Netflix has been coming in strong with their library of Netflix Originals. The latest being “Marvel’s Luke Cage,” the third series in a planned four that will lead up to “Marvel’s The Defenders.” The series follows the titular character, who returns from 2015 “Marvel’s Jessica Jones,” as he rises to become the defender that Harlem needs.
Luke Cage, played by Mike Colter, is an enhanced superhuman with the ability of super strength and impenetrable skin living in uptown Harlem. He works two jobs; a dishwasher at Harlem’s Paradise, a nightclub owned by antagonist Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes, as well as a handyman at Pop’s Barbershop. When Cottonmouth is robbed by amateur thugs, one of his henchmen shoots up Pop’s Barbershop, which is considered ‘Switzerland,’ and Pop’s is killed in the crossfire. This leads Cage to finally use his powers to redeem Pop’s, and bring peace to Harlem.
The series does a great deal of diving into social and political issues. Set in Harlem, which is a predominantly black community, the issues of crime and racial tension are made clear in the first episode alone. The antagonist Cottonmouth has recently refurbished a nightclub in hopes of bringing back the life in Harlem, while his cousin Mariah Dillard is a politician looking to bring change and reduce crime in the neighborhood. The series has no issue bringing up real world connections, such as Cottonwood using the club as a front for his illegal weapons dealings, and Dillard using her campaign funds to support Cottonwood instead of her.
The series’ narrative is carefully crafted to resemble its sister shows “Marvel’s Daredevil” and “Marvel’s Jessica Jones.” Despite serving as an origin story, the series does start when Cage gets his powers. The first episode jumps right into introducing Cage and his financial problems, providing his origin through a series of flashbacks.
Each episode puts incredible effort into driving the narrative forward. Not a single moment feels out of place, and every detail pulls every string to keep you wanting more.
“Marvel’s Luke Cage” is available to stream now on Netflix.
