Ep 1. AKA Ladies Night

As the first episode of the first season of Marvel's Jessica Jones, "AKA Ladies Night" kicks off the series with a bang. We're introduced to the titular character, Jessica Jones (played confidently and hypnotically by Krysten Ritter), a private investigator who is dealing with her inner demons while attempting to make ends meet by taking on cases for her clients.

The episode begins with Jessica taking on a case involving a missing college student. While reluctantly meeting with the girl's parents, Jessica shows her disdain for their wealthy and superficial lifestyle, serving as a stark contrast to her own modest living situation. As she begins to dig into the case, we start to see the strength of Jessica's investigative skills, as she uncovers clues and secrets from those close to the missing girl.

In parallel, we're introduced to the episode's antagonist, Kilgrave (played ominously by David Tennant). Through brief flashbacks, we learn that Kilgrave has a sinister power: the ability to control others through his voice. With this power, he has been able to compel others to do his bidding, including terrifying acts of violence.

As the episode progresses, Jessica's past connection to Kilgrave is revealed through various interactions and flashbacks. We see the psychological toll that Kilgrave's manipulation has taken on Jessica, and how she has attempted to suppress her trauma through alcohol and dark humor.

Throughout the episode, Jessica's character is fleshed out through her interactions with various supporting characters. We see how her relationships with her best friend Trish (Rachael Taylor) and her neighbor Malcolm (Eka Darville) have been strained by her PTSD and drinking.

The episode's climax comes when Jessica finally comes face-to-face with Kilgrave, who has returned to NYC to retrieve a prized possession of his. In a tense and nail-biting scene, Kilgrave uses his power to force Jessica to drop to her knees in public and beg for his forgiveness. Ritter's performance in this scene is particularly powerful, as we see Jessica struggle with the memories of Kilgrave's past influence over her.

Overall, "AKA Ladies Night" sets up the tone and storylines that will play out over the rest of the season. The show explores themes of trauma, control, and female empowerment, all while giving us heart-pounding action and witty dialogue. As Marvel's first foray into mature, adult-oriented content, Jessica Jones sets the bar high for future superhero shows.