The Terrible Possibility of Love
I’m usually not one to redeem a well written villain, but I have two exception: Regina Mills (Once Upon a Time) and Kilgrave (Jessica Jones). Regina got her own redemption arch, so I really want to focus on Kilgrave. Through all the mixed opinions there is one general consensus… he is a well thought out villain.
Throughout this post I will only be focusing on the Marvel/Netflix series. I have done some research on the Marvel Comics source material and it is not nearly as layered. Sadly, comic book Kilgrave is much more shallow.
I realize that I should give you some background to Kilgrave’s power. He emits a type of virus that infects those around him, it makes them want to do his bidding. This is an incredible power, and we see that there are many people that would like a power like this. Although, they say they would handle the responsibility better.
YEAH RIGHT!
I have so many questions about the characterization of Kilgrave. Did he ever really love Jessica? Could he have made an honest and determined effort to become good? How much could be blamed on upbringing and abandonment scarring?
I really need to get one argument out of the way… Kilgrave’s obsession with Jessica was toxic, but I do believe there could have been some genuine feelings mixed in. Someone brought to my attention a comparison between Kilgrave/Jessica and Joker/Harley Quinn. At first I shrugged because I didn’t know how to feel about it, but it soon became obvious to me that something is wrong with the comparison. Our villains are fundamentally different for starters. Joker is an agent of Chaos, he doesn’t care who he hurts as long as the world burns in the process. Kilgrave is more subdued, he is looking for instant gratification in whatever he can, not to make big waves. David Tennant was in a online interview where he explains that Kilgrave is not trying to take over the world.
“He is not out to do anything particularly fundamental to the world… he is just interested in furthering his own cause.”
The way the two villains treat their women is different. Joker is a mental terrorist, he knows that Harley can’t help herself so he used that to his advantage by offering Miss Quinn as expendable bait, rewarding her obedience with disdain, and only showing her love just before using her. Kilgrave would never admit to knowingly hurting Jessica. He was doing and demanding things that satisfied himself, but believed that Jessica was a willing participant. Kilgrave wanted companionship as his ultimate goal, but at Jessica’s expense.
Besides the obvious difference of coming from two different comic book universes. I think we can agree the Joker wants the world to burn for fun. Kilgrave wants to keep his world intacted out of fear.
Please understand that I am only advocating for the chance that Kilgrave COULD HAVE BEEN redeemed. I am not excusing abuse or rape, I’m just pointing out that it all stems from something deeper… fear.
Kilgrave instills fear in his victims. Jessica shudders when his name is even mentioned, but there is a bit of evidence that he is just as scared. His fear comes from abandonment. We learn later in the season his parents were scientists, and instead of loving and caring for their highly intelligent son they experimented on him. When he finally had enough he lashed out.
“I was ten, I had a tantrum like a normal child. I didn’t know what I was doing. You didn’t explain it to me, you just left!”
They left him to fend for himself, and when his only tool is bending people to his will then that is what he did. This is basic to the human nature fight for survival. Abandonment can warp anyone, and an impressionable 10 year-old is not immune to that. Kilgrave admits that he is really just looking for companionship, more specifically Jessica’s love and companionship.
I got on this rampage because as I watched season one of Jessica Jones I kept seeing a glimpse of sincerity in his face. Now this is completely out of character for me. I normally hate it when a good villain is redeemed because it is normally for the cheesiest reasons. That being said Kilgrave was trying to change just enough to get Jessica. Kilgrave is a man of high intellect, and because of his power is a master manipulator. He could be saying whatever he thinks he needs to in order to get Jessica’s attention. This could be very true, but there is something about the way he addresses her in the police station that makes me believe he is sincere. He is practically begging her to choose him.
If we were looking at this possible relationship strictly from the present circumstances, he would have one major strike against him—Ruben’s murder— but you have to give him props for being the King of Big Gestures. He remembers every conversation he had with Jessica, including one where she confessed that her happiest memories were in her childhood home. So, he literally bought the home and restored it, even down the binoculars waiting in her window.
“I found the realtor that sold this place after your parents died, she had pictures... I went over the pictures with a magnifying glass.”
Kilgrave’s determination is interesting. He promises not to touch her without her GENUINE consent. He does not demand, only suggests things he would like to see changed. He even makes a neighbor feel guilty for ruining Jessica’s morning.
A lot of my examples are from Jessica Jones Season 1 Episode 8. The clip above is just a couple of highlights, but it gives you little glimpses of his potential… even Jessica sees it. He genuinely fears her leaving may be permanent, so he lets her go with a threat ringing in her ears. Now, no one ever said the path of redemption would be easy.
We, as plain humans, can’t just flip a switch and stop acting on our sinful humanity. We had to learn to be good. So why do we expect someone, who has not learned the fundamentals of Good, to just flip the switch and have no setbacks? That is LUDICROUS!
Jessica could have been the one to teach him how to be good. It certainly isn’t the best situation but the potential is there. Kilgrave wanted, practically begged for Jessica to work with him. This is what she wanted why can’t she follow through? Kilgrave just wanted to experience love. If there is no one to teach you what love should be, you focus on your basic instinct to survive.
Love isn’t always romantic… sometimes it is just decency.
Until next time,
Peace out, Lovers!
