The 11 most important moments in Luke Cage season 2

Marvel’s Luke Cage season 2 production still. Photo: David Lee/Netflix

Season 2’s ending promises big changes

As season 2 draws to a close, it’s difficult to see where Luke Cage will go from here. With Mariah dead, Bushmaster gone and Shades in prison, most of the series’ villains seem pretty neutralized. Or are they?

Thanks to Mariah’s final act — changing her will — Luke becomes owner of Harlem’s Paradise. And one of the things that come with the club is a de facto position as ruler of the neighborhood. Like so many conflicted heroes before him, Luke seems convinced that he can use this power for good, that becoming King of Harlem will not corrupt his soul, even though this is precisely the reason Mariah left it to him in the first place. (After all, she was once a generally decent person herself, remember. She knows what it’s like.)

We do see that his new position is already changing Luke. Gone are his trademark hoodies and T-shirts in favor of snazzy suits. He’s at odds with several of his closest friends and former supporters, including Misty and D.W. He’s taking meetings with other criminal underworld bosses and giving cartel leaders VIP treatment. Does Luke believe that might makes right now? And who could he become by season 3? It’s a tantalizing prospect, and one which could move his character in a completely different direction from every other one of the Defenders.

Luke’s refusal to see Claire in the finale’s last moments hints that he does recognize that he’s changing, and not into something she would approve of. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, indeed.

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Netflix has yet to renew Luke Cage for a third season. But after that ending, how could they not?

There’s simply too much left unfinished.