Netflix Luke Cage

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

You will be disappointed

Well, I know he can't physically beat Cage in a fight, but he can go after Cage's friends and make things difficult for Luke. Like a Lex Luthor type villain and who knows, he and Kingpin could cross paths in season two...if there's a season two.

 

[SoGS]

Spoiler

I'm pretty disappointed... I was really drawn in by the first 6 episodes. Even went as far as to say it was better than DD. But man it took such an extreme noise-dive after Cottonmouth died. I really enjoyed Cottonmouth (and Shades to an extent). But once Mariah and Diamondback became the big bads, i just wanted to go ahead and "X" out of Netflix every time they were on screen. I haven't looked through this thread so I'm curious to see what others are saying but I just wanted to get my thoughts down before I may be influenced by others opinions. Long story short, this started off great and ended once Cottonmouth died.

Oh, and whoever played Chico was simply a terrible actor. Don't think that needs to be in the spoiler

 

[Deeznutz6]

Theo Rossi is also ****** in this, only role I dont like

 

[Chapter 2099]

Episode 1 down for me. This is amazing.

 

[meanstreak]

I enjoyed the series and I like how authentic they made it.

So far Netflix Marvel is 4/4... not even a mediocre show yet.

 

[Jaymas]

Spoiler

I'm pretty disappointed... I was really drawn in by the first 6 episodes. Even went as far as to say it was better than DD. But man it took such an extreme noise-dive after Cottonmouth died. I really enjoyed Cottonmouth (and Shades to an extent). But once Mariah and Diamondback became the big bads, i just wanted to go ahead and "X" out of Netflix every time they were on screen. I haven't looked through this thread so I'm curious to see what others are saying but I just wanted to get my thoughts down before I may be influenced by others opinions. Long story short, this started off great and ended once Cottonmouth died.

Spoiler

I actually likes the second half of the series as the story focused more on what it means for Cage to fight against all these forces in the neighborhood in the light, even if it means his own life and past gets dragged out into the light too. The real "villain" which threaten Cage aren't Cottonmouth, Shades, Mariah or even Diamondback, but the darkness which threatens the neighborhood itself. There is always someone else to fill the roster spots when crime bosses or their stooges go down, just like there is to fill the spots of corrupt cops and politicians. The question is when these systems go to battle do we allow ourselves to be corrupted by their powers or do we fight a different kind of fight in the light? I love Cage's response when it was suggested he should wear a mask, he says something like -there is too much in Harlem that happens in the dark. Daredevil is Batman, but Luke Cage is Superman. Pops was light, and Cage picked up the mantel. He gets called a "vigilante" because he works outside the systems, but he does in broad day light without hiding or subterfuge, he takes on an absorbs the hate and corruption from all directions as one outside the system and doesn't stop being light or lose self control (something Misty has to learn on her journey). I thought the social commentary of this show was the best of any of the Netflix marvel shows we have seen so far.

 

[Chapter 2099]

I enjoyed the series and I like how authentic they made it.

So far Netflix Marvel is 4/4... not even a mediocre show yet.

These guys can do no wrong. I'm so impressed with what they're doing with these characters. I love it.

 

[jye4ever]

Yup, even with the length of the shows having a negative impact on their narratives they are still high quality shows that treat these characters with respect, yes even if LC was the weakest of the 4 shows it was still very decent.

For me personaly I thought it fluctuated between good and great.

 

[SoGS]

Spoiler

I actually likes the second half of the series as the story focused more on what it means for Cage to fight against all these forces in the neighborhood in the light, even if it means his own life and past gets dragged out into the light too. The real "villain" which threaten Cage aren't Cottonmouth, Shades, Mariah or even Diamondback, but the darkness which threatens the neighborhood itself. There is always someone else to fill the roster spots when crime bosses or their stooges go down, just like there is to fill the spots of corrupt cops and politicians. The question is when these systems go to battle do we allow ourselves to be corrupted by their powers or do we fight a different kind of fight in the light? I love Cage's response when it was suggested he should wear a mask, he says something like -there is too much in Harlem that happens in the dark. Daredevil is Batman, but Luke Cage is Superman. Pops was light, and Cage picked up the mantel. He gets called a "vigilante" because he works outside the systems, but he does in broad day light without hiding or subterfuge, he takes on an absorbs the hate and corruption from all directions as one outside the system and doesn't stop being light or lose self control (something Misty has to learn on her journey). I thought the social commentary of this show was the best of any of the Netflix marvel shows we have seen so far.

Spoiler

The social commentary was great in this show. As far as Luke's arc, I loved it! Including the 2nd half. I really just didn't enjoy Diamondback. I'm not familiar with Luke Cage in the comics, so I have no idea if Diamondback is also part of Luke Cage source material and if he's supposed to be a super cheesy preachy over-the-top person, but I couldn't stop rolling my eyes when he was on-screen. I'm thinking Diamondback is gonna step into the picture like the big bad and he really just turned out to be a boy throwing a temper tantrum because his daddy loved Luke more.

Anyway, he's really the first villain Marvel Netflix has struck out on IMO. But aside from that, I enjoyed Luke's actual arc toward the "light." As you pointed out, his past was his true villain and I can't wait to see DD represent him!

And just to throw this out there, I really could've done without the romance with Claire. I would've much preferred they kept it plutonic. To this day my favorite friendship in the MCU was the one between Cap and BW in TWS.

 

[Jaymas]

Spoiler

The social commentary was great in this show. As far as Luke's arc, I loved it! Including the 2nd half. I really just didn't enjoy Diamondback. I'm not familiar with Luke Cage in the comics, so I have no idea if Diamondback is also part of Luke Cage source material and if he's supposed to be a super cheesy preachy over-the-top person, but I couldn't stop rolling my eyes when he was on-screen. I'm thinking Diamondback is gonna step into the picture like the big bad and he really just turned out to be a boy throwing a temper tantrum because his daddy loved Luke more.

Anyway, he's really the first villain Marvel Netflix has struck out on IMO. But aside from that, I enjoyed Luke's actual arc toward the "light." As you pointed out, his past was his true villain and I can't wait to see DD represent him!

And just to throw this out there, I really could've done without the romance with Claire. I would've much preferred they kept it plutonic. To this day my favorite friendship in the MCU was the one between Cap and BW in TWS.

Spoiler

I read the original comics and am a fan of classic Powerman and Iron Fist. So yea, Dimondback is part of the source material and is actually in the first issue. The costume, as corny as it is, in the show looks almost exactly like if did in the first issue too. He's not the best Marvel MCU villain but a classic one. He has history with Cage in the comics knowing each other from childhood but he isn't his half brother. There is another super powered villain who gets his powers from Dr. Burstein, Warhawk, and it looks like its possible that the might merge him with Dimondback in some future season.

When it comes to Claire, her character originated in Powerman, first or second issue, and was Luke Cage's first love interest not counting the backstory about Reva before she died. So Claire as love interest is part of the source material. Misty Knight however was originally an Iron Fist character and a romantic interest for Danny.

 

[SoGS]

Spoiler

I read the original comics and am a fan of classic Powerman and Iron Fist. So yea, Dimondback is part of the source material and is actually in the first issue. The costume, as corny as it is, in the show looks almost exactly like if did in the first issue too. He's not the best Marvel MCU villain but a classic one. He has history with Cage in the comics knowing each other from childhood but he isn't his half brother. There is another super powered villain who gets his powers from Dr. Burstein, Warhawk, and it looks like its possible that the might merge him with Dimondback in some future season.

When it comes to Claire, her character originated in Powerman, first or second issue, and was Luke Cage's first love interest not counting the backstory about Reva before she died. So Claire as love interest is part of the source material. Misty Knight however was originally an Iron Fist character and a romantic interest for Danny.

Wow thanks for the knowledge! I can see where some of the appreciation can get lost for someone who isn't familiar with the source material like myself.

Spoiler

Especially something like the costume looking similar to its comic book counterpart. As far as Claire, had no idea about that either. To me she just came off as a DD fling turned Luke Cage fling, which really caught me off guard because she seems so much "better" than a chick who goes from superhero to superhero. But knowing what I know now I guess I'm more surprised than anyone else.

I think what it comes down to is that DD set the bar high. Really high. He was also a character (along with all the other Marvel Netflix hero's) who I didn't follow in the comics. But his show was very newbie friendly and pulled me in and kept me interested throughout the entirety of both seasons. Instead of me being turned off by a character like Diamondback, it had me searching for more about characters like Foggy, Karen, Sticks, Elektra, the Hand, etc.)

Ultimately, I still enjoyed it for the most part.

 

[jye4ever]

So Sigourney Weaver is one of the main villians in Defenders.....ummmm

 

[kryptonianmutie]

 

[EVILFACE]

Finished it. Was better than Jessica Jones but still just average with lots of filler. Needed lots more blaxploitation. I liked that Diamondback got a super suit that after a google entry looks like his comic outfit. I dug Cage's throwback suit for the 2 seconds we got to see it. Lucky these street level superheroes have a nurse that can fix all their wounds. Would have been nice if Matt Murdock would have shown up for some legal advice. I like Shades. He is that **** eating grin down.

I think Daredevil spoiled us.

Hope POnisher doesn't suck.

 

[jye4ever]

Finished it. Was better than Jessica Jones but still just average with lots of filler. Needed lots more blaxploitation. I liked that Diamondback got a super suit that after a google entry looks like his comic outfit. I dug Cage's throwback suit for the 2 seconds we got to see it. Lucky these street level superheroes have a nurse that can fix all their wounds. Would have been nice if Matt Murdock would have shown up for some legal advice. I like Shades. He is that **** eating grin down.

I think Daredevil spoiled us.

Hope POnisher doesn't suck.

Fair enough review I agree especially with Shades, Diamond's cool costume, being better than JJ and wanting a Murdock cameo.

 

[evenflow]

Watched a bit more and find it somewhat boring. My least favorite of the Netflix shows so far. Could change by the end but I don't think so.

 

[karamazov80]

I just finished it. I enjoyed it quite a bit. As with all the Netflix shows, there is inevitable filler in series that last this long. But by and large I think it all worked. Well written, pretty well paced, good actors cast in these roles. There was a nice arc for Councilwoman whatsherface, Stryker was appropriately menacing and crazy looking (as we knew he would be from his work on Boardwalk Empire), I thought Shades was a cool villain, and the general approach is a nice change of pace from what we expect from comic films and TV. The ending didn't wrap everything up in a bow, so we know we'll be seeing more of these guys later, which is good. Including a super powered Stryker I'm assuming. Cage has a cool/easygoing attitude that is distinctive among superhero characters, which I like. But I'm guessing given his relationship with Claire that he and JJ won't be making babies anytime soon. I was expecting Jones to appear in the show through the first part of the season, but it's probably best that they hold off on that and resolve their issues in the Defenders.

Netflix is probably my favorite of all the comic book stuff we are getting nowadays, on balance.

Some of those shots are exactly the same kind of shots they used for those old opening montages. I kinda miss the innocence of '80s/early '90s sitcoms.

 

[Darkseed]

I've been on episode 10 for over a week...I can't seem to muster the will to finish the show. I hope IF restores my faith in Netflix after JJ and LC

 

[jye4ever]

Watched a bit more and find it somewhat boring. My least favorite of the Netflix shows so far. Could change by the end but I don't think so.

I found it to be quite intriguing.

How dirty politics, wealth and connections

Spoiler

won out at the end with the hero heading to jail.

 

[nexus]

Just finished it. I'd put it neck and neck with JJ but below DD 8.5/10 and well below DDS2. So a solid 8/10. They should really have cut it down to 10 eps because it needed to be tightened up IMO. Colter did a solid job carrying the series and Marhershala Ali and Alfie Woodard were outstanding.Although the writing for both characters was a bituneven. I wasn't too crazy about the love interest choice, but the character itself worked well. Absolutely hated the weakness. While I liked Diamondback's backstory he was never really shown as a crime overlord they were making him out to be at the beginning. The actor is good and I do see great things developing. Several cool Easter eggs especially the throwback look, but would have liked to have seen a few more shots in the getup. DD and/or JJ cameos would have been nice, but I understand why they wanted to keep the story contained.

Overall a solid outing for another piece of the Defenders puzzle. I'm really looking forward to seeing Cage and Iron Fist together.

That is hilarious. Better than the Avengers Full House mash-up (although having Elizabeth Olsen in there was cool)