Ep 2. Code of the Streets

Luke Cage is a Marvel superhero television series set in Harlem. The show follows Luke Cage, a man with superhuman strength and unbreakable skin, as he tries to live a low-key life after escaping from prison, only to be dragged into the criminal underworld of Harlem. The second episode of season one is called "Code of the Streets."

In this episode, Luke Cage is trying to maintain a low profile and avoid trouble. He has a job sweeping the floors at Pop's Barbershop, a local hangout. His boss, Pop, is a father figure to him and an important member of the community. When Pop's friend Chico gets into trouble with the local gang, Luke steps in to help. He tries to convince Chico to leave town and start over somewhere else, but Chico insists on standing up to the gang.

Meanwhile, a new villain named Cottonmouth is introduced. He is a powerful criminal who runs a club called Harlem's Paradise, which serves as a front for his illegal activities. Cottonmouth is ruthless and cunning, and he has a personal grudge against Luke. He sends his right-hand man, Shades, to spy on Luke and gather information about him.

The episode also introduces several other characters who will become important later in the season. Misty Knight is a detective who is investigating the gang activity in Harlem. She has a combative relationship with her partner, Rafael Scarfe, and a complicated past with Cottonmouth. Claire Temple is a nurse who becomes involved with Luke after he is injured trying to protect Chico. And Reva Connors is Luke's ex-girlfriend, who works for a mysterious organization called Seagate.

"Code of the Streets" is a slower-paced episode than the first one, focusing more on character development and world-building. It explores the theme of community, and how the people of Harlem are affected by the violence and corruption in their neighborhood. It also delves deeper into Luke's backstory and the reasons why he wants to stay under the radar. The performances are all strong, especially Mike Colter as Luke and Mahershala Ali as Cottonmouth. The cinematography and music continue to be highlights of the show.

Overall, "Code of the Streets" is a solid episode of Luke Cage that sets up the conflicts and relationships that will drive the rest of the season. It's not as action-packed as the first episode, but it's still engaging and worth watching. The ending leaves several threads open for future episodes, making the audience excited to see what happens next.