Marvel's Luke Cage Season 2: Ranking Every Major Character From Worst To Best
5. Bushmaster
Bushmaster didn't exactly have a high bar to meet as the big bad of Luke Cage season 2. He just needed to be better than Diamondback. As it happened, the writers had learned from their mistakes with that character and made Bushmaster a layered, dangerous but also sympathetic antagonist. Also, kudos to Mustafa Shakir for his committed performance.
Whether by coincidence or not, there were some similarities with Black Panther's Killmonger in the character. Both are men who return to their homeland with a vendetta to pursue against the family that wronged their forebears, determined to take back what they believe is theirs. Bushmaster's herb-induced powers even recall Black Panther's heart-shaped herb.
On the downside, the threat of Bushmaster sort of fizzles out in the later episodes. His exit is ridiculously underwhelming, as he is just huddled in the back of a car without any ceremony. However, he had some great moments earlier in the season and the door is always open for him to return.