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Season 2 – Marvel's Luke Cage

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1:48

Jun 2018

Action

Crime

Drama

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

63 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

This gritty, action-packed drama follows the evolution of Luke Cage (Mike Colter), a man with super strength and unbreakable skin caused by a sabotaged experiment. After a failed relationship with fellow superhero Jessica Jones, Cage tries to rebuild a quiet life in Harlem, New York --until he is pulled out of the shadows and forced into a battle for his city. Along the way, Cage cannot avoid confronting his past, which he has worked hard to bury. "Marvel's Luke Cage" is the third show in the Netflix-original Defenders series.

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Critics Consensus

In its second season, Marvel's Luke Cage delivers a satisfyingly complex narrative and a solid ensemble cast led by Alfre Woodard's standout performance as the archvillainess Black Mariah.

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Kimber Myers

The Playlist

Oct 19, 2018

Your 11th grade English teacher is proud that you care about the show's themes. With all the subtlety of one of Luke Cage's punches, the show beats its messages into the audience.

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TreNesha Striggles

Arizona Republic

Jun 28, 2018

This cast is as beautiful as they are charismatic.

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Angelica Jade Bastién

New York Magazine/Vulture

Jun 28, 2018

It doesn't always succeed at its lofty aims, but it's far more audacious and distinctive because it explores the knotted reality of the characters' humanity rather than treat them as mere symbols.

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Joseph Garcia

Dynamic Duel Podcast

Apr 7, 2026

4/5

An exploration of crime, family and the black cultural experience. Comparable to great classic gangster films, with superb storytelling and performances.

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Phumlani S Langa

City Press (South Africa)

Jan 4, 2020

I would suggest listening to the Pete Rock & CL Smooth tracks that each episode is inspired by - this provides context and it's quite a refreshing way to watch a show - you bump the song and then watch the episode, not many shows have that element.

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Stephen Wilds

Cultured Vultures

Oct 8, 2019

I absolutely loved this season. I just wish it wasn't so dark in some places, and by that I mean literally so dark in parts I couldn't see some of what was going on

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Rhamon A

@RT30075615 Oct 5, 2026

A Marvel continua mostrando a dura e cruel realidade do mundo real! A série é maravilhosa! Por isso a Marvel é a REAL melhor!

Yousef E

@RT66136498 Sep 27, 2026

Only good parts were the Jamaicans and Danny Rand for those 2 episodes

Ed R

@JustcallmeER Aug 18, 2026

One of the more woke, boring shows with a plot line that had so much potential. What a shame!

Ethan G

@etgor26 Aug 15, 2026

Bulletproof action back for a fun season 2. Lots of graphic violence, language, but less romance than the first season.

Paolo F

@XKP-Producer Jun 22, 2026

A more honest title for this season would be "Black Mariah and Other Small-Time Criminals of Harlem." Luke Cage may have his name on the poster, but the real star is Black Mariah, who gets most of the attention while various gangsters spend episode after episode killing each other. They are so busy wiping themselves out that you start wondering why Harlem even needs heroes or police. And whenever the good guys actually manage to arrest someone, that person is usually back on the streets five minutes later thanks to some convenient plot twist. Season 2 doubles down on the biggest problems of Season 1: a slow pace and storylines that require a heroic suspension of disbelief. The criminal empire running Harlem often feels like it consists of four or five people and a couple of parked cars. Oh, and Luke Cage does show up from time to time. You'll recognize him easily: he's the guy who barely acts, says a few lines, and occasionally solves problems with a Bud Spencer-style punch.

Mate P

@matepolcz Apr 10, 2026

Luke Cage Season 2 is a downgrade from the first one. It's too long, more focused than season 1, but has other problems. The characters get tossed around, they don't really have arcs and some of the acting was really not my taste. My biggest critism is the fact that the episodes didn't really feel connected to one another. The pacing is terrible. Although there are still many positives. My favourite scenes were the ones with Shades and Comanche. Furhtermore, I thought Bushmaster is a great villain. Some of the cinematography in the later epsiodes was outstanding, but the ending ruined everything for me.

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Lucy Liu

Director

Mike Colter

Luke Cage

Simone Missick

Misty Knight

Rosario Dawson

Claire Temple

Alfre Woodard

Mariah Dillard

Theo Rossi

Shades

Episode 1

Aired Jun 22, 2018

Soul Brother No. 1

As Luke adjusts to his growing fame and tries to shut down the flow of heroin branded with his name, someone from his past reaches out.

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Episode 2

Aired Jun 22, 2018

Straighten It Out

Luke tests out his abilities on the ball field; Misty ruffles feathers at the precinct; Mariah plans a reunion to boost her image.

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Episode 3

Aired Jun 22, 2018

Wig Out

Worried Luke is headed down a dark path, Claire pays a visit to his father; Bushmaster makes a bid for Mariah's guns.

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Episode 4

Aired Jun 22, 2018

I Get Physical

As footage of his fight with Bushmaster goes viral, Luke struggles with the aftereffects and follows a trail of clues to Tilda's shop.

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Episode 5

Aired Jun 22, 2018

All Souled Out

Desperate to drum up quick cash for a lawsuit, Luke weighs an offer from a superfan; Mariah invites Tilda to join the new family business.

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Episode 6

Aired Jun 22, 2018

The Basement

A wave of violence rocks Harlem and everyone hurries to connect the dots between Piranha, Mariah, Bushmaster and a gruesome find at the clinic.

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Episode 7

Aired Jun 22, 2018

On and On

Reeling from the showdown on the bridge, Luke teams up with Misty to find Piranha; Bushmaster reveals his endgame.

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Episode 8

Aired Jun 22, 2018

If It Ain't Rough, It Ain't Right

While Shades, Mariah and Misty deal with the previous night's events, Bushmaster looks for a way to increase his strength.

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Episode 9

Aired Jun 22, 2018

For Pete's Sake

Hunkered down in a safe house, Luke and Misty butt heads over how to handle Mariah; long-buried family secrets come to light.

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Episode 10

Aired Jun 22, 2018

The Main Ingredient

Danny Rand insists on helping Luke hunt for Bushmaster the Iron Fist way; Mariah sets out to reclaim her empire; Misty pursues a traitor.

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Episode 11

Aired Jun 22, 2018

The Creator

Shaken by Mariah's latest act, Luke combs the city for a witness; flashbacks reveal a fateful encounter between the Stokes and McIver families.

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Episode 12

Aired Jun 22, 2018

Can't Front On Me

Luke teams up with an unlikely ally to combat a new strain of heroin; as Shades plows ahead with his plan, a massive party draws everyone to the club.

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Episode 13

Aired Jun 22, 2018

They Reminisce Over You

Mariah adapts to her new circumstances and goes to extremes to cover her tracks; Luke takes a new approach to protecting Harlem.

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