Binge-Watching Netflix: Luke Cage

Marvel’s Luke Cage is an American television series created by Cheo Hodari Coker for the streaming service Netflix, based on the Marvel Comics character Luke Cage. It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), acknowledging the continuity of the franchise’s films, and was the third Marvel Netflix series leading to the crossover miniseries The Defenders. The series was produced by Marvel Television in association with ABC Studios, with Coker serving as showrunner.

Mike Colter stars as Luke Cage, a former convict with superhuman strength and unbreakable skin who now fights crime and corruption. Simone Missick, Theo Rossi, Rosario Dawson, and Alfre Woodard also star, with Mahershala Ali and Erik LaRay Harvey joining them for season one, and Mustafa Shakir and Gabrielle Dennis joining for season two. Development of the series began in late 2013. Colter was cast as Cage in December 2014, to appear in the series Jessica Jones before starring in his own series. Coker was hired as showrunner in March 2015, and focused on themes of race and black culture with a neo-blaxploitation, neo-Western tone. Filming for the series, which looked to replicate the unique culture and atmosphere of Harlem, took place in New York City. It features many musical guests as well as a “’90s hip-hop” score by Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad.

The first season was released in its entirety on Netflix on September 30, 2016, followed by the second on June 22, 2018. They were met with positive reviews, and received numerous accolades including a Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award. Following creative differences during the development of a third season, Netflix cancelled Luke Cage on October 19, 2018; all of the Marvel Netflix series were removed from Netflix on March 1, 2022, after Disney regained the license for them. They began streaming on Disney+ from March 16.

via Wikipedia

I know I don’t usually have such long quotes from Wiki but it needed to happen for this one, especially since I put off making this post for some time, probably too long honestly.

I started watching Luke Cage when it first came out on Netflix. There are only two seasons, and I watched them both before the series was moved to Disney+. So while I binged watched it on Netflix, it is now only possible to do so on Disney+. Are we okay with all of this? Not really, but it makes sense for Disney to have all their videos in one place.

Okay, let’s get into the actual series. There are two seasons, and they are vastly different from each other. Season one is basically the origin story, introduction to the character and the journey to becoming the hero of Harlem. I like origin stories, so I’d have to say season one is my favorite, though I am disappointed at the season finale sneak peak that never came to fruition.

Season two is where I’m sure Netflix vs Disney+ issue came in as Season two is the series finale. The entire story line is wrapped up in a nutshell. All the bad guys are defeated in one way or another and Luke Cage finds his final role in Harlem. While I don’t like the ending, I’m not sure how else it would have ended given Luke’s character arc.

My Ranking: ★ ★ ★

All in all, as a Marvel fan I’m glad I watched it, I’m just not sure it’ll ever be a favorite.

More Netflix to Binge:

Published by leithe

Lee is an American author from the middle of the Midwest They enjoy a multitude of hobbies which act as inspiration for their riding. These include, but aren't limited to: crocheting, knitting, loom knitting, embroidery, drawing, painting, wood burning, card games, board games, video games, and whatever else seems interesting at the time. They participate in NaNoWriMo whenever the chance arrives and time allows. (less)

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