The fourth episode of Luke Cage, “Step Into The Arena,” jumps back and forth between the present and the major portions of his origin. The present isn’t looking so good, since last episode ended with Cottonmouth launching a rocket attack on Genghis Connie’s with Connie and Luke inside. I’m guessing Cottonmouth doesn’t believe in the concept of overkill. They do make the title work on two different levels, which is a nice job.
The third episode of Luke Cage is called, “Who’s Gonna Take the Weight?” and it’s a good follow up to the tragedy near the end of “Code of The Streets.” It starts off with a big firefight and people fleeing the Crispus Attaks building. After a couch goes sailing out one of the upper floor windows, Cage strolls out, hood up, carrying a large duffel bag. Then we get text of “Earlier That Day” to explain what we’re seeing and how Cage got here.
Haley Atwell is back as Agent Carter… in voice only. She’ll reprise her fan-favorite role on the latest incarnation of the Avengers cartoon. I’m glad to hear this, but I still want more live-action Agent Carter. Then again, I also preferred Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes on the cartoon front.
The second episode of Luke Cage starts with a trick I’m really starting to get tired of. It’s a situation that’s presented, and then we work our way back to that point. It can be a nice plot device, and it’s even done decently here, but I really think they could have done the story without it. Countering that, they include something I’m hugely in favor of. The infamous N-word gets used, in my humble opinion, far too often in movies and tv. Luke gives a mini-lecture against it, and he’s the second character in this series to do that. I wholeheartedly approve.
With Luke Cage starting off on Netflix, I thought this would be a good time to go over some of the major characters and their comic book counterparts. As with most comic book characters who have been around a while, some of the histories are a bit complicated
With the backdrop of the second Civil War of the Marvel Universe going on, Sam Wilson has his own problems. His acting as Captain America, especially since Steve Rogers was restored to health, isn’t popular in some circles. Now, some of these people have gotten together behind the scenes and provoked US Agent into confronting Sam and trying to get him to give up the shield and costume. US Agent apparently benefitted from the sorta-reboot Marvel did during Battleworld, since not that long ago he was missing at least an arm and one leg, but now seems completely whole.
March 17th is the next Netflix series release date for Iron Fist, with my favorite of four heroes.
With two seasons of Daredevil out, and one of Jessica Jones, the Netflix corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe moves on to Luke Cage, third of the original four announced series. I’ve enjoyed Luke in most of his comic incarnations, and thought Mike Colter did a great job on the Jessica Jones series, so I was happy to see him stand up as the star here. I really enjoyed the opening episode.
Daredevil’s second season comes to a close with “A Cold Day in Hell’s Kitchen.” The show starts with Nobu caressing the stone box we keep seeing the Hand with, while a woman with red hair reports to him. They have plans afoot to regain the Black Sky, no matter what Elektra or Daredevil want. Whatever they are plotting doesn’t sound like it’s going to be good for anyone.
Things have been going not really well for the cast of Daredevil this season. So the penultimate title, “The Dark At The End of the Tunnel,” seems grimly appropriate. Continuing the fairly recent trend of hero shows almost being required to have flashbacks, this episode’s series of them focus on a much younger Elektra, as well as her early relationship with Stick. Let’s just say that she didn’t have any of the sort of kind, gentle training the famous Mr. Miyagi gave Daniel in the Karate Kid movies.
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