I’m quickly coming to learn that Luke Cage as a series loves to rely on the music just as much as the story to weave its tale of street life within the Marvel Universe. It also injects black history in a way no other show ever really has before. Luke Cage is a series that educates almost as much as it entertains.
Episode one of the series was a really slow start for our resident hero and while this second episode picks up speed, it does so without Cage showing off his his. Instead “Code of the Streets” is the tipping point where Cage finally becomes a hero after being pushed one step too far.
“Y’all crazy, I’m going back to Hell’s Kitchen.”
The episode is marvelously bookended with someone pulling a gun on Cage, questioning him about what he is doing. Cage responds by letting the man know he does not like to be called the N-word and reminding him of their shared history as a people. This simple scene is both effective and moving, but it also serves as the turning point in the entire series.
Luke Cage looks to be a slow build, and while I had some issues with this, the payoff does look to be worth it. This slow burn of two episodes has been effective at creating a world in which Luke Cage can be a part of as opposed to simply taking part in. That said, it wouldn’t surprise me to find Marvel people turned away from the slow pacing the series has so far used.
What is interesting is that the person I watched this with (same as last review) asked me how Luke Cage survived the shoot-out that took out Pop’s shop this episode. This is pretty cool as even though this is a Marvel show, who Cage really is and what he can do still isn’t overt or clear. Yes, it’s a bit slow, but like I said last review, it’s a great way to bring in and hook people that aren’t into, or really know the superhero genre.
Episode one saw Cage fighting at the very end of the episode, and while episode two avoids him taking any action, there is still an important action scene that changes everything. One of Cottonmouth’s (the series villain, for now at least) has tracked down the remaining half of the money that Chico has been sitting on. A parlay is set up at Pop’s barber shop and everything looks to be working itself out.
You see, Pop’s place is like Switzerland, as in it’s a neutral location because of the shared history and connection Pop has within the community from both ends of the law. Yes, this is still street level crime, but there are still rules that must be abided and respected. Where things come to a head is that after these arrangements are made Cottonmouth’s right hand man takes matters into his own hands, breaking rank.
He proceeds to go to Pop’s shop (where Chico is hiding) and guns down the place, killing Chico and taking back the money. Only problem is that Pop’s is killed in the process. This of course anger’s Cottonmouth and leads to him throwing his guy off the roof in punishment. Thematically it’s a great set of scenes that shows the influence and power that Pop’s had in this small community. Both Cage and Cottonmouth are deeply affected by this with both shedding tears over the loss.
Another revelation is that the woman that Cage slept with is actually a detective looking to bring down Cottonmouth. She’s important, not only in the show, but in the Marvel Universe as the character Misty Knight. She’s being developed well, even if the random hookup from episode one only served to create some awkward tension when she first visits Pop’s shop in this one. Both of them are heroes working in different way and it’ll be nice to see their relationship develop.
Luke Cage as a show has a really weird way of keeping everything very fluid. It makes sense that Cage is trying to find out who he is and his place in this world the the show is building, but it’s not often we get that same feeling from our villain. Cottonmouth (and by association his cousin) are also struggling to find their place in this fractured street life that Daredevil helped set up.
Here’s to hoping that things keep, as Pop says before passing on “Moving forward.”
4/5
‘Great’
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