Jessica Jones A.K.A. The Perfect Burger Television 

Five Thoughts on Jessica Jones‘s “A.K.A. The Perfect Burger”

By | June 17th, 2019
Posted in Television | % Comments

Jessica Jones feels like a weird place to end the MNU (Marvel Netflix Universe) and yet here we are. After plans for their own streaming platforming, a declining quality of output, and multiple cancellations this is the end of the greater Defenders stories–for now, at least. I find myself very torn in reviewing this opening salvo of this last great gasp of something which started off so promising. Part of me wants to love the third season of Jessica Jones–and seeing those fantastic opening titles tightens my chest a bit–but “A.K.A. The Perfect Burger” proves to be a real nothing burger. As always, beware of spoilers and here are five thoughts on the season 3 debut of Jessica Jones.

1. Sliding Scale

“A.K.A. The Perfect Burger” reintroduces us to Jessica’s world and cast of characters, telling us where everyone stands in the wake of season 2. It’s all pretty boilerplate in its presentation and nothing here is really unexpected. Jessica is trying to be more altruistic with the cases she takes on whilst simultaneously keeping her bills paid, Jeri is dealing with the symptoms of her ALS, Trish has become a vigilante with her newfound powers, and Malcolm is feeling trepidation about his own occupational status covering for a drunken baseball star.

There’s a lot of moving parts and yet none of them really do much besides furthering a machine that seems to have lost its steam. Much is said of Jessica’s “sliding scale” of payment–which ultimately leads to no pay for most of her cases–but this honestly could be viewed as a representative metaphor for the sliding scale of storytelling from the debut of Daredevil to this final season of Jessica Jones. Also, it should have been called ALIAS. I will die on that hill.

2. All It Needs Is a Laugh Track

One of the most jarring bits from this episode is how it thematically resembles a 90s sitcom in certain scenes. The introduction of Jillian and the return of Vito in “A.K.A. The Perfect Burger” stands out especially as Jillian chats with a potential client, Vito tells Jess a video of her has gone viral, and the trio riff on the new ugly orange couch that feels like it will be a running gag of the season. I’m half tempted to edit a video with canned laughter of this scene. Keep an eye on my Twitter, I just might.

The biggest issue is this show does not need this. Jessica Jones has competently dealt with heavy issues such as PTSD and rape while also having comedic moments that didn’t feel cheap and unnecessary. The episode is not overloaded by these forced bits but they are enough to be a bother.

3. Your Ability To Make Hard Decisions

Jeri’s attempts to convince Jessica to help Kevorkian here feel extremely tone deaf and out of place. Jeri Hogarth has shown herself in this series to be a very amoral character but also one who has an understanding of people and their behaviors. That she would expect Jessica to go along with her requests, especially given her recent personal traumas feels like lazy writing that ignores her perception of the central protagonist’s character.

Even blinded by her own illnesses and personal misgivings this is out of character for Hogarth. She has been portrayed as incredibly intelligent and wily, so for her to completely misjudge the sensibilities of Jess in this manner is so out of left field it is mind-boggling how it made it to airing. Even Jessica’s reaction of pouring Jeri’s pills into a glass of bourbon and faux-forcing it on her comes across as forced and inorganic.

4. I’m With Her All The Time Now, But I Know Her Less Than Ever

Much of this episode builds to Jess finding Trish, who has embarked on her own vigilante endeavors, after gaining powers at the end of season 2. As far as this episode goes, it is disappointing and without payoff. Much ado was made with the introduction of Trish in this series about her becoming Hellcat she’s more Black Cat at the moment, and a pale imitation at best.

After the well-handled relationship with a facsimile of the Nuke character one would hope to see a more nuanced take on this character but the character work and development feel flat here. With any luck, perhaps we will see a more mature handling as these reviews continue, but “A.K.A. The Perfect Burger” leaves a lot to be desired in this department.

Continued below

5. Half of My Job Is About Waiting

“For a clear sign I’m not wasting my goddamn time” feels like the most apt quote to end this review on. This is only the third series I have taken on reviewing duties with the site for and I hope my thoughts will turn around, as it did with Doom Patrol–for which I gave fairly scathing reviews in the first two episodes. But for an introductory installment of a final season Jessica Jones offers up a deeply disappointing subject matter.

It isn’t so terrible that I can tear it apart, but there’s nothing here to phone home about. As far as a thing to review it is just kind of…there. I mentioned being torn as there’s so much here that makes me want to continue loving something that has delivered in the past. Krysten Ritter continues to shine in her role and the introduction of Eric provides an interesting romantic foil that challenges her character. But there is little else going on here.

Jessica Jones is sadly playing a by-the-numbers outing as it winds down a pocket universe for the MCU that had so much promise starting out, and unfortunately has squandered it. Like a cheap bar burger, I don’t really like it, but it is late and I’ll stomach it.


//TAGS | Jessica Jones

Dexter Buschetelli

EMAIL | ARTICLES


  • jj-s3-e12 Television
    Five Thoughts on Jessica Jones‘s “A.K.A. A Whole Lotta Worms”

    By | Sep 2, 2019 | Television

    It’s…uh…we’re reviewing Jessica Jones here at Multiversity and…oh my God, holy shit. This isn’t a bit. Somebody, please call the police. This isn’t a bit I’m–That’s enough. Continue the reviewIt’s very difficult to review “A.K.A. A Whole Lotta Worms.” It’s mainly difficult because my arms are strapped to my desk chair and I feel a […]

    MORE »

    -->