What I’m Watching: Luke Cage

Luke Cage: Season 1, Episode 12 “Soliloquy of Chaos” (B+)

Last we saw of Luke was him being escorted into custody after making it out of that tense situation inside the club, and it seemed like he might be able to talk his way out of things and get justice served for once. Clearly, Misty didn’t feel that was a possibility, which is why she made it look like she thought he was guilty and then gave him a big speech in of others to let him know how he should escape. He did a great job with that, and his subsequent actions, including being annoyed that he had to take time out to stop petty thieves, helped turned him into just the kind of folk hero for hire that this Harlem needs. I love that people started wearing hoodies with bullet holes in them as a sign of solidarity and, conveniently, as a decoy to help Luke evade detection. Shades did a masterful job avoiding assassination and turning the tables on his would-be killers, and he’s almost been the most clearheaded person trying to take Luke now, not blinded by any personal connections or greed, simply thinking about what’s best for business. Teaming up with Mariah to bait Luke into clearing his name so that he and Diamondback would kill each other was clever, but it seems that he underestimated Diamondback’s resolve and his physical prowess, as evidenced by his new helmet and suit that make bullets ricochet off him too. I’m sure that it’s going to be an extremely eventful finale.