It seems Marvel arbitrarily didn't keep quality control this time around. Daredevil and Jessica Jones raised my expectations to such lofty levels and managed to hook me every signle episode. The Netflix MCU is suppose to represent a high standard. WHAT HAPPENED? I might be losing my love for the Netflix side of the Marvel Universe if Iron Fist doesn't return to form.
What does an Italian say when he moves to Canada? I use to live in a boot.
It's a quality show. There are, however, a few things about the show that might get some audiences turned off:
The first, obviously is relatability. Non-cultured people who aren't in the black community may have a difficult time placing all of the tracks and references into black culture. This immediately cuts down on enjoyment because it's more difficult to understand the content. Unfortunately this issue was amplified by Luke Cage being used as a vehicle to normalize black people in the MCU. The series is essentially playing catch-up featuring civilians and characters with stories we haven't seen before. This season is essentially building a launching pad for The Defenders as well, a lot of time was diverted from action and engaging plot routes because Luke needed to be characterized as a more brave and heroic character. Compare that to Jessica Jones, for instance, who was already ballsy and already had a villain setup for her show.
Secondly; Luke Cage features multiple different storytelling techniques in comparison to other MCU stories. This show has heavy reliance on symbolism, ambient sound, and religious references. Which could simply turn some viewers off, as they may have been expecting more badassery and less keeping track of details.
Third, and what I think is the likely problem: Luke Cage is the most grounded of the Netflix shows. It's the one closest to reality. References to the many issues that affect the black community at large make this series feel more like it's existing in our world, which is good from a story perspective, but bad from a plot point of view. It's hardly exciting to watch a superhero show and not see many powers or fantastical content (the only ones that come to mind are Luke's abilities, the Judas bullets, Diamondback's armor, etc.).
I'd object with your point about needing to be "cultured" or understand "religious" symbolism. I just watched the first episode and it's typical blaxploitation. Which is fine, but it's terribly done. They say these lines which are pretty cliche and then linger on them like we just seen some amazing moment of cinematography. It's too slow for what it brings. From the first episode at least.
But I did wonder if black people from that culture can appreciate it more.
I just finished S1 and I am blown away, one of the best TV shows ever.
dmcreif said "Non-cultured people who aren't in the black community may have a difficult time placing all of the tracks and references into black culture. This immediately cuts down on enjoyment"
I am a white male in my 60s who has never lived in an inner city or any place that wasn't overwhelmingly white. I don't claim to be "woke" or especially "cultured", but this is just damn good entertainment. I fear for those who can't see that; I worry that they are dead inside, or maybe just some bias is keeping them from seeing the awesomeness that's in front of them..
I loved Jessica Jones too (but less than Luke Cage), and Daredevil was OK but relied too much on punching, and Charlie Cox's cuteness. (He is adorable, isn't he?) Luke Cage was amazing writing, directing and acting from beginning to end.
If you don't get a chill from Mahershala Ali's or Alfre Woodard's acting, I worry about you! Rossi as Shades was also eye-opening, I hope to see him in more stuff.
Gotta go unwind now, after that last episode! (Sharon Jones will live forever in my heart.)
-M
“Nobody exists on purpose. Nobody belongs anywhere. Everybody’s gonna die. Come watch TV?” -Morty
dmcrief:
I like the show so far, and the thing is, you're on the internet, so all you have to do easily look up the cultural references that you don't understand---it's not that hard, and it only takes 20 seconds to do so. Every film I've watched from a different cultural viewpoint, I just looked up or asked about anything I didn't understand in it,and that helped me appreciate it a little more.
There's nothing wrong with the plot point of view of this show---it's simply that you,like most white viewers, aren't used to seeing a show told completely from an African-American p.o.v.---basically one that isn't centered around and dosen't cater to the white perspective (which is basically 99% of everything in the media and one society has so ingrained into us, that it's just the norm for everybody) for a change. Ain't nothing wrong with that, and as a black viewer who's liking the show so far, I think that's great, because I can relate more to the cultural aspects of it, and I get/understand most of the references,too. I ain't tripping on the lack of superhero powers,you get that in practically every movie and TV show which features one---I love the realness and groundedness of the show---that makes it a little more interesting than just your typical superhero show with people using their powers to blow up stuff everywhere when fighting. It's more like a film noir/thriller where the lead just happens to be a superhero. Like Jessica Jones is,pretty much, which is why I also liked that show, too, though I feel that it could have been shortened by 3 episodes because it started to drag toward the end (it took too damn long to catch the main villain, I thought.) Anyway, there's nothing "inferior" about Luke Cage (forget what the OP said)---it's just refreshingly different from other superhero shows in its tone and total outlook.
I have to disagree with you on this.
I'm a white guy that doesn't really know much of anything about black culture other than from other movies/shows, but I really enjoyed this show. I think this one had a better supporting cast than both DD and JJ put together. Luke Cage himself might've felt a little bland at times, but I still liked him.
And I'm a guy who usually loves flashy superheroes much more than more grounded ones, but the setting, the characters and the overall atmosphere in this show was top notch in my opinion. The only character I didn't really like was Diamondback, he was a bit too wacky to be believable in a position that he held in the show.
JJ is the weakest of the three right now in my opinion. While Kilgrave made for an excellent villain, Jessica Jones herself felt like the producers didn't know what they wanted to do with her, and the supporting cast was by far the weakest.
Luke cage is better then Daredevil and Jessica Jones.
shareLuke cage is better then Daredevil and Jessica Jones.
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No it isn't. Jessica Jones had vastly superior story-telling, characterization, dialogue and pacing. They're not even in the same league. Also Jessica Jones wasn't stupid enough to kill off Killgrave half way through for no f-cking stupid reason.
What does an Italian say when he moves to Canada? I use to live in a boot.
Marvel is trying to make everything unique - specifically the Netflix shows but also in general.
It's funny, I loved DD, liked JJ a lot and liked DD2 very much. After watching Luke Cage there were parts of it I really liked as well but it was still my 4th favorite of the four seasons so far. I avoided these boards until I had finished it and fully expected to come here and see EVERYONE hating the show. I was actually surprised to see how many people were praising it.
So while I agree it's my least favorite so far, I think it's safe to say that it's not due to any drop in quality per se, but more that this particular show didn't really do it for me the same way the others have so far. I'm as excited for Iron Fist and Defenders as I ever way.
Reading my signature constitutes admission that I am correct. (Too late)
I think Jessica Jones was pretty crappy too. The reason it's better than Luke Cage is that it featured a genuinely dangerous/scary villain. Without him her next season will be lame, for certain. There's nothing interesting about HER, except her relationship to him. And he's dead.
TheManInOil:
Uh, seriously? Jessica Jones herself came off as a very gutsy,interesting but clearly troubled character with major issues of her own---about being a superhero and the responsibilities that come with that. To say that she's not enough of a character by herself is pretty stupid,especially when she basically carries the entire show, and the fact that there's a second season of JJ coming up. Obviously you didn't see the whole series (or didn't even watch it to begin with) or you would know that the entire show isn't just about her and Luke's relationship, but it is a significant part of it. Unless you have watched it, you really can't have an opinion about it then.
I thought this show was on par, but slower and very different.
shareI think this has the same problem Daredevil season 2 had: solid first half, meandering second. Like Punisher, Cottonmouth was the best thing about this season, and he gets written out halfway through. In his place, we get more of his boring sister, and the incredibly lame Diamondback (who is 1/2 Blofeld from Spectre, 1/2 Power Rangers villain).
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