Marvel Cinematic Universe: Ranking Every 2016 Project From Worst To Best
6. Luke Cage: Season 1
If there was a moment to pinpoint where the first season of Luke Cage started to lose track a bit, it's Cottonmouth's death in the seventh episode. The event itself is fantastic, from the surprise of it all to the performances to the way it's shot, but Mahershala Ali's exit from the show created a void that his replacement, Erik LaRay Harvey's Diamondback, just couldn't fill throughout the back half of the season, his sudden, jarring introduction and familial connection to Luke coming off as thrown in for the sake of it.
That said, despite the season feeling like a victim of stretching on a bit too long, the show is still a welcome addition to the MCU. Mike Colter's Luke is a solid hero, and he was joined by a great cast that included Ali, Rosario Dawson's always welcome Claire Temple, Theo Rossi's slimy Shades, Alfre Woodard's dutiful Mariah Dillard, and Simone Missick's Misty Knight. Even if the narrative drags just a bit, the performances more than make up for it, introducing a whole new group of faces to play around in the ongoing expansion of the MCU's Netflix corner.
The season also had a wealth of personality thanks to its use of music, its Harlem setting, and its willingness to touch upon issues like race without them overwhelming the superhero narrative. Despite not being the best the year had to offer, Luke Cage's first season got everyone - from critics, fans, and newcomers alike - talking, and that's to be commended.