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Spoilers below for the entirety ofLuke Cageseason two.
My color was against me anyway you looked at it.
[…] My ambition is to be an actress.
Hollywood had no parts for me.
I wonder what Theresa Harris would make of Hollywood today?
Unfortunately, the season takes some time to get there.
The first few episodesfeel particularly clumsy even unfocused thanks to jagged editing and the lack of any structural rhythm.
The dialogue remains blunt, on the nose, and a bit too earnest to feel natural.
Luke Cageis best in moments like this.
Theyre perfect, but not exactly interesting.
(TChalla inBlack Pantherfalls into this category as well.)
Meanwhile, the women ofLuke Cageremain its most fascinating constructions.
Simone Missicks performance as Misty Knight is a particular highlight.
Most importantly, Missick is somethingLuke Cageisnt often enough: Shes fun.
Its a good argument as to why Misty would make a more compelling lead than Luke.
Ultimately, its Mariah Dillard (Alfre Woodard) that remains the best argument for the shows existence.
She injects the show with humor and sexual heat.
Better yet, Mariah is a consistently surprising character anchored by a bold performance.
We aint done yet, Luke, Mariah spits out as her dying words.
A part of me hopes that she really is gone.
A few days ago, Netflix released acalculated, moving adabout its Strong Black Lead initiative.
Despite its improvements in season two, that reality is something thatLuke Cagestill struggles with.
