Jessica Jones season 3, episode 3 review: A.K.A I Have No Spleen

After being stabbed, Jessica has no spleen, and she is really struggling with this realization in the third episode of Jessica Jones season three.

Jessica Jones is still in hospital after being stabbed in the season premiere. She is informed that her spleen was removed, and the only reason she’s even breathing is because she’s superpowered. Despite her doctor’s orders that she needs to make significant lifestyle changes in order to stay alive, Jessica would hardly be Jessica if she actually listened to good advice.

Meanwhile, Trish is still continuing her investigation into Andrew Brandt, the man who attacked his sister over a piece of sculpture. Jessica believes Brandt is the man who stabbed her, as well. Since both sisters are on the same case, will they finally let bygones be bygones and fight side by side?

“A Hero Has a Goddamn Spleen”

Jessica Jones is now a known hero, and it isn’t a title that sits well with her. Because in Jessica’s eyes, she doesn’t have a moral compass to lay claim on that title (especially since that compass killed her mother). To make matters worse, not having a spleen is physically restricting her from being a hero, too.

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Jessica doesn’t like being powerless – it’s an after-effect of her experience with the Purple Man, which explains why she refuses to back down from her investigation in this episode of Jessica Jones. You can see her struggling to power through her physical and psychological pain. Even without the flashbacks to the attack, it’s evident that Jessica’s body can’t handle the jolt of the missing organ. But Jessica’s stubborn arrogance is such a refreshing look on a female character; and it’s probably never better than when she pours a smidge of water into her whiskey because she has to take her pills with water.

To make Jessica so vulnerable is a bold decision by the showrunners; superheroes tend to lose their abilities from time to time in comic books, and Jessica has definitely embraced that aspect of her life, but it will be hard to see the live-action version accept that she is anything less than super.

Trish and Jessica’s Ongoing Feud

Trish is toe-to-toe with Jessica in her Brandt investigation, which is quite a feat, considering her inexperience in this field. And she’s getting smarter by the minute, embracing her journey as a hero while desperately keeping up appearances for the public. The dichotomy of Trish’s life has been brilliantly handled in the season so far, especially since it poses as a reflection for how many people have to put on an act to fit in.

Trish had extended every olive branch possible to Jessica in the previous episode and decides to go solo in this one. The jury is out on whether Trish made the right decision by murdering Jessica’s mother in season two. Jessica, understandably, hasn’t forgiven her, and their feud continues in this episode, especially since they appear to view heroism from different lenses. As Trish retorts when Jessica reminds her of how long Jessica’s been in the business:

"“You’ve been super, Jess. There’s a difference.”"

But when push comes to shove, there’s no denying the love between Trish and Jessica. Watching Trish run to her adopted sister’s side the moment Jessica collapses on the sidewalk is a testament to their bond. And Jessica repays Trish in the only way she knows how to – hopefully, this means the two of them are on the path to mending their relationship.

Romantic Entanglements

Marvel’s Jessica Jones

The weakest link so far in this season of Jessica Jones is Hogarth’s arc. She’s finally accepted her diagnosis and, now, she wants to live life to the fullest – starting with rekindling her college romance with Kith. Hogarth is not meant to be a likable character, and her unabashed need to get what she wants is another refreshing change for a female character. But her and Kith’s subplot feels like it’s been lifted from How to Get Away with Murder, an aspect that works for that show, but not necessarily for Jessica Jones. It’s good that the writers chose not to write yet another duplicitous bisexual character, but that doesn’t absolve the writing.

It’s commendable that the showrunners cast half-Indian actor Sarita Choudhury in the role of Kith. But the show has always struggled with giving its women of color their due, and Kith could possibly face the same fate. Zaya, too, has been presented as little more than Malcolm’s girlfriend, and everything about her characterization seems to be setting Zaya up to be fridged. We could be wrong, though.

The show is already shaping up to be a compelling finale for Jessica Jones and, despite some flaws, there’s enough intrigue and emotional machinations to keep audiences hooked. And now that Jessica has Erik on the ropes, we can finally figure out what this guy’s deal is and how he is linked to the attack on Jessica.