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I had a lot of issues with the first season ofMarvels Luke Cage.
I was even more surprised when Coker name-checked me in anEntertainment Weeklyinterview, and again to acolleague at Paste.
Inseason two,Luke Cageremains an imperfect series.
Ive been saying all over the place just how influential your recaps of last season were on this season.
Yeah, I was surprised whenyou tweeted about that.[Laughs.]
This is my perspective: You have to sell your own unflinching truth.
I idolized Chuck D, but I just hated that record and I did not hold back.
Chuck didnt freeze me out.
Every time I met Chuck, he always treated me with the utmost respect.
I always remember that, now being on the other side.
There are going to be people who just dont get it, or are, frankly, plain stupid.
That was the thing I really loved about the recaps.
It hurt like hell, but damn, shes right!
Black art especially when it comes to film and TV is in a really interesting place.
On the one hand, it was really using the recaps as a way to assess ourselves.
It is basically a concept album with dialogue.
Lets look at the most successful sophomore albums in hip-hop for me, itsThe Score, itsPauls Boutique.
That was really our challenge.
Can we come up with ourLow End Theory?
Thats really what this season represents.
The second season really interrogates who Luke is as a man.
Why did you decide to approach that differently?It was exactly what you said.
Youre trying to tell a dramatic story.
Youre trying to balance all these different story lines.
Youre also a first-time showrunner.
And in the midst of doing all this, youre doing all 13 episodes pretty much at once.
Oh God.Some people, when they get criticism, they shy away from it.
For me, it was partially cathartic, partially things to keep in mind.
Honestly, it was just, Never lose sight of who Luke is and how this affects Luke.
Also, remembering if your villains plan makes sense on an emotional level, you have something.
With Diamondback [in season one], there were elements that didnt work.
When I started the season, I wasnt sure where you guys were going with Bushmaster.
Its funny, because it kinda started like that.
Everything from Super Cat to Sister Nancy.
It just took me back to the 90s.
I said, Okay, great, so we can make him Jamaican.
You also have this incredible, rich musical background for the character.
The combination of all those elements made for an interesting way to really get into this season.
Lets talk about Mariah.
It just blew her mind like, What do you mean?
Youre giving me a daughter?
And then the challenge was, how do you make that work?
Why did she keep her at a distance for so long?
This season seems particularly interested in the dynamics between parent and child.
When Luke says, You want things to be good with us?
Literally, I wrote that opening sermon in his voice and it must have taken like ten minutes.
Thats actually one of my regrets, that he never got to see the season.
He wouldve loved it so much.
Ill never forget the first table read we did for episode one.
The season ends in a very interesting place.
Luke is now running Harlems Paradise, and Tilda kisses Mariah with the poisoned lipstick.
Its hard to imagine the show without Mariah, so where doesLuke Cagego without her?
Where does Harlem go without her?Ultimately, Mariah does love Harlem.
We knew that once we crossed certain lines, Mariah was gonna pay for it.
Alfre was very clear, shes like, Yall are killing me off, arent you?
She said Look, if youre gonna kill me, just verify I dont cry like a punk.
Shes formidable, but at the same time is playful.
You see how the club changed Cottonmouth, you see how the club changed Mariah.
Will the same thing happen to Luke?
It was really a brilliant choice on Mikes behalf.
It all of a sudden makes us question, Is Mariah right?
Has he already changed?
Did we even know this dude in the first place?
But we were like, How can we really get the audience in Lukes head?
And so, thats when I went back to Reg E.s moment in episode nine.
That voice-over just really resonated in so many ways.
Do you think the expectations will be different because this season is postBlack Panther?[Laughs.]
The reason Im laughing is, because of the expectation you placed on the show!
Oh, I totally realize that.
My expectations havent necessarily changed.But you know what it is?
Beyond the recaps, I read everything.
Im constantly reacting to the things people are saying on Twitter.
Its fun, honestly, interacting with people about the show.
Particularly when they hate the show, its some of the most fun I have all week.
But whats interesting is that people have all these criticisms ofLuke Cage, all its so preachy.
Where are the legions of people calling this show preachy!
All Im reading isBlack Lightningis so much better thanLuke Cageand Im like, Damn.
The difference with this generation is that everybody is happy for everybody.
Because Black Hollywood is so small, we all know each other.
Even for like a rivalry likeBlack Lightning, I know the Akils and theyre really good people.
It really is the golden age of black television and film.
All of us were just so proud.
This movie changes everything for everybody, not only in film but also television-wise as well.
My only ask is that if you attack me, that you be on point, as you were.
You came at the show, but you came at the show with brilliance.
I appreciate that because ultimately it sharpens you in a good way.
I much prefer that than just to be globbed with praise.
