• by Steve Sternberg , Featured Columnist, March 2, 2018

It’s hard to believe Netflix’s first original scripted drama (“House of Cards”) debuted just five years ago this month. Since then, the streaming service has brought us some of the best series on television.  

One of these, Marvel’s “Jessica Jones,” will have its second season available for streaming on March 8. “Jessica Jones” is one of several series based on Marvel characters currently airing on Netflix — along with “Daredevil,” “Luke Cage,” “Iron Fist” and “The Punisher.”  

While the Marvel cinematic universe in theatrical movies often focuses on the most well-known, world-saving superheroes, Netflix concentrates on the lesser-known, street-level heroes, whose grittier, more personal, neighborhood-centered stories lend themselves to compelling series-long plot lines vs. blockbuster action movies.

“Jessica Jones” stars Krysten Ritter, one of the most casually charismatic actors on television. She is a reluctant hero, haunted by her past and armed with extraordinary strength.

Season one was a surprisingly strong commentary on male/female relationships and the abuse of privilege and power, focusing on topics such as mind control, addiction, rape, retaliation, revenge and redemption. Subject matter seldom dealt with on television, and not at all in the Marvel universe at large.

From superhero to crime dramas to action series, strong women abound on broadcast TV. Virtually all of them, however, have central relationships with men, report to men, or are otherwise dependent on men to some degree. I wonder if this has to do with the conservativeness of broadcast executives.

Writers may think they need to be more traditional for broadcast networks simply because broadcast shows have more episodes per season than cable or streaming dramas, and relationships lend themselves to more storylines. Maybe they believe these dynamics appeal to a broader audience, since broadcast networks need higher ratings for a show to survive.

Then again, it could just be the result of having more male than female writers and directors.

“Jessica Jones” shatters that mold by presenting a strong, brooding, independent woman on her own, who plays by her own rules. She’s flawed, she swears, she drinks too much — the type of female character you rarely if ever see on broadcast or ad-supported cable. She’s a victim and a hero — who doesn’t need to be saved by a man.  

And it’s not just the title character. Most of the strong, independent characters in “Jessica Jones” are women, including Rachael Taylor as her best friend Trish “Patsy” Walker. From the trailer, she looks to have an expanded role in season 2, as does the excellent Carrie-Anne Moss as a high-powered attorney who has helped Jessica out of several jams. 

All 13 episodes of season 2 reportedly have female directors.

Coming out post-#MeToo (though filmed beforehand), the second season may resonate even more with viewers. In the trailer, a new male character who wants to take over her private investigation business tells her: “I don’t take no for an answer.” Jessica responds, “How rapey of you.” New terrain for TV, to be sure.

The first season of “Jessica Jones” premiered in November, 2015. Its second season will drop in March 2018.  

A final plus for Netflix: Broadcast networks gladly accept advertising from Netflix, but refuse to take advertising from one another. As a result, Netflix has more and bigger platforms to promote its series than its major competitors: ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW. “Jessica Jones” is one of the lucky beneficiaries.