Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS for Iron Fist Season 2 ahead
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Marvel's Iron Fist season 2 sets the stage for a future showdown between the Living Weapon and Luke Cage (Mike Colter) - but this time, it won't be Danny Rand (Finn Jones) taking on the Hero of Harlem. By the end of Iron Fist's vastly improved second season, there's a new hero with a glowing fist of power in town and she could indeed have the power to break the unbreakable man if it ever comes to that.
Some big changes have rippled throughout Netflix's New York City-based corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the months after The Defenders took out the Hand. The basic established premise of each hero watching over a particular section of NYC and fighting crime at the street level has been intriguingly shuffled around. In his second season, Luke Cage struggled with his mission as Harlem's protector and made the leap to trying to control the crime in his neighborhood by running it from the inside. Subsequently, Iron Fist season 2 examined Danny Rand's inadequacies and came to the conclusion that he still needs to change and grow - and he must do so without his greatest weapon (at least for a few months).
Related: Iron Fist Season 2's Ending And What It Means For Marvel Netflix's Future
With Iron Fist season 2 completely changing the paradigm of who can wield the power of the Fist, the season finale episode "A Duel of Iron" ended with a tease to fans that instead of another Defenders team-up, Power Man and Iron Fist could instead collide once more. And the new Iron Fist might have a better chance of bringing down Luke Cage!
- This Page: Luke Cage Is A Crime Boss And Colleen Wing Is Iron Fist
- Page 2: The Iron Fist Can BREAK Luke Cage
Luke Cage Is Now Crime Lord Of Harlem
Luke Cage season 2 centered around the bulletproof defender getting caught in the middle of a Hatfield and McCoy-like war between Mariah Dillard (Alfre Woodard) and Bushmaster (Mustafa Shakir). Mariah was the last of the Stokes family, which had controlled all crime in Harlem for decades, while Bushmaster was really John McIver, the son of the family whom Mariah's grandparents destroyed in order to ascend to power. For his part, Luke bounced back and forth between fighting Mariah and Bushmaster and he grew frustrated with what little control over the situation his role as the self-appointed "sheriff" of Harlem afforded him.
By the end, however, Mariah was poisoned by her daughter Tilda Johnson (Gabrielle Dennis) and died in prison. Shockingly, in her will, Mariah left control of her nightclub Harlem's Paradise and her criminal empire to Luke, the only man she could "trust." Though he was aware this was Mariah's final revenge from the grave, as she fully expected the noble hero to be corrupted by the power he would now inherit, Luke still accepted the responsibility - believing that he could walk the fine line of running Harlem without succumbing to darkness.
Still, there are already signs that Luke is teetering. He shut out Misty Knight (Simone Missick) and Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson) when they came to see him after he took over Harlem's Paradise, and the imagery of Luke alone in the office that was once Mariah's and Cottonmouth's (Mahershala Ali), can't help but evoke fear that Luke is headed down a dark path, no matter his intentions. If Luke does become like Mariah, someone will have to take him out, and that hero needs to have the power to break through the bulletproof crime lord.
Related: Luke Cage Season 2's Ending Explained
Colleen Wing Is Now New York's Iron Fist
Iron Fist season 2 revealed that the power of the Iron Fist was actually transferable via magic. The series told two concurrent main stories: that Danny Rand may not have deserved the Iron Fist when he won it in K'un-Lun and that Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick) has always been the better and smarter hero. Danny came to both conclusions and asked Colleen to bear the Iron Fist once they took it back from Davos (Sacha Dhawan). After initially refusing, Colleen - who was also frustrated with the way her neighborhood, Chinatown, erupted into violence - realized all the good she could do with the power of the Fist. By the end, Danny and Colleen took the power away from Davos and imbued it into Colleen, so she is now the Immortal Iron Fist.
The final moments of season 2 revealed that Danny, who had left NYC for Asia with Ward Meachum (Tom Pelphrey) to learn more about Colleen's mother and her ties to the Iron Fist, regained his power months later. In fact, he now has two Iron Fists, just like Davos did. Meanwhile, Colleen has been successfully protecting Chinatown as New York's Iron Fist and it appears the power of the Living Weapon is in good hands.
While several miles separate Colleen's downtown beat from Luke's territory in Harlem, Manhattan is still a small island. If Luke does become what Misty fears he'll become, the new Iron Fist might have to take a trip up north to take out Harlem's new kingpin - and as Misty said, "It might be sooner than later." But does Colleen Wing actually have enough power to break Luke Cage?
Page 2: The Iron Fist Can BREAK Luke Cage
The Iron Fist Can Break Luke Cage
Luke Cage and Danny Rand have a history. They may be bros now, but when they first met in The Defenders, they did not like each other and often came to blows. In their showdowns, fans learned that the Iron Fist can hurt Luke - at least momentarily. Danny never really reached a point where he could beat Luke or knock him unconscious, but the Iron Fist is certainly more effective on Power Man than most weapons have proven to be. However, both Colleen Wing herself and the revelations in the final moments of season 2 changed the parameters of what fans know the Iron Fist can do.
First, Colleen may actually be a better fighter than Danny. The boy billionaire gets all the hype since was trained in K'un-Lun for 15 years, fought Shou-Lao the Undying and won the heart of the dragon, and became the Living Weapon. In reality, however, Danny has been bested by many in combat, including Davos and Luke Cage. In Iron Fist season 2, Ward Meachum delivered a wink-wink meta joke when he asked Danny, "Aren't you supposed to be one of the best fighters in the world?" Meanwhile, Colleen may not have the hype or litany of titles, but she is also a great fighter who was trained by the Hand. In fact, Colleen becomes Danny's sensei in season 2 and she remolds him into a smarter, more tactical warrior who doesn't need to rely on his temper or the power of the Iron Fist.
Related: Iron Fist Season 2 New And Returning Cast Guide
More importantly, Iron Fist season 2 revealed that the heart of the dragon can be imbued into the weapons the Iron Fist is wielding. Danny sported twin guns that he powered with his yellow glow, including the bullets that were fired from the guns. Colleen also has the same power; she can extend the Iron Fist's light to her katana. This is a game-changer, especially against Luke Cage. The Harlem bruiser has shown he's not completely bulletproof; he was once seriously injured by Judas bullets. Weapons powered by the Iron Fist could break through Power Man's skin and bring him down for good.
Against Luke, Colleen gives up even more size and strength than Danny did, but she's a much more patient and intelligent fighter. She also doesn't really know Luke as well as Danny does so she wouldn't be as prone to succumbing to emotional attachment if they have a showdown. With the power of the Iron Fist, Colleen has a better chance than most at beating Luke Cage.
What To Expect In Luke Cage Season 3
Netflix hasn't made an official announcement about Luke Cage season 3, but the way the season 2 left off begs for a continuation, so fans can feel safe that there will be a third season. It's not known where in the timeline Luke Cage season 3 will take place, especially since Iron Fist season 2 ended with a time jump to 'months later' (and presumably both Iron Fist's denouement and Luke Cage season 3 happen after Thanos' finger snap is reversed in Avengers 4). Still, when fans head up to Harlem again, the bulletproof man should still be nestled in his seat of power in Harlem's Paradise.
This leads right into Misty telling Colleen: "Last time I saw Luke, I did not like what I saw. And now you've got one of the few weapons that might make a dent in that man." Colleen replied, "You've got my number. Use it." Essentially, this is a promise to fans of what we will soon see, and since Luke Cage season 3 will likely release before Iron Fist season 3, this teased confrontation between Power Man and Iron Fist will happen in Luke's series.
Related: First Daredevil Season 3 Footage Revealed In Iron Fist Post-Credits Scene
Although Luke Cage season 3 won't be entirely about fighting Iron Fist, the new crime lord of Harlem is bound to cause chaos that may force Colleen to try to bring Luke down. It's possible this could also draw Danny Rand back to New York City so that he finds himself caught in the middle of Power Man V Iron Fist. If that happens, whose side will Danny take if Luke and Colleen come to blows?
Next: What To Expect In Iron Fist Season 3?
Marvel's Iron Fist and Marvel's Luke Cage are available for streaming on Netflix.
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