Spoilers ahead for season 2 of Luke Cage.
Netflix’s MCU shows haven’t had much luck with second seasons. Jessica Jones season 2 never found its center, while Daredevil season 2 started strong, then devolved into nonsensical battles against endless streams of ninjas. Luke Cage seems to have finally broken the streak. While season 2 is far from perfect, it not only avoids the sophomore slump, it surpasses season 1 through a relentless focus on how both its heroes and villains are defined by their families.
Season 1 saw plenty of Shakespearean-style family drama, with Luke Cage (Mike Colter) facing off against his half-brother Willis “Diamondback” Stryker (Erik LaRay Harvey), and Mariah Dillard (Alfre Woodard) murdering her cousin Cornell...
