Marvel’s Jessica Jones: Playing with Fire
Season 1 Episode 5: “A Visit from Old Friends”
By Lauren Beukes, Vita Ayala, Sam Beckbessinger, Zoe Quinn, and Elsa Sjunneson
Narrated by Fryda Wolff
To be honest, Episode 5 of Marvel’s Jessica Jones: Playing with Fire wasn’t quite what I was expecting, given last episode’s thrilling fight and cliffhanger. Still, we got great guest appearances by two longtime Marvel characters. Plus making it clear Jessica Jones has to stay away from the Hellfire Club and its manager just whets our appetite for Round 2 when it inevitably happens.
Spoilers ahead.
Getting on whose nerves?
Elsa Sjunneson took over the writing chores in this episode, which is called “A Visit from Old Friends”. The latest installment of this Serial Box exclusive allows us to catch our breath after everything that happened last episode. It also further connects Jessica with the larger Marvel Universe. I couldn’t help but be entertained by her interaction with the old friends alluded to in the title of this episode.
“But going back to those violently unpleasant chairs, Jessica takes a small bit of joy in noticing that two of her least favorite people are also experiencing their unique brand of discomfort.
“Even if they are here to bail her out.”
Honestly, I’m not sure who found the interaction more painful: Jessica, or Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson. Yes, her old friends are two of our favorite lawyers in the Marvel Universe.
“‘Something like that.’ Matt’s long fingers reach for the Brailler. ‘Let’s review the facts.’
“Great, a lecture from Murdock.
“‘She just rolled her eyes at you,’ Foggy pipes up.
“‘Traitor,’ Jessica snaps, dropping her legs off the table. ‘He couldn’t see that!'”
Jessica also thinks of another longtime Marvel character in this episode, so here’s hoping that person will also make an appearance in Marvel’s Jessica Jones: Playing with Fire.
The quest for Brendan
Frankly, I’m getting really annoyed with Brendan — and he hasn’t even shown up yet. I sure hope Jessica will finally find him. It was fine to build up the mystery surrounding Brendan in the first few episodes. But now it’s like they’re just dragging this out.
I also don’t think Jessica’s interaction with Sketchy Steve did much to advance the plot.
“Coming down the alley, Jessica almost laughs. She wasn’t expecting him to wear a trilby, the central casting hat of Pick-up Artist dickwads everywhere. He’s a walking, talking, drug-selling stereotype.
“Jessica loves yanking the chain of every jerk-bro like this she comes across. Everybody’s got to have a hobby, right?”
Jessica actually also came across as a jerk in this encounter. And we didn’t end up finding out more about Brendan, or Jamie’s death, for that matter.
So, no, this wasn’t a bad episode, but it’s not as strong as the first four installments. Good thing Matt and Foggy make up for the Sketchy Steve interlude.
Here’s hoping things will heat up again in Episode 6!
(Editor’s note: This review is based on an advanced reader copy provided by Serial Box. Marvel’s Jessica Jones: Playing with Fire Season 1 Episode 5 will come out on June 11. Exclusively available on Serial Box.)
Previous reviews:
- “The Big Easy” – Season 1 Episode 1 review
- “The Boy Under the Bridge” – Season 1 Episode 2 review
- “Never Saw It Coming” – Season 1 Episode 3 review
- “This Is Going to Hurt” – Season 1 Episode 4 review
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