While Luke Cage Season 2 does a good job of profiling Cage’s character, it is the second most boring Netflix-Marvel show after Iron Fist.
Netflix has done a lot of good, for both its streaming platform and the superhero fan community, with its series of Marvel shows including, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, The Punisher and The Defenders. Until now, there was only one sore spot in Netflix’s entire superhuman lineup, and that was Iron Fist. Luke Cage Season 2 is the second one.
Season 2 of Luke Cage picks up right after the events of The Defenders, but it doesn’t really matter where it picks up from, because the storyline of the new season does little to add to the anticipation of a second Defenders showdown. Cage (Mike Colter) is once again engrossed in a battle of morals and fists with his arch nemesis Mariah Dillard (Alfre Woodard), who, after killing her brother Cornell 'Cottonmouth' Stokes (Mahershala Ali), is now ruling the roost at Harlem alongside her partner in crime Shades (Theo Rossi). Sounds familiar? Well yes it does, because that was also the story of Luke Cage Season 1.
Shades and Mariah up to no good as usual
Of course, a fresh season demands a fresh villain and Cage finds one in the form of Bushmaster A.K.A John 'Bushmaster' McIver (Mustafa Shakir). Now, comic book fans would know that Bushmaster, also known as Power Master in the comicverse, went through a similar procedure as Luke Cage to gain his mighty strength which makes him even more powerful than Cage. However, the show digresses from the original storyline in the name of creative liberty and Bushmaster is shown as some herb-snorting whacko with an agenda to become Harlem’s whole and sole crime boss. So now, Cage not only needs to keep Mariah Dillard’s notoriety in check, he also needs to fight an addict who is stronger than him.
Bushmaster (Mustafa Shakir)
Meanwhile, Misty Knight (Simone Missick) loses an arm, which is quickly replaced by a bionic prosthetic not half as cool as the one in the comics. To be fair, we think the creators were playing down the “cool” in an effort to be closer to reality. Maybe we do get to see a ‘Stark’-grade arm on Knight in the future after all. Anyhow, Knight is her usual trusting super-cop self who, with the help of Colleen Wing (Iron Fist), learns how to fight better. Knight, once again, plays the system with Cage to trap those who seek to harm Harlem and the rest is a long, stretched out tale of good over evil for all of 13 episodes.
Somewhere in the beginning, middle and end, Luke Cage Season 2 tries to explore the character’s complexities, family ties and sense of superhero responsibility. Cage sees a familiar face from his past enter his life once again and it changes his perspective about himself as well as what he must do to protect the crime-infested Harlem. This soul searching slows down the momentum of the show to snail’s pace and one is left craving good ol’ fight sequences which are few and far apart in this season. If you are expecting a big Cage Vs Bushmaster showdown, you will be left disappointed. Instead, a surprise appearance by another member of the Defenders clan is the only high point in the show. However, since this moment only comes towards the end of the 13-part season, you will have to sit through some painful character building, emotional drama and cheesy music in the episodes that precede it. And while we are on the topic of background music, let's just say that it doesn't support the show in the way it did on season 1. Background tracks for everytime Bushmaster appears on the screen are too literal for this writer's liking and it almost felt like I was watching a B-grade Hollywood production.
In conclusion, Luke Cage Season 2 is not something you haven't seen in season one before. The season ends with a suited and booted Cage who finds himself king of Harlem’s underbelly. This could pave the way for some more character conflict in the follow up to The Defenders and that’s about all that one can really take away from this season of Luke Cage.
Luke Cage season 2 premieres on Netflix on June 22. Looking for more stuff to stream? Check out our June 2018 Binge Guide here.
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Adamya Sharma
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