TV Review: Luke Cage: Season 2

Luke Cage has always been different from its Marvel-Netflix counterparts by tackling real-world issues affecting the black community and featuring what could arguably be T.V.'s most badass soundtrack. 

The second season continues on with these traditions and even adds more diversity and flavor with the inclusion of one of the season's antagonists, a worthy adversary for Luke Cage - a Jamaican purveyor of the dark arts; the capoeira master John "Bushmaster" McIver; played with such intense passion by the incredibly talented Mustafa Shakir. You will see a lot of Jamaican influences this season and I'm not just talking about the accent but the music and lifestyle as well. 

Driven by the strong belief that Harlem is his birthright, the Bushmaster is hell bent on taking what is his-and that is everything that Mariah Dillard (Stokes, Mariah Stokes) who is played by Alfie Woodard owns and loves. It must be said that Woodard delivers powerful performances in this season, that I think are even deserving of an Emmy nomination. Woodard is on fire and you know that she just loves playing the villain, or the Queen of Harlem" as she sees herself.  

Despite of his witty comeback of "This is my show" Luke Cage is sidelined to make way for growth from the diverse characters which join in the second season. We have a badass Misty Knight (Simone Missick) She has to come to terms with the loss of her arm and in the process is reborn like a phoenix from the ashes with her new bionic arm (thank you Danny).

We already talked about how Alfie Woodard brought a fiery Mariah in this season, her performance will give you chills but we should also talk about Theo Rossi's Shades who has gone from Mariah's goon, to lover, to partner-in-crime and in this season, just a real significant character and I must say, while their characters and actors were just so-so for me in the first season, I have so much respect for them now and I'm just glad that they were given really meatier arcs and lines and scenes. Can we also say hello  Tilda Johnson (Mariah's estranged daughter) played by the also talented Gabrielle Dennis. A quick Google search also hints that Tilda (is also known as Nightshade in the comics) and could therefore bring more to the table (possibly season three maybe?) and I'm looking forward to seeing that. 

While the season features a lot of strong performances and a big highlight on its characters, I really can't say the same for the Power Man, his journey this season just isn't that convincing for me. Even his struggles with his "anger" just felt "meh" and wasn't really a driving force or interest in the story. I found the Stokes-Bushmaster grudge, which appears to have a deep seated family history and goes back a couple of generations have more appeal and interest. 

Unfortunately Claire Temple played by Rosario Dawson and who is Luke's love interest also feels a little "out of steam" - she is of course the factor which ties all the Marvel-Netflix characters together and well, I'm afraid you can be the glue that holds characters together for so long. 

Aside from that, there is a lot to love about season 2 of Luke Cage-from the acting to the character development, to the music, to some of the stunts which were performed plus a delightful cameo from the Iron Fist himself, especially since he is less annoying here and we see more of a build on the relationship between Luke and Danny, which is an effective way to acknowledge their "Defenders"     

I almost jumped out of my seat during the "Godfather" reference, it was a big surprise and I think that its a good way for the season to come full circle, in Luke Cage's journey and I just can't wait to see how things will go for the third season (there should be one!) Season 2 ends with so many exciting possibilities for its characters and I want to see where they go and if you feel that way, then you know that the story works.    

I love how they ended the season with a voice over from the late Reg E. Cathy (he passed away before Season 2 aired) who plays Luke's father (James Lucas). They used a conversation that the Reverend James Lucas has with Luke, which I think is a beautiful exchange and I think speaks volumes of what the season is all about. 

"Your strength is from God, Carl. I have no doubt in my mind about that. 
But with that kind of power comes its share of pain,"


"Science? Magic? God? That power flows from within. From inside.   What comes out when that pressure is heaviest? That's the real magic. That's what defines being a man. That's what defines being a hero."

The screen then fades to a photo of Cathy with the words: "Forward, always". 

8/10 Season 2 of Luke Cage is #NowStreaming on Netflix. 

Review: Lost In Space (Netflix)

Molly Parker as matriarch and aerospace engineer Maureen Robinson and
Toby Stephens as former U.S. Navy SEAL John Robinson, 

I'm not one to complain about remakes or reboots, especially if its a story or a franchise I haven't had the chance to sink my teeth into. So I welcomed with open arms, Netflix's latest re-imagining of  the 1960's family science-fiction series "Lost In Space". Which is also a re-imagining of the classic novel "The Swiss Family Robinson", which I haven't read yet, I don't know if I ever will but its a nice little trivia to know. 

Having established that I have yet to read or know anything about the original material, to which the series is based on, I had no idea what to expect and its a nice treat going in. Told following a general plot with some flashbacks here and there, Netflix's "Lost In Space" is a refreshing family adventure science fiction, where its cool to be the smartest person in the room, where the younger characters in the story are used to their full potential. Its great that they are not just emotional, angsty teenagers who sulk in a corner but who actually contribute knowledge, expertise and think in the story. 

Much of the series' success should be credited to the strong family unit (The Robinsons) and to each of the characters who make up the family. As well as the impressive costume and production design which makes you feel like you are watching a big budget movie. You really do feel like you are on a beautiful and dangerous alien planet, where the flora and fauna will easily kill you. 

Parker Posey as Dr. Smith, a sociopath who uses and manipulates the Robinsons to ensure her own survival. 

After a celestial object crashes into the earth, threatening the survival of humanity, the process of colonizing a new world, known as Alpha Centauri begins. The Robinson family is among the few chosen for the 24th mission to the Resolute, a spacecraft which carries chosen families to colonize Alpha Centauri. However, before they reach their destination, an alien robot attacks the Resolute, which forces some of the families to escape and crash land to a nearby habitable planet. Now they have to battle and survive an unknown planet with its strange new environment while trying to get back to the Resolute. As if that wasn't hard enough, they also have to face off personal demons, family drama, fellow colonists who may be friend or foe and a sociopath who will stop at nothing to ensure her survival. 

The story is moved with family drama (because, what family does not have some sort of drama or skeletons in the closet right?) as well as thrilling science concepts that can kill you and save you. (That high pitched "I love you" after using helium to escape what could have been a sticky situation, will always be one of my favorite scenes.) 

 An alien robot who seems to be having an identity crisis and a young boy trying to find his place among his family of over achievers (it actually happens more often than you think). 

There has been mixed reactions from critics on Parker Posey's portrayal of the show's antagonist, Dr. Smith. I personally hate her, with a passion and I guess for me, that just means her portrayal is really effective. 

An easy binge watch from start to finish- "Lost In Space"  has yet a lot to explore, which is why its no surprise that Netflix has renewed the series for a second season! More on that here! We really need more of these family oriented adventures, just so you can enjoy a weekend of Netflix with your family. 

8.5/10. 

Netflix Review: Santa Clarita Diet S2

Sooo...I just finished the second of the horror-comedy web television series "Santa Clarita Diet", I would have probably finished it earlier, if it were not for work, each series after all is just around thirty minutes. 

Santa Clarita Diet is always an easy binge, its not too long, its short, funny and sweet, "fast food" if you choose to use the show's flair for terms of food. Season 2 immediately picks up where Season 1 left off, Joel (Timothy Olyphant) in a psychiatric hospital and Sheila (Drew Barrymore) chained to the basement. You can read on my S2E1 review here. 

Season 2 moves quickly along and explores the question "What if there were more of the undead?" -these ones different from Loki, whom Sheila infected in Season 1. The question refers more to the undead, who were infected the same way Sheila was. How? Well, that is what Team Hammond continue to investigate throughout the season and its surprisingly pretty common, you would want to take a second thought on some of your life choices. 

Now, this is something pretty satisfying to know as early as the second season how the virus came to be, unlike some Zombie shows that have already gone on for how many seasons, without looking into the origin of what made everything undead. Its nice to have that question answered. 

I also have to mention that I loved how small details in the first season, interestingly make their way into Season 2, making you think that all those details were meant to be remembered, as they fit a bigger puzzle eventually. 

Team Hammond, which now consists of the hilarious tandem of Abby (Liv Hewson) and Eric (Skyler Gisondo) along with Sheila and Joel, raise against the clock to make sure that the "way of the undead" does not spread. All the while, dealing with nosy police neighbors, an infuriating and condescending boss at work and something from their past that has come back to haunt them. 

All in all, Season 2 of "Santa Clarita Diet" proves to be even better and funnier than its predecessor, the story progresses in a satisfying way, while still maintaining the elements which made the series endearing to its fans-the love and importance of family and the crazy things that we would do for them. 

8.5/10. -Season 2 of "Santa Clarita Diet" is now streaming on Netflix. 

Netflix Review: Santa Clarita Diet S2E1

We were fortunate enough to catch an advanced screening of episode 1 of Santa Clarita Diet's latest season, which will still be available for streaming on Netflix on March 23.

Immediately following the events of Season 1, in the first episode of the new season, we see Sheila (Drew Barrymore) chained in the basement, Joel (Timothy Olyphant) in a psychiatric facility and Abby and Eric basically left on their own to complete the serum which will not cure Sheila but keep her from becoming worse. (Yeaaay!).

The episode progresses with Joel meeting an unexpected confidant in the mental facility and Abby using her wit and resourcefulness to complete the serum but with an unknown threat just a step behind her, can she help Sheila who is becoming more feral?

Despite a little "setback" which the family encounters, the day comes to an end with Sheila proving that she is still an awesome mom by having pizza/dinner delivered home. Special shout out to Joel's shrimp cocktails. This is a testament to the show's core value of family-no matter how crazy and impossible circumstances get.

Meanwhile, Eric meets Ramona our favorite helpful, deadpan grocery assistant who may or may not be hiding her own frozen stored secrets.

A surprise twist towards the end of the episode opens the season to an even bigger arc and the possibility of more of the undead in Santa Clarita. (Hey, the more the merrier right? Riiight?).

After seeing the first episode you just want to dive in and binge-watch the rest of the series, which becomes available for streaming on Netflix on March 23.

Netflix Series Review: Jessica Jones Season 2

Taking a back seat from its predecessor, Season 2 of Marvel Netflix's "Jessica Jones" fails to push the envelope and challenge the status quo, unlike the first season, which dealt with themes and issues like abduction, rape and abortion head on, something unprecedented at that time.

The new season also struggles to find its villain that it even had to bring in the ghost of Season One's past villain, David Tenant's incredible performance as Kilgrave in order to bring some semblance of the series' known darker themes.

Pursuing an ambitious plot, our reluctant heroine (Krysten Ritter), through the persistence of the now annoying wannabe superhero/best friend Trish Walker (Rachael Taylor) starts looking into her mysterious past and how she came about her powers. In the course of the investigation Jessica unlocks a dark secret which may change everything that she has come to know about her tumultuous life.

The different troubled and colorful characters of the series (Trish, Malcolm and Jeri) go  through a lot of changes and some character growth on their own. Eka Darville (Malcolm Ducasse) steps up on the plate and showcases his character's full potential. With Jessica always being reluctant to explore the potentials of her abilities and the possibilities of helping other people, Trish (Ittttt's Paaatsy!) is all for it, even if it means risking her own life to do so. We already know that Carrie-Anne Moss' Jeri Hogarth is one bad ass character but in this season we see her in a different light, an empty shell of her former self, the once powerful lawyer must use all of her abilities in order to stay on top, becoming this season's image of female empowerment. Something which ironically our titular character (Jessica Jones) fails to do throughout the season as she only reacts to situations rather than facing them head on. 

Without a doubt, Ritter delivers another impressive performance, possibly tying her to the character forever and making her face, the face of Jessica Jones. She brings her A game to a challenged plot and narrative and gets away with the audience cheering for her. 

6.5 /10 -Despite the lack of shock value like the first season, season 2 of Jessica Jones continues on the story of an anti-hero who never wanted powers but was given them anyway, the struggles she goes through and the sacrifices she had to make as she constantly goes through everyday doubting herself and her potential. The story has then expanded to her relationships to the people around her, people she has loved, hated and has been forced to work with. These characters have grown and changed but Jessica has stayed the same, how all of these will play through in Season 3 (should the show be renewed, which would most likely be the case) is something that you as the audience would still want to know and follow. 

Season 2 of Jessica Jones is now streaming on Netflix.