TV Series Review: Luke Cage

THERE ARE SOME SPOILERS IN THE REVIEW.

Hello readers,

I finished Luke Cage on Netflix yesterday and finally got the time to review this. Since the end of Daredevil Season Two and also Jessica Jones, I have been anticipating Luke Cage for a long time until September 30; all episodes were up. Like the rest of the Defenders, the series offered 13 episodes and it was stoked.

Staring Mike Colter as the Harlem titular hero, Luke Cage somewhat falls in the similar category as Daredevil. Like Daredevil, audience are shown another side of New York where there is Harlem, full with rich diverse culture of the district and dominated mainly by the blacks where everything is about power and respect. In this series, Luke is first seen helping out Pop's salon parlour and then also works at Harlem's Paradise where there is Cottonmouth, a ruthless and supposed King of Harlem whom our titular hero will have conflict and battle with.

Luke Cage took place after Daredevil Season Two and Jessica Jones as evident of Luke who decided to come to Harlem and refreshed himself, so does the recurring nurse, Claire Temple who this time has more screen time in this series since she is an original character in Luke Cage comic. In my opinion, Luke Cage's personality somehow falls in between both Matt and Jessica, for he wants to keep a low profile and also at times doubt himself. He is then dragged into the evil's mayhem as political and personal gameplay comes along for Mariah Dillard and some shady crews including Shades and the vengeful Diamondback (both played an upright disgusting role in Luke's life).

I personally enjoyed Luke Cage for its Harlem culture (the hip hop, soul songs, etc.), the dynamic and well developed characters (including Cottonmouth and Mariah Dillard), the dramas and showdowns that are usually found on blaxploitation films. Luke Cage can actually topped over Jessica Jones and Daredevil because of how excellent and brilliant the story goes and the set ups for the future Defenders. While I was watching the series, I couldn't help but to braced myself for unpredictable gameplay by the shady people especially Mariah who managed to slyly tied up loose ends (benefitting herself as a Madam Councilwoman), making me dislike her character even more (well done actually).

In conclusion, Luke Cage is the set up for the man who ultimately chooses to be a hero and save Harlem from the greedy evil, despite the fact he knows the past would eventually catch up (then exploited) with him. After all, Luke is a human and citizen just like you and me, entitled to feelings and judgements. He isn't anyone's keeper or punching bag. I can't wait to see how the series would proceed and after watching the last episode of this season, Luke Cage easily wins my heart for its honest storytelling of both Harlem and the unbreakable black man. I totally recommend anyone especially those who watch Daredevil and Jessica Jones, to give this series a watch.

Ratings: 7/10

P.S. The opening sequence is so yellow and very Harlem-ish, I totally love it.