I think something to keep in mind is that while there's definitely a tendency to stick white female characters in the "love interest" category, the opposite is actually true for fictional women of color. You're way more likely to see them depicted as "strong independent ladies who don't need a man" or "sassy best…

I do think it's a really good point that in rushing to call out potentially troubling tropes, we sometimes end up reducing female characters far more than the actual series in question does. I agree Claire is way more than just a love interest in this series and her kissing Luke at the end doesn't undermine that.

Thanks!

This comment made me laugh really hard.

Except for those weirdo neighbors on Jessica Jones.

Luke Cage is definitely designed to function as its own thing so you'd be fine starting here. As you mention, you'll have a slightly deeper understanding of the character if you watch JJ first, but it's by no means mandatory.

Thanks for sharing this! I'm going to link to it in my review of the finale.

To be fair, I'm praising the show for social issues here.

Thanks!

Wrong, Milky Ways are gross.

Classic Luke.

Just ask Doctor Who!

What stands out to me most is the one time he called Daredevil "D," which I thought was hilarious.

I mean don't get me wrong, I love those characters. But they are very much supporting players not protagonists.

I guess it's not the trope so much as the specifics. I'm pretty sure both characters say the same line, "I don't even like these dudes."

Happy to be here!

For a second I legit forgot Luke Cage is set in the MCU and thought the dude was selling DVDs of the movie Iron Man.

The biggest perpetrator of this was Sense8, which was basically incoherent until its fourth or fifth episode and then got really good.

Don't worry, I've got you covered! All my headlines and images are going to be kept vague.

I think maybe the bar was in Reva's name? I'm not sure though.