Marvel’sThe Defendersis jam-packed with incredible characters that have been patiently waiting for their time in the spotlight. The show takes us into a new corner of the MCU, where heroes are forced to step up against the death and danger constantly surrounding them. From thebulletproof Luke CagetoMarvel’s best lawyer— looking at you, Matt Murdock — we finally get to see some of the more niche characters on screen.
Jessica Jones happens to be part ofThe Defendersand the eponymousJessica Jonesseries, which recentlymoved from Netflix to Disney+, garnered widespread popularity. A private investigator with impossible super strength, Jessica is a thoroughly balanced character: she’s flawed, has a rich backstory, and constantly evolves throughout the show. As one of the fewwoman-led Marvel releases, both in film and on TV,Krysten Ritterpoured her heart into the role of Jessica Jones, and we’ve put together a list of some of her best moments as the Marvel superhero.
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8Decimating the Punching Game
Everyone knows that Jessica’s power revolves around her superhuman strength. We’ve seen her throw people through buildings and punch her enemies into a coma, but nothing was quite as enjoyable as watching her absolutely demolish a punching bag game in an arcade. Much to the awe of her onlookers, she smashed the target and immediately racked up a score of 999! It was a splash of fun in her otherwise very grim story.
7Finding Stirling’s Body
Though she struggled to balance her life as a superhuman and her career as a private investigator, Jessica worked hard to establish some kind of normalcy in her life. A lot of that came from her beloved boyfriend Stirling, and nothing broke our hearts like watching her find his body after her mother bashed his head against a wall. Jessica had no idea that Stirling was discussing selling her off as hired muscle to a criminal, so all the audience sees is her anguish. Ritter’s screams are so desperate and haunting that you may’t help but mourn along with her.
6Evading Daredevil on the Street
Some of Jessica’s best encounters are with other Defenders, especially Matt Murdock (played impeccably by Charlie Cox). At one point, she hurries through the crowded streets of New York, continuously looking behind her as though she’s being followed. Soon after, we see that Matt is tailing her just out of sight, and the scene only gets funnier as he decides he no longer needs to bother with his walking stick. The duo has great chemistry, and Jessica hits him with one of her best one-liners when they finally rendezvous: “You touch me like that again, and I’ll punch you so hard, you’ll see!”
5Politely Requesting Her Neighbors Quiet Down
Marvel’s titular Defender has an extremely low tolerance for nonsense, especially when she’s trying to work. We see a brazen example of this when she approaches her noisy upstairs neighbors having a screaming match over how to cook chicken. Jessica first implores them to shut up, but she breaks through the door when the couple continually sasses her. Pinning one of them against a wall, she remarks that she doesn’t care about their kinks as long as they’re quiet. “Self-respect…get some!” will forever be iconic in our eyes.
4Killing Kilgrave
The manipulative mastermind spent far too long using his powers to command others, including Jessica. By the time she’d had enough, Kilgrave (played fiercely by David Tennant) was desperate for her to fall in love with him. Moments before his death, he believed he’d won her and promised that she’d eventually return his feelings; what follows is an impeccable display of Jessica’s power as she snaps his neck. The last words Kilgrave hears is her commanding him to smile, and fans agree that no villain’s demise has ever been quite so satisfying.
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3Referencing the Avengers
Seeing Marvel characters reveal their ties to each other is just one of the many joys the MCU has to offer. While being held at gunpoint by the vengeful Audrey, Jessica exclaims that she had nothing to do with The Incident that killed Audrey’s mother (amongst countless other people). The conversation then reveals that the incident in question is the Battle of New York, as seen inThe Avengers. When Audrey reveals her hatred for the supers that reigned hell on everyone, Jessica has a simple solution: “Go after the big green guy or the flag-waver!” These are obvious references to the Hulk and Captain America, who will now carry these nicknames for the rest of time.
2Helping Trish Reveal Her Powers
Jessica Jones is a great friend. She goes out of her way to help her companions — like the time she supported Trisha in her efforts to disclose her superpowers to her mom. Though her mother is initially dismissive of the notion, Jessica reassures her that Trisha has tons of superhuman capabilities. With cold feet, Trisha backpedals and denies the truth about herself. This all builds up to Jessica literally throwing her friend out a window, much to her mother’s horror. Nevertheless, the reveal that Trisha is perfectly unharmed on the ground below is exactly the icebreaker she and her mom needed.
1Formally Meeting Luke Cage
Like Matt Murdock, Luke Cage is another important Defender we see Jessica work alongside and even become romantically involved with. The two catch wind of each other’s powers at a comfortable distance, and Luke breaks into Jessica’s apartment to have a word with her. While she’s initially suspicious of him, Luke proves himself by taking a power saw and using it against his body; Ritter’s display of utter shock is gripping, and she really makes a point to show us Jessica’s disbelief. This is another pair that has great chemistry, and their meeting is the beginning of an intense relationship.
