We’re back with episode six of Luke Cage Season Two.
“The Basement,” is packed with action as Bushmaster’s soldiers search for Luke and Piranha Jones, but there’s drama as the players in our story examine who they are, who they want to be, and where they’re going.
This episode packs a punch on several levels.
1. Luke remembers where he is from.
After leading Bushmaster’s soldiers on a wild chase, Luke and Piranha try to figure out where to go and when it will be safe to go there.
Piranha is a gregarious guy, and despite Luke not showing any interest, insists on talking about how he got where he is. He’s a child of the streets and proud of what he’s accomplished. “I’m my own father,” he says, after telling a story that would be truly inspirational if it didn’t come from a man that launders money for gun runners.
But it’s more than just a rags-to-riches story; it’s introspection-by-proxy. As Luke listens it’s apparent that he’s thinking about his relationship with own his father and how, compared to Piranha, lucky he is. Piranha forces the issue by asking Luke about his father, and Luke’s reaction is predictable.
But the seeds are sown.
Piranha was borderline comedy relief until this scene, but he becomes Luke’s therapist. The two actors work remarkably well together, and the chase sequences hearken back to the best “buddy movies” of the 80s.
2. Comanche and Shades remember where they were.
“What advice would you give you?” Comanche asks Shades when they are discussing the latter’s relationship with Mariah, and we start to see more of the relationship between the two men. A relationship that we learn was a great deal closer than we thought.
The two men hit the streets in search of Piranha and Luke and end up having a heart-to-heart conversation in Pop’s.
At first, it appears that Comanche is using the talk as an opportunity to get information on Mariah, and what Shades tells him may have consequences in the future, but the conversation turns very personal.
The men are seated back to back, ostensibly guarding the two doorways, but reminding us that they are two warriors that have stood back to back for years.
The cameras shift from claustrophobic shots over D.W.’s t-shirt counter to tight close-ups of each man, making Pop’s feel as small and crowded as the cell that the two men talk about sharing. Initially, their conversation is about “business” but it very quickly goes deeper, and soon the same room where Bobby confessed his feelings about his daughter to Luke is where Comanche tells Shades how he really feels.
Comanche’s confession, for lack of a better term, is sincere and heartfelt. Shades appears to be in pain as he rejects him. But Shades is a contradiction, and he’s hard to read. He tells Mariah he wants to buy the club, but talks to Comanche as if he wants out, and then rejects an offer to walk away from “a beef he didn’t even cook.”
Shades isn’t interested in introspection. He’s moving forward, but I can’t tell where he’s going and why I should care if he gets there?
Meanwhile, Comanche remains one of my favorite characters, and Thomas Q. Jones’ portrayal is remarkable.
I hope I’m wrong about what I think will happen.
3. Misty remembers who she is.
For the second episode in a row, Misty’s story is unsettling.
I had misgivings about her decision last episode. It turned out, she felt the same way.
She’s put on the spot by Captain Ridenhour and is forced to lie about why she was in Cockroach’s apartment. She’s rattled by this, and has dinner with Dr. Krasner, the psychologist she saw in Season One. Minutes into the meal, she confesses to him.
His assessment of the situation is wholly unsympathetic, and he pulls no punches.
“You gotta be honest with yourself about who you are right now… You’re gonna have to go inside the basement of your psyche, and dust things off and think about what’s real.”
It’s where the title of the episode comes from, and it describes what many of the characters are called upon to do.
Continued belowMisty heads down into her basement, finds out what’s real, and makes her decision.
We’re only six episodes in, and we’ve already seen Misty traverse a satisfying character arc.
4. Bushmaster remembers what he wants.
“Pure savagery. Where the talent in that? Where’s the power? All I see is fear.” Anansi says about the actions Bushmaster took in the last episode. Only he and Bushmaster know who he is talking about.
Moments later the gang leader takes a call and shouts “No weakness!” at his lieutenant, making it clear that Anansi got under his skin.
Later, when they are alone, Bushmaster confronts his uncle.
Anansi is just as unsparing in his assessment of Bushmaster as Dr. Krasner is of Misty. He is angry and disappointed with his nephew’s brutality and how it makes the Jamaican community look. He saved the younger man’s life, but not so he could do this.
Anansi understands his nephew’s quest for revenge, but not the “terrorization.” He even goes so far as to say that he wishes Bushmaster would stop and find a bit of peace for himself.
But like Shades, Bushmaster is not interested in the life examined. His basement door is locked.
The difference between Shades and Bushmaster is I know where he wants to go, what he’s willing to do to get there, and I definitely feel invested in whether or not he succeeds.
5. We remember Hero for Hire #9.
This season has been replete with “Sweet Christmases” and at least one “Sweet Sister,” but what I’ve been waiting for was Luke to ask someone the question he asked Doctor Doom back in 1973.
And he did, right after Piranha called him his “Hero for Hire.” It’s a shame I don’t know how to squee.
While we’re on the subject of Easter Eggs, we got yet another reference to “The Warriors” in this episode when Sheldon clicked three beer bottles together to get Luke’s attention.
Someone really likes that movie.
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“The Basement” stripped a couple of characters bare and ended with a cliffhanger. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.
