Luke Cage's 5 Biggest Moments of Season 2

WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Marvel’s Luke Cage Season 2, streaming now on Netflix

The high-octane second season of Luke Cage isn't only about a battle for territory, it has a much larger scope, touching upon politics, corruption, mysticism, and, as expected, family. The latter plays a big role in shaping Luke's trajectory as he journeys from the Hero of Harlem to something more, a kingpin even, and in doing so, he's clearly eyeing a legacy.

En route to becoming the new boss of Harlem, Luke (Mike Colter) is faced with multiple threats, from Mariah Stokes (Alfre Woodard) and Shades (Theo Rossi), from Bushmaster (Mustafa Shakir), from outside interests wanting to expand into the neighborhood.

But as the smoke settles, it's obvious the biggest enemy Luke faces -- given how he's shutting out those who care most about him -- is himself. With that in mind, let's look at the biggest moments from Season 2.

5. The Daughters of the Dragon

While Misty Knight (Simone Missick) and Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick) are yet to officially be christened as the Daughters of the Dragon on the series, comic fans definitely enjoyed their team-up in Episode 3, "Wig Out." Attempting to come to terms with the loss of her arm in The Defenders, Misty links up with Colleen for some sparring and then a few drinks. That leads to a classic bar fight in which they mop up the floor with some local toughs.

In addition to the dynamic chemistry Missick and Henwick, the fight is so fluid, showcasing Colleen's skills as a martial artist, and Misty's ability to kick butt, whether she has one arm or two.

4. The Bushmaster Beatdown

When Luke first meets Bushmaster, it's his thugs, the Jamaican gang known as the Stylers, who feel his wrath. Clearly, Bushmaster is merely assessing the bulletproof man, biding his time until he can strike later. And so he does, ambushing Luke as he walks down the street following a fallout with Claire. The vigilante's caught off-guard, and then knocked out.

As Luke dips in and out of consciousness in Episode 4, "I Get Physical," video of his beatdown by Bushmaster makes its way online and onto ESPN. What makes this such a major moment is that Bushmaster pummels Luke with relative ease, using capoeira to dazzle the hero. His speed, agility, and strength prove too much, and in a matter of seconds, Bushmaster lives up to the promise he made to a couple Harlem youths earlier, brutally taking down Luke a notch -- something he'd repeat a few days later by throwing a paralyzed Luke into a river to drown.

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3. Luke and Claire's Breakup

For the first time in the franchise, we really get to see Luke as fallible and that he could actually lose his way while fighting the good fight. His anger is at an all-time high, with police on his back for beating up Cockroach, and his rage toward his estranged father James (Reg E. Cathey) building. That leads to his girlfriend Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson) confronting him.

They argue about her interfering in his life and wanting to tame his inner-beast, which barrels into a defining moment he never recovers from. In losing his cool, he punches through the wall in Claire's apartment, leaving her rattled. When he regains control, she asks for time apart, and he obliges, thinking they'll reconcile the next day. However, we don't see Claire for the rest of the season, when she shows up, off-screen, in the finale. By then Luke doesn't want to talk to her anymore, reaffirming he's ready for a new chapter in life.

2. Power Man and Iron Fist Team-Up

Although Heroes For Hire may not be on the Netflix docket for now, we do get the Power Man and Iron Fist team-up we've been craving. In doing so, showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker actually redeems Danny Rand (Finn Jones), painting him as a more centered fighter, or as he calls it, "still." In Episode 10, "The Main Ingredient," his maturity shows, and he instructs Luke in controlling his power, which takes them to visit Turk Barrett (Rob Morgan) in their search for Bushmaster.

They end up clashing with Jamaican gangsters trying to grow the nightshade Bushmaster requires to enhance his abilites, and it's like a scene from the comics. In the midst of the battle, they decide to have some fun as Luke asks Danny to use the "patty cake," which is basically Danny punching the Iron Fist into Luke's palm, thus creating a shock wave to knock out their opponents. It gets even better from there as they then deploy the "fastball" (usually a tactic used by Colossus and Wolverine), with Luke tossing Danny through the air like a javelin to punch out their heavily armed foes.

1. The King of Harlem

A lot happens in "They Reminisce Over You," the season finale that flips the entire show on its head. Mariah is killed in prison, leaving Luke ownership of Harlem's Paradise. He's basically ascended the throne of Harlem, as he's now a peacekeeper (or "sheriff," as he calls it), brokering a deal with crime lords to keep them out of the neighborhood. That, as his friend D.W. Griffith notes, makes him a crime boss.

Luke ignores Misty's warnings and turns away Claire, leaving him alone and believing he can control crime, and protect the neighborhood, from his new perch in Harlem's Paradise without becoming corrupted by that power.

Streaming now on Netflix, Marvel’s Luke Cage Season 2 stars Mike Colter, Simone Missick, Alfre Woodard, Theo Rossi, Mustafa Shakir, Gabrielle Dennis, Rosario Dawson and Reg E. Cathey.