What I’m Watching: Luke Cage (Series Finale)

Luke Cage: Season 2, Episode 13 “They Reminisce Over You”

I’ve known for most of this season that this show won’t be coming back for another round, which is a shame since I think it does have a lot to offer. This episode wrapped things up in a way that stays true to the show, but also does entice for what a third season might be like. Before I get into the main events, I’ll note that I remember actress Annabella Sciorra, whose Rosalie Carbone seems to be taking power, from her Emmy-nominated recurring role on “The Sopranos,” but a quick search for her name on this site reminded me that she played a lawyer for Lemond Beshop, portrayed by none other than Mike Colter, on “The Good Wife” a while back. Shades was one of many in this hour to comment on how Luke has changed, telling him that he’s not polite anymore, and the fact that Luke went in to confront Rosalie with his headphones shows how accustomed he’s become to the way of the world around him, transforming him irreversibly into a less heroic figure. Inheriting Harlem’s Paradise and declaring that it should be burned to the ground wasn’t the worst thing, but what we see of Luke at the end of the episode was haunting, having Claire turned away and ignoring his father’s wise words. Tilda got to play and sing her own song, and even gave her mother a literal kiss of death, ending a brief stint in prison that still ended with way too many people dead. Shades got arrested, his deal voided by Mariah’s death, and he’s going to be the one to pay for everything. No one even seems to be looking for Bushmaster anymore. The closing song about this show’s events was fitting, and I do hope that, whether it’s in a Marvel movie or some other show down the line, we saw Luke Cage and his very stylized world again in some form.

Series finale: B+
Series grade: B+
Season MVP: Alfre Woodard as Mariah
Season grade: B+
Series MVP: Mike Colter as Luke
Best Season: Season 2
Best Episode: “Now You’re Mine”