The 11 most important moments in Luke Cage season 2

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

Luke Cage gets Danny Rand right

You may not expect to see the name Danny Rand listed as one of the best parts of Luke Cage season 2, but it’s true.

The first season of Iron Fist didn’t exactly go so well, largely because its conceptualization of Danny ran more to “whiny, privileged dudebro” than “offbeat hero.” But each subsequent appearance of the character has improved upon that (admittedly poor) first outing. Team-up series The Defenders not only introduced Danny to Luke Cage, his comic book partner and BFF, but added some much needed levity to the character, poking fun at his whole mystical ninja shtick and overly eager superhero attitude.

However, it’s the second season of Luke Cage that finally gets the character of Danny Rand exactly right. And his appearance in season 2, episode 10 is a breath of fresh air. Danny and Luke’s friendship feels genuine, peppered with sarcastic one-liners and easy banter. Their chemistry is wonderful. And the Immortal Iron Fist offers Luke some much-needed perspective about himself, about his relationship with Claire, and about what it means to be a superhero. The two even get to partner up for what is probably the most entertaining fight sequence all season. (But more on that later.)

It’s almost enough to make you wish Netflix would just jettison both Luke Cage and Iron Fist series to make a Heroes for Hire adaptation that combined them both instead. Together, they’re a perfect example of how these Netflix comic series can be gritty, but without having to give up some of their goofier roots. (Of course the show doesn’t bother to explain why Danny appears in Harlem and then vanishes without a trace for the rest of the season, but that’s another rant for a different day.)