Ep 2. Straighten It Out

Luke Cage is back, ready to clean up the streets of Harlem yet again in season 2 of the hit Netflix series. The second episode of the season, titled "Straighten It Out," sees Luke reeling after the events of the season premiere, where he was framed for a crime he didn't commit. With the weight of the world on his shoulders, he's determined to clear his name and find out who is responsible for the recent attacks on his reputation.

We find Luke at the beginning of the episode still in police custody, but with the help of his new lawyer, Foggy Nelson, he's able to convince the authorities to release him. However, Luke's problems are far from over, as his reputation has been tarnished and he's lost the trust of the people he's sworn to protect. Desperate to restore his image, he seeks out the help of his old friend, D.W., who suggests he make amends with an influential businessman in the community named Piranha Jones.

Piranha Jones is known as the king of the financial industry in Harlem. He's a billionaire, a collector of rare and expensive artifacts, and has a reputation for being difficult to please. Luke agrees to meet with Piranha, hoping to make a good impression and gain his favor. However, when he arrives at Piranha's office, he finds the businessman being held captive by a group of armed men, demanding an ancient artifact in his possession.

Luke springs into action, taking down the armed men and rescuing Piranha. However, in the chaos, the artifact is destroyed, leaving Luke and Piranha with no proof of its existence. To make matters worse, Piranha has a rare medical condition called "nightshade," which can be fatal if he doesn't receive his medication. Luke is tasked with finding the medication, but with no leads, he turns to his friend Misty Knight for help.

Meanwhile, Mariah Dillard is still reeling from the death of her cousin, Cottonmouth, and is desperately trying to distance herself from the criminal underworld. She's working with her councilman partner, Damon Boone, to push through a major redevelopment project in Harlem. However, her plans are complicated by the arrival of a new player in the game, Bushmaster, a formidable Jamaican gangster who has a personal vendetta against Mariah and her family.

As Luke tries to help Piranha and clear his name, he finds himself caught in the middle of the brewing conflict between Mariah and Bushmaster. With the city of Harlem hanging in the balance, Luke must navigate the dangerous underworld and fight to protect the people he loves.

Overall, "Straighten It Out" is a thrilling, action-packed episode that sets the stage for an intense season full of twists and turns. As always, Mike Colter delivers a powerful performance as Luke, while Simone Missick and Alfre Woodard continue to shine as Misty Knight and Mariah Dillard, respectively. With the introduction of new characters like Piranha and Bushmaster, this season promises to be a wild ride for fans of the show.