The second season of Jessica Jones recently premiered, and I instantly started to binge watch. There are only a few shows that can reel me in like that — Stranger Things, The OA (if that returns), Insecure, to name a few — and Jessica Jones is one of them. Unlike the other Netflix shows by Marvel, I really find the protagonist of Jessica Jones interesting. She’s funny, tough, strong, and most importantly, has an engaging personality.

While there are a lot of things to love about the second season of Jessica Jones, there are definitely some weak points as well. I’m only halfway through the current season, so below are my thoughts on the story so far.

THE GOOD

PACING

The first season of Jessica Jones was a slow burner that gradually picked up as the story evolved, and season two is no different. It’s about right at the halfway point of the season where the story takes a unique turn and things escalate very quickly. And that’s where this season is different — once Jessica Jones season 2 hits its stride, it breaks into an all-out sprint. Season 1 ebbed and flowed even after the story ramped up, but this season just continues to push the stakes further and further with each episode.

ROMANCE

OK, I will admit that I always hate romantic subplots, and I still don’t understand why every show needs one. I’m sure it has to do with ratings or balancing out the story, but god, I just hate romantic storylines. Constant back and forth of chasing each other, arguing over the dumbest things, the eventual moment where they kiss and a long sex scene ensues, and then the demise of the relationship.

So with all that said, I can honestly say the romantic narrative this season is much better. Groundbreaking? Not at all. Interesting to watch? Yes.

Luke Cage was a cool guy and everything, but the actor that plays him often comes across as emotionally stiff. When Luke Cage and Jessica Jones interacted in season one, I never bought the romance, and I wasn’t affected when Luke was no longer a presence in the show.

However, I actually, honestly, enjoy the romantic storyline this season. For one, there are far fewer sex scenes. The dynamic between Jessica Jones and the new love interest actually feels organic and not a forced subplot for the sake of a romance. Also, which I think is most important, is that the romantic storyline does not hog the storyline.

MALCOLM

I’m not ashamed to admit I hate this character. I initially thought he’d vanish after serving his purpose of being a plot turn in season 1, but then he lingered… and lingered… and then I realized he was apart of the full-time cast. Sigh.

It’s the lack of purpose that I dislike about him. I understand he was an addict and put into a very bad spot by Kilgrave, but his entire existence, and purpose in the story, seemed to revolve around Jessica. It’s as if he didn’t even exist in the real world and have his own life.

Does season 2 change this? Somewhat.

I still dislike the character and would not care if he was killed off, but he is at least given some development and is less of a lapdog to Jessica. A much needed step in the right direction.

TRISH

I really like Trish. While she doesn’t have an intriguing personality like Jessica Jones, she makes a good sidekick who, unlike Malcolm, feels like a real person with a developed life outside of interacting with Jessica. Even more than that, while she is a sidekick, she often feels more like a partner to Jessica. Trish talks a lot of reason into Jessica, and Jessica listens to her. On top of that, Trish does not feel like a burden to Jessica. Trish can often fend for herself, or at least to the best she can, and contributes a lot to helping Jessica enact her plans.

Now with that said, season 2 points out something about Trish that I did not realize. Not to provide any spoilers, but the character development of Trish this season provides more context to her previous lifestyle as “Patsy”, and how the remnants of that experience still affect her. But again, no spoilers!

THE BAD

PACING

Yes, I know I listed this under “THE GOOD”, but I think my previous explanation warrants this. I encourage people to keep watching Jessica Jones season 2 until at least the halfway point; but I wish I didn’t have to tell people that.

Was I disappointed by the first few episodes of Jessica Jones? Absolutely. It all felt too familiar: the setup of the villain, the routine mix of requests Jessica gets for Alias Investigations, Malcolm being helpless… you know, it all felt very run-of-the-mill at first. In an ideal world, which rarely happens in TV shows nowadays, I’d like to be captivated from the start, instead of trudging through continual buildup.

THE VILLAIN

As you may know already, season 2 is meant to serve as the origin story of Jessica Jones. With that said, it seems this focus has taken the spotlight away from a usual Marvel staple: a clear, strong villain. Don’t get me wrong, there is definitely a villain in Jessica Jones season 2; but it is not a Kilgrave-esque kind of villain. This isn’t an extreme spoiler because this is made apparent pretty early on in the season.

Is this a good or bad thing? Well, as I said, this season takes time to ramp up. Part of the reason it takes a while to get things going though, is because of the lack of a clear, opposing force. Some people may take serious issue with that, some people may not. I am somewhere in the middle. I always appreciate a strong, sinister, captivating villain, but at the same time, the lack of one this season allows for more character development, which I’m enjoying.

HOGARTH

I never strongly liked, or disliked, Hogarth. I do appreciate her ruthlessness and cold-hearted nature, but I was not a fan of the marital storyline in season 1. Again, I’m not a big romance person, so that may be why I was turned off by it.

How is Hogarth is season 2? Eh… it’s hard to say.

The show tries to develop the character but it just doesn’t work in my opinion. Once you watch you will understand, but I got a strong deja vu feeling from a subplot in The Defenders. This made Hogarth’s storyline feel less original, since The Defenders came out not too long ago.

So yeah, the lack of originality with Hogarth’s storyline was a big turnoff for me. But it’s not hard to watch. It’s just meh.

THE UGLY

The “Whizz”. Probably the cringiest part of this season.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Jessica Jones season 2 should definitely be watched, especially if you enjoyed season 1. I’m only halfway through season 2 and I have this much to say, so that alone should get you to check it out.

Once I finish the season I’ll recap my overall thoughts, and maybe even provide a comparison to season 1. But in the meantime, let me know what you think of Jessica Jones season 2. Surprisingly, I’ve found it hard to find other people who watch it.