Analytic Perspective from Luke Cage
Season 2 Episode 1 Was A Michael Bay Style 360 in Analytic Perspective
The first episode of season two of Marvel’s Luke Cage did feature at least one explosion. I don’t believe there were any actual 360 shots. So clearly, it wasn’t directed by Michael Bay. Instead, director Lucy Liu and likely a number of writers, presented us with a figurative 360 of perspective. Let me elaborate.
First a little context, especially if you are not familiar with Luke Cage. Luke Cage is a superhero of the Marvel sort. I am not nearly attentive enough to start parsing “universes”. I leave that to comic experts. Regardless, his superpower… experimentally produced mutant power… or really, the reason he is extra-special is that he is bullet-proof. But only in the literal sense — that will prove important.
Honestly, as superpowers go, he is a bit more complex with aspects of super strength, super healing, and who knows what else. As season two opens, we may want to add super-recognized.
He is even sponsored now. Heck, he has his very own finder app and a line street-grade pharmaceuticals. They make you feel “bullet-proof”. It is all the start of an interesting new perspective on a once unassuming hero.
The story begins with the Reverend James Lucas practicing a monologue about Luke Cage. It begins with him questioning the glorification of Harlem’s latest superhero. In fairness, Luke is both special and elevated. The Reverend Lucas quickly escalates his sermon describing a deification. At this level of comparison, it becomes easier to take issue. The reverend’s perspective is made all the more interesting by his relationship with Luke Cage — estranged father.
As the episode progress, we hear a lot of labels. Some are quite petty, both figuratively and literally. The purpose of this initial hour seems to be predicated on a 360 degree perspective of the title character. He is labeled by his loved-ones, his relatives, his enemies, his friends, his fans, and his detractors. He is praised. He is reprimanded. He is encouraged. He is warned. He is also shot, blown up, and threatened for good measure.
And while Luke is humanized to show the dangers of superpowers, his relationships are used to show him that bullet-proof only goes so far. It was an hour long entree into perspective. Good, bad, right, wrong, and plenty of otherwise — this initial episode had it all. In fact, if it weren’t for one Michael Bay-esque explosion and a few fight scenes, one might forget what genre of show this was.
From An Analyst’s Perspective
This single episode presented a unique opportunity for inspiration. Luke Cage was never featured in our Superhero Lesson’s series, mainly because his story line is not very analytic in nature. That series has plenty of material with no reason to stretch. But the shear density of perspective and accompanying labels in S2E1 required an article. Though it may get another when our series returns this Fall.
Analyst’s often fall victim to limited perspective. Trust me, it is worse for us than it is likely to be for Luke Cage (although I will need to finish this season to find out). Limited perspective in a superhero likely equates to a challenge and a good plot line (here’s hoping). In an analyst, it equates to confirmation bias and extremely poor analytics. Bullet-proof superheroes survive challenges, mostly. Analysts rarely survive utter failure.
I suspect that Luke will require the help of Misty and others to overcome the challenges he creates. I suspect he will be forced to broaden his perspective. Analysts can model this idea as well. Work in teams. Ask others for insights. While teams occasionally fall victim to narrow perspective, it is much less common.
Enjoy Luke Cage season two on Netflix. Let’s see where all this perspective takes us. With any luck, it will be a compelling tale. With a little more, we may all gain some new perspective, as well. Thanks for reading!
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