Luke Cage Season 2: 32 Easter Eggs & References Explained

16. Willie Horton

Luke contends with Foggy that he should just go to jury and let justice prevail, but Foggy reminds him of the unfortunate legal reality that, "In the eyes of a jury, framed correctly, [he's] Willie Horton with bulletproof skin."

Horton is a real-life convicted murderer who became a major talking point in American politics after he didn't return from his 1986 weekend release, after which he was went on to ultimately commit assault, armed robbery, and rape before being recaptured.

The fact that a man convicted of murder was allowed out on weekend furlough was extraordinarily embarrassing for Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis during the 1988 presidential campaign, given his vocal support for the program.

Horton's name became headline news, and though he may not be spoken of much nowadays, it's easy to see how Luke's image could be swung a similar way by malevolent forces despite his countless acts of heroism.

15. Robocop

In episode five, Misty pays a visit to Cockroach in order to convince him to drop the lawsuit against Luke, but Cockroach isn't at all fazed by her. After calling her new bionic arm - courtesy of Rand Enterprises - "cheap-a** Tin-Man-from-the-Wiz-looking bulls***", he clearly gets under Misty's skin, and she pushes Cockroach with her fancy new arm.

Well aware he could ruin her career by reporting this incident, he continues to be unfussed by her advances, telling her, "Do your thing, Robocop."