deep breath

I think another thing that makes Jess Mariano such a compelling character is that he gets to survive and thrive. Traditionally speaking the ‘bad boys’ either get redemption through a relationship with a ‘good girl/guy’ or they get a tragic ending (if not both). In the former case their badness sometimes switches from a part of them worth exploring to just a cool aesthetic («there’s nothing bad about this guy you’re just boring for pointing out his issues what do you mean he sold his love interest for a building-»). In addition to being an almost radically fleshed out ‘bad boy’, Jess’ ending defies those expectations. Rory’s love and forgiveness doesn’t save him. And he doesn’t die for the crime of his flaws or status. He survives. Through hard work and more mistakes and learning to open up to figures who can and will help him (uncle Luke), he finds a way out of a pretty hopeless place. And not only does he come out alive, he comes out living. Having a job he’s passionate about with coworkers who share his vision, a good relationship to his uncle and an implied mature relationship to his dysfunctional parents, and with the mental strength and stability to platonically make up with his first love.