's many on screen appearances, they are certainly leading the way by putting female role models at the forefront of their products.
Jessica Jones is as much about the people as it is about the heroics.  The character studies that take place make this one of the most interesting takes on the genre from the huge array of super hero shows we are inundated with.
There is a strong emphasis on the mental health issues of not only Jessica Jones but also her supporting cast too; Trish Walker, Will Simpson, Malcolm Ducasse, Jeri Hogarth, Kilgrave and any number of others too, all have their problems on display.
Post-traumatic stress disorder plays a huge part in the lives of many of these people, particularly our heroine.  We also have drug addiction, anger management, mental torture, bulimia and child abuse addressed during this season.  It is so refreshing to have these topics discussed and recognised so openly in a genre best known for focusing on big explosions and plenty of action.
Character development is imperative to engage with your audience when it comes to television.  A film can get away with just being entertaining but if you want watchers to keep tuning in each week, you need to have people that are interesting so viewers want to see what happens next in their lives.
This show certainly achieves that.  It was very satisfying, for example, seeing Malcolm struggle with his drug problem and trying to overcome it.  The same goes for seeing how Trish copes with the trauma from her childhood and gaining the strength and belief to stand up for herself.
Of course Jessica's struggle with coming to terms with the mental anguish that Kilgrave put her through during her time under his influence is the main plot point throughout this first season.  Krysten Ritter portrays her as a very capable woman but also one who you can see is clearly traumatised from her ordeal.  She uses alcohol as one of her coping mechanisms.  It is clear this is a person who has trouble opening up to others.  She is not one to cry out for help even if she recognises that it would be cathartic for her.
It's an excellent performance from Ritter, very nuanced and subtle; she can evoke many emotions just from a flicker of her eyes or the curl of her mouth.  That's not to say she doesn't kick ass when it is needed.  She is no shrinking violet that is for sure!
The relationship she shares with Trish Walker is one of the highlights of the show.  Ritter and Rachael Taylor do have excellent on screen chemistry.  It is nice to see the support they provide for one another but also display their differences too.  In much the same way siblings will disagree, fight and bicker, we see the same from the two of them.
Jessica's love interest Luke Cage makes his on screen debut here before he gets his own show in 2016.  Luke gets a good introduction and we basically get enough of his story so once his series does come along, we aren't going to be subjected to half a season of origin story.  There is very little explanation for either hero as to how or why they have these super powers.  It's a nice touch though, because we don't need to know.  The fact they are different from regular people is just something we are left to deal with.
I liked this particular partnering too.  Both Jessica and Luke have baggage and issues to deal with.  You get a sense that they could be kindred spirits.  Each have the burden of trying to hide their abilities from the wider public and this shared agenda helps bring them closer together.  There is a connection between the two that I don't want to spoil, but the way this particular story thread is handled throughout the season's run is very dignified.  The resolution certainly feels well handled in relation to their shared experiences with Kilgrave.
This brings us to Kilgrave.  David Tennant portrays one of the best rounded out super villains we have yet seen in the Marvel universe.  One of the benefits of TV is the extra time it allows to develop the bad guys as well as the good guys.  Like Wilson Fisk from Daredevil, Kilgrave certainly has his fair share of screen time, which allows us to get a glimpse of why he is the way he is.
Kilgrave is very charismatic with undertones of menace and a temper brimming just below the surface.  For someone who doesn't have a group of henchmen at his beck and call, he certainly uses his powers to bring people to his aid when needed.
His usage of his mind manipulation powers bring us full circle back to the mental trauma suffered by many people at his hands.  Kilgrave's victims come together to form their own support group that allows us to explore their group therapy sessions.  This sort of situation makes you realise you are watching a different type of TV show which isn't afraid to tackle bigger issues.
As the season gets closer to the end we are provided with a hint as to what the future possibly holds. We may see Nuke appear as an enemy our main protagonist has to deal with. There is also the mysterious IGH introduced in the last couple of episodes that requires further investigation. Both of these should have enough intrigue to entice viewers back for season two.
There is a nice crossover character introduced in the last couple of episodes from Daredevil.  There are a number of other minor players that we meet here, in addition to the ones introduced already in Daredevil, that all add to that world building that should bear fruit once we get to The Defenders mini-series planned for the future.

The Case Against:
Are we at risk of an over saturation of super heroes?  Marvel certainly doesn't seem to think so.  The question does need to be asked though, especially when we get shows with characters that have a hard core group of fans but aren't as well known to the wider public.
It does make you wonder if a show based on someone like Jessica Jones is going to have enough appeal.  Certainly when you see the quality of what is on show here it should do, but is it going to attract people who will think it is just yet another show about costumed heroes.
Both Jessica Jones and Daredevil have a much darker tone to them than the movies Marvel have released.  They are definitely aimed at more mature viewers than the target audience for the films.  That's a bold move when you already have the numbers flocking to see your product on the big screen.
It's also a well-planned calculated move though.
There is a certain cynical thought that the TV shows are here in an attempt to widen Marvel's appeal to people who wouldn't be interested in seeing their movies.  There would be age groups who would view their output as too juvenile for them.  By having more cutting edge TV shows aimed at a mature audience it gives Marvel access to these groups.
By the same token the darker tone and subject matter of Jessica Jones certainly alienates a lot of the younger generation who do flock to see their movies.  You would imagine that Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Matt Murdock in their current incarnations won't be showing up in any future films and vice versa, Thor or Hulk aren't going to make an appearance in Hell's Kitchen any time soon.
It is a shame as it does isolate them to their current media.  On the other hand it could also be a good thing too.  If Tony Stark was popping up all the time to meet with Jessica then the show would quickly become a case of "Guest Starring" each week.
As for Jessica Jones itself there is a distinct lack of action per episode if fans are expecting to see lots of punch ups.  Especially as both Jones and Cage are super strong, you would be forgiven for thinking that it will be a full on fight feast every time.  It isn't a problem for me as the greater subject matter being covered is far more interesting than seeing fight after fight.  There is still a fair share of action anyway but some might think there just isn't enough.  For instance I found Daredevil had a fight quota that each episode felt the need to meet, which detracted from my overall enjoyment of that series.
One thing that did amuse me greatly was Jessica's continuous use of her strength to open locked doors.  That particular trope must have appeared on average once per episode, so much so you could consider making it into a drinking game.  She could certainly get a second job as a locksmith if she was short of cash!
The most frustrating thing that did occur was Kilgrave managing to get away time and time again.  Just when you think she has him something would crop up to allow her nemesis to escape once more.  Combine this with the door opening powers and you could end up with a drinking game that would make you more than a little tipsy.
Probably the most annoying part of the season was the final resolution.  The writers built such a great villain with so much about him to love and hate that it would be nice to see Kilgrave appear further.
What has become a common trait though for Marvel, is they seem to only allow for the bad guys to have one storyline before we move on to the next one.  In the comic world it is the opposite though as enemies are brought back time and time again.  It would be great if Loki wasn't the only one to appear more than once.
I think they may have missed a trick here with Kilgrave; he has a similar appeal to the god of mischief, certainly with David Tennant's portrayal of him.

Verdict:
She might have been burnt at the stake back in the 1600's for her super power abilities.  Today, however, we need to commend Jessica Jones for breaking new ground in a forever expanding genre.  No witches here people, just plenty of broken doors that need mending!

Evidence:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2357547/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Jones_(TV_series)

Book: The "Jason Crane Sleepy Hollow" Trilogy by Richard Gleaves

The Witch Trial:
Richard Gleaves uses the basis of Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" to mould this trilogy, with the characters of Richard's books being the descendants of the main characters from Irving's "Legend" story.  How well does he achieve this premise we will find out below...

Who:
Author: Richard Gleaves (with a little help of course from Washington Irving)
What:
Horror/Mystery
Why:
Normally I would let you know here if the book is a standalone book or part of a series.  However I am covering all three books in the series as it stands now (hopefully we get more in the future).
"Rise Headless and Ride" introduces our main hero Jason Crane, with "Bridge of Bones" continuing the saga and "General of the Dead" concluding the trilogy.
When:
Set in the present day
Where:
Based in the small village of Sleepy Hollow

The Case For:
I came across the book "Rise Headless and Ride" from a BookBub recommendation (a website that all avid book readers should use).  Having read Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" a few times, as well as having the audio book too, you could say I was already a fan of the original source.
So when I read the blurb for "Rise Headless and Ride" and saw that it contained the Headless Horseman and was set in Sleepy Hollow it is safe to say that I was keen to explore this novel.
Richard Gleaves uses this haunted location for the setting of his story, crafting his tale around the original "Legend" short story.  The way he has incorporated the "Legend" in to his own trilogy is a remarkable achievement.  His love of the original text and the village itself really shows through in his work.
Our hero is Jason Crane, a teenager who tragically lost his parents in a motoring accident.  He moves to Sleepy Hollow with his grandmother, who has guardianship.  Her motive for moving to the region, unbeknown to Jason, is that he is a direct descendant of Ichabod Crane.  This will have a bearing on the future of himself and everyone else around him.
We are soon introduced to Hadewych Van Brunt who, without wanting to spoil it too much, appears to be one of the villains of the piece.  But impressions can be mistaken and there are a few surprises in store for both protagonist and villain.
The story arc of Hadewych is done in such a way that from one chapter to the next you are unsure as to whether you want to hate him or wish for his redemption.  The same goes for Hadewych's son Zef who experiences many emotional shifts.
That is one of the main strengths of these books; the depth of character development that takes place is excellent.  Not just for our hero but nearly every person we get to meet grows in some way throughout the series.  You find yourself disliking a person at the beginning and then further along hoping that they survive the tale.
Seeing as how this story has a supernatural element to it we are soon introduced to special "Gifts" that certain people have.  I was a bit sceptical when these abilities were first introduced into the story but as more details came to light about their nature they did add to the overall enjoyment.
Each Gift is well thought out and helps to move the narrative along whilst also providing some of the materials more light hearted moments.  Also the reasons given as to why regular people have no knowledge about the gifted, is done in a believable and satisfying way.
I'll admit I wasn't aware that Sleepy Hollow is an actual place in New York.  I thought it was somewhere made up for the original "Legend" story.  To find out it is a real village was a pleasant surprise.  So much of this trilogy is featured around real places, or events that happened, or people that truly existed.
There are layers upon layers of references and clues to these along the way, that only pay off as you get to certain points.  Once you reach these sections it makes you want to go back and re-read bits to see how you missed them.  There are probably other references that I didn't pick up on that would jump out or be clearer on a second read.
The Salem Witch Trials, along with Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" are a couple of things hinted at throughout the narrative.  Also the way the Tarot is used throughout the plot is superbly done and once it gets to "General of the Dead" you will wonder at the ingenuity of it all.
There is just so much attention to detail and planning that must have gone into the development of this story that makes me really appreciate the efforts of the author.  The way things have been integrated into the story makes the world building that is taking place here appear to be only a small part of a much larger universe.
We could be reading only a portion of what has the potential to be an epic work of fiction.  That is what excites me the most about this saga.  There is so much more that can be explored further and I for one hope for plenty more to come from the Jason Crane world.

The Case Against:
There weren't too many issues I had with this trilogy overall.
The back stories of Dylan and Agathe Van Brunt did take you out of the main story, but were imperative to get the bigger picture.  So whilst they did feel like you were being given a lot of extensive exposition in one hit, it was important to the overall structure of this tale.
Agathe's reading of her diary did feel a little forced for where and when it takes place in the third book but I struggled to think of a better place for this part to have unfolded.
It's unusual to have such large back stories told in full and in such detail when the wider drama is still continuing.  From some of the reader reviews I have seen, not everyone bothered to read these parts until after they had completed reading the main adventure.
The alternative of having them appear as appendices would have spoilt the overall effect.  Agathe in particular would have suffered if her diary wasn't included in the body of the book.  As much as you probably don't want to, you can find some sympathy for the life she missed out on and the person she could have become once you find out her history.
One of the major plot points throughout the novels are the "Gifts" that a person can have.  There does seem to be an abundance of secondary characters that all of a sudden are revealed as gifted people.  So many that you wonder if being a normal human is in the minority.  Now I fully understand why so many people need to have these abilities but at various parts you do think "Not them too," as yet another person is revealed to be gifted.
A lot of these extras that have powers however do help move the mystery along.  It is also a neat trick too, if you view their reveals in the context of the story and why being a gifted person is kept a secret from the wider public.
Out of all of our main characters the one person whose story does come across as slightly underdeveloped is Kate Usher.  Don't get me wrong, she is far more than a love interest for our hero but she definitely didn't have as large a story arc as the rest of the cast members.  I do hope that this is a deliberate ploy with the exploits of the Usher family being explored in future story lines.
Some might also consider Jason's best friend, Joey, to be a bit of a stereotypical gay character whose main role is to provide a bit of levity to proceedings.  He may well be at first but he definitely has a lot more depth to him and like everyone else in the story, he does grow throughout the series.
Both "Rise Headless and Ride" and "Bridge of Bones" do finish without having full closure, the ending of the latter being far more of a cliffhanger than the former.  Cliffhangers can be quite disconcerting for a lot of readers.  There are enough threads concluded in the first book and just the perfect amount of tease to make you want to explore the second book.
The way "Bridge of Bones" finishes makes me think that this second act is "The Empire Strikes Back" section of the saga.  There are so many unresolved plot points that leave you feeling frustrated because you want to know how they end.  Thankfully with the release of "General of the Dead" everything comes to a satisfying conclusion.
As I am sure you can gather from this overall trial that I loved this series.  My one concern is that Richard Gleaves has such a love of the source material and location; will he also have the same feelings for other settings and scenarios?
If he can maintain the high standard he has set himself in future instalments then we are in for a Treat, and that will be the Trick!

Verdict:
Whilst this series contains a lot of Witch action, there is no need for any of these novels to be burnt at the stake.  This trilogy is as hot as one of the Headless Horseman's flaming Jack O' Lanterns.

Evidence:
www.facebook.com/TheJasonCraneSeries
www.goodreads.com/author/show/1693533.Richard_Gleaves
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Sleepy_Hollow

Random Musings: The Scorchers & The Tortures of 2015

The Witch Trial:
Going for a slightly different format, as I ponder what had me ranting and raving like a mad man but also what had me singing its praises to all and sundry during the 2015 calendar year.
Warning there may be SPOILERS below...

The Scorchers
I experienced a lot of excellent entertainment throughout the year from film, television, music & books.  Each category had their own highlights.  Here are a few of my positive experiences.
Whilst they might not be the best things I saw or heard or read, each of these deserves to have their praises sung.


Films
There were many quality films released this year that were enjoyed by a lot of people that I also found to be highly entertaining.  Films like Mad Max: Fury Road; The Martian; Straight Outta Compton and Amy to name a few.
I thought I would highlight three little gems that hit the right chords with me that haven't had a huge distribution.  Therefore it has limited them from gaining a larger audience which I feel each one richly deserves.

"Bone Tomahawk"
A western horror story with a touch of "The Descent" about it.  Kurt Russell shows that he is still a fine actor and is well supported by everyone else involved in this production.  The suspense is intense and the violence makes you squirm in your seat.  A film that makes me want to view it again and that doesn't happen too often.

"The Final Girls"
What a great concept for a horror comedy.  A group of horror fans sucked into an actual slasher movie and then they have to avoid becoming the killers next victims.  This had a great blend of humour to go with the gore.  Sure it's not a perfect film by any stretch of the imagination but it had enough going for it, to keep me happy.  Perfect fodder for a Friday night movie accompanied with pizza and drinks.

"The Man From U.N.C.L.E."
The type of spy film that mixes its laughs with the action to great effect.  Both leads are well cast and really entertaining, you get the sense that they are having a lot of fun in their roles.  The locations are stunning and they had the 60's feel down to a tee.
Another movie that was a lot of fun to watch and whilst the ending could have finished with a real bang, I enjoyed the rest of the ride enough to forgive it.  Here's hoping for further exploits from Napoleon Solo & Ilya Kuryakin in future outings.


Television
Quite a few great shows either started for the first time or were continuing their epic sagas.  I thought instead of highlighting the shows that pushed my buttons, I would instead look at some of the individual episodes that left me on the edge of my seat and wanting to view the next instalment straight away.

Penny Dreadful, Season 2, Episode 3: "The Nightcomers"
Virtually the whole episode takes place in the past as we learn about Vanessa Ives coming to grips with her powers and seeking help to control them.  It had all the suspense, eeriness and dread that the writers could cram in to one episode.
A defining moment for this TV show and one that stayed with me for ages afterwards.  It truly helped develop Eva Green's character and gave her the chance to really show her range of acting talents.

Dr Who, Series 9, Episode 11: "Heaven Sent"
This episode had the Doctor dealing with the death of Clara, whilst being trapped in a seemingly endless time loop.  Its a one man tour de force performance from Peter Capaldi.  The episode structure is superb and the final payoff makes you want to fist pump the air.  Definitely one of the best episodes of the modern Dr Who era.

Game of Thrones, Season 5, Episode 8: "Hardhome"
From a season of many highlights, the episode Hardhome was the standout.  Seeing a full army of wights being led by the white walkers was truly epic television.  Jon Snow using Longclaw to slay one of the white walkers had me yelling "yes!" at the TV.  This small achievement though is quickly over shadowed with the sight of the Night King reanimating the dead of both armies.
You truly feel the hopelessness of the survivors as they come to the realisation that this foe is relentless and will only continue to grow.  Winter is definitely coming!


Music
Outside of the record studio manufactured output there were some absolutely amazing albums released this year.  Here are just three of the ones that had me coming back again and again for repeat listening's.

"Honeymoon" by Lana Del Rey
The third outing saw Lana Del Rey really pare back the instrumentation and really put her voice to the fore.  You do get the feeling that Lana is playing by her own rules and if you are along for the ride then great, if not she won't be too bothered.  Uncompromising music as it should be.

"The Magic Whip" by Blur
Could a reunion album after so many years where the band members have been doing their own thing as separate artists be any good?  Hell yes!  "The Magic Whip" certainly had that Blur magic.
Amazing that a band can still retain some of the same sounds that formed part of their appeal but still appear so fresh and new today.  Hopefully it's not the last record from them.

"Sound & Color" by Alabama Shakes
That difficult second album after their amazing introduction to the world.  Alabama Shakes follow up to such an instant classic as their debut did not disappoint.  It might take a few more listens than "Boys & Girls" to really get the feel for this one, but once it grabs you, you won't be disappointed.  And that voice, Brittany Howard is just incredible.


Books
I might not have read too many books that were published in 2015, but I did read some absolute page turners.  The Girl on the Train and the Jason Crane series (which I will be covering in a future article) were definitely up there with some of the best ones I read but here are a couple of others that really took my fancy.

"The Girl With All The Gifts" by M.R. Carey
The zombie apocalypse has happened.  A medical clinic is looking for answers to solve the epidemic. Sounds like something we have heard before but Carey crafts this story so well with characters that you really care about.  There are surprises along the way too.  It's one of those books you don't want to end.  I can't wait for a screen adaptation.

"Clovenhoof" by Heide Goody & Iain Grant
This book looks at what would happen if the devil got the sack and was sent to live in Birmingham.  Clovenhoof and his "friends" get into some highly amusing situations mainly through the devil's ignorance of human culture.  In a rather episodic narrative but with an over arcing story line, this book details Clovenhoof's exile with hilarious results. I could see this making an awesome British sitcom.


The Tortures
So much time spent on so many bad films and television shows in the last twelve months.
Not so much with music and books I must admit.  At least with music it can be in the background and doesn't need your undivided attention.  If a book is bad you generally know after a couple of chapters.  But with the goggle box you tend to stick with it, in the hope that what you are watching is going to get better.  It often doesn't and I now try to hit stop before it is too late.
With all that said here are a few things that I did stick with that I wished I hadn't.


Films
It seems that 2015 stands out as a particularly bad year for comedy.  I viewed so many that didn't even raise a smile: Hot Pursuit; Hot Tub Time Machine 2; Kill Me Three Times & Ted 2 to name a few.  Two of those were sequels that just didn't need to be made.  We also need to thank god that the "6" in the title, referred to the number of brothers and not that it was the sixth episode of the Adam Sandler dross that was The Ridiculous 6.
Rather than dwell on the awful comedies here though, there were some other movies that failed to capture my imagination and it would have been better if I had given them a wide berth.

"Tomorrowland"
The premise was quite promising but the execution and the actual story was just stupid.  Amazing visuals cannot disguise a distinct lack of direction and poor storytelling.  Damon Lindelof is quickly losing all credibility as a script writer, how many more bombs does he need before people wake up to him.

"Ricki and the Flash"
Meryl Streep why?  I know this film actually had a fair few singing its praises but I just found it so tedious.  It had nothing new that we haven't seen before in much better films.  And the ending had me rolling my eyes so far into the back of my head, it was so unsatisfying.  Hollywood needs a happy ending though!

"The Intern"
Another film that had its supporters.  I hate when a film score is so in your face that it is telling you what emotions you should be feeling in each scene.  "Be upset here" because our music sounds sad, "Be happy here" because we are playing boppy, tinkly music now.  This is one of those movies where the score took me right out of the picture.
Anne Hathaway's role was far too unbelievable as someone who had managed to put together this booming company as well.  I lost count of the number of times that a small dispute had her tear up, I am sure her character must have shares in Kleenex.


Television
So which show Jumped The Shark for me?  And there was one series that was just wrong on so many levels...

"Orange Is The New Black"
Whilst I enjoyed the first two seasons, the third left me feeling that this show has probably run its course.  There are only so many story lines you can get from a prison setting and it definitely seems to have exhausted the best ones.

"Outlander"...
...Or "McRapie, Rape, Rape" as I called it.
Seriously this show seemed to be out to show that if you were a good looking lady in the 18th century then nearly every man you bumped into would immediately try and rape you!
This is meant to be some sort of sweeping romantic story.  But all I could see was some perverted fantasy where the damsel in distress was rescued time and time again just before some miscreant had his wicked way with her.  Sometimes more than once per episode!
Terrible, terrible show.


Music
It would be easy to target some of the pop stuff that gets dished out by studio's to keep their profits high, but I don't want to do that, I prefer to shed my ire at more respectable artists.  Two albums frustrated me this year more than any others.

"What Went Down" by Foals
Now I admit this is the first time I have actually tried giving Foals a go, after hearing so many good things about them.  I just wasn't that impressed considering the hype surrounding this record.  I thought it was quite a bland, generic indie album.  Sorry guys!

"Wilder Mind" by Mumford and Sons
Note to Mumford and Sons: You are not the second coming of Bob Dylan going electric has been done before and better so no one cares when you try it.  Please go back to what got you the fans in the first place and stay (mainly) unplugged.


Books
There was one book that I read this year that I regretted wasting my precious time on...

"Miramont's Ghost" by Elizabeth Hall
The historic building of Miramont Castle in Colorado would be a good setting for a ghost story as it is rumoured to be haunted.  The execution here though is so meandering and ponderous that I just couldn't get into it.
I could have forgiven it if the characters were interesting but they all had no redeeming features at all.  They were all so unlikable and not one of them creates any sympathy in the reader at all.
The ending as well is such a letdown.  You spend so much of your time when reading this book, thinking that it is going to finish with a bang but all you get is some awful conclusion that feels like the author just had no idea how else to finish it.  Avoid at all costs, you have been warned!