A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, recorded in February 2020, our panel of comic book and superhero enthusiasts – including moderator Kylie, Kristen, Nick, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer – is back Around the Water Cooler a fourteenth and final time as the Marvel’s Defenders Series panel to discuss Season 3, the now final season, of Jessica Jones, the second property introduced into Netflix’s Marvel wing of its original streaming library and the last series to produce a new season. We also process the series’ unfortunate subsequent cancellation with less sadness and grumpiness, given our panel’s mixed reviews for this show, compared to some of the other Marvel/Netflix series. As always, if you have not watched any of the Defenders solo series to date (or the crossover miniseries), be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS! Tell us what you think, and/or if there are other shows you’re interested in CPU! covering, below; email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com; or check out our Guestbook at the website, our Facebook page, our Twitter (@cpupodcast), or our Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite). Until next time, until next episode…buh bye!
Executive Producer/Chief Couch Potato: Kylie C. Piette Associate Producers: Krista Pennington and Selene Rezmer
Editor: Kylie C. Piette Logo: Rebecca Wallace Marketing Graphic Artist: Krista Pennington
Theme Song: Written by: Sarah Milbratz Singers: Sarah Milbratz, Amy McDaniel, Kels Rezmer Keyboard: Kels Rezmer Bass: Ian McDonough Guitar: Christian Somerville Engineer/Production: Kyle Aspinall/Christian Somerville
Who: “Marvel’s Jessica Jones” is a superhero/action/psychological thriller drama based upon the Marvel Comics character Jessica Jones and is a Netflix original series, always available on Netflix.
What: “Marvel’s Jessica Jones,” created by Melissa Rosenberg, is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise, and is the second in a series of shows that ultimately led up to a Defenders crossover miniseries, which was released in 2017. Krysten Ritter stars as Jessica Jones, a former superhero who opens her own detective agency after an end to her superhero career.
SYNOPSIS
Following a tragic end to her brief superhero career, Jessica Jones (Ritter) tries to rebuild her life as a private investigator, dealing with cases involving people with remarkable abilities in New York City. Rachael Taylor, Eka Darville, and Carrie-Anne Moss also star.
When: Season 3 was released in its entirety to the Netflix streaming library on June 14, 2019, with a total of 13 episodes.
Where: The action is set primarily in the New York City, New York, neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen, as depicted in the MCU.
Why: To find out why individual podcast panelists started watching this show, listen to the podcast episode via the Season 1 link below – though I will say that all of the panelists are fans of the Netflix original library and/or superhero/comic book based shows in their own right and found themselves eagerly anticipating new entries in Netflix’s “Defenders” series of releases, which now end with this final episode in the series.
How – as in How Was It? – THOUGHTS
As long-time listeners should know by now, CPU! is chock full of panelists with a proclivity for comic book and superhero TV shows and films, including your Chief CP. Our Marvel’s Defenders Series was born of this proclivity, as we have already covered all available seasons of Daredevil; two seasons of JessicaJones; all available seasons of Luke Cage; all available seasons of Iron Fist; the one available season of the crossover event miniseries, The Defenders; and all available seasons of the first spin-off series, The Punisher. Listen to the links below:
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode One, “Daredevil,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Two, “Jessica Jones,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Three, “Daredevil,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Four, “Luke Cage,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Five, “Iron Fist,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Six, “The Defenders,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Seven, “The Punisher,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Eight, “Jessica Jones,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Nine, “Luke Cage,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Ten, “Iron Fist,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Eleven, Canceled Corner: “Luke Cage,” “Iron Fist,” and “The Defenders”
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Twelve, “Daredevil,” Season 3
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Thirteen, “The Punisher,” Season 2
In this, the fourteenth and final episode of our Marvel’s Defenders Series, we revisit the second in Netflix’s series of Marvel-centered shows leading up to The Defenders miniseries, namely Jessica Jones, featuring Defenders Series panelists Nick, Kristen, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer. In this episode, we discuss the final season, Season 3, of the show. To wit, our panel regards this third and final season as an overall improvement over the abysmal second season fiasco (otherwise known as the “dumpster fire,” as panelist Spencer labeled it), covered in Episode Eight of CPU!’s Marvel’s Defenders Series. Yet, the average opinion of our panelists related to Season 3 rounds out to be that the season is milquetoast at best, even though the writers and producers seemed to put forth a valiant effort, particularly by the series finale, to redeem some of the troublesome absences of characters, such as Kilgrave (David Tennant) and Luke Cage (Mike Colter), even as present characters remained decidedly problematic, including Trish Walker (Taylor) and Jeri Hogarth (Moss). Of course, the panel continued to agree on one point, a reaction experienced most poignantly after the final moments of the series: Jessica Jones, without David Tennant and Kilgrave, is simply not the same show as displayed in the brilliantly executed first season. To hear us hash out these opinions further, listen to our discussion via the embedded link below.
This podcast episode was recorded in February 2020, and, there are, without question, MAJOR SPOILERS, as we cover major plot points throughout the third season and really the entire series of Jessica Jones. Do you agree or disagree? Listen at your own risk, and let us know what you think by commenting below!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@cpupodcast), Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite), Pinterest (@cpupodcast), or email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com – or subscribe to this blog, the YouTube channel, our Apple/iTunes channel, our Stitcher Radio channel , find us on Google Play, or on Spotify (!) to keep track of brand new episodes. In the meantime, let us know what you think! Comment or review us in any of the above forums – we’d love your feedback!
Remember, new episodes and blog posts are published weekly! Next Thursday, in a special, one-time only presentation, the same five panelists (and the same very involved moderator) return to our virtual, quarantined Water Cooler as the DCTU Series Panel with the intention of live podcasting about this year’s mega-crossover mid-season event, “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” Stay tuned to our social media for all the details!
Lingering Questions
1) REPEAT QUESTION: Will Daredevil appear on Jessica Jones? We would like him to do so, please, and apart from the Defenders miniseries because these two characters exist in the same universe and in the same city (and in the same borough of the city!).
NEW ANSWER: He never has, and he never will.
2) So, really, will Kilgrave ever return – alive and charismatic and creepy – in a real way? Or, is that too much fantasy for a comic book adaptation series? Was the hallucination, at minimum, a clue to the idea that Kilgrave might still be out there, waiting to reemerge as the Purple Man? At least half of this panel believes that Jessica Jones will not sustain without him, evidenced by the struggles and cringe-inducing flaws of this second season, most of which was presented without him; in fact, the writers and producers may never be able to compensate if Mr. Tennant cannot return. The panel’s opinion further validates Chief CP Kylie’s earliest hypothesis – that David Tennant is what made the first season what it was, despite the fact that the other returning members of the ensemble are good, even great at times. None of them, however, are as riveting or as competent a scene partner when paired with Ritter’s Jessica as David Tennant’s Kilgrave. The proof is in the proverbial pudding known as Season Two.
ANSWER: Kilgrave never returns as a corporeal being or as a regular character in Season 3, though his voice does make an interestingly brief appearance in the final moments of the series finale, resulting in the panel’s further speculation that Kilgrave might actually be alive and merely biding his time until Disney can use the character properly as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Listen to the podcast episode for further discussion pertaining to these speculations.
3) Is Detective Will Simpson, who is supposed to be the villain Nuke, according to panelist Kyle and to basic research into Marvel comics, truly and permanently dead? The panel felt that one of the greatest character disservices committed this season was the early and criminally understated, yet apparently permanent, death of the Simpson character.
ANSWER: Since Simpson does not return to the series in Season 3, we can only assume that he is truly and permanently dead in this depiction of the MCU, which is a crying shame…unless Disney can magically resurrect him for further MCU vehicles. Anything is possible, right?
4) Malcolm (Darville) is now working for Jeri Hogarth (Moss) and, in turn, Jessica’s private investigator (PI) rival, Pryce Cheng. Other than the fact that Malcolm has officially sobered up and is committed to making something of his life, why should we care about this character development?
ANSWER: Malcolm’s role as an investigator for Jeri, employed by her newly established private law firm, prods him into some morally ambiguous situations, and he finds himself straying into some highly compromised choices and further away from the acerbic but straightforward moral compass provided by Jessica, which causes him to question his humanity, his thought processes, and, in some ways, his identity. This development provides an interesting B or C story for the season, but, in the end, Malcolm does relatively little to propel the Season 3 plot forward, except while attempting to redeem himself near the end by quitting his employment with Jeri and by returning to help Jessica out of some sticky circumstances.
5) Will Luke Cage, who is supposed to eventually marry Jessica, according to Kyle and to basic research into Marvel comics, return to the series in Season 3?
ANSWER: Luke Cage, as played by Mike Colter, does briefly appear in the series finale for the purpose of questioning Jessica about her hero-motivated choices and decisions as she pursues various season villains and/or antiheroes. Some of our panelists felt more satisfied by this appearance than others. Listen to the podcast episode for details.
6) Will Oscar return in Season 3? Though a love triangle might be cheesy, can we see Oscar and Luke fight over the cynical and sarcastic Jessica? There might be potential for some comedy in that scenario, which the show sorely needs, at least in terms of comic relief.
ANSWER: Oscar appears briefly in the season premiere, primarily so that Jessica can dump him, though she remains friends with his son. Poor Oscar. That guy never really had a chance, you know.
7) What will Trish’s evolution into full-on Hellcat look like? As of the end of Season 2, Jessica and Trish are estranged, as Trish pulled the trigger to ice Alisa after Jess’ mom quasi-kidnapped her daughter while on the lam, leaving Jessica officially angry at her adopted sister for making this rash decision, even if Trish did so to save Jessica. Will Trish and Jessica reunite in the field of superhero-ness? Will they find their way back to each other in more of an “everyday” way?
ANSWER: Trish’s gambit to gain superhuman powers pays off, as she develops super strength, speed, quick reflexes, and, apparently, the ability to see in the dark. Once she trains – in a park – and fine tunes what she has, apparently, always wanted, at least since Jessica became “special” after her family’s car accident, she decides to go full-on vigilante, though she avoids comics-inspired costume inspiration and decides, instead, to rely on a specially fitted ski mask and some yellow accents (plus, she never officially adopts the moniker of “Hellcat”). Her foray into vigilantism irks Jessica enough to try to stop her adopted sister’s exploits, but Trish refuses to be deterred, and, after awhile, and after Jessica comes to a reluctant understanding as to why Trish killed Jess’ mom in Season 2, they do work together. Unfortunately, Trish proceeds to evolve into a “by any means necessary,” “eye for an eye” sort of vigilante, by adopting a philosophy in which she sees no problem with taking a bad guy’s life, particularly if done in revenge for some other injustice, since the main criminal on the season, the tentatively named “Foolkiller,” sadly takes the life of Trish’s mother this season. This turn of events sets Trish and Jessica at odds, leaving Jessica with the unwelcome obligation of having to stop Trish and rendering her, in essence, one of the season’s villains once again. Listen to the podcast episode for additional details and a handful of rants.
PARTING SHOTS
All of our panelists, with the exception of panelist Kristen, struggled to find any sort of love for the third season, and, now that it is done, for the entire series of Jessica Jones. The panel, Kristen included, pins the show’s disappointing qualities on poor writing choices related to character development and/or story direction and the nearly total lack of David Tennant’s Kilgrave following Season 1. All of the panelists also struggled with the Trish character at various points, the Jeri Hogarth character at various points, and many of the other new characters in general, and the overarching feeling around Season 3 was that, though it improved upon what was regarded by the panel as an abysmal second season, it failed to achieve the thrills proffered by the excellently executed first season. By the same token, the panel generally and universally agrees that Jessica Jones is largely well-performed, even as the panelists acknowledge that the writers set themselves up for a dead-end producing struggle. After all, the source material for the character is particularly thin, as Ms. Jones becomes a secondary character to the other Defenders in the comics and does not have the narrative backdrop that the male characters have, leaving the show’s writers the challenging task of coming up with new story to fit what already exists, which they do with decidedly mixed results, as described in this and in our previous Jessica Jones discussions.
In fact, the panelists, Kristen included, find it difficult to continue to recommend Jessica Jones, at least beyond the stellar first season, except if and only if a would-be viewer sought to delve into the Defenders’ universe on Netflix and wanted to know more about the character and/or to be a completionist with respect to all of the Marvel Netflix series. In addition, several panelists continue to praise the “noir” tone of the piece, the cinematography, and other aspects of the visual presentation, which might be intriguing to those who study film and television as an artistic medium. Ultimately, however, Jessica Jones proves, in some ways, to be the biggest letdown of the Marvel Netflix lot; while the panel found no real love for Marvel’s Luke Cage, they at least saw some consistency and purpose in what the creators of that series decided to do, whether appreciated by our Defenders panel or not. Jessica Jones, on the other hand, is too disjointed from season to season to be a satisfying watch, even though the panel universally observed that Krysten Ritter performs the role admirably. If nothing else, her performance is the reason to watch, provided a potential viewer has a stronger stomach for the three seasons of the show than our panel collectively did in the end.
Still, all panelists remain greatly disappointed and angry when faced with the news that Netflix canceled, possibly involuntarily, the six Defenders series, including Jessica Jones. Though all but one panelist (guess which one) listed this series in the bottom half of their ranking of the five solo Defenders series, the panel, by and large – though, perhaps, more reluctantly with Jessica Jones as a series and as a character – hope that once Marvel/Disney can utilize these characters again, contractually or otherwise, the companies see fit to revive all of the Defenders properties. The panel would be excited even if the main characters are combined into one or a few series, such as “Heroes for Hire” and/or another go-round featuring all of The Defenders characters on some Disney-owned outlet such as Hulu or Disney+. Time will tell; there is still another year or year and a half until the contractual embargo associated with the cancellations of these series can be lifted. If it happens, our panel will return to process all the feelings. We will see what the future holds!
THE FUTURE OF THE SHOW
Canceled! Netflix canceled Jessica Jones on February 18, 2019, rendering the third season the show’s last.
As such, our Netflix/Marvel coverage/Marvel’s Defenders Series is now, at present, done, but don’t be surprised if any of the constituent series make an appearance or two in coming discussions, from time to time. In the meantime, from our panel of Defenders to you, thank you for listening to our ongoing Marvel’s Defenders Series, which now officially come to a close. To discover other shows discussed by CPU!, check here. For now, we bid you adieu!
Jessica Jones (Ritter) decides her future fate while considering escape from New York City, though a little voice in her head cannot remain quiet about the situation…
Our Marvel’s Defenders Series panel…playing the Marvel’s Defenders. Before you ask, yes, that is a bourbon bottle.
Our Marvel’s Defenders Series panel (from left to right): Spencer, Hilary, Kyle, Kristen, and Nick
A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, recorded in January 2020, our panel of comic book and superhero enthusiasts – including moderator Kylie, Kristen, Nick, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer – is back Around the Water Cooler as the Marvel’s Defenders Series panel discusses Season 2, the now final season, of The Punisher, the first and only spin-off introduced into Netflix’s Marvel wing of its original streaming library. We also process the series’ unfortunate subsequent cancellation with much sadness and grumpiness, given our panel’s universal lauds and accolades for this show. As always, if you have not watched any of the Defenders solo series to date (or the crossover miniseries), be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS! Tell us what you think, and/or if there are other shows you’re interested in CPU! covering, below; email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com; or check out our Guestbook at the website, our Facebook page, our Twitter (@cpupodcast), or our Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite). Until next time, until next episode…buh bye!
Executive Producer/Chief Couch Potato: Kylie C. Piette Associate Producers: Krista Pennington and Selene Rezmer
Editor: Kylie C. Piette Logo: Rebecca Wallace Marketing Graphic Artist: Krista Pennington
Theme Song: Written by: Sarah Milbratz Singers: Sarah Milbratz, Amy McDaniel, Kelsey Rezmer Keyboard: Kelsey Rezmer Bass: Ian McDonough Guitar: Christian Somerville Engineer/Production: Kyle Aspinall/Christian Somerville
Who: “Marvel’s The Punisher” is a web television series based upon the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It is also a Netflix original series, always available on Netflix.
What: “Marvel’s The Punisher,” created by Steve Lightfoot, is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. The series revolves around Frank Castle, who uses lethal methods to fight crime as the vigilante “The Punisher,” with Jon Bernthal reprising the role from Marvel’s Daredevil. Ben Barnes, Amber Rose Revah, Jason R. Moore, and Deborah Ann Woll also star.
SYNOPSIS
Frank Castle (Bernthal), known throughout New York City as “the Punisher” after exacting revenge on those responsible for the deaths of his wife and children, uncovers a larger conspiracy beyond what was done to him and his family.
When: Season 2 of the series was released in its entirety to the Netflix streaming library on January 18, 2019, with a total of thirteen episodes.
Where: The action is set primarily in New York City, New York, as depicted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though this season also ventured to the Midwest, specifically Michigan and Ohio.
Why: To find out why individual podcast panelists started watching this show, listen to the Season 1 podcast episode via the link below – though I will say that all of the panelists are fans of the Netflix original library and/or superhero/comic book based shows in their own right and have found themselves eagerly anticipating new entries in Netflix’s “Defenders” series of releases, including this first spin-off the series! As a result, they’re committed to a CPU! series about same!
How – as in How Was It? – THOUGHTS
As long-time listeners should know by now, CPU! is chock full of panelists with a proclivity for comic book and superhero TV shows and films, including your Chief CP. Our Marvel’s Defenders Series was born of this proclivity, as we have already covered the three available seasons of Daredevil, Seasons 1 and 2 of JessicaJones, the two available seasons of Luke Cage, the two available seasons of Iron Fist, and the one available season of the crossover event miniseries, The Defenders. Listen to the links below:
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode One, “Daredevil,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Two, “Jessica Jones,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Three, “Daredevil,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Four, “Luke Cage,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Five, “Iron Fist,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Six, “The Defenders,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Seven, “The Punisher,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Eight, “Jessica Jones,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Nine, “Luke Cage,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Ten, “Iron Fist,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Eleven, Canceled Corner: “Luke Cage,” “Iron Fist,” and “The Defenders”
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Twelve, “Daredevil,” Season 3
In this, the thirteenth episode of our Marvel’s Defenders Series, we revisit the first spin-off of Netflix’s series of Marvel-centered shows that led up to The Defenders miniseries, namely The Punisher, featuring Defenders Series panelists Nick, Kristen, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer. Herein, our panelists experience multiple “nerdgasms,” somewhat mitigated by the pall of the series cancellation, over a solid Season 2 of a spin-off that was not as universally appreciated by our panel following its first season. To wit, the panelists are, for the most part, highly complimentary of The Punisher solo series overall, with general enthusiasm by all panelists for Bernthal and his charismatic portrayal of Marvel’s consummate antihero as well as Barnes’ performance as villain Billy Russo/”Jigsaw.” In fact, all but one of the panel deemed the second season superior to the first, even as most of us also found some supporting characters off-putting, particularly Agent Dinah Madani (Revah) and psychiatrist Krista Dumont (Floriana Lima); in the latter instance, the panel reached consensus on the point that her character was not developed as well as it could have been, given the character’s comic roots. Additionally in this episode, we also process our feelings of grief and mourning over the cancellation of this series, for which we all, even panelist Kristen, offer unreserved lauds and accolades. To hear us hash out these thoughts further, listen to our discussion via the embedded link below.
This podcast was recorded in January 2020, and, there are, without question, MAJOR SPOILERS, as we cover major plot points throughout the second season and really the entire series of The Punisher. Do you agree or disagree? Listen at your own risk, and let us know what you think by commenting below!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@cpupodcast), Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite), Pinterest (@cpupodcast), or email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com – or subscribe to this blog, the YouTube channel, our Apple/iTunes channel, our Stitcher Radio channel , find us on Google Play, or on Spotify (!) to keep track of brand new episodes. In the meantime, let us know what you think! Comment or review us in any of the above forums – we’d love your feedback!
Remember, new episodes and blog posts are published weekly! Next Wednesday, a new panel magically appears at the CPU! Water Cooler, sans snarky black cats, comprised of mostly Millennial panelists (minus you’re very involved Gen X moderator) waxing wittily while Looking Back at Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Stay tuned for all the TGIF ham and cheesy goodness!
PARTING SHOTS
All of the Marvel’s Defenders Series panelists declare that The Punisher Season 2 is another masterful pinnacle of television excellence, with minor qualms and reservations that vary among the panelists about the second season and no lingering plot questions about which to ponder as the show faded to black. Even panelist Kristen, who struggled through the first season, finds love for the Marvel antihero, even if not as wholeheartedly as fellow panelists Kyle and Spencer, who loved him from the start. All of the panelists effusively gushed about Bernthal’s performance as Frank Castle/Punisher in addition to Barnes’ steady and consistent portrayal of Billy Russo/Jigsaw. The panel was more mixed about the supporting players’ performances; their reactions are sussed out in tonight’s episode.
In fact, the panel could only list pros when recommending this series, only two seasons that it is, including the show’s compelling main character (coupled with the actor playing him), the cinematography, the tensely choreographed fight scenes, the continuous improvement in quality, the unusual tone of what would normally be labeled a “superhero show,” and the self-contained quality of the show, with each season containing strong story arcs encapsulating definitive beginnings, middles, and ends. As it is, The Punisher is recommended overall by our CPU! panel to fans of comic books, particularly from the Marvel universe; fans of the various Defenders series; and fans of the Punisher character. The panel cautions that The Punisher is highly graphic and gory, featuring much violence and blood as befits a gun-toting antihero on various vendettas, so if you are an easily squeamish viewer, begin watching while prepared that you will see much in the way of blood and guts. The panel further generally and universally agrees that The Punisher is well-performed, well-written, and well-directed but for some qualms from some panelists about supporting characters, such as Revah’s Madani and Lima’s Krista. In any event, and despite the critiques described above, the panel almost universally had great fun watching this series and believes that anyone who considers themselves a fan of any or all of the individual Defenders would have fun watching it too.
Furthermore, all panelists remain greatly disappointed and angry when faced with the news that Netflix canceled, possibly involuntarily, the six Defenders series, including The Punisher. Several panelists ranked this series their favorite or second favorite among the five solo Defenders series, with only Chief CP Kylie deviating in favor of the more mysticism-heavy Iron Fist (repeated proclamations of Danny Rand being the “immortal Iron Fist” aside). In any event, we hope that once Marvel/Disney can utilize these characters again, contractually or otherwise, the companies see fit to revive The Punisher and really all of the Defenders properties, even if the main characters are combined into one or a few series, such as “Heroes for Hire” and/or another go-round featuring all of The Defenders characters. The cast seems publicly game to return, and the internet chatter echoed the raw disappointment in the idea that capitalism caused the series’ downfall, just like the other Netflix series, Daredevil especially. We can only hope that Disney, Marvel, Netflix, or some other creative business deal will make all right in the near future because something as good as The Punisher should not be left in the television vault for long. Our podcast panel – and, indeed, many of our listeners – implore anyone who can to #savethepunisher.
THE FUTURE OF THE SHOW
Canceled! Netflix canceled The Punisher on February 18, 2019, after two seasons.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCES!
In tonight’s episode, panelist Kyle makes reference to photographs he showed the other panelists regarding the renderings of Jigsaw’s face in the comics. Here are those pictures:
A potential rendering of Ben Barnes with more comic-appropriate Jigsaw makeup
Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal), fully embracing The Punisher mantle. This scene caused controversy with political undertones. What do you think?
LOOKING AHEAD
The CPU! Marvel’s Defenders Series panel will return to the Water Cooler – one final time – in short order to review the third and final season of Jessica Jones and to discuss our post-mortem reactions to the cancellation of that series as well as to wrap up our Marvel’s Defenders Series as a whole (for now). Until then!
A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, recorded in March 2019, our panel of comic book and superhero enthusiasts – including moderator Kylie, Kristen, Nick, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer – is back Around the Water Cooler as the Marvel’s Defenders Series panel discusses Season 3, the now final season, of Daredevil, the first property introduced into Netflix’s Marvel wing of its original streaming library. We also process the series’ unfortunate subsequent cancellation with much sadness and grumpiness, given our panel’s universal lauds and accolades for this show. As always, if you have not watched any of the Defenders solo series to date (or the crossover miniseries), be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS! Tell us what you think, and/or if there are other shows you’re interested in CPU! covering, below; email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com; or check out our Guestbook at the website, our Facebook page, our Twitter (@cpupodcast), or our Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite). Until next time, until next episode…buh bye!
Editor: Kylie C. Piette Logo: Rebecca Wallace Marketing Graphic Artist: Krista Pennington
Who: “Marvel’s Daredevil” is a superhero/action/crime drama based upon the Marvel Comics character Daredevil and is a Netflix original series, always available on Netflix.
What: “Marvel’s Daredevil,” developed by Drew Goddard, is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise, and is the first in a series of shows that led up to a Defenders crossover miniseries. Lawyer-by-day Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) uses his heightened senses, a side effect of being blinded by a radioactive substance as a young boy, to fight crime at night on the streets of New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood as Daredevil.
SYNOPSIS
Charlie Cox stars as Matt Murdock / Daredevil, a blind lawyer-by-day who fights crime at night. His associates include Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll), a plucky whistle-blower with a heart of gold, and Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson), Matt’s law partner and best friend. Vincent D’Onofrio plays the series’ primary villain, Wilson Fisk, also known as Kingpin. In the third season, after Fisk is released from prison, Murdock, who has been missing for months following the events of The Defenders, reemerges as a broken man and must decide between hiding from the world as a criminal lawyer and embracing his life as a hero vigilante.
When: The third season of the series was released in its entirety to the Netflix streaming library on October 19, 2018.
Where: The action is set primarily in the New York City, New York, neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen, as depicted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Why: To find out why individual podcast panelists started watching this show, listen to the very first “Marvel’s Defenders” podcast episode via the embedded link below.
How – as in How Was It? – THOUGHTS
As long-time listeners should know by now, CPU! is chock full of panelists with a proclivity for comic book and superhero TV shows and films, including your Chief CP. Our Marvel’s Defenders Series was born of this proclivity, as we have already covered the first two seasons of Daredevil; the two available seasons of JessicaJones; the two available seasons of Luke Cage; the two available seasons of Iron Fist; the one available season of the crossover event miniseries, The Defenders; and the first season of the first spin-off series, The Punisher. Listen to the links below:
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode One, “Daredevil,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Two, “Jessica Jones,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Three, “Daredevil,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Four, “Luke Cage,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Five, “Iron Fist,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Six, “The Defenders,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Seven, “The Punisher,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Eight, “Jessica Jones,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Nine, “Luke Cage,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Ten, “Iron Fist,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Eleven, Canceled Corner: “Luke Cage,” “Iron Fist,” and “The Defenders”
In this, the twelfth episode of our Marvel’s Defenders Series, we revisit the first of Netflix’s series of Marvel-centered shows that led up to The Defenders miniseries, namely Daredevil, featuring Defenders Series panelists Nick, Kristen, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer. In this episode, our panelists experience multiple “nerdgasms,” somewhat mitigated by the pall of the series cancellation, over what most of our panelists believe is one of the best seasons of television, superhero or otherwise, of all time. Common reactions to this season praise story execution; direction; pacing; fight choreography; and the top-notch performances of Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Wilson Bethel as Ben Poindexter aka Bullseye, and the ensemble cast of this, the crown jewel of the Netflix Marvel universe. Though our panel would have willingly and eagerly gobbled up a fourth season, Daredevil has since been canceled by the streaming giant, likely due to negotiation breakdowns with Marvel parent company Disney in lieu of the latter company’s hunger for a piece of the streaming pie. Therefore, in this episode, we also process our feelings of grief and mourning over this incredible series, for which we all, even panelist Kristen, offer unreserved lauds and accolades. To hear us hash out these thoughts further, listen to our discussion via the embedded link below.
This podcast episode was recorded in March 2019, and there are, without question, MAJOR SPOILERS, as we cover major plot points throughout the third (and final) season of Daredevil. Do you agree or disagree? Listen at your own risk, and let us know what you think by commenting below.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@cpupodcast), Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite), Pinterest (@cpupodcast), or email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com – or subscribe to this blog, the YouTube channel, our iTunes channel, our Stitcher Radio channel , and/or find us on Google Play to keep track of brand new episodes. In the meantime, let us know what you think! Comment or review us in any of the above forums – we’d love your feedback!
Remember, new episodes and blog posts are published weekly! This Sunday, at 2:00 PM, CPU! is going live again! There (hopefully) should be an in-person audience, and we will (hopefully) endeavor to live-stream the whole shindig once more to our Facebook page. We’ll be at Blue Bridge Games in Grand Rapids, Michigan, taking A SHINY LOOK BACK AT “FIREFLY,” which will also feature some “Top 5” elements. There, five of our resident Browncoats and panelists – along with a special guest! – will not take the sky from any “Serenity” felt when we at CPU! Look Back at one of the most enduring one-season-and-done cult shows of all time. We will then publish an audio-only version next Wednesday, in our best rerun fashion. You won’t want to miss it! Here’s the link to the Facebook Event! Like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep abreast of all the details, but here’s the art for it for now! Stay tuned!
Lingering Questions from Season 2
1) Will the Hand v. Chaste/Black Sky story line be more flushed out in Season 3?
ANSWER: No. The Hand v. Chaste/Black Sky story line is arguably more flushed out in The Defenders miniseries,though some of our panelists, Kyle particularly, feel that said flushing out is poorly executed in the crossover event. Season 3 of Daredevil does not address the Hand nor Matt’s historic affiliation with members of the Chaste at all.
2) Will Elektra be resurrected by the Hand with their apparent mystic mastery over life and death?
ANSWER: Elektra Natchios is mystically resurrected by the five “Fingers” of the Hand in The Defenders crossover miniseries. Listen to that CPU! episode (embedded above) for further details.
3) Will Karen ever be plagued by or deal with aftermath stemming from the fact that she shot James Westley in season one?
ANSWER: She will – in this season, in fact! Though we see Karen process, minimally, her murder of James Westley from Season 1 via her friendship with Frank Castle aka The Punisher in Season 2 of Daredevil, it is not until Season 3 when she finally begins to confess and, therefore, to work through her sin, first to/with Foggy Nelson when her worry for an AWOL Matt reaches fever pitch upon Wilson Fisk’s (aka Kingpin) release from prison into federal custody, and then to/with Fisk himself. Her apparent guilt, however, at taking Fisk’s confidant’s life seems to be eclipsed by her reckless need to confront Fisk in the moment. While Fisk is held under house arrest in his former penthouse, an arrangement he manipulated out of the FBI from prison, a rattled Karen, once Fisk’s particular target, takes it upon herself to sneak into his penthouse to embark upon a face-to-face verbal exchange with the charismatic puppet-master. In this conversation, she openly confesses to killing Westley to Wilson in an effort to incite Fisk to commit violence against her under the watchful eyes of several FBI special agents in an adjacent surveillance room. Her plan backfires, however, when Fisk uses the encounter, instead, to verify his suspicion that Matt Murdock is Daredevil, confirmed by the worried expression on Karen’s face when Fisk poses the question directly. It is a brilliant scene, universally appreciated by our panel. Listen to the podcast episode for our reactions.
4) Does Punisher know “Red’s” true identity, as several panelists suspect?
ANSWER: Unconfirmed, at least as of Daredevil Season 3. Frank Castle aka The Punisher does not appear in the final season of Daredevil.
5) Given Jeri Hogarth’s crossover into this series from Jessica Jones to hire Foggy for her firm, will Elden Henson appear in the next season of Jessica Jones?
ANSWER: Yes. Elden Henson appears in Jessica Jones, Season 2, in the episode “AKA Sole Survivor.”
6) Will Daredevil be forced to protect Kingpin from the wrath of Punisher after Kingpin and Punisher’s interactions in prison?
ANSWER: No. The Punisher does not appear in Daredevil Season 3; however, Daredevil does have to protect both Kingpin and his love, Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer), from Bullseye (Bethel) in the now series finale. Listen to the podcast episode for details.
7) Will Bullseye appear next season because Matt picked a fight with Kingpin in prison, and Bullseye is Kingpin’s most loyal henchman (in the comic books)?
ANSWER: Bullseye appears in Season 3, not as a direct result of Matt’s fight with Kingpin in prison in Season 2 but as an indirect result of their overall enmity. When Wilson meets FBI Special Agent Ben Poindexter for the first time this season, one of his guards and overseers when he is transferred to his old penthouse from prison, Wilson sees both extraordinary talent for marksmanship and a barely concealed level of sociopath-related tendencies motivating a broken and nervous figure in Poindexter. Wilson later exploits these tendencies and talents, creating not only an unflinchingly loyal henchman – at least, until revelations come to light that shake this loyalty – but also the actual in-show origin story for the villain known as Bullseye. Listen to the podcast episode for details.
8) Will the Owl, Leland Owsley’s son, appear in Season 3?
ANSWER: No. The Owl does not appear in Season 3.
PARTING SHOTS
All of the Marvel’s Defenders Series panelists declare that Daredevil Season 3 is a bona fide hit and a masterful pinnacle of television excellence. Even panelist Kristen has been reluctantly converted to the Daredevil fandom, even if not as wholeheartedly as fellow panelist Kyle, and most, if not all, of the panelists believe that this particular season of Daredevil exemplifies one of the best seasons of television, superhero or otherwise, of all time. All of the panelists effusively gushed about D’Onofrio’s performance as Kingpin in addition to Cox’s steady and consistently perfect portrayal of Murdock/Daredevil. The panel was more mixed about Woll’s performance as Karen again, with some panelists, such as Spencer, finding her tedious, while other panelists, like Chief CP Kylie, Kristen, and Kyle, seeing her improved potential, particularly in light of the character’s original fate in the source comic books.
Furthermore, all panelists are greatly disappointed, angry, even downright surly when faced with the news that Netflix canceled, possibly involuntarily, the six Defenders series, Daredevil chiefly among them, as we all believe (Kristen too) that this is the best of all the Netflix Defenders shows. It is the series offering the viewer the most to gain, both in entertainment value and via tracking Kingpin’s individual journey from the first season, by re-watching/reviewing the entire series. Daredevil is also the series, so far, with the best ending, even if that ending includes a cliffhanger in the tag that only served to tempt and to tantalize and, therefore, to disappoint in light of the cancellation. In any event, we hope that once Marvel/Disney can utilize these characters again, contractually or otherwise, the companies see fit to revive Daredevil. The panel universally agrees that it is the best Marvel television series to date; the cast is certainly, publicly, game to return, and the internet chatter has been nothing but a combination of positive reaction to the third season, the widely acknowledged best of them all, and of outright, raw disappointment in the idea that capitalism caused the series’ downfall. We can only hope that Disney, Marvel, Netflix, or some other creative business deal will make all right in the near future because something as good as Daredevil should not be left in the television vault for long. Our podcast panel – and, indeed, many of our listeners – implore anyone who can to #savedaredevil, as we believe it is simply one of the best television shows – ever.
THE FUTURE OF THE SHOW
Canceled! Netflix canceled Daredevil on November 29, 2018, after three seasons. What’s more, Netflix canceled the remaining solo series as well; thus, CPU!’s Marvel Defenders Series panel’s days are now decidedly numbered. In this panel’s last two episodes, we will review the second and final season of The Punisher and the third and final season of Jessica Jones, respectively. Stay tuned!
LOOKING AHEAD
The CPU! Marvel’s Defenders Series panel will return to the Water Cooler later this year to review the second and final season of The Punisherand to discuss our post-mortem reactions to the cancellation of that series. Until then!
NEXT CPU! LIVE!
CPU! is going live again!!! CPU! will next be LIVE at Blue Bridge Games (954 Fulton SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan) on March 31, 2019, at 2:00 PM! In that live podcast (also streamed to our Facebook page), a brand new, one-time panel will take “A Shiny Look Back at Firefly” at Grand Rapids’ newest purveyor of tabletop and role playing games for purchase! Like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep abreast of all the details! Stay tuned!
A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, recorded in March 2019, our panel of comic book and superhero enthusiasts – including moderator Kylie, Kristen, Nick, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer – is back Around the Water Cooler as the Marvel’s Defenders Series processes, with spicy grumpiness and social sadness, the cancellations of Luke Cage and Iron Fist. The panelists also ruminate upon what is, effectively, the end of The Defenders on Netflix – and for now. As always, if you have not watched any of the Defenders solo series to date (or the crossover miniseries), be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS! Tell us what you think, and/or if there are other shows you’re interested in CPU! covering, below; email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com; or check out our Guestbook at the website, our Facebook page, our Twitter (@cpupodcast), or our Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite). Until next time, until next episode…buh bye!
Editor: Kylie C. Piette Logo: Rebecca Wallace Marketing Graphic Artist: Krista Pennington
“Marvel’s Luke Cage” is a web television series based upon the Marvel Comics character Luke Cage and is a Netflix original series.
“Marvel’s Iron Fist” is a web television series based upon the Marvel Comics character Iron Fist and is a Netflix original series.
“Marvel’s The Defenders” is a web television series based upon the Marvel Comics characters Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist, who form the eponymous superhero team. It is also a Netflix original series.
What: Canceled Corner, wherein we discuss the untimely cancellation of shows that survived a season or two at most, only to find themselves unceremoniously axed by their sponsoring networks.S
When: Marvel’s Luke Cage was canceled on October 19, 2018. Marvel’s Iron Fist was canceled on October 12, 2018. Marvel’s The Defenders, originally intended to be a one-season miniseries, will remain so despite hints and contemplation toward a possible second season, due to the fact that all individual character properties on Netflix, including Marvel’s Daredevil, Marvel’s Jessica Jones, and Marvel’s The Punisher, have been canceled by the streaming giant.
Where: The action in all Netflix Marvel series is primarily set in New York City, New York, as depicted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Why: To find out why individual podcast panelists started watching any or all of these shows, catch up on our Marvel’s Defenders Series via the embedded links below!
How – as in How Was It? – THOUGHTS
As long-time listeners should know by now, CPU! is chock full of panelists with a proclivity for comic book and superhero TV shows and films, including your Chief CP. Our Marvel’s Defenders Series was born of this proclivity, as we have already covered the first two seasons of Daredevil; the two available seasons of JessicaJones; the two available seasons of Luke Cage; the two available seasons of Iron Fist; the one available season of the crossover event miniseries, The Defenders; and the first season of the first spin-off series, The Punisher. Listen to the links below:
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode One, “Daredevil,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Two, “Jessica Jones,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Three, “Daredevil,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Four, “Luke Cage,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Five, “Iron Fist,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Six, “The Defenders,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Seven, “The Punisher,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Eight, “Jessica Jones,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Nine, “Luke Cage,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Ten, “Iron Fist,” Season 2
In this, the eleventh episode of our Marvel’s Defenders Series, our stalwart Marvel’s Defenders panelists – Kristen, Nick, Kyle, Hilary, and Spencer – process many thoughts and feelings following the cancellations of Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and, effectively, any hope of future crossover Defenders miniseries, at least for the foreseeable future and, particularly, for the next two years. This is the first of a new CPU! feature called “Canceled Corner,” wherein we discuss the untimely cancellation of shows that survived a season or two at most, only to find themselves unceremoniously axed by their sponsoring networks. We do this for these three programs particularly because we recorded our most recent reviews of Luke Cage and Iron Fist prior to the announcements of their cancellations. Thus, in this episode, our panel takes a moment to react to these cancellations of Luke Cage and Iron Fist (and, as a result, The Defenders) before moving ahead in the series in the near future to review the final seasons of Daredevil and The Punisher and, when it is released, of Jessica Jones.
Let me tell you, gentle listener: the feelings and #spicy words are flowing in this episode. Our panel’s thoughts and reactions range from grumpy sadness to outright outrage at what we, like the internet, believe is a money-hungry business decision and a consummate power grab by the Mouse House, as the Disney Corporation tries to take (back) pieces of the streaming pie from former partner in streaming crime, Netflix, in advance of the launch of their proprietary streaming platform, Disney+. Plus, Disney’s merger with 20th Century Fox (Fox’s Entertainment Division), official as of 12:02 AM today, means that Disney now controls Fox cable networks, like FX and FXX, and a majority share of rival streaming service Hulu. What does all this mean in the end? The future is uncertain for the Defender characters, despite passionate internet-based fan pleas on behalf of, at least, Daredevil. While Disney could re-launch properties revolving around these characters in two years, per their prior agreement with Netflix, there is no guarantee that Disney will do so, or that they will do so in the same form and/or manner as the series we’ve watched on Netflix to date. Really, the entire bundle of news is disappointing, and so the energy of our panel is unusually deflated in this episode. Do you feel the pain with us? Let us know!
This podcast episode was recorded in March 2019, and there are, without question, MAJOR SPOILERS, as we return to some major plot points from Luke Cage,Iron Fist, and The Defenders. Do you agree or disagree? Listen at your own risk, and let us know what you think by commenting below.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@cpupodcast), Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite), Pinterest (@cpupodcast), or email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com – or subscribe to this blog, the YouTube channel, our iTunes channel, our Stitcher Radio channel , and/or find us on Google Play to keep track of brand new episodes. In the meantime, let us know what you think! Comment or review us in any of the above forums – we’d love your feedback!
Remember, new episodes and blog posts are published weekly! Next Wednesday, our Marvel’s Defenders Series panel returns to the Water Cooler once again to review, wistfully, the now final season, Season 3, of Marvel’s Daredevil. We also process our post-mortem reactions to this cancellation, with our own subtle verbal pleas of #savedaredevil. Stay tuned!
Lingering Questions
Luke Cage
1) Will Luke Cage be renewed as a solo series? Or, is Netflix moving toward combining Luke and Danny Rand/Iron Fist, as the comics have, into a “Heroes for Hire” series and/or Misty and Colleen into a “Daughters of the Dragon” series, as panelist Kyle perceives and wholeheartedly wishes, with some vocal support from the panel. All panelists indubitably enjoy and readily endorse the chemistry between Simone Missick and Jessica Henwick (Misty Knight and Colleen Wing, respectively) and between Mike Colter and Finn Jones (Luke Cage and Danny Rand/Iron Fist, respectively).
ANSWER: No to all questions. Luke Cage was canceled.
2) Panelist Kyle informed the panel in the podcast episode that Rosario Dawson is contemplating not returning to the Netflix Marvel shows, or at least not to Luke Cage, because her contract term is up, and she feels that Claire Temple/Night Nurse was relegated to nothing more than jealous/worried girlfriend in Luke Cage. Are the rumors true, or will Rosario find it in her heart to return, at least to any of the other three series?
ANSWER: Moot questions. Luke Cage was canceled.
Iron Fist
1) Netflix has canceled both Luke Cage and Iron Fist. Are they paving the way, via efficiency of cost, for “Heroes for Hire”/”Daughters of the Dragon?” Or, did the streaming giant actually give up on two of the properties comprising its unique corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for any of the following reasons: low ratings for Iron Fist; disagreements with the Luke Cage show-runner; and/or the fact that Disney/Marvel is starting its own streaming service and is gradually relieving Netflix of these properties? When, if ever, will we know the truth?
ANSWER: Netflix canceled all of their Marvel shows, so the chances that other Marvel series involving these characters will be launched on Netflix’s platform in future are decidedly non-existent. Will any version of these characters, including “Heroes for Hire”/”Daughters of the Dragon,” be resurrected on Disney’s various platforms, such as future streaming service Disney+ or rival streaming network Hulu? We have to wait at least two years to find out.
2) Who is the Pirate Queen, from which Colleen is descended?
ANSWER: A question without an answer in the TV version of this universe, given Iron Fist‘s cancellation.
3) How involved would Mary/Walker aka Typhoid Mary (Alice Eve) have been with Danny, Colleen, or any other purveyor of the Iron Fist? Will she now transfer to Daredevil, as she is traditionally a “Daredevil” villain, with this show’s cancellation?
ANSWER: Unknown. Daredevil was also canceled.
4) If “Heroes for Hire” and/or “Daughters of the Dragon” is/are launched, would these series resolve the considerable loose ends/cliffhangers posed by the ends of the second seasons of Luke Cage and Iron Fist?
ANSWER: See above.
PARTING SHOTS
The panel’s disappointment regarding the cancellation of Luke Cage is decidedly underwhelming compared to the panel’s disappointment at the cancellations of the other Netflix Marvel series. Our panelists are now reluctant to recommend Luke Cage as a standalone series, even though the panelists’ individual opinions of the show do not seem to entirely coincide with the broader, global opinion that fans and critics alike hold for this program. Our panelists believe that Luke Cage could be viewed separately from the other series or could be ignored, as the two available seasons contribute little to the overall narrative of the universe created by the five solo Netflix Marvel properties. Though the panelists share love of Mike Colter’s portrayal of the character, the sloppy, sometimes unappealing execution in writing, in direction, and, above all, in pacing leave several panelists only cautiously recommending the series as part of the larger Defenders puzzle: watch it if you must but do so in season release order, beginning with Daredevil Season 1, Jessica Jones Season 2, Daredevil Season 2, Luke Cage Season 1,and so on.
On the other side of the coin, ever since our panel learned of the cancellation of Iron Fist, we have vacillated widely and wildly between shock, stunned silence, and angry outcry. Our panel universally enjoys this property; all six of our members rank it among the “Top 3” of our individual favorite Defenders (including The Punisher, not including The Defenders crossover miniseries). The panelists generally and universally agree that Iron Fist is well-performed (yes, including Finn Jones!) and aptly written and directed, with markedly improved pacing and story execution in Season 2. The entire panel believes that some of the criticism from trade critics and viewers alike toward this series is unduly harsh, as the panel additionally asserts that many who find more than small faults with this series may have missed, or simply do not prefer, its tendency toward subtleties and foreshadowing.
Ultimately, the panel expressed profound disappointment in Disney, for we all agree that the decisions made here were motivated by cutthroat capitalist competition, despite a strong fan base for these properties, even if fans flocked more to Daredevil and to Jessica Jones than to Luke Cage and/or Iron Fist. We hope that Disney/Marvel find a way to bring back all of these characters, if and when possible, in a convincing and entertaining way. Our panel further opines that Disney/Marvel would be foolish to cast these characters off, particularly in lieu of the visible public/internet outcry following all five series cancellations.
THE FUTURE OF THE SHOW
Canceled! Netflix canceled Iron Fist on October 12, 2018, after two seasons and Luke Cage on October 19, 2018, after two seasons, effectively putting the kibosh on subsequent production of future Defenders crossover miniseries. What’s more, Netflix canceled the remaining solo series as well; thus, CPU!’s Marvel Defenders Series panel’s days are now decidedly numbered. In this panel’s last three episodes, we will review the third and final season of Daredevil, the second and final season of The Punisher, and the third and final season of Jessica Jones, respectively. Stay tuned!
LOOKING AHEAD
The CPU! Marvel’s Defenders Series panel will return to the Water Cooler next week to review the third and final season of Daredevil and to discuss our post-mortem reactions to the cancellation of that series. Until then!
NEXT CPU! LIVE!
CPU! is going live again!!! CPU! will next be LIVE at Blue Bridge Games (954 Fulton SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan) on March 31, 2019, at 2:00 PM! In that live podcast (also streamed to our Facebook page), a brand new, one-time panel will take “A Shiny Look Back at Firefly” at Grand Rapids’ newest purveyor of tabletop and role playing games for purchase!Like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep abreast of all the details, but here’s the art for it for now! Stay tuned!
A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, recorded in September 2018, our panel of comic book and superhero enthusiasts – including moderator Kylie, Kristen, Nick, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer – is back Around the Water Cooler as the Marvel’s Defenders Series panel discusses Season 2 of Iron Fist, the fourth property introduced into Netflix’s Marvel wing of its original streaming library. If you have not watched any of Iron Fist (or any of the other Defenders series: Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, The Punisher, and The Defenders crossover miniseries), be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS! Tell us what you think in the comments below and check out the blog and YouTube for other TV related discussions, in both podcast and blog format. Also, if there are other shows you’re interested in the blog covering, sound off below! Tell us what you like or don’t like. Keep the discussion going!
Editor: Kylie C. Piette
Logo: Rebecca Wallace
Marketing Graphic Artist: Krista Pennington
Who: “Marvel’s Iron Fist” is a web television series based upon the Marvel Comics character Iron Fist and is a Netflix original series, always available on Netflix.
What: “Marvel’s Iron Fist,” created by Scott Buck, is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise, and is the fourth in a series of shows that led up to a Defenders crossover miniseries. Finn Jones stars as Danny Rand aka Iron Fist, a martial arts expert with the ability to call upon the power of the sacred Iron Fist.
SYNOPSIS
Danny Rand (Jones) returns to New York City, after being presumed dead for 15 years, to reclaim his family company from Harold Meachum and his children, Ward Meachum (Tom Pelphrey) and Joy Meachum (Jessica Stroup). When a threat emerges, Rand must choose between his family’s legacy and his duties as the Iron Fist.
When: Season 2 was released in its entirety to the Netflix streaming library on September 7, 2018, with a total of ten episodes.
Where: The action is set primarily in the New York City, New York, borough of Manhattan, as depicted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This season, the action primarily transpires in Chinatown.
Why: To find out why individual podcast panelists started watching this show, listen to the “Iron Fist” Episode 1 recap and review via the link below – though I will say that all of the panelists are fans of the Netflix original library and/or superhero/comic book based shows in their own right and have found themselves eagerly anticipating new entries in Netflix’s “Defenders” series of releases. As a result, they’re committed to a CPU! series about same!
How – as in How Was It? – THOUGHTS
As long-time listeners should know by now, CPU! is chock full of panelists with a proclivity for comic book and superhero TV shows and films, including your Chief CP. Our Marvel’s Defenders Series was born of this proclivity, as we have already covered the two available seasons of Daredevil; the two available seasons of JessicaJones; the two available seasons of Luke Cage; the first season of Iron Fist; the one available season of the crossover event miniseries, The Defenders; and the one available season of the first spin-off series, The Punisher.Listen to the links below:
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode One, “Daredevil,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Two, “Jessica Jones,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Three, “Daredevil,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Four, “Luke Cage,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Five, “Iron Fist,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Six, “The Defenders,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Seven, “The Punisher,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Eight, “Jessica Jones,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Nine, “Luke Cage,” Season 2
In this, the tenth episode of our Marvel’s Defenders Series, we revisit the fourth in Netflix’s series of Marvel-centered shows that led up to The Defenders miniseries, namely Iron Fist, featuring Defenders Series panelists Nick, Kristen, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer. In this episode, our panelists experience multiple “nerdgasms” over not only a vast and dramatic improvement over Season 1 but a growing addiction to the mythos and mythology behind “The Immortal Iron Fist.” Common reactions to this season universally praise story execution; improved direction; Jessica Henwick as Colleen Wing; better pacing; the improvement of Ward Meachum (Pelphrey) as a character; the thrilling crossover appearances of Luke Cagecharacter Misty Knight (Simone Missick), possibly seeding a “Heroes for Hire” entry – or even “Daughters of the Dragon” – in this Netflix lineup; and a more focused sense of story direction overall compared to Season 1. Though our panel would have willingly gobbled up a third season, noting that we recorded this episode before Netflix canceled both the Luke Cage and Iron Fist solo series, alternatively, we would all also eagerly watch a first season of “Heroes for Hire” or “Daughters of the Dragon.” To hear us hash out these opinions further, listen to our discussion via the embedded link below.
This podcast was recorded in September 2018, and there are, without question, MAJOR SPOILERS, as we cover major plot points throughout the second season of Iron Fist. Do you agree or disagree? Listen at your own risk, and let us know what you think by commenting below.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@cpupodcast), Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite), Pinterest (@cpupodcast), or email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com – or subscribe to this blog, the YouTube channel, our iTunes channel, our Stitcher Radio channel , and/or find us on Google Play to keep track of brand new episodes. In the meantime, let us know what you think! Comment or review us in any of the above forums – we’d love your feedback!
Remember, new episodes and blog posts are published weekly! Next Wednesday, our comic book oriented streak continues as our Gotham panel returns to the Water Cooler, schedule permitting, to reason whether the highly inconsistent “Batman” prequel sustained its better momentum in the back half of Season 4, now its penultimate season, as the fifth season was deemed its to-be last by the Fox network. Stay tuned!
Lingering Questions
1) Netflix has canceled both Luke Cage and Iron Fist. Are they paving the way, via efficiency of cost, for “Heroes for Hire”/”Daughters of the Dragon?” Or, did the streaming giant actually give up on two of the properties comprising its unique corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for any of the following reasons: low ratings for Iron Fist; disagreements with the Luke Cage show-runner; and/or the fact that Disney/Marvel is starting its own streaming service and is gradually relieving Netflix of these properties? When, if ever, will we know the truth?
2) Who is the Pirate Queen, from which Colleen is descended?
3) Are Danny and Colleen doomed to spend the rest of their days as friends only, having ended their romantic relationship? Were Misty and Ward really flirting over her “Maserati” arm?
4) How involved would Mary/Walker aka Typhoid Mary (Alice Eve) have been with Danny, Colleen, or any other purveyor of the Iron Fist? Will she now transfer to Daredevil, as she is traditionally a “Daredevil” villain, with this show’s cancellation?
5) Would Bethany have had Ward’s baby? Would Ward have been able to convince Bethany to permit him a connection to his child?
6) What would Joy (Stroup) have done, now that her plan for revenge has been foiled and since she suffered horrific injuries via the betraying and murderous hands of Davos aka Steel Serpent (Sacha Dhawan)?
7) Would Davos have escaped from jail? Would he have come after Danny? Would he have been broken out by some other faction, like remnants of the Hand or some other Marvel criminal and/or ninja organization? Or, would he have powered up his rage-driven chi again and created his own means of escape?
8) Would we have seen Danny’s journey to regain the power of the Iron Fist, particularly via his predecessor, Orson Randall? Would we have met Orson? Would we have seen the Iron Fist Guide or Book that provides the secrets of the power of the Iron Fist?
9) Would we ever have met Sao Lao?
10) If “Heroes for Hire” and/or “Daughters of the Dragon” is/are launched, would these series resolve the considerable loose ends/cliffhangers posed by the ends of the second seasons of Luke Cage and Iron Fist?
PARTING SHOTS
Frankly, listeners, ever since our panel learned of the cancellation of Iron Fist, we have vacillated widely and wildly between shock, stunned silence, and angry outcry. Our panel universally enjoys this property; all six of our members rank it among the “Top 3” of our individual favorite Defenders (including The Punisher, not including The Defenders crossover miniseries). Kylie and Kristen rank it tied for first (with Daredevil and Jessica Jones, respectively); Hilary and Kyle rank it second after Daredevil; and Spencer and Nick rank it third after Daredevil and The Punisher. In fact, our panel unanimously recommends Iron Fist to fans of comic books, particularly from the Marvel universe; fans of the various Defenders series; fans of the character; fans of kung fu and karate movies; and fans of epic fantasy along the lines of Star Wars or, more on the nose, stylized martial arts epics like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The panel generally and universally agrees that Iron Fist is well-performed (yes, including Finn Jones!) and aptly written and directed with markedly improved pacing and story execution in Season 2.
The entire panel experienced even more rapturous and engaged fun watching the second season of this series and believes that some of the criticism from trade critics and viewers alike remains unduly harsh, as the panel uniformly asserts that many who find more than small faults with this series may have missed (or simply do not prefer) its tendency toward subtleties and foreshadowing. They may also not understand or appreciate the fact that Jones is playing a childlike character in an adult’s body who is also meant to be a fish out of water – from an ethnic as well as a “this dimension, that dimension” perspective. Plus, those that offer frustration by his lack of growth as a character in the first season should have been able to appreciate the character’s turnaround in the second.
The panel, further, vehemently disagrees with the “white washing” controversy surrounding this show; while we acknowledge that white washing is prevalent in mainstream Hollywood and is a potential problem, Danny Rand as a character is white in the comics and is meant to be the “other” in the mystical village in which he spent his childhood, as well as in Manhattan when he tries to reintroduce himself into his former life. The entire panel, therefore, recommends re-watching with an open mind for those who struggled with some of these aspects and a first watch for those interested in the Defenders as a whole.
On the other hand, especially with the cancellation of this and the Luke Cage series confirmed and on the books, all panelists, including super-fan Kyle, effused enthusiasm for the prospect of a “Heroes for Hire” or “Daughters of the Dragon” spin-off vehicle, or two, if Netflix is secretly considering converting these two properties into either or both of these more efficient, more cost-effective, and likely more popular adaptations that have enjoyed a greater longevity of life in the comics. While we wait for Netflix’s decision about these new series possibilities, fortunately for us, Marvel’s Daredevil was released on October 19, and the Defenders panel is already ready already for the next chapter. Stay tuned!
THE FUTURE OF THE SHOW
Canceled! Netflix canceled Iron Fist on October 12, 2018, after two seasons. CPU! will continue the Marvel’s Defenders Series as long as Netflix continues to produce seasons of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and The Punisher, though we remain ever hopeful for new series devoted to “Heroes for Hire” and/or to “Daughters of the Dragon.” As always, CPU! will keep you informed of all Netflix/Marvel coverage.
LOOKING AHEAD
The CPU! Marvel’s Defenders Series panel will return to the Water Cooler shortly to review the third season of Daredevil, about which our devoted panelists expressed the utmost excitement, and to record post-mortem reactions to the cancellations of the solo series of Luke Cage and Iron Fist. Until then!
NEXT CPU! LIVE!
CPU! is going live again!!! CPU! will next be LIVE at Grand Rapids Comic-Con. for our third annual appearance at the Con, on November 10, 2018, at 7:00 PM! In that live podcast (also streamed to our Facebook page), a brand new panel will gather together to debate the multifaceted, multi-generational universe behind Star Trek. This panel will also seed a new ongoing series panel for the podcast! Like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep abreast of all the details, but here’s the art for it for now! Stay tuned!
A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, recorded in September 2018, our panel of comic book and superhero enthusiasts – including moderator Kylie, Kristen, Nick, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer – is back Around the Water Cooler as the Marvel’s Defenders Series panel discusses Season 2 of Luke Cage, the third property introduced into Netflix’s Marvel wing of its original streaming library. If you have not watched any of Luke Cage (or any of the other Defenders series: Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Punisher, and The Defenders crossover miniseries), be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS! Tell us what you think in the comments below and check out the blog and YouTube for other TV related discussions, in both podcast and blog format. Also, if there are other shows you’re interested in the blog covering, sound off below! Tell us what you like or don’t like. Keep the discussion going!
Editor: Kylie C. Piette
Logo: Rebecca Wallace
Marketing Graphic Artist: Krista Pennington
Who: “Marvel’s Luke Cage” is a web television series based upon the Marvel Comics character Luke Cage and is a Netflix original series, always available on Netflix.
What: “Marvel’s Luke Cage,” created by Cheo Hodari Coker, is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise, and is the third in a series of shows that led up to a Defenders crossover miniseries. Mike Colter stars as Luke Cage, a former convict with superhuman strength and unbreakable skin who now fights crime.
SYNOPSIS
When a sabotaged experiment gives him super strength and unbreakable skin, Luke Cage (Colter) becomes a fugitive attempting to rebuild his life in Harlem while confronting his past and fighting a battle for the heart of his city. After clearing his name, Cage becomes a hero and celebrity in Harlem, only to encounter a new threat that forces him to walk the line between hero and villain.
When: Season 2 was released in its entirety to the Netflix streaming library on June 22, 2018, with a total of 13 episodes.
Where: The action is set primarily in the New York City, New York, neighborhood of Harlem, as depicted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Why: To find out why individual podcast panelists started watching this show, listen to the podcast episode via the Season 1 link below – though I will say that all of the panelists are fans of the Netflix original library and/or superhero/comic book based shows in their own right and have found themselves eagerly anticipating new entries in Netflix’s “Defenders” series of releases. As a result, they’re committed to a CPU! series about same!
How – as in How Was It? – THOUGHTS
As long-time listeners should know by now, CPU! is chock full of panelists with a proclivity for comic book and superhero TV shows and films, including your Chief CP. Our Marvel’s Defenders Series was born of this proclivity, as we have already covered the two available seasons of Daredevil; the two available seasons of JessicaJones; the first season of Luke Cage; the first season of Iron Fist; the one available season of the crossover event miniseries, The Defenders; and the one available season of the first spin-off series, The Punisher.Listen to the links below:
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode One, “Daredevil,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Two, “Jessica Jones,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Three, “Daredevil,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Four, “Luke Cage,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Five, “Iron Fist,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Six, “The Defenders,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Seven, “The Punisher,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Eight, “Jessica Jones,” Season 2
In this, the ninth episode of our Marvel’s Defenders series, we revisit the third in Netflix’s series of Marvel-centered shows leading up to The Defenders miniseries, namely Luke Cage, featuring Defenders Series panelists Nick, Kristen, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer. In this episode, our panelists universally laud what they consider to be a vast and dramatic improvement over Season 1. Common reactions to this season focus on a much improved and dynamic villain in John “Bushmaster” McIver (Mustafa Shakir), better pacing, the thrilling crossover appearances of Iron Fist characters (possibly seeding a “Heroes for Hire” entry in this Netflix lineup), and a better sense of story direction overall compared to Season 1. In fact, the panel finds that said quality and story presentation so improved between the two seasons, what with no word yet on whether or not the series has been renewed, we now find ourselves worrying for the future of the series, as now we all want a third season renewal. Alternatively, we would all eagerly watch a first season of “Heroes for Hire” or even “Daughters of the Dragon,” featuring the characters of Misty Knight (Simone Missick) and Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick), as the panel unanimously described their chemistry and character portrayals in Luke Cage Season 2 as “perfect,” noting a serviceable and praiseworthy writer-driven turnaround for Misty’s character this season. To hear us hash out these opinions further, listen to our discussion via the embedded link below.
This podcast was recorded in September 2018, and there are, without question, MAJOR SPOILERS, as we cover major plot points throughout the second season of Luke Cage. Do you agree or disagree? Listen at your own risk, and let us know what you think by commenting below!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@cpupodcast), Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite), Pinterest (@cpupodcast), or email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com – or subscribe to this blog, the YouTube channel, our iTunes channel, our Stitcher Radio channel , and/or find us on Google Play to keep track of brand new episodes. In the meantime, let us know what you think! Comment or review us in any of the above forums – we’d love your feedback!
Remember, new episodes and blog posts are published weekly! Next Wednesday, the comic book oriented brains of the Marvel’s Defenders Series switch from the world of Marvel to the world of DC, when our same five panelists, all of whom also staff our DCTU Series panel, return to the Water Cooler to talk Season 4 of The Flash, schedule permitting. Stay tuned!
Questions, Impressions, and Future Considerations
1) Will Luke Cage be renewed as a solo series? Or, is Netflix moving toward combining Luke and Danny Rand/Iron Fist, as the comics have, into a “Heroes for Hire” series and/or Misty and Colleen into a “Daughters of the Dragon” series, as panelist Kyle perceives and wholeheartedly wishes, with some vocal support from the panel. All panelists indubitably enjoy and readily endorse the chemistry between Simone Missick and Jessica Henwick (Misty Knight and Colleen Wing, respectively) and between Mike Colter and Finn Jones (Luke Cage and Danny Rand/Iron Fist, respectively).
2) If Luke Cage is renewed as a solo series, will Luke be corrupted through ownership of the Harlem’s Paradise club? Or, can he be a hero without being based in the club? Or, can he make the club a base for heroic activity rather than backroom money deals and other criminal activity? Why would the writers hint that this would even be a possibility, at all, for Luke, as he has spent two seasons recognizing and combating the corruption of the Stokes family?
3) Will Tilda (Gabrielle Dennis) seek revenge against Luke for being willed the club upon her mother, Mariah’s (Alfre Woodard), death? Will she become the next in a long line of Stokes crime bosses? Or, will she be content to run her holistic shop, now that she sent her mother, with a kiss of poisoned lipstick, into the great beyond?
4) Will Shades (Theo Rossi) return in a potential Season 3? Or, will he remain in prison? If he is in prison, will he be wooed into Wilson Fisk’s/Kingpin’s gang – will we possibly see him crossover and appear in Daredevil, Season 3?
5) Will Misty accept the offered promotion to precinct captain?
6) Will Bushmaster return from Jamaica to fight another day, even though Mariah met her end? Does he still have an ax to grind? Does he still see Luke as an adversary or enemy?
7) Panelist Kyle informed the panel in the podcast episode that Rosario Dawson is contemplating not returning to the Netflix Marvel shows, or at least not to Luke Cage, because her contract term is up, and she feels that Claire Temple/Night Nurse was relegated to nothing more than jealous/worried girlfriend in Luke Cage. Are the rumors true, or will Rosario find it in her heart to return, at least to any of the other three series?
PARTING SHOTS
In a dramatic turnaround from the Season 1 review, the panel now universally but cautiously recommends Luke Cage to fans of comic books, particularly from the Marvel universe; fans of the Defenders series; and fans of the artistic and cultural contribution of Harlem, as the panel agrees that this series remains, in many ways, a deft love letter to Harlem and its literal and symbolic position in this, our modern society. The panel suggests, as part of the cautiousness informing the recommendation, that would-be, new viewers of Luke Cage treat the second season as something of the official first season, and/or use their own judgment when embarking upon viewing this series, as the panel recognizes that Luke Cage does have a vocally supportive fan base, even though our panelists would not have counted themselves as part of that base following the release of Season 1. The panel generally and universally agrees that Luke Cage continues to be well-performed, and that the direction, writing, and continuity improved markedly in Season 2, even though the pacing languishes still at times, though without the drudgery that so alienated our Defenders defenders following the first season. The panel, further, unanimously praised the performance of Shakir as Bushmaster and the writing around this villain; he created palpable tension around which characters could galvanize while still remaining a flawed but real human character with a compelling back story. Because of the dramatic turnaround for our panel’s reception to the show, in terms of its presentation and production value, the panel now looks forward to a third season rather than resents the possibility of having to watch it for our podcast series. On the other hand, all panelists, particularly super-fan Kyle, who still does not like the Luke Cage solo series much despite affirming the improvements that impressed the other panelists, effused enthusiasm for the prospect of a “Heroes for Hire” or “Daughters of the Dragon” spin-off vehicle, or two. In any event, the panel is hopeful following the finish of this second season and eagerly awaits more Defenders entries. Fortunately for us, Marvel’s Iron Fist was released in September, and the Defenders panel is already ready already for the next chapter. Stay tuned!
LOOKING AHEAD
While no official announcement has yet been made, TV pundits believe that renewal for a possible Season 3 of Luke Cage is more than possible, though many suspect that Netflix is also heavily considering spin-off series for either “Heroes for Hire” and/or “Daughters of the Dragon,” which became popular series for the comic books after the “Luke Cage” and “Iron Fist” comic book series were canceled. In addition, there is some rumblings that Netflix and Disney are re-negotiating the distribution of this series, given that Disney is looking to launch a Marvel-centered streaming service. Rest assured that if/when a Season 3 is announced and/or has aired, CPU! will plan to reconvene our Marvel’s Defenders podcast panel, ready and willing to dissect any additional seasons of this action-packed Defenders entry. CPU! will also, as always, keep you posted on future developments. Stay tuned!
A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, recorded in June 2018, our panel of comic book and superhero enthusiasts – including moderator Kylie, Kristen, Nick, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer – is back Around the Water Cooler as the Marvel’s Defenders Series panel discusses Season 2 of Jessica Jones, the second property introduced into Netflix’s Marvel wing of its original streaming library. If you have not watched any of Jessica Jones (or any of the other Defenders series: Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Punisher, and The Defenders crossover miniseries), be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS! Tell us what you think in the comments below and check out the blog and YouTube for other TV related discussions, in both podcast and blog format. Also, if there are other shows you’re interested in the blog covering, sound off below! Tell us what you like or don’t like. Keep the discussion going!
Editor: Kylie C. Piette Logo: Rebecca Wallace Marketing Graphic Artist: Krista Pennington
Who: “Marvel’s Jessica Jones” is a superhero/action/psychological thriller drama based upon the Marvel Comics character Jessica Jones and is a Netflix original series, always available on Netflix.
What: “Marvel’s Jessica Jones,” created by Melissa Rosenberg, is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise, and is the second in a series of shows that ultimately led up to a Defenders crossover miniseries, which was released in 2017. Krysten Ritter stars as Jessica Jones, a former superhero who opens her own detective agency after an end to her superhero career.
SYNOPSIS
Following a tragic end to her brief superhero career, Jessica Jones (Ritter) tries to rebuild her life as a private investigator, dealing with cases involving people with remarkable abilities in New York City. Rachael Taylor, Eka Darville, and Carrie-Anne Moss also star.
When: Season 2 was released in its entirety to the Netflix streaming library on March 8, 2018.
Where: The action is set primarily in the New York City, New York, neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen, as depicted in the MCU.
Why: To find out why individual podcast panelists started watching this show, listen to the podcast episode via the Season One link below – though I will say that all of the panelists are fans of the Netflix original library and/or superhero/comic book based shows in their own right and have found themselves eagerly anticipating new entries in Netflix’s “Defenders” series of releases. As a result, they’re committed to a CPU! series about same!
How – as in How Was It? – THOUGHTS
As long-time listeners should know by now, CPU! is chock full of panelists with a proclivity for comic book and superhero TV shows and films, including your Chief CP. Our Marvel’s Defenders Series was born of this proclivity, as we have already covered the two available seasons of Daredevil; the first season of JessicaJones; the first season of Luke Cage; the one available season of Iron Fist; the one available season of the crossover event miniseries, The Defenders; and the one available season of the first spin-off series, The Punisher. Listen to the links below:
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode One, “Daredevil,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Two, “Jessica Jones,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Three, “Daredevil,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Four, “Luke Cage,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Five, “Iron Fist,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Six, “The Defenders,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Seven, “The Punisher,” Season 1
In this, the eighth episode of our Marvel’s Defenders series, we revisit the second in Netflix’s series of Marvel-centered shows leading up to The Defenders miniseries, namely Jessica Jones, featuring Defenders Series panelists Nick, Kristen, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer. Our panel, with the notable exception of panelist Kristen, struggled to power through this second season, feeling the absence, but for the one somewhat forced and anticlimactic episode, of panel favorite David Tennant (David Tennant, David Tennant, David Tennant!). Common reactions to this season can best be summed up via the following terms: disjointed, clunky, flat, and generally and ultimately far worse than the first season. Only Kristen describes this season as “solid,” though she acknowledges that the second season does not measure up to the first season in terms of writing quality. In fact, the panel finds that said quality and story presentation drastically deteriorated between the two seasons and generally alienated our panelists (except Kristen), to the point that we mostly worry for the future of the series, given its third season renewal and though some members of the panel have nearly lost all interest in continuing with this particular program but for our podcast series. Unless, of course, the show is able to convincingly resurrect the Kilgrave character because the panel agrees: Jessica Jones, without David Tennant and Kilgrave, is simply not the same show. To hear us hash out these opinions further, listen to our discussion via the embedded link below.
This podcast was recorded in June 2018, and there are, without question, MAJOR SPOILERS, as we cover major plot points throughout the second season of Jessica Jones. Do you agree or disagree? Listen at your own risk, and let us know what you think by commenting below!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@cpupodcast), Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite), Pinterest (@cpupodcast), or email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com – or subscribe to this blog, the YouTube channel, our iTunes channel, our Stitcher Radio channel , and/or find us on Google Play to keep track of brand new episodes. In the meantime, let us know what you think! Comment or review us in any of the above forums – we’d love your feedback!
Remember, new episodes and blog posts are published weekly! Next Wednesday, we launch a new panel “Around the Water Cooler,” as some of our most frequent panelists, along with one occasional panelist, find themselves up Schitt’s Creek without a paddle while they catch up on the first two seasons of the Canadian cable comedyin the first part of a two-part miniseries produced for just that purpose. Stay tuned!
Questions, Impressions, and Future Considerations
Old Questions
1) Will Daredevil appear on Jessica Jones? We would like him to do so, please, and apart from the Defenders miniseries because these two characters exist in the same universe and in the same city (and same borough of the city!).
ANSWER: He has not yet.
2) David Tennant was announced to be returning for Season Two, even though Jessica snapped Kilgrave’s neck in the Season One finale. How will he return?
ANSWER: Kilgrave, as portrayed by Mr. Tennant, appears as a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)-induced hallucination, a figment of Jessica’s imagination, as she grapples with the morality of supporting her recently-discovered-to-be-alive mother, who is prone to homicidal tendencies in the name of love for her daughter and for the mad scientist who experimented on her and Jessica. The plot itself is convoluted, but David Tennant’s appearance this season amounted to one episode, which the panelists generally regarded as one of only a few highlights this season. Listen to the podcast episode for details.
3) Will Trish (Taylor) evolve into the Marvel hero Hellcat in Season Two, as several panelists estimated she might at some point?
ANSWER: Through a plot thread that pitted Trish against Jessica due to Trish’s naked ambition, reckless addiction, obtuse selfishness, and complicated envy of Jessica’s special abilities, Trish insinuates herself into a position in which she willingly participates in some of the same experimentation to which, ultimately, Jessica and her mother were subjected following the Jones family’s car accident. Via a brief display of quick reflexes and potentially enhanced strength in the season finale, it can be estimated that Trish is well on her way to evolving into the Marvel hero Hellcat, though she did so in a highly alienating and unsympathetic manner. Listen to the podcast episodes for details.
4) Will there be a new villain? Who will it be? Will Kingpin/Wilson Fisk appear in Jessica Jones?
ANSWER: Kingpin was not featured in this season of Jessica Jones. Arguably, the most villainous character on the season is Trish, with her seemingly self-serving motivations, further complicated by a relapse in drug use and the enabling of her helicopter stage mom, though Nurse Inez Green (Leah Gibson) additionally gives Jeri Hogarth (Moss) a run for her money. Literally. The writers also, apparently, attempted to position Alisa Jones (Janet McTeer), Jessica’s very-much-alive mother, as a potential villain, but she clearly is affected by chemicals and conditioning that strips her of complete non-psychotic control over her own faculties. In fact, the panel felt that the lack of a true villain proved to be one of the seasons’s most glaring and deleterious flaws.
New Questions
1) So, really, will Kilgrave ever return – alive and charismatic and creepy – in a real way? Or, is that too much fantasy for a comic book adaptation series? Was the hallucination, at minimum, a clue to the idea that Kilgrave might still be out there, waiting to reemerge as the Purple Man? At least half of this panel believes that Jessica Jones will not sustain without him, evidenced by the struggles and cringe-inducing flaws of this second season, most of which was presented without him; in fact, the writers and producers may never be able to compensate if Mr. Tennant cannot return. The panel’s opinion further validates Chief CP Kylie’s earliest hypothesis – that David Tennant is what made the first season what it was, despite the fact that the other returning members of the ensemble are good, even great at times. None of them, however, are as riveting or as competent a scene partner when paired with Ritter’s Jessica as David Tennant’s Kilgrave. The proof is in the proverbial pudding known as Season Two.
2) Is Detective Will Simpson (Wil Traval), who is supposed to be the villain Nuke, according to panelist Kyle and basic research into Marvel comics, truly and permanently dead? The panel felt that one of the greatest character disservices committed this season was the early and criminally understated, yet apparently permanent, death of the Simpson character.
3) Malcolm (Darville) is now working for Jeri Hogarth and, in turn, Jessica’s private investigator (PI) rival, Pryce Cheng (Terry Chen). Other than the fact that Malcolm has officially sobered up and is committed to making something of his life, why should we care about this character development?
4) Will Luke Cage, who is supposed to eventually marry Jessica, according to Kyle and basic research into Marvel comics, return to the series in Season Three (this question is posed without having viewed Season Two of Luke’s solo series, mind you)?
5) Will Oscar (J.R. Ramirez) return in Season Three? Though a love triangle might be cheesy, can we see Oscar and Luke fight over the cynical and sarcastic Jessica? There might be potential for some comedy in that scenario, which the show sorely needs, at least in terms of comic relief.
6) What will Trish’s evolution into full-on Hellcat look like? As of the end of Season Two, Jessica and Trish are estranged, as Trish pulled the trigger to ice Alisa after Jess’ mom quasi-kidnapped her daughter while on the lam, leaving Jessica officially angry at her adopted sister for making this rash decision, even if Trish did so to save Jessica. Will Trish and Jessica reunite in the field of superhero-ness? Will they find their way back to each other in more of an “everyday” way?
PARTING SHOTS
All of our panelists, with the exception of panelist Kristen, struggled to find any sort of love for the second season of Jessica Jones, pinning the season’s considerable disappointments on poor writing choices related to character development and/or story direction and the nearly total lack of David Tennant’s Kilgrave. The panelists generally welcomed his one episode appearance, though some panelists, the Chief CP included, also found it anticlimactic and lacking the punch and pomp that underscored the Kilgrave character in the first season. All of the panelists also struggled with the Trish character at various points, the Alisa character at various points, and many of the other new characters in general, and the overarching feeling around the season was that it was disjointed, slow, and ultimately alienating in its story presentation. Only panelist Kristen, with her love for the Jessica Jones character, described the season as “solid,” pointing to the overall tone and “noir” feel of the visual presentation to support her position. By the same token, the panel generally and universally agrees that Jessica Jones is largely well-performed and competently directed, though some slow-to-the-point-of-drudgery pacing hampers the second season. In addition, by attributing Jessica’s anger management issues to something fundamentally changed in her biology due to the experiments conducted on her, the writers and show-runner effectively undermined the strong themes surrounding assault survival, PTSD, and recovery that elevated the poignancy of Season One, to which some of the panelists took exception. In fact, most on the panel agree that if not for the podcast, Season Three would not necessarily be an automatic watch, despite the series renewal and unless the writers and Mr. Tennant’s schedule allow him to return.
LOOKING AHEAD
Jessica Jones was renewed for a third season, though an official premiere/release date has not yet been announced. CPU! will be following Jessica Jonesthroughout its series run, as part of CPU!’s Marvel’s Defenders Series, so we will definitely return to podcast about Season Three some time after it is released. Until then – stay tuned!
A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, recorded in June 2018, our panel of comic book and superhero enthusiasts – including moderator Kylie, Kristen, Nick, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer – is back Around the Water Cooler as the Marvel’s Defenders Series panel discusses Season 2 of Jessica Jones, the second property introduced into Netflix’s Marvel wing of its original streaming library. If you have not watched any of Jessica Jones (or any of the other Defenders series: Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Punisher, and The Defenders crossover miniseries), be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS! Tell us what you think in the comments below and check out the blog and YouTube for other TV related discussions, in both podcast and blog format. Also, if there are other shows you’re interested in the blog covering, sound off below! Tell us what you like or don’t like. Keep the discussion going!
Editor: Kylie C. Piette
Logo: Rebecca Wallace
Marketing Graphic Artist: Krista Pennington
Who: “Marvel’s Jessica Jones” is a superhero/action/psychological thriller drama based upon the Marvel Comics character Jessica Jones and is a Netflix original series, always available on Netflix.
What: “Marvel’s Jessica Jones,” created by Melissa Rosenberg, is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise, and is the second in a series of shows that ultimately led up to a Defenders crossover miniseries, which was released in 2017. Krysten Ritter stars as Jessica Jones, a former superhero who opens her own detective agency after an end to her superhero career.
SYNOPSIS
Following a tragic end to her brief superhero career, Jessica Jones (Ritter) tries to rebuild her life as a private investigator, dealing with cases involving people with remarkable abilities in New York City. Rachael Taylor, Eka Darville, and Carrie-Anne Moss also star.
When: Season 2 was released in its entirety to the Netflix streaming library on March 8, 2018.
Where: The action is set primarily in the New York City, New York, neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen, as depicted in the MCU.
Why: To find out why individual podcast panelists started watching this show, listen to the podcast episode via the Season One link below – though I will say that all of the panelists are fans of the Netflix original library and/or superhero/comic book based shows in their own right and have found themselves eagerly anticipating new entries in Netflix’s “Defenders” series of releases. As a result, they’re committed to a CPU! series about same!
How – as in How Was It? – THOUGHTS
As long-time listeners should know by now, CPU! is chock full of panelists with a proclivity for comic book and superhero TV shows and films, including your Chief CP. Our Marvel’s Defenders Series was born of this proclivity, as we have already covered the two available seasons of Daredevil; the first season of JessicaJones; the first season of Luke Cage; the one available season of Iron Fist; the one available season of the crossover event miniseries, The Defenders; and the one available season of the first spin-off series, The Punisher.Listen to the links below:
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode One, “Daredevil,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Two, “Jessica Jones,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Three, “Daredevil,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Four, “Luke Cage,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Five, “Iron Fist,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Six, “The Defenders,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Seven, “The Punisher,” Season 1
In this, the eighth episode of our Marvel’s Defenders series, we revisit the second in Netflix’s series of Marvel-centered shows leading up to The Defenders miniseries, namely Jessica Jones, featuring Defenders Series panelists Nick, Kristen, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer. Our panel, with the notable exception of panelist Kristen, struggled to power through this second season, feeling the absence, but for the one somewhat forced and anticlimactic episode, of panel favorite David Tennant (David Tennant, David Tennant, David Tennant!). Common reactions to this season can best be summed up via the following terms: disjointed, clunky, flat, and generally and ultimately far worse than the first season. Only Kristen describes this season as “solid,” though she acknowledges that the second season does not measure up to the first season in terms of writing quality. In fact, the panel finds that said quality and story presentation drastically deteriorated between the two seasons and generally alienated our panelists (except Kristen), to the point that we mostly worry for the future of the series, given its third season renewal and though some members of the panel have nearly lost all interest in continuing with this particular program but for our podcast series. Unless, of course, the show is able to convincingly resurrect the Kilgrave character because the panel agrees: Jessica Jones, without David Tennant and Kilgrave, is simply not the same show. To hear us hash out these opinions further, listen to our discussion via the embedded link below.
This podcast was recorded in June 2018, and there are, without question, MAJOR SPOILERS, as we cover major plot points throughout the second season of Jessica Jones. Do you agree or disagree? Listen at your own risk, and let us know what you think by commenting below!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@cpupodcast), Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite), Pinterest (@cpupodcast), or email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com – or subscribe to this blog, the YouTube channel, our iTunes channel, our Stitcher Radio channel , and/or find us on Google Play to keep track of brand new episodes. In the meantime, let us know what you think! Comment or review us in any of the above forums – we’d love your feedback!
Remember, new episodes and blog posts are published weekly! Next Wednesday, we launch a new panel “Around the Water Cooler,” as some of our most frequent panelists, along with one occasional panelist, find themselves up Schitt’s Creek without a paddle while they catch up on the first two seasons of the Canadian cable comedyin the first part of a two-part miniseries produced for just that purpose. Stay tuned!
Questions, Impressions, and Future Considerations
Old Questions
1) Will Daredevil appear on Jessica Jones? We would like him to do so, please, and apart from the Defenders miniseries because these two characters exist in the same universe and in the same city (and same borough of the city!).
ANSWER: He has not yet.
2) David Tennant was announced to be returning for Season Two, even though Jessica snapped Kilgrave’s neck in the Season One finale. How will he return?
ANSWER: Kilgrave, as portrayed by Mr. Tennant, appears as a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)-induced hallucination, a figment of Jessica’s imagination, as she grapples with the morality of supporting her recently-discovered-to-be-alive mother, who is prone to homicidal tendencies in the name of love for her daughter and for the mad scientist who experimented on her and Jessica. The plot itself is convoluted, but David Tennant’s appearance this season amounted to one episode, which the panelists generally regarded as one of only a few highlights this season. Listen to the podcast episode for details.
3) Will Trish (Taylor) evolve into the Marvel hero Hellcat in Season Two, as several panelists estimated she might at some point?
ANSWER: Through a plot thread that pitted Trish against Jessica due to Trish’s naked ambition, reckless addiction, obtuse selfishness, and complicated envy of Jessica’s special abilities, Trish insinuates herself into a position in which she willingly participates in some of the same experimentation to which, ultimately, Jessica and her mother were subjected following the Jones family’s car accident. Via a brief display of quick reflexes and potentially enhanced strength in the season finale, it can be estimated that Trish is well on her way to evolving into the Marvel hero Hellcat, though she did so in a highly alienating and unsympathetic manner. Listen to the podcast episodes for details.
4) Will there be a new villain? Who will it be? Will Kingpin/Wilson Fisk appear in Jessica Jones?
ANSWER: Kingpin was not featured in this season of Jessica Jones. Arguably, the most villainous character on the season is Trish, with her seemingly self-serving motivations, further complicated by a relapse in drug use and the enabling of her helicopter stage mom, though Nurse Inez Green (Leah Gibson) additionally gives Jeri Hogarth (Moss) a run for her money. Literally. The writers also, apparently, attempted to position Alisa Jones (Janet McTeer), Jessica’s very-much-alive mother, as a potential villain, but she clearly is affected by chemicals and conditioning that strips her of complete non-psychotic control over her own faculties. In fact, the panel felt that the lack of a true villain proved to be one of the seasons’s most glaring and deleterious flaws.
New Questions
1) So, really, will Kilgrave ever return – alive and charismatic and creepy – in a real way? Or, is that too much fantasy for a comic book adaptation series? Was the hallucination, at minimum, a clue to the idea that Kilgrave might still be out there, waiting to reemerge as the Purple Man? At least half of this panel believes that Jessica Jones will not sustain without him, evidenced by the struggles and cringe-inducing flaws of this second season, most of which was presented without him; in fact, the writers and producers may never be able to compensate if Mr. Tennant cannot return. The panel’s opinion further validates Chief CP Kylie’s earliest hypothesis – that David Tennant is what made the first season what it was, despite the fact that the other returning members of the ensemble are good, even great at times. None of them, however, are as riveting or as competent a scene partner when paired with Ritter’s Jessica as David Tennant’s Kilgrave. The proof is in the proverbial pudding known as Season Two.
2) Is Detective Will Simpson (Wil Traval), who is supposed to be the villain Nuke, according to panelist Kyle and basic research into Marvel comics, truly and permanently dead? The panel felt that one of the greatest character disservices committed this season was the early and criminally understated, yet apparently permanent, death of the Simpson character.
3) Malcolm (Darville) is now working for Jeri Hogarth and, in turn, Jessica’s private investigator (PI) rival, Pryce Cheng (Terry Chen). Other than the fact that Malcolm has officially sobered up and is committed to making something of his life, why should we care about this character development?
4) Will Luke Cage, who is supposed to eventually marry Jessica, according to Kyle and basic research into Marvel comics, return to the series in Season Three (this question is posed without having viewed Season Two of Luke’s solo series, mind you)?
5) Will Oscar (J.R. Ramirez) return in Season Three? Though a love triangle might be cheesy, can we see Oscar and Luke fight over the cynical and sarcastic Jessica? There might be potential for some comedy in that scenario, which the show sorely needs, at least in terms of comic relief.
6) What will Trish’s evolution into full-on Hellcat look like? As of the end of Season Two, Jessica and Trish are estranged, as Trish pulled the trigger to ice Alisa after Jess’ mom quasi-kidnapped her daughter while on the lam, leaving Jessica officially angry at her adopted sister for making this rash decision, even if Trish did so to save Jessica. Will Trish and Jessica reunite in the field of superhero-ness? Will they find their way back to each other in more of an “everyday” way?
PARTING SHOTS
All of our panelists, with the exception of panelist Kristen, struggled to find any sort of love for the second season of Jessica Jones, pinning the season’s considerable disappointments on poor writing choices related to character development and/or story direction and the nearly total lack of David Tennant’s Kilgrave. The panelists generally welcomed his one episode appearance, though some panelists, the Chief CP included, also found it anticlimactic and lacking the punch and pomp that underscored the Kilgrave character in the first season. All of the panelists also struggled with the Trish character at various points, the Alisa character at various points, and many of the other new characters in general, and the overarching feeling around the season was that it was disjointed, slow, and ultimately alienating in its story presentation. Only panelist Kristen, with her love for the Jessica Jones character, described the season as “solid,” pointing to the overall tone and “noir” feel of the visual presentation to support her position. By the same token, the panel generally and universally agrees that Jessica Jones is largely well-performed and competently directed, though some slow-to-the-point-of-drudgery pacing hampers the second season. In addition, by attributing Jessica’s anger management issues to something fundamentally changed in her biology due to the experiments conducted on her, the writers and show-runner effectively undermined the strong themes surrounding assault survival, PTSD, and recovery that elevated the poignancy of Season One, to which some of the panelists took exception. In fact, most on the panel agree that if not for the podcast, Season Three would not necessarily be an automatic watch, despite the series renewal and unless the writers and Mr. Tennant’s schedule allow him to return.
LOOKING AHEAD
Jessica Jones was renewed for a third season, though an official premiere/release date has not yet been announced. CPU! will be following Jessica Jonesthroughout its series run, as part of CPU!’s Marvel’s Defenders Series, so we will definitely return to podcast about Season Three some time after it is released. Until then – stay tuned!
This week, a SCHEDULE CHANGE!: Due to the holiday – something about Independence and star spangled somethings – we interrupt our binge watching long enough to rerun this episode, originally published in 2016, to refresh your memories regarding Season One of Marvel’s Jessica Jones, CPU!’s second ever Marvel’s Defenders Series episode. In the meantime, next Wednesday, we will resume regularly scheduled episodes by publishing our thoughts about the second season of Jessica Jones, released in March 2018. Did you watch? Stay tuned!
—Original Synopsis—
A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, recorded in May 2016, our enthusiastic panel of comic book and superhero enthusiasts – including moderator Kylie, Kristen, Nick, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer – is Around the Water Cooler, now as the Marvel’s Defenders Series panel, and is discussing Season 1 of Marvel’s Jessica Jones. If you have not watched Jessica Jones, be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS! Tell us what you think in the comments below and check out the blog and YouTube for other TV related discussions, in both podcast and blog format. Also, if there are other shows you’re interested in the blog covering, sound off below! Tell us what you like or don’t like. Keep the discussion going!
A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, (re)recorded in March 2018, our enthusiastic panel of comic book and superhero enthusiasts – including moderator Kylie, Kristen, Nick, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer – is back Around the Water Cooler as the Marvel’s Defenders Series panel discusses Season 1 of The Punisher, the first spin-off of the Marvel’s Defender solo series. If you have not watched any of The Punisher (or any of the other Defenders series: Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and The Defenders crossover miniseries), be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS! Tell us what you think in the comments below and check out the blog and YouTube for other TV related discussions, in both podcast and blog format. Also, if there are other shows you’re interested in the blog covering, sound off below! Tell us what you like or don’t like. Keep the discussion going!
Editor: Kylie C. Piette
Logo: Rebecca Wallace
Marketing Graphic Artist: Krista Pennington
Who: “Marvel’s The Punisher” is a web television series based upon the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It is also a Netflix original series, always available on Netflix.
What: “Marvel’s The Punisher,” created by Steve Lightfoot, is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. The series revolves around Frank Castle, who uses lethal methods to fight crime as the vigilante “The Punisher,” with Jon Bernthal reprising the role from Marvel’s Daredevil. Ben Barnes, Amber Rose Revah, Jason R. Moore, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Daniel Webber, Paul Schulze, Michael Nathanson, Jaime Ray Newman, and Deborah Ann Woll also star.
When: The first season of the series was released in its entirety to the Netflix streaming library on November 17, 2017, with a total of thirteen episodes.
Where: The action is set primarily in New York City, New York, as depicted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Why: To find out why individual podcast panelists started watching this show, listen to the podcast episode via the link below – though I will say that all of the panelists are fans of the Netflix original library and/or superhero/comic book based shows in their own right and have found themselves eagerly anticipating new entries in Netflix’s “Defenders” series of releases, including this first spin-off the series! As a result, they’re committed to a CPU! series about same!
How – as in How Was It?
The pilot/premiere rating scale:
***** – I HAVE TO WATCH EVERYTHING. HOLY SMOKES!
**** – Well, it certainly seems intriguing. I’m going to keep watching, but I see possible pitfalls in the premise.
*** – I will give it six episodes and see what happens. There are things I like, and things I don’t. We’ll see which “things” are allowed to flourish.
** – I will give it three episodes. Chances are, I’m mainly bored, but there is some intrigue or fascination that could hold it together. No matter how unlikely.
* – Pass on this one, guys. It’s a snoozer/not funny/not interesting/not my cup of tea… there are too many options to waste time on this one.
Marvel’s The Punisher = 4.2, by average of the podcast panel.
SYNOPSIS
Frank Castle (Bernthal), known throughout New York City as “the Punisher” after exacting revenge on those responsible for the deaths of his wife and children, uncovers a larger conspiracy beyond what was done to him and his family.
THOUGHTS
As long-time listeners should know by now, CPU! is chock full of panelists with a proclivity for comic book and superhero TV shows and films, including your Chief CP. Our Marvel’s Defenders Series was born of this proclivity, as we have already covered the two available seasons of Daredevil, the first season of JessicaJones, the one available season of Luke Cage, the one available season of Iron Fist, and the one available season of the crossover event miniseries, The Defenders.Listen to the links below:
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode One, “Daredevil,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Two, “Jessica Jones,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Three, “Daredevil,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Four, “Luke Cage,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Five, “Iron Fist,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Six, “The Defenders,” Season 1
As such, it was only right that we cover the first spin-off series of this universe, now the sixth in Netflix’s series of Marvel-centered shows. Thus, we bring you our first ever Punisher podcast episode – and the seventh episode of our Marvel’s Defenders Series – featuring Defenders panelists Nick, Kristen, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer.
Our panel is, for the most part, highly complimentary of The Punisher solo series, though some panelists like this spin-off effort more than others. Generally, all panelists love Bernthal and his charismatic portrayal of Marvel’s consummate antihero as well as Barnes’ version of prenatal villain Billy Russo and Bachrach’s performance as Frank’s undercover partner Micro. Yet, most of us also found the show to suffer from a slow start, though this start was markedly offset by a speedy and powerful crescendo in action and suspense, as well as an off-putting supporting character in Agent Dinah Madani (Revah), on whom the panelists felt the story focused too much when she added so little to the overall pacing and relevance of the plot in the end. To hear us hash out these opinions further, listen to our discussion via the embedded link below.
This podcast was (re)recorded in March 2018 as one of our lost episodes, erased via the much ballyhooed equipment failure previously advertised, though we think we recovered nicely. Also, there are, without question, MAJOR SPOILERS, as we cover major plot points throughout the first season of The Punisher. Do you agree or disagree? Listen at your own risk, and let us know what you think by commenting below!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@cpupodcast), Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite), Pinterest (@cpupodcast), or email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com – or subscribe to this blog, the YouTube channel, our iTunes channel, our Stitcher Radio channel , and/or find us on Google Play to keep track of brand new episodes. In the meantime, let us know what you think! Comment or review us in any of the above forums – we’d love your feedback!
Remember, new episodes and blog posts are published weekly! Next Wednesday, at long last, our Once Upon a Time panel returns to the Water Cooler, also affected by the aforementioned equipment failure, and will offer a re-recorded dissection of Season 7A in one of our twisty mid-season formats, which will include some of our “Newlywed Game” type hi-jinks to add spice to our already spicy group. This recording follows the ABC network announcement that Once Upon a Time will end after this seventh season, and so this recording is one of the last three times our lively Once panel will gather together as a group. As such, stay tuned for this funky and somewhat bittersweet “lost” episode!
RECOMMENDATION
The Punisher is recommended overall by our CPU! panel to fans of comic books, particularly from the Marvel universe; fans of the various Defenders series; and fans of the Punisher character. The panel cautions that to truly appreciate what The Punisher offers as a program, it is best viewed after all solo Defender series/seasons released prior to the release of this series have also been viewed, particularly Marvel’s Daredevil Seasons 1 and 2, as the Punisher’s back story is primarily established in “Daredevil” Season 2 (which does not make sense without viewing that series’ first season). The panel also cautions that The Punisher is highly graphic and gory, featuring much violence and blood as befits a gun-toting antihero on a vendetta, so if you are an easily squeamish viewer, begin watching while prepared that you will see much in the way of blood and guts. The panel also generally and universally agrees that The Punisher is well-performed, well-written, and well-directed but for some qualms from some panelists about pacing and about Revah’s Madani character, which failed to connect to any of our six panelists, your Chief CP included. In any event, and despite the critiques described above, the panel almost universally had great fun watching this series and believes that anyone who considers themselves a fan of any or all of the individual Defenders would have fun watching it too.
THE FUTURE OF THE SHOW
The Punisher was automatically renewed by Netflix for a second season, though no tentative release date has yet been announced by the streaming giant, as the producers of the series are currently vetting scripts, according to panelist Kyle. As always, CPU! will be following all Defenders series, solo and crossover and related spin-offs,throughout all of the series’ runs as part of CPU!’s Marvel’s Defenders Series, so we will definitely return to podcast about Season Two following its release. In addition, the CPU! Marvel’s Defenders panel will return very soon to review Marvel’s Jessica Jones, Season 2, which was released to Netflix today! Until then, stay tuned!
A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, recorded in December 2017, our enthusiastic panel of comic book and superhero enthusiasts – including moderator Kylie, Kristen, Nick, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer – is back Around the Water Cooler as the Marvel’s Defenders Series panel finally discusses Season 1 of Marvel’s crossover miniseries event, from which the panel derives its name, The Defenders. If you have not watched any of The Defenders (or its companion series, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist), be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS! Tell us what you think in the comments below and check out the blog and YouTube for other TV related discussions, in both podcast and blog format. Also, if there are other shows you’re interested in the blog covering, sound off below! Tell us what you like or don’t like. Keep the discussion going!
A new podcast of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this BONUS mini-episode, recorded in May 2017, our enthusiastic panel of comic book and superhero enthusiasts – including moderator Kylie, Kristen, Nick, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer, i.e. the Marvel’s Defenders Series panel – spent time digesting the teaser trailer for “Marvel’s Defenders,” the miniseries causing all of the hullabaloo in the Marvel universe and the reason why this panel convened in the first place! In addition, Kylie, the Chief Couch Potato, previews the upcoming schedule at CPU! Tell us what you think in the comments below and check out the blog and YouTube for other TV related discussions, in both podcast and blog format. Also, if there are other shows you’re interested in the blog covering, sound off below! Tell us what you like or don’t like. Keep the discussion going!
Despite prior advertisements to the contrary, this week’s episode, originally scheduled to be 13 Reasons Why, Season One, was preempted (to be published next week) in favor of this cheeky bonus content from our Marvel’s Defenders Series Panel! Our next four weeks of podcasts look like this:
Tonight: Marvel’s Defenders Series, Bonus Preview: The Defenders Teaser Trailer
Next week: 13 Reasons Why, Season 1
The following week: Grimm, Season 6
The week after that: Looking Back at Grimm
New episodes are, as always, coming down the pike, including new panels, such as for Sense8 and the Buffyverse, and new episodes from old panels, including How to Get Away with Murder, The Vampire Diaries, American Horror Story, and the Full/er House Series. Don’t miss them! Stay tuned!
A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, recorded in May 2017, our enthusiastic panel of comic book and superhero enthusiasts – including moderator Kylie, Kristen, Nick, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer – is back Around the Water Cooler as the Marvel’s Defenders Series panel and is discussing Season 1 of Marvel’s Iron Fist. If you have not watched any of Iron Fist (or its companion series, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage), be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS! Tell us what you think in the comments below and check out the blog and YouTube for other TV related discussions, in both podcast and blog format. Also, if there are other shows you’re interested in the blog covering, sound off below! Tell us what you like or don’t like. Keep the discussion going!
Who: “Marvel’s Iron Fist” is a web television series based upon the Marvel Comics character Iron Fist and is a Netflix original series, always available on Netflix.
What: “Marvel’s Iron Fist,” created by Scott Buck, is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise, and is the fourth in a series of shows that will lead up to a Defenders crossover miniseries. Finn Jones stars as Danny Rand aka Iron Fist, a martial arts expert with the ability to call upon the power of the sacred Iron Fist.
When: The first season of the series was released in its entirety to the Netflix streaming library on March 17, 2017.
Where: The action is set primarily in the New York City, New York, borough of Manhattan, as depicted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Why: To find out why individual podcast panelists started watching this show, listen to the podcast episode via the link below – though I will say that all of the panelists are fans of the Netflix original library and/or superhero/comic book based shows in their own right and have found themselves eagerly anticipating new entries in Netflix’s “Defenders” series of releases. As a result, they’re committed to a CPU! series about same!
How – as in How Was It?
The pilot/premiere rating scale:
***** – I HAVE TO WATCH EVERYTHING. HOLY SMOKES!
**** – Well, it certainly seems intriguing. I’m going to keep watching, but I see possible pitfalls in the premise.
*** – I will give it six episodes and see what happens. There are things I like, and things I don’t. We’ll see which “things” are allowed to flourish.
** – I will give it three episodes. Chances are, I’m mainly bored, but there is some intrigue or fascination that could hold it together. No matter how unlikely.
* – Pass on this one, guys. It’s a snoozer/not funny/not interesting/not my cup of tea… there are too many options to waste time on this one.
Marvel’s Iron Fist = 4.2, by average of the podcast panel.
SYNOPSIS
Danny Rand (Jones) returns to New York City, after being presumed dead for 15 years, to reclaim his family company from Harold Meachum (David Wenham) and his children Ward Meachum (Tom Pelphrey) and Joy Meachum (Jessica Stroup). When a threat emerges, Rand must choose between his family’s legacy and his duties as the Iron Fist.
How – as in How Was It? – THOUGHTS
As long-time listeners should know by now, CPU! is chock full of panelists with a proclivity for comic book and superhero TV shows and films, including your Chief CP. Our Marvel’s Defenders Series was born of this proclivity, as we have already covered the two available seasons of Daredevil, the one available season of JessicaJones, and the one available season of Luke Cage.Listen to the links below:
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode One, “Daredevil,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Two, “Jessica Jones,” Season 1
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Three, “Daredevil,” Season 2
Marvel’s Defenders Series, Episode Four, “Luke Cage,” Season 1
As such, it was only right that we cover the next series in this universe, now the fourth in Netflix’s series of Marvel-centered shows leading up to a special “Defenders” miniseries, which will feature heroes like Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage joining together to form a special force of the ilk of the Avengers or of the Justice League in the DC Universe. Thus, we bring you our first ever Iron Fist podcast – and the fifth episode of our Marvel’s Defenders Series – featuring Defenders panelists Nick, Kristen, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer. While our panel has formed an entertaining bond centered around these Netflix superhero shows, the bond is tested with the variety of opinions expressed about Iron Fist, though the panel universally liked this series better than Luke Cage, despite the warm reception of critics to the latter and the lukewarm reception to the former. The panelists also agree that Iron Fist is largely fun and far more engrossing than its predecessor “Defender’s” solo series, but the panel differs on how effective this fun ultimately was, with some panelists preferring Iron Fist to Jessica Jones and others liking Danny Rend less (though all except one agree that Daredevil remains the best of the four series). Nevertheless, while the panel’s overall stance may be somewhat controversial, as audience reception to Iron Fist is equally varied, we do have our supporting reasons – to find out what they are, listen via the embedded link below.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@cpupodcast), Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite), Pinterest (@cpupodcast), or email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com – or subscribe to this blog, the YouTube channel, our iTunes channel, our Stitcher Radio channel , and/or find us on Google Play to keep track of brand new episodes. In the meantime, let us know what you think! Comment or review us in any of the above forums – we’d love your feedback!
Remember, new episodes and blog posts are published weekly! Next Wednesday, a new panel will sit “around the water cooler” to tackle – in record time – controversial new Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, based upon the novel of the same name. Stay tuned for that and for some bonus content we recorded during our Iron Fist session…which should be published any day now (though not today)!
RECOMMENDATION
Iron Fist is recommended overall by our CPU! panel to fans of comic books, particularly from the Marvel universe; fans of the various Defenders series; fans of the character; fans of kung fu and karate movies; and fans of epic fantasy along the lines of Star Wars or, more on the nose, stylized martial arts epics like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The panel generally and universally agrees that Iron Fist is well-performed and aptly written and directed but for some noticeable execution flaws in pacing and in the fact that the panel feels Iron Fist Season 1, with its secondary focus upon the Hand, might have done better to come a bit earlier in the Defenders chronology–say, before Daredevil Season 2–given how the Hand was depicted in this series versus in Daredevil and given the fact that much of that depiction is open to interpretation. Still, the entire panel had fun watching this series and believes that some of the criticism from trade critics and viewers alike is harsh to the point of being unfair, as the panel uniformly asserts that many who find more than small faults with this series may have missed (or simply do not prefer) its tendency toward subtleties and foreshadowing. They may also not understand or appreciate the fact that Jones is playing a childlike character in an adult’s body who is also meant to be a fish out of water – from an ethnic as well as a “this dimension, that dimension” perspective. The panel, further, vehemently disagrees with the “white washing” controversy surrounding this show; while we acknowledge that white washing is prevalent in mainstream Hollywood and is a potential problem, Danny Rand as a character is white in the comics and is meant to be the “other” in the mystical village in which he spent his childhood as well as in Manhattan when he tries to reintroduce himself into his former life. The entire panel, therefore, recommends re-watching with an open mind for those who struggled with some of these aspects and a first watch for those interested in the Defenders as a whole.
THE FUTURE OF THE SHOW
Iron Fist has not yet been renewed for a second season, though Netflix is no doubt preparing for its high profile release of The Defenders miniseries in August 2017 and may be waiting to gauge the reception to its much-hyped and long-in-the-making miniseries before planning futures for Iron Fist, considering that reception has been cooler to this series than to the other three overall. CPU! will be following Iron Fistthroughout its series run, though, as part of CPU!’s Marvel’s Defenders Series, so we will definitely return to podcast about a season two, should one be commissioned. As always, CPU! will keep you informed of all Netflix/Marvel coverage. In addition, the CPU! Marvel’s Defenders panel will return sometime after August 18, 2017, to review the first season of The Defenders in all of its splendiferous crossover glory. Until then!
A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, recorded in December 2016, our enthusiastic panel of comic book and superhero enthusiasts – including moderator Kylie, Kristen, Nick, Hilary, Kyle, and Spencer – is back Around the Water Cooler as the Marvel’s Defenders Series panel and is discussing Season 1 of Marvel’s Luke Cage. If you have not watched any of Luke Cage (or its companion series, Daredevil and Jessica Jones), be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS! Tell us what you think in the comments below and check out the blog and YouTube for other TV related discussions, in both podcast and blog format. Also, if there are other shows you’re interested in the blog covering, sound off below! Tell us what you like or don’t like. Keep the discussion going!
couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com 