Jessica Jones - Smile

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I think Smile-despite the satisfaction of seeing Kilgrave's neck snapped like a twig by Jessica Jones, his body dropped in a heap to the sidewalk of the marina where he had a bunch of folks attack each other until seizing control of Trish, mocking his adversary regarding how he would rape and torment her "sister"-does suffer from a sense of inevitability and predictability.

Being that this is the final episode, it was obvious JJ wouldn't die. Sure there might have been concern that something might happen to Trish, particularly because she kept helping Jessica and putting herself in the dangerous crosshairs. Jeri Hogarth even actually makes herself useful instead of a liability; facing being pushed out of her firm, having lost her lover due to the murder charge regarding the ex-wife, and still enduring the scars caused by Kilgrave's orders, Jeri defends Jessica when the law wants to pursue litigation against Jessica. Jeri concocts quite a story involving Kilgrave ordering Jessica to kill him due to "guilt".

And with the police ordered by Kilgrave (a serum his father eventually successfully develops gives him even greater power) to shoot at Jessica-a trick using Trish as a ruse is cool-in a cathedral further helps her cause against the law coming after her. The main weakness of Kilgrave has always been his obsession with Jessica, wanting her to admit love to him, but Luke is the man she truly cares for, which has just further enflamed his psychopathy. Kilgrave certainly commits to finishing off his pops as Jessica finds him absent arms in the upscale apartment of a male couple forced to cooperate due to the mind control.

In the secondary sidebar, Jessica admits to a comatose Luke (after getting help from a nurse, Claire (a welcome Rosario Dawson, bringing some real class and cool to the show), who decides to assist her when the cops come looking for him), she wishes for a future together or perhaps even a simple date, leaving him for the time being to confront and hopefully defeat (or die trying) Kilgrave. Despite his best efforts not to care, Malcolm can't just abandon Jessica, meeting Claire (who decides to remain with Luke at Jessica's request) when visiting JJ's apartment. He later answers the phone for Jessica when the public call looking for her help, knowing that she was responsible for the end of Kilgrave, a terror that victimized a city. Claire's no-nonsense, sees-it-like-it-is personality, and considerate nature, is refreshing because, quite frankly, Jessica needed someone (besides Trish) to give up some of their time in order for her to settle the Kilgrave business. I do hope this is just a start for something increasingly substantial for Dawson. And Malcolm has a rather pleasant conversation with Claire about Jessica and Luke, both aware of how these two feel about each other even if circumstances have disrupted any romantic potential they have.

Jeri recalling the casualties of Kilgrave while defending Jessica, including Hope's own fate, is a nice way of letting us not forget what the mind control monster was responsible for and why his death was beneficial for all mankind. Jeri using her "shark" mentality, ingenuity, and wit to get Jessica out of a jam proves that she is capable of much. Yes, Jeri's allowing Kilgrave to gain access to the fetal tissue would allow him greater power, but ultimately she came through for Jessica in her time of need. That is a start if anything, but Jessica let her know they aren't square. Now Jessica will not be able to just dismiss any obligation her power possesses. Oh, and that leap Jessica has gets great height and distance!

Although the ending of the first season was never in doubt, seeing Kilgrave get his was incredibly enjoyable. Jessica having to lure him in and telling Trish she loved her was special because it has a sincerity without being mushy.