Luke Cage, released September 30th as part of a long string of Marvel Cinematic Universe Netflix exclusives, has been met with many positive reviews, scoring a 79% metascore at Metacritic and 80% at imdb.
But while many celebrated its unique contribution to the MCU (myself included), such as its music, predominantly black cast, and thematic parallels to the real world African American experience, I cannot help but point out the crucial flaws that made watching it feel…
Lacking…
At least in comparison to its predecessors: Daredevil 1, 2, and Jessica Jones.
Let’s delve a bit, shall we?
DISCLAIMER: FROM THIS POINT ON, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.
1. One show, two voices
Midway through the season, Luke Cage experiences a shift in sensibility.
The first half established Luke Cage’s adversary, the world, and the theme—which was to act or remain complacent when one has the power to make a difference. With regards to the world, there were a couple of detours in Georgia but as far as the primary antagonist and the theme—these were thrown out the window by the second half.
This isn’t the worst thing in the world but if we were to analyze Jessica Jones and Daredevil, there is an apparent formulaic shift within Luke Cage.
With Jessica Jones, the theme lied in whether the horrible things she’s done were forced by Kilgrave—her nemesis—or whether those deeds were of her own accord.
With Matt Murdock, the theme lied in whether he was capable of protecting Hell’s Kitchen by bringing Wilson Fisk and his hooligans to justice before the law, without the compromise of a single life.
But in Luke Cage, the primary antagonist shifts to two figures (one of who had not been properly established in the first half) and the theme transforms to the preservation of Harlem’s identity and its often forgotten inhabitants—that they too, need a hero of their own.
So, yeah. *blink blink*
2. Character Inconsistencies
There were a few characters with unclear formation but the biggest culprit would have to be one of the main antagonists, Black Mariah (Alfre Woodard).
The first half of the show when the show’s villain, Cottonmouth (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali), finds himself in a financial bind, his cousin, Mariah, suggests selling the club passed onto him by their matriarchal figure, Mama Mabel. During the second half, Mariah decides to run the club herself, despite the dubious dealings that take place within, which run counter to her own moral compass of operating responsibly within the confines of the law.
Mariah maintains a degree of moral dignity throughout (or at least, she believes she does) for Harlem’s sake. But not only does she eventually perpetuate Mama Mabel’s criminal legacy, she also willingly commits murder in her efforts to ruin Luke Cage (Mike Colter).
Like… huh? How does murder (not to mention her other vices) operate within the confines of the law?
Pick a side. Run with it. And show your deceit when necessary. Otherwise these characterizations would be a headache to follow.
3. Convenient plot points
Stories are ALWAYS subject to a degree of convenience…
But when Luke Cage’s step brother, Diamondback (Erik LaRay Harvey), decided to move from Georgia to Harlem—the same place Luke Cage moved to at the conclusion of Jessica Jones—to conduct his crime ring operations…
And when the person that introduced Diamondback into the crime world is the same person that aims to bring Luke Cage into the superhero-for-hire business (that’s to say, Pop)…
Things suddenly have a penchant for being TOO convenient.
Forgive me if I missed it, but why did Luke Cage and Diamondback move to Harlem in the first place?
Diamondback wanted to be a big shot—that’s a little believable, I think? Because Harlem’s where all the criminal wannabes go, right?
But at the end of Jessica Jones, Luke wanted to reinvent himself—OUT OF ALL THE REGIONS IN NEW YORK STATE—in Harlem, too?
Come on…
4. No believable threat
Luke Cage is unique in that his true adversaries are not criminal empires corrupting the city, nor is it a being with superpowers…
The writing took the story to a different direction by establishing the people of Harlem as the true threat to his identity.
As a result of Mariah’s machinations, the people of Harlem are divided on whether to trust Luke Cage as the city’s hero, perhaps as a companion piece to Captain America: Civil War.
This would be a non-ideal plot direction—as it’s recycled—yet acceptable…
BUT!
Luke Cage had just single-handedly taken down one of Harlem’s largest criminal operations, made news by keeping thugs out of Harlem’s only Asian-owned business, saved numerous lives, publicly retrieved the stolen belongings of several citizens, and had not killed one single human being indirectly or otherwise…
And I’m supposed to believe that Mariah has effectively turned some, if not most of the populace against Luke?
Couple Mariah with Diamondback, whose claims to villainy are: 1) to procure a limited—I repeat—a LIMITED amount of super bullets that penetrate Luke’s skin and 2) to acquire armour that barely holds a candle to Tony Stark’s…
I was like, “Excuse my mic drop, but can we skip a few months to Danny Rand, already?”
Luke Cage “caged” in mediocrity
To be clear, I’m not a bonafide Luke Cage hater.
I simply want to address the bonerific reviews that more or less pervade quotidian discourse.
Am I partly spited and motivated by the annoying, “zomg, Luke Cage best Netflix MCU show, hhhnnnnnggg!” comments on Facebook?
Sweet Christmas, abso-friggin-lutely.
But compared to its MCU Netflix series predecessors, Luke Cage simply doesn’t hold up.
With my peace said, hopefully Iron Fist takes the formula “forward. Never backward.”