This article consists of nothing butLuke Cagespoilers.
Every episode is named after a Gang Starr track.
So just to set the mood, well kick off each entry with exactly that.
Lets start with the major characters introduced in the episode…
So, we may as well get this stuff out of the way up front.
Luke Cage has been around the Marvel Universe since 1972.
He was created by Archie Goodwin, John Romita Sr., and George Tuska.
Well get more into his old comic book look in a later entry, because it becomes really appropriate.
He also references other heroes downtown.
I imagine this is probably a reference to the Avengers rather than Daredevil or Jessica Jones.
Lukes I dont curse thing is markedly different from his comic book version.
Ill get into more of that in a bit when it becomes appropriate.
That version of Mariah wasnt a politician, and was ummmm…just not great, ok?
)Power Man and Iron Fistcomic and wasnt a complete embarassment.
Ms. Woodards performance is where its at, though.
He was created by Len Wein and George Tuska.
He wasnt a nightclub owner, but he sure was a natty dresser, just like his Netflix counterpart.
His primary trade was in drugs rather than in high-tech weapons, though.
The photo was taken by Barron Claiborne.
Misty Knight has been kicking around the Marvel universe since 1975 when she first appeared inMarvel Premiere#21.
He was created by Chris Claremont and Pat Broderick and first appeared inMarvel Premiere#23 in 1975.
Hes still kicking around, too.
And just like he does here, hes got ties to Lukes mysterious past.
Its probably for the best.
Right now, Shades is working for someone mysterious named Diamondback.
One other non-spoilery Diamondback detail, though.
In his case it was knives.
Here, its guns and Chitauri tech.
Correct me if Im wrong on this one, but I cant find any comic book parallel for Pops.
Also note that John Starks is my favorite basketball player of all time.
Its a nice touch.
One of the tracks Raphael Saadiq performs at the Harlem Nightclub is this gem, Good Man.
Ill be listening to this for the rest of the month.
Luke mentions that hes from Savannah.
Rob Morgan is here as Daredevils favorite punching bag, Turk Barrett.
Luke was around for that, so hed certainly remember if thats the case.
Then again, everyone listens to music when they work out, right?
And what Luke is about to do is kind of the superhero equivalent of a workout.
Luke Cage Episode 3: Whos Gonna Take the Weight?
Seriously, Charles Bradley, where have you been all of my life?
The big brawl here is this shows equivalent ofDaredevilseason ones hallway fight.
Its a little ridiculous, to tell you the truth.
The bullet-riddled hoodie is some powerful symbolism.
We get to hear Ms. Dillards Black Mariah nickname, and clearly she doesnt care for it.
And who could blame her, right?
Do we need another example of how ridiculous her comic book counterpart was?
So, this is the episode that finally goes into detail about Lukes origin story.
So, remember when I promised you that wed get into the details of Lukes comic book look?
Well, now is the time.
Note when Luke emerges from the experiment:
Does the headgear and bracelets look familiar?
For one thing,Five Deadly Venomsis freakin amazingand you absolutely need to see it.
But its also a favorite of the Wu-Tang Clan, and we know that Luke is fond of them.
Rosario Dawsons Claire Temple finally makes her big entrance in this episode.
We get to hear a little of John Lee Hookers It Serves You Right to Suffer in this episode.
Here, listen to it.
A little of John Lee Hookers scary ass blues is always good for the body and soul.
Or any of their records, really.
Did I hear somebody mention an Office McClane?
As in, John McClane fromDie Hard?
When Luke goes to visit Eddie Axtons sports memorabilia shop, there are some old, blue lockers there.
Theres a line here about how Luke needs to help those in need.
Thats Trish Walker talking on the radio!
Glad to see shes back to business as usual for a bit.
Luke jokes that I aint no hero, pay me.
Note that in the comics Rafael Scarfe never was the totally crooked creep he turns out to be here.
But remember in episode 5, the line about help those in need?
and a physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence tohelping those in need.
I think its great, regardless.
Luke is referred to as Harlems Captain America at one point.
He definitely has more in common with Steve Rogers than Matt Murdock or Frank Castle.
If Im wrong, kindly let me know!
Seriously, pour yourself a glass of something and listen to this, because its awesome.
Didnt see that coming, did you?
The guy quotingThe Warriors(Can you dig it!)
Who, pray tell, is Willis Stryker?
Thats the mysterious Diamondback weve been hearing mentioned since episode 1.
So, heres the thing about Diamondback.
Erik LaRay Harvey is playing Stryker/Diamondback here, and hes got that broad-shouldered build pretty perfect, doesnt he?
you’ve got the option to spot a WHIH microphone when Mariah is speaking to the press.
WHIH is another fictional Marvel Cinematic Universe news outlet.
This episode is perhaps a little heavier on the Luke-as-Christ symbolism than is strictly necessary.
But this also brings me back to the Superman parallels.
I do kind of love Claires scientific examination/explanation of Lukes strength and invulnerability, though.
Luke makes another Power Man joke this time around.
Claire makes it sound like it wont stick.
Oh, and as an added bonus, Wilson Fisks lawyer fromDaredevilSeason 2, Ben Donovan is back!
Mariahs rise to power takes a dark turn.
If theres no body, theres no death (Im paraphrasing here, cut me some slack).
And sometimes even if you do find a body, theres still no guarantee that anyone is staying dead.
Its nice to see that Diamondback also namechecks photographer Barron Claiborne when talking about the omnipresent Biggie poster.
An article pops up thats The 10 Most Notorious Prisons which you just know some editor commissioned for traffic.
I wonder what other Marvel Universe locations would pop up in there if that article were real… Im a little bummed about that, but I understand.
Even in the face of certain death, he still wont curse!
The thing is, I still cant figure out how all three of these shows join up just yet!
Later on, Misty even has herself a can of Country Time.
The Del-Fonics are playing at the Harlem Paradise!
Misty hunts for Luke.
Well, Luke certainly does take it personal in this episode, and you cant really blame him…
But overall, its good that all of the Seagate/origin/Reva stuff is done.
Her references to Jessica Jones and other power people is just right on the money.
Wonderfully tense, with great character moments, and some terrific music and cinematography.
Man, those were the days…
And speaking ofDaredevil, Blake Tower finally makes an appearance!
Theyre really teasing Mistys future, ummm…arm problems here.
Ive loved this song desperately since first hearing it on thePulp Fictionsoundtrack.
Let Gang Starr tell you how it is… …who is currently serving as the new Power Man in the comics!
Its appropriate that we learn Shades name here, though.
This is really Shades episode.
Theo Rossi is just delightful.
I could watch an episode thats just him and Simone Missick talking shit to each other.
But speaking of cameos, I will take a Method Man appearance in every Marvel thing forever.
Method Man is one of three fuck yes!
Heres Method Mans P.L.O.
Style which is the track Luke mentions as a fave of his.
Method Man shows upon real-life talk showSways Universe(thanks SlimShady54 and Crackfinger!)
to drop Bulletproof Love which sounds like a pretty hot track.
Well, there are two more.
This time, though, its less about late 30s Superman and more about George Reeves 1950s Superman.
Again, this may be coincidental, but trust me, I mean it as a compliment.
We do get Stryker going the full Diamondback in this episode, which is pretty awesome.
Check out his comic book counterpart for comparison…
This is probably my favorite finale of any of the Marvel Netflix seasons so far.
Young Carl didnt curse, either.
Isnt it great that even in that big fight at the end, Luke still doesnt kill Diamondback?
Thats too good a villain to waste in this season.
Hell, Im still bummed that we lost Cottonmouth.
I thoroughly enjoyed the police procedural fake out ending with Misty and Mariah Dillard.
Claire keeps offering to call Matt Murdock, the really good lawyer that she knows downtown.
Im actually glad that he never actually shows up.
Claire sees a flier for martial arts instruction…from Colleen Wing.
Were going to meet Ms. Wing onIron Fistin 2017.
Stay tuned…
Misty shows up at the Harlem Paradise looking very much like her comic book counterpart.
Well find out next year!
What a song to end on.
Thats the awesome (so awesome) Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings with 100 Days, 100 Nights.
Just go out and listen to everything theyve ever done.
Always forward, forward always.
