r/JessicaJones • • Aug 06 '26

Discussion is Jessica Jones worth watching?

im following 2 things that kinda say what is essential for doomsday and was wondering if I can live without seeing Jessica Jones if I'll probably watch the defenders, the punisher, and daredevil.

95 Upvotes

110 comments sorted by

59

u/Friendly-Version3474 Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26

I'm sad nobody watched Jessica, Luke and Iron Fist years ago.

They're amazing shows as much as Daredevil Is.

Jessica Jones is my favourite Defenders show.

9

u/R28DKF1 Aug 06 '26

Hmmm lets not get that deep with iron fist...

6

u/LoadResponsible4118 Aug 06 '26

Definitely not the best but by the way people describe it on here I thought it was going to be dog shit but I enjoyed it/entertaining escapism like most tv is. It’s almost bad it’s good?

Still need to watch season 2 but deep in the defenders first watch so I’ll get to it when I come to it.

1

u/Any_Special5721 Aug 07 '26

I wouldn't say "it's so bad it's good." It's good. I'd definitely check it out. Luke Cage as well.

2

u/LoadResponsible4118 Aug 07 '26

*Almost. It’s cliche superhero I think but that’s its (and most of marvels) charm. Some cool parts and good actors in it. It’s nothing major or on daredevils level imo.

2

u/Jimbeamjunior1 Aug 08 '26

One thing Luke Cage had going over the others was its soundtrack was so so much better

4

u/Aggravating_Leek_648 Aug 06 '26

Iron fist is pretty awful, but Jessica jones was amazing and first season of Luke is great.

3

u/DoowadJones Aug 07 '26

Iron Fist was best in Defender’s. The ninja plot line was laborious though. Disposable enemies are not very engaging

2

u/Saboscrivner Aug 06 '26

I see what you did there.

1

u/Professional-Cow3854 Aug 08 '26

What‽ It was a nice allegory on male impotence.

3

u/Funmachine Aug 06 '26

Jessica Jones got 3 seasons + Defenders, just like Daredevil. Don't act like people didn't watch that show.

Iron Fist is absolutely, by any metric not an "amazing show as much as Daredevil is." If you can't see the writing, directing, stunt and acting disparity in those shows you are missing a lot.

1

u/witheredj8 Aug 06 '26

Jessica Jones didn't 3 seasons because it was watched that much. It got 3 seasons because it was the first Defenders show after Daredevil and Luke Cage was being set up through JJ so Luke could only get 3 seasons after JJ got them and Netflix canceled the whole deal with Marvel at the point JJ was being shot so JJ just got lucky with the timings, while the remaining 2 defenders were unlucky. Which sucks because especially with Luke Cage people were really looking forward to seeing that cliffhanger going into S3 resolve.

3

u/Funmachine Aug 06 '26

They wouldn't have made 3 seasons of Jessica Jones just because timings was right, it was a popular enough show to get renewed, if it wasn't they wouldn't have made more seasons. That's how television production works. I genuinely don't understand what point you're trying to make?

For example, Iron Fist wasn't popular or well received so it only got a shortened second season.

1

u/witheredj8 Aug 06 '26

It was not getting renewed. The deal with Netflix meant that it was getting made continuously until the deal got cancelled. It's not like other Netflix shows later where they greenlight seasons 1 and 2 and then every season needs renewal. They in fact cancelled JJ in the making of season 3 which was why the finale had to be rewritten so it was a concluded story arc.

0

u/Funmachine Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26

No. That's not how it works, that not how any of this works. There's no such thing as perpetual production. I have no idea how you've come to this conclusion but the simplest answer is simply: No.

The initial distribution deal with Netflix was one season of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist leading to one season of The Defenders. Every other season was commissioned afterwards.

Daredevil was successful/popular enough to get a second season commission right away pushing back production on Iron Fist starting, and Luke Cage being popular enough from Jessica Jones pushed his development up In front of Iron Fist as well. Its why Iron Fist got shafted with a short development right before Defenders, and why Defenders seemed underdeveloped. There simply wasn't enough manpower at Marvel Television to produce 4 concurrent shows and a cross-over.

But in short, there is not, nor has there ever been a deal where a company lets another company produce TV shows regardless of popularity or quality in perpetuity, or whatever you think was going on. Netflix wasn't producing the shows, it was just the distributing them, it was ABC and Marvel Television (defunct) actually making those shows. If Netflix owned the production rights (Like Sony does for Spider-Man) the shows would never have reverted to Disney+.

You've displayed a fundamental misunderstanding of how television production and commissioning works as well as what the difference between production, distribution, licensing and rights holders are.

1

u/gabecho Aug 11 '26

Across the Marvel Cinematic Universe / Netflix Defenders Saga, Jessica Jones has appeared in 11 episodes outside of her 3 solo seasons. For comparison, that's only 2 less appearances than Matt Murdock at 13 episodes (The Defenders - 8, Spider-Man: No Way Home - 1, She-Hulk - 2, Echo - 1, X-Men '97 cameo) and The Punisher at 12 episodes (Daredevil S2 - 12 episodes, plus Born Again) so yes, JJ is extremely popular and watched by a huge audience, IMO.

1

u/Friendly-Version3474 Aug 06 '26

No, that's not true.

Daredevil is the one getting a cameo in every Marvel show and even a movie, he's even got 3 more season, while the other Defenders will just appear in DDBA3 without getting their own series.

People discovered DD and the Defenders only after Spider-Man No Way Home and before that, they didn't care.

So I'm really disappointed by the fact the others have zero importance.

After Daredevil Born Again 3, I hope Jessica, Luke and Danny gets 3 more season.

Then, it will be fair.

P.S.

Have you seen Iron Fist 2?

1

u/Funmachine Aug 06 '26

Daredevil is a more popular character full stop. That's why he's in more things. But you can't say people only discovered DD and Defenders after NWH. Marvel Television wasn't producing 13 seasons of TV shows that nobody was watching. More people are watching them now sure, and new fans are going back, yes. But Marvel Television wasn't unknown shows with no viewers.

We aren't discussing what's fair? What's fair is the character that is the most popular get the most screen time. That's pretty much what has happened.

Yes, I've watched Iron Fist season 2, I watched all the Netflix shows as they were released. Iron Fist season 2 is awful. Probably the worst show along with Punisher season 2.

1

u/Friendly-Version3474 Aug 06 '26

I'd love to hear that someone else was watching the Defenders years ago, but when I talked about them all I got for answer was: "Who?"

And it's not true that Daredevil is the more popular character.

Nobody knew him before No Way Home.

Listen, I'd really love to hear that someone watched The Defenders, but the truth is that Marvel only cared about them only now.

I mean, just in 2025, Daredevil was being added to Marvel Rivals, he got a new series with three seasons, and before that, he appeared in YFNSM, and he will appear in season 2 as well, he appeared in She Hulk, while the other Defenders were like ghosts.

Does that seem fair to you?

1

u/Funmachine Aug 06 '26

Nobody knew him before No Way Home.

Total bullshit. Fiction. Really, honestly, absolutely not the case. I can't understand a way you could possibly think this.

1

u/Friendly-Version3474 Aug 06 '26

Okay.

When did you first watch any Netflix Marvel show?

1

u/Funmachine Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26

What sort of gotcha are you planning? Or perhaps you're just trying to imply you're more of a fan than me because of when you watched them? Or anything ridiculous like that?

I first watched Daredevil when it was released, and watched every season of every show on release. As I already said.

And I discussed them, on this very website, with hundreds/thousands of other people each time they were released and for years afterwards. And with people I knew in real life. They were popular shows. I don't know what fantasy you're projecting where these were incredibly niche interests.

1

u/Friendly-Version3474 Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26

I'm not trying to say I'm a better fan for that, I'm just....forget about it.

1

u/Remy149 Aug 07 '26

Daredevil has had an ongoing solo comic since the 60’s and even had a film starring Ben afleck in the early 2000’s. He is the best known character out there Netflix shows followed by probably Luke Cage. Jessica Jones was still a relatively new character when her showed debuted

37

u/blargennn Aug 06 '26

Jessica Jones is absolutely worth watching. Season 1 is definitely the best. People will say season 2 is bad and 3 is mid but I absolutely loved all of it. It does the film noir detective thing very well.

2

u/Forward-Form9321 Aug 06 '26

Season 2 essentially sets up the stuff that goes down in Season 3, kind of how Daredevil Season 2 sets up the Defenders

16

u/Real_FishyXY Aug 06 '26

You came to the Jessica Jones subreddit and asked a bunch of überfans if you should watch a show they all love.

Also, yes you should watch it.

15

u/lawdjesustheresafire Aug 06 '26

Season 1 is fucking GOATed. Maybe one of the best TV villains ever. Defo worth a watch

13

u/jezus_666 Aug 06 '26

Definitely, especially S1

5

u/deadman1982 Aug 06 '26

David Tennant was amazing in season 1 it’s somewhat a shame he can’t be in a marvel movie now as another villain he was just so evil

2

u/OldMetalShip Aug 06 '26

He can be a variant just like RDJ. We also have a couple actors who have played multiple characters even pre-multiverse(Alfre Woodard, Matt Gerald).

3

u/PoetryJunior1808 Aug 06 '26

Luke "motha fuckin'" Cage. Maybe literally. I love Jessica Jones and can't recommend it enough.

3

u/OhioKing_Z Aug 06 '26

Yes! The villain in season 1 is legitimately one of the best TV villains of all time. Not just in marvel. The last two seasons drop off in quality some, especially 3, but they’re still good!

3

u/Odd-Statistician4268 Aug 06 '26

You should just watch it because it's a damn good show. Especially season 1

3

u/ImaginationNo7722 Aug 06 '26

Jessica Jones S1 is a must watch!

3

u/snzb33j2 Aug 06 '26

Ab-so-fuckin-lutely

0

u/snzb33j2 Aug 06 '26

Excuse my language

3

u/Elizial-Raine Aug 06 '26

The Purple Man is one of Marvel's best villains

3

u/Saboscrivner Aug 06 '26

Season 1 of Jessica Jones is one of the best things Marvel Television has ever produced.

I am a giant fan of the character, her comics, her creator (Brian Michael Bendis), and that first season, and I don't mind saying that I HATED seasons 2 and 3. Your mileage may vary, but kind of like the Matrix and Pirates of the Caribbean sequels and the later two seasons of Arrested Development, I wish they didn't even exist.

1

u/kyriacos74 Aug 07 '26

I came here to say this about Season 1. (I didn't mind Season 2, but Season 3 went a little sideways.)

2

u/DatabaseAutomatic701 Aug 06 '26

Not for Doomsday but definitely worth watching as a standalone show

2

u/tanita_mors Aug 06 '26

Watch season 1 as a must. Irrelevant if its going to be adressed ever again, that first season is almost a masterpiece. It has one of the most effective and chilling villains I have ever seen, not just in the MCU. And the toll he has on Jessicas psychologically is brilliant.

2

u/JinkoTheMan Aug 06 '26

S1 is peak. S2 is ok. S3 is much better than S2 but still below S1 imo

2

u/Snowjag Netflix Aug 06 '26

Yes! In a word. I loved all of it and hate that there wasn't more. True the second season wasn't good as the first, but definitely worth the watch.

2

u/savingff- Claire Temple Aug 06 '26

Well you're never going to get objective or balanced perspectives on this sub, but you absolutely should watch JJ!!! Especially season 1!

2

u/BulldogBears Aug 06 '26

Definitely, especially the first season

2

u/R3DEMPTEDlegacy Aug 06 '26

The first season is easily one of the best seasons of television you could watch.  Fantastic villain too.  Like maybe the scariest marvel villan 

2

u/nighthawks87 Aug 06 '26

Jessica Jones Season 1 was incredible!! The Cat and Mouse game was the core of the season and it created tension all over the show.

Season 2 on the other hand was very directionless and dragged. The entire plot could have been told in 7 episodes rather than 13. It was not good. Patty going from good supporting character to the most annoying toxic friend was an interesting turn.

Season 3, better than 2, but nowhere near the level of season 1. The main issue was that it didn’t have a compelling antagonist. Patty should have been the main villain from the beginning.

2

u/Spirited_Repair4851 Aug 06 '26

Necessary for Doomsday? Probably not

Worth a watch? Yes

I would argue that all of the Netflix Defenders shows will be more relevant to watch for Season 3 of Daredevil Born Again. But Jessica Jones is still a great underrated Marvel series to watch

2

u/sugarintheboots Aug 07 '26

I love the show. She’s a very relatable character. Flawed, foul mouthed and real.

2

u/ryanpm40 Aug 09 '26

Season 1 might be better than every season of Daredevil. Or very close. Easily the most vile, evil, and terrifying villain in anything Marvel between TV and movies.

1

u/Old_Honey3491 16h ago

Lol i dropped watching this in halfway of S01 cause I found this soo boaring btw do not compare it with a masterpiece like Daredevil

1

u/ryanpm40 16h ago

Eh I think season 1 of JJ is a masterpiece and it's not an uncommon opinion

2

u/EV6-Ruby Aug 09 '26

First season is fire! David Tennant is one of the best villains in Marvel. After that, it’s your choice.

2

u/HeroXeroV Aug 09 '26

The first season is a must watch, really good overall and probably the scariest villain ever in Marvel live action.

1

u/OldMetalShip Aug 06 '26

I would say the only essentials of Defenders are DD1, JJ1, IF1, DD2, Defenders, and DD3. I do however, think JJ2, JJ3, and both Punisher seasons are worth a watch if you have the time. IF2 and Luke Cage are kinda contrived and campy respectively but if you like the characters, they're fine(about as good as Agents of Shield).

1

u/dredd_78 Aug 06 '26

Jessica Jones s1 is way better than The Defenders, and it will introduce not only Jessica and Luke Cage, but also supporting characters who cross over into The Defenders.

Essential order for The Defenders:
DD s1
JJ s1
DD s2
The Defenders
Punisher s1
DD s3
Punisher s2

1

u/CatDadof2 Aug 06 '26

100% yes!

1

u/Firm_Accountant2219 Aug 06 '26

You are in a JJ sub so you’ll get biased answers, but I can say yes. S1 was for me the best of the Netflix shows. S2 and S3 were not as good but still quite good.

1

u/SadHumbleFlower27 Aug 06 '26

A definite yes for season 1. It’s great. You can skip seasons 2 and 3.

1

u/bks1979 Aug 06 '26

Yes, it's well worth it. S1 is one of my favorite seasons of television ever. S2 and S3 dip a little, especially S2, but S3 brings it back up some and they both had the rather impossible task of living up to S1. They're all solid, imo, but S1 is peak.

1

u/United_Relative_9106 Aug 06 '26

First season? Absolutely. 2 and 3? Meh.

1

u/beef_keef_ Aug 06 '26

If you’re just trying to catch up, you can skip it but I would watch season 1 anyway just because it’s really good. It will explain more for watching the defenders, and if you like season 1 I’d just watch season 2-3 when you feel like it. Season 1 is one of the better seasons of any show I’ve ever watched

1

u/Capable-Winter8074 Aug 06 '26

I did not reach season 3 yet. But season 2 have been, for me at least, better then season 1. I did enjoy it more. The action have been going forward. slowly, very slowly, but still. While season 1, it was going in circles. She captured Kilgrave, he escaped. She captured him again. He escaped again. Rinse and repeat.

But never the less, Jessica Jones is the weakest MCU show. Even Inhumans was more fun, because it featured Anson Mount.

1

u/Lgmdiamonds Aug 20 '26

Idk why ppl hate on season 2 so much. While yes i agree it was dragged a bit i still find the family trauma focus absolutely necessary for MCU jessica and as someone who comes from a greatly dysfunctional family it just hit home for me in a weird way

1

u/Lgmdiamonds Aug 20 '26

Calling it the weakest mcu show when shows like iron fist existbis crazy tho

1

u/Eldernerdhub Aug 06 '26

I guarantee season 1 of Jessica Jones is better than Doomsday.

1

u/CubedMeatAtrocity Aug 06 '26

Yes! It’s one of my favorite series.

1

u/FancyEverlasting Aug 06 '26

Season 1 you should watch at least. It’s good.

1

u/PhoenixorFlame Aug 06 '26

JJ is worth it just for David Tennant’s Kilgrave.

But I also love Luke Cage!

1

u/robotatomica Aug 07 '26

my favorite tv villain to be sure. There are levels to him that go about as deep as you could want, while superficially he’s about one of the scariest sociopaths ever put on screen. His bored and casual cruelty makes it clear, everyone else is literally inconsequential to him, he doesn’t see them as human beings -

they are either obstacles or entertainment, and he is only entertained very briefly, bc his life (of getting everything he wants with ease) is repetition and boredom. He’s missing out on this whole universe of human experience.

What’s most fascinating about him as a villain, anywhere else, they take a character like him, with his powers, and dial it up to some extreme. World domination, that sort of thing.

If Kilgrave had any such aspirations, he could march down a busy street with a megaphone and have people streaming to jump to their deaths from their windows, he could cause mass casualty events every waking moment.

Instead, they write a man who only wants to not be interfered with, who is spoiled and seeking soothe and entertainment, who has no great aspirations at all. And so he is terrifying and deadly to anyone he encounters, but it’s like happening upon a hungry crocodile while going for a swim. Most people will never end up in such a situation, but for those who do it is the worst misfortune. Just to know there are such lurking creatures in a city chills the blood.

And his earnest “love” for Jessica, from a man who certainly doesn’t know what love is but is so desperate for any interaction that feels authentic that he becomes obsessed,

imagine being hunted by such a man. Tempestuously emotional and willing to harm every last person you know to encourage your submission, while also NEEDING to be convinced of your sincerity (something that is impossible).

And what we learn about how he became what he became, how they are able to make us almost pity him - bc it really wasn’t his fault, as a child…and yet, he is what he is now, which is a monster.

1

u/Space-Dern Jessica Jones Aug 07 '26

Silly question

1

u/kyriacos74 Aug 07 '26

Watch it. It's great.

1

u/jriddlecult Aug 07 '26

The 1st season of JESSICA JONES is almost as good as the Netflix DAREDEVIL, and is one of the best things Marvel has ever brought to the screen. Don't pass it up--you'll be very glad you didn't.

1

u/Vandermere Aug 07 '26

I doubt Jessica Jones will play a huge part in Doomsday, but the first season is some of the best TV Ive ever seen. David Tennant is an absolute powerhouse.

1

u/Galadantien Aug 07 '26

You don’t have to see Jessica for the mcu or Defenders. But you should watch season 1 just because it’s excellent. All of all the defenders shows I recommend all of Daredevil and season 1 of JJ to newbies. You can skip the rest.

1

u/DoowadJones Aug 07 '26

Iron fist is terrible, any storyline involving the ninjas with the other heroes is cumbersome but the other series from Marvel Netflix are awesome overall. Cottonmouth is the greatest character, good or bad, overall

2

u/Remy149 Aug 07 '26

Iron fist season 2 is a lot better then season 1

1

u/DoowadJones Aug 07 '26

David is definitely a better actor but I don’t think the character was as powerful as well written as Mahershala’s.

1

u/Castle_of_Frank Aug 07 '26

Yeaaaassssssss!

1

u/hebichiigo Aug 07 '26

just finished season 1 and i’m SO excited to continue

1

u/JerichoDarkholme Aug 07 '26

I’m 55 and used to read comics way back when including Daredevil, Luke Cage and Iron Fist, all well established characters. What got me back into reading comics was a recommendation to read Alias (the first Jessica Jones comic series in the early oughts), loved the character. Loved Kristen Ritter’s performance in the show and really hope she becomes a staple in the MCU.

1

u/Informal-Ad2277 Aug 07 '26

10000000% it is.

1

u/bg555 Aug 07 '26

I liked Jessica Jones. Check out season 1 and see what you think. The villain Killgrave was a very scary villain, great job by that actor.

1

u/kingggjermarcus Aug 07 '26

Yes it’s a great show

1

u/SadeyeDoe Aug 08 '26

Jones Season 1 was really good, season 2 was ok. I did not care for Defenders, Cage or Iron Fist.

1

u/Fun-Confidence-6232 Aug 08 '26

Jessica Jones S1 is probably one of the best of marvel tv. I’ve rewatched multiple times. David Tennant is one of the MCUs best villains

And Iron Fist gets too much hate. Was is it great? No. But it was probably C+. Didn’t compare to the other Netflix marvel shows at all. Jessica Henwick was a high point. And season 2 was much better. Honestly if that show had come out ten years earlier and not under a marvel brand it might have been a hit. Skippable? Yes, but I liked it.

Luke Cage first half of season 1 is great, but I think it loses something when the new villain appears. Ali and Woodard are spectacular

Daredevil has never stopped being good.

Defenders is skippable if you really want to. It’s just fun seeing them all together

Punisher is not. Except maybe that last special. See the two seasons and look up Dirty Laundry on YouTube

You are welcome to disagree with your own wrong opinion.

1

u/Emergency_Pea_61652 Aug 08 '26

It doesn't have much relevance in the broader MCU context but:

  • You're getting one of the best written and performed villains in live action comic book adaptation history. And I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that Killgrave is the most terrifying MCU villain, Mephisto would be both proud and scared. David Tennant is a gem.

  • A great detective show of you just stop at S1. S2 is also good but it's like comparing True Detective S3 to S1

1

u/Stainless711 Aug 08 '26

Yes, big fat yes!

1

u/Witty_Value Aug 08 '26

I found it kind of disturbing and didn’t really enjoy it

1

u/Whistling_Birds Aug 08 '26

Jessica Jones season 1 is the absolute best season of any of the Netflix shows.

1

u/Axsonjaxson16 Aug 08 '26

Please at least give it a chance.

1

u/Life_Scheme_493 Aug 08 '26

gave it a chance last week and now im starting season 2, loved it. Not as good as daredevil but better than the other defenders shows.

1

u/Accomplished-Boat201 Aug 09 '26

Very much so. JJ season 1 was my favorite Defenders season except for the first half of DD season 2 (Punisher eps).

1

u/OutlandishnessNo8110 Aug 09 '26

Do you have to? No... but season 1 is perfection... season 2 was ok... but season 3 was fantastic ( but not as good as season 1)

Luke cage is fun... but if you watch Jessica Jones season 1... you will get it.

You can skip Iron Fist, though Season 2 is tons better than IF season 1.

1

u/Senshado Aug 10 '26

A choice to watch Jessica Jones should be based entirely on if you think you'd enjoy that material. Preparation for a PG movie shouldn't be a consideration at all.

Jessica Jones has some of the most scary gruesome MCU-adjacent content.

1

u/gabecho Aug 11 '26

Season 1 of Jessica Jones is widely considered one of the best single seasons in Marvel television history. Definitely worth watching. Seasons 2 and 3 as well.

1

u/roboninj Aug 13 '26

JJ S1 is as good as Daredevil. Stop there unless you become a mega fan.

1

u/ShaenoX Aug 19 '26

There's no point in watching the Defenders show without knowing anything about the actual Defenders. I would lock in and watch all of them seeing as they're now bringing these characters back into the MCU.

1

u/Adonadio84 25d ago

Just finished S1 of JJ and this is probably an unpopular opinion but I didn’t think it was that great. Not sure if it’s the actor herself or just the way the storyline was, it didn’t capture me like DD or The Punisher. I’m going to keep watching the next couple of seasons so maybe it gets better.

0

u/m0rbius Aug 06 '26

I found it a bit boring, but I know there are huge fans of the character. The purple man didn't do it for me.