I thought it was because she touched his blood, but I recently rewatched it and saw that wasn't the case. Is there some reason she was freed from his commands? From what I can tell it's just because of the traumatic expeirnec, but Hope's was as well and she wasn't free.
shareI think it's left ambiguous. It could be that she was exposed to his influence for longer than anyone else, or that the virus remained in her system after he "died", giving her immune system time to adapt, or just plain willpower after being forced to do the one thing she couldn't do: kill someone.
Never say "Worst movie ever" to someone who's seen Highlander 2
or that the virus remained in her system after he "died", giving her immune system time to adapt
In one of the flashbacks near the last episodes we can see him telling her something like: "i want you to do what you want"
Its been the looongest time since i watched it but i think is something on that line
Here are two possible explanations:
1. Jessica spent a lot more time under Kilgrave's control than most of his other victims. Long enough that her body may have built up an immunity to the pheromones that make people fall under his control.
2. One of Jessica's established abilities is that she's got an abnormally strong metabolism and healing factor. It enables her to heal faster (though not instantaneously) and she can process things like alcohol faster than most normal people. This might also be what has made her immune to Kilgrave's powers. Since his powers are emitted through a virus, Jessica's immune system could have metabolized it faster due to her own super skill set. Now that revelation would obviously lead to speculations about Luke being able to resist Kilgrave as well (to some extent, Luke was fighting Kilgrave's control during that fight and seemed to be speaking as himself when Jessica grabbed the police car's shotgun), but building an immunity to a virus requires constant exposure and repeated doses. See, who else, besides Jessica, was in such long and close proximity to Kilgrave? You would think his parents might qualify, but they ditched him as soon as they could during the free window from his powers and neither of them have super-metabolisms. But Jessica is the only one who was with Kilgrave 24/7, rapidly metabolizing his virus-powers. That's why Albert's attempts at a cure didn't work - because he didn't know that Kevin could not use his powers to control Jessica anymore.
It's left vague because the only person who had a chance of explaining it (Kilgrave's dad) dies. A number of reasons are suggested by what we see in the show: It's a virus, and Jessica was exposed to it for a long period of time, over and over, so she probably built up an immunity. Or possibly, virus or not, her brain fought against it for so very long that like a muscle, she built it up to the point where she was no longer affected. Being 'special' may have given her some extra ability (which Luke Cage also shows by being able to fight it at all, even for a short enough time to keep from killing her).
shareIt's left vague because the only person who had a chance of explaining it (Kilgrave's dad) dies. A number of reasons are suggested by what we see in the show: It's a virus, and Jessica was exposed to it for a long period of time, over and over, so she probably built up an immunity. Or possibly, virus or not, her brain fought against it for so very long that like a muscle, she built it up to the point where she was no longer affected. Being 'special' may have given her some extra ability (which Luke Cage also shows by being able to fight it at all, even for a short enough time to keep from killing her).
Since you've already got some really good answers, I'll add in my own personal theory which I fully acknowledge is way out there and not what the show intended at all. It can actually be mistaken as something offensive and that's not how I intend it.
I think it is satisfying to imagine that Kilgrave is the author of his own demise here. He's insane. He's a monster. He is not redeemable. But wouldn't it be a twist of the knife if the reason Jessica is immune (and thus the reason he's dead) is because he somehow caused her to become immune?
He doesn't even know how his powers work. Wise speculation is that there are two parts - one is a virus or pheromone that infects the victim, the second part is him giving some command. What if the viro-mone he emits is such that his feelings for Jessica (or the feelings he imagines he has) make her immune? Is his power somehow related to him believing he's above everyone else and the viro-mone makes it true somehow? So if in his messed up brain he believes Jessica is special and has convinced himself he has actual feelings for her, could the viro-mone be affected?
Again, not a serious suggestion by any means, but I find satisfaction in the irony of Kilgrave actually subconsciously releasing someone from his control that he actually wants to control the most. While at the same time pretending he doesn't want or need to control her etc. etc.
Reading my signature constitutes admission that I am correct. (Too late)
He doesn't even know how his powers work. Wise speculation is that there are two parts - one is a virus or pheromone that infects the victim, the second part is him giving some command. What if the viro-mone he emits is such that his feelings for Jessica (or the feelings he imagines he has) make her immune? Is his power somehow related to him believing he's above everyone else and the viro-mone makes it true somehow? So if in his messed up brain he believes Jessica is special and has convinced himself he has actual feelings for her, could the viro-mone be affected?