So, I’ve been slowly (very slowly–we’re only on episode 7) watching Netflix’s Luke Cage. And there are a few things I love about it:
- the soundtrack
- the visuals (costumes, SET DESIGN, staging/camera work, that Biggie portrait on Cottonmouth’s wall)
- the acting, especially by the entire Stokes family
- Detective Misty! Pop’s swear jar! Charming delinquent youths!
- the soundtrack
- the way Scarfe delivers, like, every single line, and also that I’m pretty sure he was the only white person in the first episode
- pretty sure I actually squeed when Theo Rossi showed up as Shades
- seriously though, I tried to buy the soundtrack midway through episode one. WHY CAN’T I BUY THE SOUNDTRACK MARVEL URRRRRGH GET IT TOGETHER PLEASE
Ahem. Excuse me. Sorry about that.
Anyway, despite the fact that there are lots of things to love in this show, I’m struggling with the pacing. Luke’s just… there. Or, as C put it at the beginning of tonight’s episode, “Manifest” (1×07), “Wow. That was definitely the least exciting superhero interaction… ever.” [Gun deal is happening. Luke walks up. Criminals run away. Luke stands still, tells gun dealer he’s taking the guns, it’s over, blah blah blah, that guy runs away too.] Luke just… stands there.
Implacable…
Unmotivated.
Seriously, what does Luke want? Yes, he’s powerful, but he doesn’t want his power. He doesn’t want anything except to be left alone. That’s… kind of a tough sell, yanno?
Spoilers through 1×07 below the cut!