Television: Marvel's Daredevil

The Witch Trial:
Season one of Daredevil was a massive hit for Netflix.  Season two introduces us to new characters and new mysterious enemies.  Does it continue the success or suffer from character overload?

Who:
Starring: Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Jon Bernthal, Elodie Yung, Rosario Dawson, Vincent D'Onofrio
What:
Science Fiction
Why:
Season 2
When:
Released 2016
Where:
Hell's Kitchen, New York as part of the Marvel Universe

The Case For:
Season one of Daredevil went down the tried and trusted path of establishing the origin story for Matt Murdock's alter ego Daredevil, whilst pitting him against Wilson Fisk and his machinations taking place in Hell's Kitchen.
This second season begins with Fisk safely behind bars and life in Hell's Kitchen all seeming quite rosy for Murdock and his friends and associates: Karen Page and Franklin "Foggy" Nelson.  Their law firm, although not thriving, is certainly generating clientele.  Foggy is starting to reluctantly agree that Murdock's nightly forays as Daredevil is something that he is going to have to accept.
Entering this scene is Frank Castle aka the Punisher as played by Jon Bernthal.  Castle is trying to find out who is responsible for the personal tragedy he has suffered; that has driven him to extremes and is going to stop at nothing until everyone involved is dead and buried.
For Murdock it is about catching the criminals and getting them put behind bars where they belong.  If he can't do it as part of his day job, then he will achieve this goal as Daredevil.  For Castle it is about making sure that these scumbags won't live to commit any further atrocities by putting them six feet underground.  There are no second chances or attempts at redemption as far as he is concerned.
Adding to this mix is Elektra Natchios; an old flame of Murdock's from their college days together.  Now Elektra appears to also be a crime fighter but one who follows her own set of rules.  Her motivations are more of a grey area and her relationship with Murdock looks like it will only complicate matters further.
This concept of a person's set of values and set of rules that they live by is something explored throughout the thirteen episodes.  We now have three characters all with their own agenda's and coda that they follow and which one is right or wrong seems to change from episode to episode.
One minute you will be thinking Matt Murdock is right with what he is doing and then the next you will be agreeing with Frank Castle's methods after he takes out a particularly vile strain of human being.  Similarly Elektra appears to be in the right frame of mind when dealing out death if it means her own and Daredevil's identities will be safe.
The main premise for season two is exploring these particular character traits and what exactly it means to be a vigilante.  Who gets to decide what is right or wrong?  Why is one person more entitled to do what they are doing than another?  Should the criminal element be incarcerated or is death are more suitable option?
These are all valid questions and it is left to Matt Murdock to ponder each issue and really delve into his own choices to decide if what he is doing is the right way to go about it.  While this theme is not nearly as engrossing as watching the mental and psychological issues covered in Marvel's Jessica Jones; it still makes for interesting viewing.
The inclusion of both the Punisher and Elektra prove to be great additions.  Jon Bernthal and Elodie Yung give their characters depth and feeling, neither one settles for comic book caricatures.  Bernthal in particular is excellent; you really do feel sympathy for what could be an unsympathetic person who has no compassion whatsoever towards the people he executes.  He provides pathos to a chaotic role and it's the moments when he gets to put forward his reasoning that this strength really comes to the fore.
At first Elektra appears to do what she is doing just for the thrill of it.  You get the sense that she is nothing more than a spoilt rich girl out for a good time with no regard for anyone who gets caught up in the whirlwind she leaves behind.  As the show carries on though her personality becomes more layered and Yung's performance starts to stand out as she allows us to step that little bit closer into understanding her psyche.
The returning co-stars from season one are also given their moments to shine.  Elden Henson's Foggy Nelson could be considered the comic relief.  It was certainly the impression I got from the first couple of episodes in the first series, however as that developed so too did Nelson to the point where he wasn't anywhere near as annoying as what I was expecting his character to be.
In this season Foggy really steps out from Murdock's shadow.  We saw glimpses of his expertise in the last season but here, he is front and centre in dishing out his Law know how and really gets to put people in their place; particularly District Attorney Reyes.  Foggy's coming of age if you will, was definitely a highlight of this run of episodes and I can't wait to see where he goes from here.

We get to finally see a good portion of an actual court case taking place as part of the story arc of the Punisher and Foggy gets to put his full range of skills to the test.  It is a nice change of pace to the relentless fight scenes of Daredevil as he patrols his territory during the night time hours.  Instead what we have here is normal courtroom drama unfolding which gives us more of an insight into the everyday lives of Murdock's cohorts.
Karen Page ably supports Nelson in this enterprise.  She proves to have exceptional investigative skills which she puts to good use in building the court case.  Page is given far more of a central role, instead of appearing in more of a supporting role this time around.  She is heavily involved in the Punisher's storyline throughout.  Deborah Ann Woll goes on a roller coaster ride of emotions when dealing with Castle and his back story.
We are also treated to the blossoming romance developing between Murdock and Page.  It's a relationship that feels organic as well, it doesn't come across as forced at all which is refreshing in itself.  Personally I would have liked Page to go for Foggy but I have to admit I like where they are taking this arc.
But from all the returning cast it is Wilson Fisk's brief appearances that leave the most indelible mark.  Vincent D'Onofrio embodies this role so well; his mere presence on screen draws your attention.  The vulnerability he is able to give to this person while also showing you the raging menace that is simmering just below the surface is quite intense.
When Matt Murdock decides to visit Fisk in prison we are treated to one of the best scenes from the show so far.  The whole exchange between the two balances on a knife's edge just waiting to explode.  By the conclusion of this confrontation you are left begging for the return of the Kingpin to the streets of Hell's Kitchen.
Of course we wouldn't be watching this show if it skimped on the action and was just about court cases and the morality issues associated with being a vigilante.  Season two definitely delivers when it comes to the fights.  Where as in the first season a lot of the action revolved around hand to hand combat, here we have the Punisher using all manner of heavy weaponry to get his particular brand of justice across.
That is not to say that there isn't a fair share of fisticuffs though.  When you have two martial art experts in Daredevil and Elektra as well as the brute force of Frank Castle then hand to hand fighting is going to feature prominently.
Towards the end of the second episode in the first series there is a much vaunted fight sequence all filmed in one take between Daredevil and a group of thugs set in the confines of a hallway.  It is an amazing sequence; superbly choreographed and executed that reminds me of a similar one take scene in the movie Oldboy which would definitely have been an influence.
It is one of those scenes where you wonder if they can match it again, let alone top it.  Well in season two we have not one, but two contenders that come very close to surpassing this terrific fight sequence.  Episode three features Daredevil descending a buildings stairwell while fighting off Dogs of Hell bikie members.  Later on in episode nine, the Punisher takes on a group of hardened criminals in one of the bloodiest sequences of the show to date.
Neither of these fights is filmed in one take the same as the one mentioned above but the choreography that has been arranged by fight coordinator Philip J Silvera and his crew has to be applauded.  Fist fights can become very monotonous but it is scenes such as these that really help to keep things feeling fresh and exciting.
There is definitely an emphasis on more bloodier conflicts than the first season.  Whether that's a reflection of the methods employed by the antagonists or a decision by the writers I am not too sure.  You do find yourself squirming in your seat at some of the more graphic moments.  Again though, it is another example of freshening things up a bit and shows these confrontations in a more naturalistic light; after all if someone is hit, stabbed or shot there will be blood and they are not afraid to show the after effects of these injuries.
Lastly because I didn't review season one; I just have to mention that the main title sequence and theme music that opens each episode are some of the best titles in recent memory.  They both really push all the right buttons in getting you in the mood for what is to come.

The Case Against:
There is often a bit of a misstep after the origin story has been told when it comes to the second outing for superheroes.  I am mainly talking about films here but the same thing equally applies to small screen versions too.  Daredevil is no exception as while this second run has its strengths it also has a few issues too.
This season suffers from the same problem that affected Iron Man 2 in that it wants to introduce a few different elements that will pay off in future instalments; whether that is in further outings of Daredevil or the expanded universe of Jessica Jones, Luke Cage et al.
We have not only the Punisher and Elektra but the ninja cult of The Hand as well as the bikie group Dogs of Hell introduced.  Whether the Dogs of Hell will feature heavily in the future it is hard to tell but it is strikingly obvious that The Hand certainly will.
With the introduction of The Hand we also have the Chaste who are the sworn enemies of The Hand.  Add to this the already established Yakuza enemies as well as Irish mafia and the reintroduction of an old drug dealing adversary and Matt Murdock certainly has his hands full.
While Murdock had to deal with a variety of criminal elements in the first season, they were all working for a common cause under the overall leadership of Wilson Fisk.  Each faction had their own leaders but all were unified under Fisk.  This created a more streamlined story and gave the show far more focus as to who the enemy were.
Having so many different elements to deal with this time around creates a lot of sub plots to keep track of.  Also the focus isn't solely on Matt Murdock but also Frank Castle and to a lesser extent Elektra.  That isn't forgetting the extra emphasis the storylines place on Nelson and Page who also have greater roles to play.
This certainly feels more like an episodic season as opposed to one where a main theme is playing out over the course of the show.  As each instalment ends you feel you are getting closer to a major resolution come the conclusion of the season.  Whereas here it does feel more like the writers came up with three or four different shorter stories that they could play out over a number of episodes before moving on to the next tale.
There are also plot points that don't seem to go anywhere or have much resolution.  I am sure that is because they will be cropping up in the future somewhere but it is very frustrating in relation to this season.  We literally have a gaping hole in one story which never gets mentioned again for the rest of the show and leaves you wondering what on earth that was all about!
It is to the detriment of the show as it does feel more disjointed and just as you find yourself immersed in what is unfolding it is either put on pause to be picked up later; or concludes and we are on to a new set up.  Now don't get me wrong, the actual storylines themselves are entertaining and the characters created are also interesting; it just would have been better if one theme had more emphasis placed on it which would have provided a bigger impact overall.
One of the huge strengths of season one was D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk and this season is sorely lacking having a major villain for Daredevil to face off against.  His running battles with Castle and various thugs and ninja's are all well and good, but he doesn't really have one particular person to pit his wits against like he did with Fisk.
It is telling that Fisk's brief appearances are some of the biggest highlights.  I have already stated how enjoyable his exchange with Murdock is and it would have been so much better if an equally strong bad guy was present for Murdock to tussle with throughout the other episodes.
I did think we had already covered Foggy's disapproval of Matt Murdock's alter ego towards the close of the previous season.  I was obviously wrong as the same issues come to a head between the two of them again.  This time it is affecting their work to a greater extent and you do feel sympathy for Nelson but at the same time I couldn't help wondering haven't we done this already?
The attitude that Murdock displays aligns his sentiments a lot closer to Castle's than he would probably like.  It does paint him as a selfish person who is out to serve his own agenda and to hell with how that affects his friends and co-workers.  The characteristic is not something that makes him very appealing and you do find yourself siding against some of his actions.
Out of all the characters in the show I had a difficult time with Karen Page.  While I did enjoy the developing romance between her and Murdock, I did not enjoy her transition from a legal aide to become a researcher at the Bulletin because of the whim of the paper's editor.  This was just far too convenient for the sake of moving the story along.
I am pretty sure it takes a few years to get a degree in journalism and you can't just come along and get a job by flicking through some old back issues and stumbling across an interesting Lead.  I know anyone can type out a few words on a computer and claim to be a writer but it takes years of study to have the certificate to prove it (and before you say "those in glass houses" remember I'm an Inquisitor not a writer!).
With all the bureaucracy involved with being part of a union I am sure there would have been uproar in the offices of the New York Bulletin at Page's appointment!  But hey, this is a series based on a comic book and it does need to move the narrative along so maybe I am being too harsh.
Deborah Ann Woll does get on my nerves a little bit too so I could be a bit biased in my opinion of where they are taking her character.  I had trouble with her in True Blood and the same issues have carried over to her portrayal of Page.  I find she is often teetering on the brink of a meltdown and relies far too heavily on the same mannerisms as part of her acting.
Despite this seasons problems there is still a lot to enjoy and they have definitely laid the groundwork to take this show in some exciting new directions.  I only hope that Wilson Fisk is reintroduced sooner rather than later come season three.

Verdict:
Daredevil might not be quite as successful here in cleaning up the streets as he was last time around; but he is still performing his crime fighting duties.  Therefore I am willing to give him a chance to prove he can still be entrusted with this unenviable task and let him go free into the night.

Evidence:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daredevil_(TV_series)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daredevil_(season_2)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3322312/

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)