Luke Cage is part of the Marvel family and both Season 1 and 2 are now available to stream in full on Netflix. And what an absolute treat it is! First off, I'm not somebody generally drawn to superhero action shows. I did have the misfortune of spending far too much time on Arrow before now and that was enough to put me off for a while so I was definitely dipping my toe back in the water with Luke Cage and I am so happy that I did. It is completely addictive, brilliantly cast, the script is on point, the story lines move at a really good pace, the special effects are fantastic and before I knew it I had binge watched half the episodes.
For those not in the know, Luke Cage, from Jessica Jones, is a rather enigmatic quiet man who works in a barber shop in Harlem. We learn in the first episode that he has spent time in prison (for a crime he didn't commit), managed to escape and appears to be laying low for fear of getting caught and sent back. What happened to Cage inside is revealed through a series of flashbacks but suffice to say he was not treated well. Following one particularly nasty beating, the doctor in charge decided to try to save him but the failed experiment gave Luke super human strength as a result. Now out and about he relies on Pop, the owner of the barber shop to help him out and give advice but otherwise he remains a loner.
Of course every good superhero needs an adversary and Cornell ‘Cottonmouth' Stokes is just the man for the job, though his cousin Mariah is equally as corrupt and unlikeable. I won't give away the plot but suffice to say that Stokes is a man on the rise until an arms deal goes very wrong, the fallout of which fires up something inside of Cage and he steps out of the shadows to make Harlem a better place and to exact retribution in equal measure. Luke Cage is not for the faint hearted. It is a dark, gritty, frequently violent portrayal of a man in turmoil. While simply wanting a quiet life he finds himself embroiled in trouble with both super powers and enemies he doesn't want. Mike Colter (The Good Wife, Jessica Jones) is simple outstanding as Cage and the supporting cast is impeccable, particularly Mahershala Ali who plays Stokes.
Far too much happens in the first season to cover here and you wouldn't thank me anyway as it would gave the game away. You just have to watch it to appreciate how good it is. The only problem is that the episodes fly by and once you get to the end of Season 2 you'll be desperate for more! If you're still not sure just watch the Luke Cage trailer above.
