What I’m Watching: Luke Cage

Luke Cage: Season 2, Episode 10 “The Main Ingredient” (B+)

I never thought that I’d be happy to see Danny Rand. Part of it, I think, is that he feels different on this show, contrasting so perfectly with Luke. The bulletproof hero could use a friend right now after Harlem has turned on him, which stings more because it’s an emotional action rather than a physical one, with everyone on the streets expressing disappointment. Danny showing up to help make his dragon-free life feel a bit more realistic was helpful, even if Luke can stand the meditation but isn’t as into the notion of having centered his qi. I liked the move they did together which managed to take out everyone who was about to clobber them, so effortlessly and quickly executed by the unlikely pair. Misty arresting Nandi showed exactly why she was chosen to take over the precinct, though it’s going to be hard for her to command authority given the way she balks it and the number of corrupt cops she’s taken down. Nandi’s reason for working with Bushmaster had some slight traces of merit, especially given what we saw of Mariah in this episode. Even Shades took objection to the way in which they killed everyone in the bar and then torched Anansi. Mariah’s reasons for killing her cousin in the first season may not have been pure, but I have a feeling that she’s going to end up being the victim of a similar offing by someone who thinks that she’s completely corrupted the notion of what they’re trying to do.