The last time many of us saw Luke Cage, he was teaming up with Jessica Jones, Daredevil, and Iron Fist to fight The Hand in The Defenders. But what about Season 1 of Luke’s standalone story (well, as standalone as a story can ever be in the Marvel Universe)? Here are some things to keep in mind before your binge starts on June 22…
Minor/vague spoilers ahead! But if you want a really thorough recap of Season 1, delivered by none other than Mike Colter, watch this video:
In Season 1, Luke was definitely a reluctant hero.
I think it’s safe to say that after his time back in jail (he was sent back to Seagate at the end of Season 1) AND his time with the Defenders, he’s anxious to get back to Harlem and really be the hero and protector that his home deserves. But will the people of Harlem accept him with open arms? As is generally the case with Marvel superheroes, the “non-supers” walk a line between wanting protection and thinking that people with “abilities” are causing more trouble than they’re solving.
We know that Season 1 villains Mariah Dillard (played deliciously by Alfre Woodard) and Shades (Theo Rossi, with whom I fell in love during his Sons of Anarchy run) will continue to try to destroy Luke and amass their own power and wealth. But will they remain a team? The partnership only formed in Season 1 as a means for Shades to save his own skin. Will new villains emerge who are as compelling as Season 1’s Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes (played by the incomparable Mahershala Ali)? I surely hope any new baddies lean more in that direction, versus the VERY forgettable Diamondback from the second half of the first season.
Part of what made Season 1 of Luke Cage so enjoyable was the supporting cast.
After all, even a bulletproof man needs a squad, amiright? Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson) will be returning, and she is always a welcome sight in the Marvel Universe. But is her relationship with Luke on solid ground? Luke and Jessica Jones looked pretty friendly at the end of The Defenders…And of course, readers of the comic books know that Luke and Jessica are not quite done with one another.
Also – Misty Knight (Simone Missick) is back, baby!
She suffered a pretty gruesome injury at the end of The Defenders. But I’ll be really curious to see how she handles the aftermath of that AND the corruption of the police force that seems to have run rampant around her for quite some time (and included her former partner). I also wonder if her bionic arm will give her more of a desire and ability to fight crime in less conventional ways, rather than through the traditional law and order to which she was so dedicated early in Season 1. Either way, I always get excited when Misty and Luke team up.
Finally – on a sad note – we’ll get to see Reg E. Cathey’s final onscreen performance (he passed away in February of this year), as he plays Luke’s estranged father.
We don’t know exactly how the relationship will be portrayed. But based on some early cast interviews, Cathey serves up exactly the kind of powerful, emotional performance that his fans have come to expect. I’m so bummed that this was his last role. But I’m very much looking forward to seeing his take on the character and on Luke.
I’m SO ready for this show to drop on Netflix! What are you most excited about? What questions do you hope Season 2 will answer? Let’s chat in the comments!
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