You got knocked the f- out! For three episodes of Marvel’s Luke Cage there’s been this interesting use of social media. It’s being used to track Luke Cage and spottings by the public. There’s the use of video to show how badass he is. But, what the internet gives, it takes away as well.

Bushmaster wants Harlem for himself. That means taking out Mariah and Luke and with his powers, this might be an actual challenge for Luke. The episode kicks that off and all of it is caught on video for folks to watch. The series has been looking at Luke Cage the myth and this is the episode that topples that myth bringing it to the ground.

It’s an interesting episode and one that’s kind of a downer in a few ways. Luke is at a low and he’s generally alone. It’s Luke at his most vulnerable as he’s still recovering from hist beating throughout. That all leads to a fantastic final bit of the episode where the discussion of what it is to do good is thrown out there and how do we define a hero. It’s puts things in perspective in that Luke has been a bull in a china shop in many ways and that might doesn’t always work. You need to do more. He’s learning what it is to be a hero and this is the episode where he’s humbled.

The bigger thing in the episode is Misty’s story. Long time comic fans will see something and a hint at something that will get them excited. It’s a direction we knew was coming and should be very cool to see further along in the season.

The final bit of the episode is the ratcheting up of tension between Bushmaster and Mariah. Sparks fly and we get to really see these two meet. It’s tense and everything we want and expected. Just a solid moment that’s been building.

The episode is an interesting one as it shows our hero is vulnerable and points out how arrogant and cocky he’s really been. It’s a punch to the gut to him as a character and us as viewers. It’s also a focus on character growth and moves the series away from violence solving everything. Might doesn’t always make right and some solutions need more than punching to solve. Luke’s learning that and we’re reminded as well.

Overall Rating: 7.5