Jessica Jones Season 3 released this morning, signaling the end of the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Netflix. To mark the end of that era, I’ve chosen to rank the Marvel-Netflix shows.

Here’s the deal; I have neither the time nor inclination to give you a full write up on each season of each show in the Marvel-Netflix branch of the MCU. That would necessitate me rewatching a dozen seasons of television. Luckily, I’ve seen every season of every show under the Marvel-Netflix umbrella, most more than once, so I can just run with it.

I’m going to give you my overall rankings of the Marvel-Netflix shows on a per season basis, not a per show basis. I’ll be counting down, starting with last place and working up to Number 1. I’ll include a brief blurb on what I thought and why I ranked the season where I did. Who knows, maybe I will return to this topic and do a more in-depth exploration in the future, but for now I’m keeping it succinct. I’ll add Jessica Jones Season 3 after I get a chance to watch it in its entirety.

#13: The Punisher Season 2

There’s one very simple reason I rank this as the worst season in the whole Marvel-Netflix set. It’s incredibly boring. This season was so boring I didn’t even finish it the first time I attempted it. I had to go back to complete it so I could write this piece. And I have to tell you, I wasn’t impressed when I did.

A big part of the problem is that the show tosses aside much of what worked in the first season. Major characters from the first season have diminished roles or have disappeared entirely. And the opening episodes are mostly self-contained.

Worse, there are two antagonists this season. They aren’t really related. The first is Billy Russo (Ben Barnes), who lacks the charisma and quiet danger that made him so compelling in Season 1. The second is John Pilgrim and the rich, conservative Schultzes. This secondary opposing force ends up being more interesting than Russo in concept, but they’re completely underdeveloped. There’s some interesting commentary on the relationship between the 1%, the religious right, and political violence, but not enough to justify the season.

#12: Iron Fist Season 1

Yeah, this was a bad season. It didn’t “have issues” like some entries in the Marvel-Netflix deal. It was bad. The fundamental flaw is the titular character. This version of Danny Rand, played by Finn Jones, is just plain unlikable. It almost feels as though they were trying to critique the white savior element of Iron Fist’s story, but they never really follow through. We’re left with a petulant billionaire.

That’s not to say there weren’t other issues, however. The fight scenes were fairly weak, which is a problem for a martial arts-focused series. The Hand are underdeveloped as antagonists, and just not that interesting to watch (get ready to hear that a LOT more).

You know the one redeeming quality? Jessica Henwick as Colleen Wing. She has a more compelling arc and better fights. She’s great.

#11: The Defenders

Here it is. The series that’s supposed to be the Marvel-Netflix answer to The Avengers. And it kinda sucks.

You know what the problem with The Defenders is? Too much Iron Fist. Because everybody knows, when you have three hits and a bomb crossing over, you hinge the whole thing on the plot from the bomb. Okay, that’s not entirely fair. There are also a bunch of elements pulled from the back half of Daredevil Season 2, and they aren’t awesome either. Basically everything related to the Hand is terrible, and I’m very sad to see Sigourney Weaver get dragged down by this nonsense.

The show is at its best when it focuses on character work and playing the expansive cast off of each other in interesting new ways. They capture Luke’s (Mike Colter) practical nobility, Iron Fist’s alternating cockiness and frustration, and Daredevil’s (Charlie Cox) pathological inability to just stand by. The real scene-stealer is Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones though. Her portrayal perfectly encapsulates Jessica’s struggle between her deep cynicism and inherent decency. She also gets 3/4 of the best lines in the show.

#10: The Punisher Season 1

This marks Marvel-Netflix’s first (and ultimately only) venture away from the core four heroes in the Defenders. I know a lot of people really enjoyed this one, but it just didn’t work for me. The pacing is atrocious, and the whole thing falls apart towards the end.

One of my bigger concerns is that the show consistently tees up important sociopolitical issues, but it doesn’t always do an effective job of exploring them. The show sets up plots around the intelligence apparatus, the surveillance state, and military privatization, but ultimately never says anything about them. It comes down to a couple bad apples exploiting the system with no cogent thesis on the system itself. Similarly, episode 10 tackles the gun debate without picking a side or even accurately depicting either side.

What salvages this season is the performances. Jon Bernthal as the titular anti-hero, Amber Rose Revah as Dinah Madani, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as David Lieberman, and Ben Barnes as Billy Russo make for a strong primary cast. They’re supported by strong secondary players as well. It’s a shame they didn’t get a stronger narrative to work in.

#9: Iron Fist Season 2

Iron Fist Season 2 improves on Season 1 in just about every way. If there were Marvel-Netflix superlative awards, this would win most-improved.

But that doesn’t mean it’s good. It’s still, at best, watchable. The nicest thing I can say about many aspects of the series is that they’re not as bad as they were the first time around. Finn Jones has improved dramatically, but he’s only up to “acceptable.”

The one truly smart move the show makes is putting more focus on Colleen Wing and bringing in Misty Knight (Simone Missick) as her partner. One of my great regrets about the Marvel-Netflix deal falling through is that it means we won’t ever get to see a Daughters of the Dragon series.

#8: Daredevil Season 2

Daredevil Season 2 is two completely different stories welded together. It’s the most egregious example of a common Marvel-Netflix problem: having to shove in unneeded story to fit the 13 episode season order.

First, we have a Punisher story. It’s dramatically front-loaded, concentrated heavily in the first four episodes. Those same episodes carry most of the good parts of the season. Jon Bernthal makes for a fantastic Frank Castle, and he has excellent chemistry with Charlie Cox. There are also some excellent action sequences in these portions. However, this plot does remain an undercurrent throughout the season, later allowing for the return of a season 1 antagonist.

Second, we have an Elektra story. It starts in episode 5. Now, to be clear, I actually like Elodie Yung as Elektra. I think it’s a good performance. But the overall plot line is tied up in the same Hand nonsense that killed Iron Fist and The Defenders.

#7: Luke Cage Season 1

Luke Cage Season 1 has the same problem as Daredevil Season 2, but bigger. The difference, and why it’s ultimately a better show, is twofold. First, the good parts are bigger and better. Instead of a good opening three or four followed by a disappointing majority of the season, Luke Cage Season 1 is fantastic outside of a rough episode 7 and 8. Second, this entry into the Marvel-Netflix universe offers a more interesting and enticing look and sound.

The best part of the show is the aesthetic. The show’s vibrant color palette is perfectly paired with a sublime mix of hip-hop, R&B, soul, and even the occasional bit of funk, supported by an excellent original score. Also, each episode title actually derives from a Gang Starr track, so check those out as well.

And the cast is rock solid. Mike Colter is well-cast as Cage. However, the MVP Award goes to Simone Missick as Misty Knight. She offers a nuanced portrayal that easily could have carried her own show.

Also, I unironically love the Method Man cameo.

#6: Daredevil Season 1

Here we are, back where it all began for the Marvel-Netflix universe. In many ways, this season was to superhero TV what Iron Man was to the superhero movie. That being said, Daredevil Season 1 also shows its age more than most of its descendants. As a result, I can’t rank it in the very upper echelon. Two things hold this season back from greatness.

First, it has a surprising amount of time dedicated to setting up the Hand story line. Watching it now, most very hard to get through these episodes knowing how deeply unsatisfying the payoff for that story line will be.

Second, I honestly think the finale is bad. They hinge it on the showdown between Daredevil and the Kingpin, but that showdown is one of the single weakest action sequences in the entire Marvel-Netflix sub-franchise. There’s some laughable wire work. But worse, the Daredevil suit looks terrible. If you’re going to build up something across 13 episodes, it better deliver. All the Season 1 Daredevil suit delivers is disappointment.

That being said, overall this season is still fantastic. Vincent D’Onofrio is a top 5 MCU villain without question. Charlie Cox makes an excellent Matt Murdock. The rest of the cast is great too. I’m particularly fond of Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page. And beyond the casting, it all looks amazing.

#5: Jessica Jones Season 2

Thematically, Season 2 is very much a follow-up to Season 1. The focus is still on power, consent, and abuse, with an increased focus on the dangers of addiction and obsession. It’s a complex, nuanced exploration that uses Kilgrave’s metaphorical bones as a framework to grow on before veering into more interesting and complicated areas.

If season 1 was about showing people the danger of the Kilgraves in our midst and how such predators can affect everyone around them, Season 2 is about confronting more familiar and insidious forms of abuse and coercion. It’s absolutely incredible stuff. However, as with the first season, I feel obligated to forewarn all potential viewers that there are heavy issues tackled, including physical and emotional abuse, general violence, and sexual assault.

Stylistically and aesthetically, Jessica Jones Season 2 is still working the noir angle to great effect. The cinematography is a bit more by-the-book this go-round, which may be a plus considering how many viewers didn’t appreciate what the show was trying to do last season. The secondary touches, however, are still there in full force. The soundtrack and the lighting are particular standouts once again. The visual effects are a weak spot, what with the TV budget and all, but not an overly distracting one.

One thing I want to mention specifically is that the final run of episodes is superb. That’s notable on a platform that has routinely struggled with pacing problems in the back half. The finale in particular is fantastic, with a heart wrenching twist.

#4: Luke Cage Season 2

Luke Cage Season 2 has got a slow start and some goofy elements, but underneath all that is a fantastic ensemble crime drama. If you liked the first half of Season 1, you should be very happy with this season.

The cast is still superb. It kept all the heavyweight actors who survived last season, dropped Diamondback entirely, and added in several strong additions. In particular, Alfre Woodward deserves an Emmy.

More surprisingly, this is the show that made Iron Fist likable. Danny Rand gets a crossover episode to rep the Heroes for Hire, and it’s actually good. Finn Jones and Mike Colter have a solid rapport that’s a joy to watch.

The aesthetic presentation is still fantastic. Great music, great visuals (except the odd bit of bad CGI). Essentially, Luke Cage Season 2 keeps what worked in Season 1 and overhauls what didn’t.

#3: Jessica Jones Season 3

Warning: This section will discuss basic elements of the third season of Jessica Jones, which just released. I’m going to try to not include any spoilers, at least not any that you can’t find in the trailer, but read at your own risk. Jessica Jones Season 3 serves as the de facto finale of the Marvel-Netflix universe. Luckily, it’s a fine way to go out.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Jessica Jones ends her tenure on Netflix the same way she began it: tackling tough topics and weighing moral conundrums, all while drenched in a neo-noir aesthetic. The writing and production value are as good as they’ve ever been.

This time around our heroine wrestles with the system itself, facing up to the fact that all the superpowers in the world may not be enough to bring down the truly privileged. Gregory Sallinger (Jeremy Bobb) serves as this new threat, representing a completely different type of danger than what Jessica has previously faced.

The questions of who has power, who deserves it, and what they can (and should) morally do with that power underpin the whole season. The season easily captures the moral complexity and shades of gray that have made Jessica Jones such a compelling watch.

Jessica is in a surprisingly good place after the events of Season 2, but the rest of the cast is struggling with the choices they made. Malcolm (Eka Darville) struggles with the moral compromise required by his new job. Hogarth (Carrie-Anne Moss) continues to be a fascinating character to watch, as her self-interest influences her to do more and more detestable things. And Trish (Rachael Taylor)…well, let’s just say that Trish provides some of the most gripping drama of the season.

END OF POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Unfortunately, I think it’s rather likely that Jessica Jones Season 3 will be unfairly maligned by the same sorts of critics that mistakenly wrote off Captain Marvel. There’s some thematic crossover that’s incredibly relevant to modern society, but ripe to be misunderstood by critics looking for a different story entirely. But their loss is the discerning viewer’s gain, as this final chapter joins Netflix’s expanding roster of programs dedicated to newer and more exciting voices and styles.

But the reason I rank Jessica Jones Season 3 so high isn’t just because of its plot or themes. The main reason is that it’s much more watchable than many of its fellows. It avoids some of the major pacing problems of the others by sprinkling major developments all throughout the season instead of at key points. Right where many of these shows have slowed to a crawl, this one kicks it into high gear. It certainly could have cut an episode or three, but it’s not nearly as bad as usual. And that’s a mark of distinction in the Marvel-Netflix franchise.

Also it includes a certain unexpected cameo in the finale that will make people with good taste very, very happy.

#2: Jessica Jones Season 1

This is far and away the best debut season for any of the Marvel-Netflix characters. It all comes down to the writing, which is why this show has a Peabody.

Jessica Jones Season 1 lives and dies by the strength of its characters. You’ve got the adopted sister, the drug-addled neighbor, and the boss, all played to perfection. You also get the early introduction of a certain Hero for Hire. The weird neighbor twins aren’t super compelling, but nothing’s perfect. But the real draw is the two leads: the antagonist and the protagonist.

David Tennant absolutely kills it as Kilgrave, the man who can control minds with a word. He can play callous and sinister with the best of them. However, some of the best scenes are when he plays the villain as vindictive and small-minded. We’re talking about someone with the power to reshape the world, and he uses it to be a more efficient thief and abuser. It’s a terrific performance, and there’s a reason it gets so much attention.

But you can’t have Jessica Jones without Jessica Jones. Krysten Ritter anchors the whole thing. As much as I like so many of the castings in the Marvel-Netflix region of the MCU, there aren’t many that capture the spirit of their character as effectively as Ritter does. She nails the cynicism, snark, and paranoia, but also the innate decency of the character. I truly hope Season 3 is not the end of the line for this version of Jessica.

#1: Daredevil Season 3

I feel obliged to tell you that Daredevil Season 3 is absurdly good. So good that my first inclination is to rank it as the greatest product of the now possibly dissolving Netflix-Marvel partnership. My gut says it’s one of the best things Netflix has ever produced. This isn’t a superhero show. It’s a prestige crime drama that happens to feature a vigilante. And you should watch it.

No more Hand, no more Elektra, no more Stick, no more mysticism, and no more team-ups. You could jump into this story having only watched Daredevil Season 1, and you’d miss almost nothing. This season starts back at the core dynamic of Matt Murdock, Foggy Nelson, and Karen Page trying to take down Wilson Fisk.

Vincent D’Onofrio is just as excellent as Wilson Fisk. Once again, he drives the whole season. But several other members of the cast step up in a big way. I want to give a special mention to Deborah Ann Woll, who gives an Emmy-worthy performance as Karen Page this season. Charlie Cox and Elden Henson round out the key returning players as dependably as ever.

I’d like to mention that the action sequences are stellar. They’re more numerous and with a higher average quality, while also hitting greater heights. Things really pick up in Episode 4. The rest of the season has a top tier action sequence every couple of episodes. These focus not just on Daredevil’s fighting prowess, but also inventive uses of his sensory powers.

Final Thoughts on the Marvel-Netflix Deal

All in all, I’m sad to see this project go. It was certainly more good than bad, and it allowed a lot of B-list and C-list heroes to get their time in the spotlight. I will forever be grateful that I got to see Jessica Jones and Luke Cage in their own dedicated series. I sincerely hope this won’t be the last we see of any of these characters in live action. The characters deserve better, and so do the people who brought them to life..

So what did you think of my rankings? Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments, or on social media.

PS- If you read this piece and you liked what you saw, consider donating to my Patreon! Donations from readers like you make this site possible. And if you’re new to the site check out what else I’ve been up to!

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