Jessica Jones: Season 3 Ends on a Loose End (And That's Good)

"Jessica Jones": Season 3 is fun to view, but sad, if only for the series' confirmed cancellation. It's not as if it would go on forever (no series does), but to secure interest, Netflix's may have kept its daffy decision secret for a spell. Some folks simply won't watch, now knowing there'll be no more.

Loyalists should be fine with what stands, though. A third season is better than less. The Jones saga is there re-tasting whenever one wishes, along with the other Defenders shows. 

Krysten Ritter is also worth the effort, just as she was on "Breaking Bad". (She sure does have that big-eyed, Barbara Steele thing goin' on.)  I only wish she had donned some glamour from time to time, but even in a jacket and jeans, she's still stunning.

Ritter's performance rivaled expectations, projecting an image superior to her comic-book counterpart. (How often does that happen?) Season 3 also gave her more to do than Season 2, but that first stretch (if only due to David Tennant's mind-blistering Kilgrave) was the stand-out of the trilogy: a classic, high point in Marvel-adapted history. 

I might add that the sister-vs-sister angle was a rousing way to end. (There's even a "Civil War" nod in there, for those who wish to find it.) Rachael Taylor's Trish juiced things up to the max: a veritable Punisher in her own tormented right. I do believe Trish's Hellcat transformation worked to our titular heroine's benefit, building suspense in the proper way. 

Anyhow, I'm glad that the farewell remains open, with a particular, sinister voice yet prodding Jones along. No one should shirk their responsibilities, especially superheroes. And though Jones may be unorthodox in attire and command, I'm glad she's not proven the exception to that golden rule. 

THE DEFENDERS: NETFLIX DELIVERS JUSTICE FOR ALL!!!

Our Harlem/Hell's Kitchen heroes are back--Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil; Mike Colter as Luke Cage/Power Man; Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones; and Finn Jones as Danny Rand/Iron Fist--all assembled and equipped to kick some villainous ass and of course, bring justice to NY's meek and downtrodden.

The highly anticipated “The Defenders”, based on the popular Marvel comic-book series, is Netflix’s reply to Disney’s "Avengers" and WB’s "Justice League". The tone here is of its own variation: vicious, brooding and (chances are) woeful. (Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle/Punisher would fit right in, if not for his loner disposition, but give it time…)

For the sake of this series, our heroic collective faces a baddie named Alexandra. Folks are wondering if she's a disguised element of Marvel's vast lineage, but whether she holds a historic link (let alone rubs elbows with the opposing force, the Hand) shouldn't matter to fans of "Alien", "Avatar" and "Galaxy Quest", for she's played by none other than Sigourney Weaver. Evidently, Weaver's character wields lots of big-city influence, but has any officious, self-serving opponent ever halted our defenders? Then again, who knows what devilish plan Alexandra may be hatching? (Say, wouldn't it be cool if it connects to a character otherwise thought defunct...one perhaps played by Elodie Yung? Hint, hint...ha, ha.)

Though Weaver's enigmatic "queen-pin" and her resulting actions aren't to be taken lightly, advanced footage for the show does present some wry banter for our admirable quartet, so though doom and gloom may predominate, we might at least anticipate some sporadic levity.

For superhero/comic-book fans, this is a golden age, with live-action adaptations riding an all-time high. Some, however, would take delight in seeing the trend end, but I emphatically say to hell with them. “Defenders” is another welcome chunk of good-vs-evil escapism and another reason why Netflix is fast becoming one of the most reliable entertainment sources around. Hey highbrow HBO—ya payin' attention?

All eight episodes of “Defenders” will be queued for viewing on Aug 18. Engage, enjoy...defend!!!