Jessica Jones

The show is based on the Marvel Comics character, Jessica Jones, and is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Having opened up her own detective agency, she is former superhero who has switched careers for the occupation of a private investigator. It falls mainly under the category of action and psychological thriller and is most certainly one of the most darkest on-screen adaptations created by the comic book publisher. 

Unlike the most common theme of lightheartedness that Marvel is associated to, in comparison to it's counterpart DC, this particular series is nothing like that. Not only does it portray a realistic view of the world, but cleverly covers the topic of harassment, sexism, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and even rape. Rather than being dodgy about these subjects, the series has incorporated them in a way that's representative of the characters, one of which is Jessica herself (played by Krysten Ritter), who is shown to be coping with the effects of PTSD. 

Another commendable performance is that of David Tennant's, who takes on the role of one of MCU's best villains; Kilgrave. One of the interesting things worth noting is the complexity of his character. Yes, he may be viewed as 'evil' or 'bad' in an overall sense, but somewhere along the way, his morality and thoughts were brought into question and suddenly he was not all black & white. There was even a point he committed a heroic act of sorts and saved lives, as per Jessica's instructions. Although, some might even feel that the show fixated too much on Kilgrave as everything ties back to him at the end, especially since he kept sending clients to Jessica right from the start. 

The cinematography was highly enjoyable too, as was the noir setting of the show. A few certain episodes stood out but I think one of the brilliant ones was 'Sin Bin'. The introduction and incorporation of Luke Cage and his association with the female superhero was also pretty neat. Not to mention, the action scenes too. 

The entire season consisting of 13 episodes was premiered on Netflix on 20th November 2015. 

Happy binge-watching! 

How To Get Away With Murder

One of the most twisted things that makes you question your deduction skills, is sometimes a good murder mystery and that is precisely what this show provides in it's episodes. It's just another normal day at a Philadelphia law university, but all that changes when the Criminology professor and four of her students become intertwined with a murder plot, that sets off a chain of events. Just like that, four strangers who just want to make it to the top, suddenly find themselves trusting each other for the sake of not losing everything and going to jail. 

The series may be on going with just the second season so far, but it is one of the most gripping and captivating crime shows, thanks to the casts and the twists. Granted, the whole murder conception isn't anything out of the box and similar murders have been shown before but the one thing that really stands out is the way the whole after-process is played out. Rather than just putting primary focus on only the victim, the creators have executed in a different way as to how the lives of each of those students and the Professor has been affected, giving the show that in depth element that isn't usually seen in many shows. 

Not only is the suspense evident in each episode, but the endings of each end with a cliffhanger that leaves you with wanting to see the next episode right away. However, being under the scrutiny of the police has not stopped Professor Keating from taking on other cases side by side, with the help of her students. I find that to be a nice touch for it points out that they haven't let the murder take over their daily routines completely and focus their mind onto something else. My only concern is how long with the plot be able to go on before it gets dragging but so far, it has been thrilling and I highly suggest it. 

Happy binge-watching! 

Supergirl

For all you comic book and superhero fans, especially those fond of Superman, this is the show for you. Based on the DC Comics character 'Supergirl', the show debuted on October 26th 2015, with two episodes released so far. The series focuses on Kara Zor-El, who is one of the last surviving Kryptonians and not to mention, biological cousin to the one and only Superman. 

Let me begin with the pilot. Whilst the episode itself may not have been all that mind-blowing, it was Melissa Benoist's interesting take to the character that made it a fun watch. The pilot also did a good job of delving into the character and showcasing that even when Kara puts on her costume, she still lives in the shadow of her cousin and has to earn her place as a respected hero. This not only serves as a challenge, but also a chance for Benoist to make the character grow. 

The second episode was an improvement to the first, having given viewers a further look into the other characters and the role they play in Kara's life. The visual effects were brilliant as well, which can always be expected from a show of this particular genre. There was a good blend of comedic and emotional moments and provided a kind of balance. 

One of the letdowns of both episodes were the villains. Unlike the evil guys that may be seen on shows like Arrow or Flash, these do not seem to be playing a relevant presence and the focus isn't on them much either. I found that a little strange, considering the fact that it's the villains as well that tend to make an episode all the more enthralling to watch. Another letdown would be that there have been no surprising twists and the episodes have been following the typical procedural format.  

But at the end of the day, the fact that the second episode was better than the pilot, is an indicator that the show has a lot of potential to reach higher. 

Happy binge-watching!