Luke Cage Recap, Ep. 1 – Moment Of Truth

After months of anticipation and hype the moment of truth is finally here. Netflix has unleashed Marvel’s latest gem, Luke Cage, and the results couldn’t have been more exceptional.

Oh, did we also mention that all the Luke Cage episodes are named after Gang Starr records (RIP Guru) and A Tribe Called Quest’s Ali Shaheed Muhammed and Adrian Younge did the score? Yes, Marvel is just that damn good when it comes to keeping their ear to the streets (Sorry DC).

Arguably the coolest Black superhero this side of Black Panther, Blade, and Panthro (yes, he’s Thundercat Black), Luke Cage is like the new age Shaft with super human strength, unbreakable skin, and almost as much swag.

Last we saw of him Luke was moving on from the events of Jessica Jones which saw him lose his wife, his bar, and ultimately his mind. Well, he was actually a victim of mind control really but still.

Luke Cage now finds himself living in Harlem with a clean slate, two jobs, and some sort of peace of mind. But in New York City, peace of mind is something that few find yet none keep.

Here’s a quick recap of episode 1: Moment Of Truth. Spoilers ahead, obviously.

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Photos: Netflix

1. The Barbershop

Thanks to Jessica Jones, Luke went from bartending at his own pub to playing the role of Dinka at a barbershop. By day LC finds himself sweeping up hair clippings and keeping the windows as transparent as Donald Trump’s skin. While this may seem like a dud of a job, Luke actually seems at peace with his newfound gig even when he gets ribbed by a few youngn’s named Chico and Shameek. But it’s really his tight relationship to shop boss Pop that keeps Cage grounded and comfortable. Not only does Pop play the role of a shoulder to lean on, but he also compensates Luke out of pocket to help him pay his rent to Mrs. Wu (the Hip-Hop references are abundant if you pay attention).

2. Harlem’s Paradise

By night Luke works the kitchen as a dishwasher at Harlem’s premier nightclub, Harlem’s Paradise. Ran by neighborhood gangsta Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes, Paradise is the place to be as plays host to acts like Raphael Saadiq and politicians like Cottonmouth’s cousin, Mariah Dillard. There Cottonmouth conducts his legal and illegal business like selling good times to paying patrons and military grade automatic weapons courtesy of Diamondback to street soldiers like Domingo Colon a.k.a. Selena’s brother. No matter what role he plays in which movie he’ll always be Selena’s little brother to the Latino community. Sorry, hombre.

3. Ex To The Next

Luke got the break most men dream of when the club’s regular bartender, Dante, called in sick and homie had to cover for him. Wearing a jacket that fit him a tad bit young, Luke meets your latest crush, Misty Knight (Jessica who?!). After calling her an “old head” the two trade playful barbs and later that night exchange sex faces. Don’t judge Ms. Knight for giving it up on the first date. It worked out marvelously for Chrissy Teigen. After getting called into work in the middle of the night, Luke asked her what her profession was. “I’m an auditor” she replied. She lied. She’s po-9 and is on the case that was unfolding while she and Luke was undressing…

4. The Jux

Remember that military grade heat that Cottonmouth was selling to Selena’s little brother? Yeah, that didn’t go so well. The deal went downhill when the buyers and sellers got ambushed by Chico, Shameek, and Dante (the club’s bartender who called in sick). Unfortunately for everyone what should’ve been a simple robbery turned into a slaughter as Shameek got a bit trigger happy and murked everybody including his inside man Dante (and you thought Kim caught a bad one). They took the paper but police took the hardware they left behind. Now Cottonmouth’s out a cool mill and Diamondback done sent one of their top guns to get to the bottom of the heist, Shades.

5. Cottonmouth Ain’t Soft

It isn’t long before Cottonmouth tracks down Shakeem balling out of control at a strip bar like the Migos or something. Once he’s taken to Cottonmouth’s layer, Shakeem gets his wig pushed in courtesy of Cottonmouth’s hands of stone. We’re kinda surprised he didn’t scream “no mas!” $500,000 down, $500,000 to go. They’re coming for you, Chico.

6. What I’m Here 4

Stumbling upon some of Cottonmouth’s goons trying to put the squeeze on Mr. & Mrs. Wu to “contribute” to his cousin’s political campaign, Luke Cage makes quick comedic work of the men and puts on an impressive display of strength in the process. Mrs. Wu tries to hire him for protection but he refutes the request, instead giving her his word that they going to be good. And so the road to heroism begins…