‘Luke Cage’: Here’s How Iron Fist Makes His Mark on Season 2

Oh, Iron Fist, he just can’t catch a break. The internet makes fun of him, his fellow superheroes roll their eyes at him, and even Netflix sometimes acts like he doesn’t exist. Luke Cage never had that problem; Mike Colter’s earnest vibes stole scenes when he debuted in Marvel’s Jessica Jones, and the first season of his Netflix series was critically-acclaimed. The thought of pairing the least-liked superdude with the most-loved one probably caused some viewers to groan, “You got Marvel’s Iron Fist in my Marvel’s Luke Cage!”

Here’s why this partnership is happening: Luke Cage and Iron Fist are quite possibly the most iconic duo at Marvel Comics. While they debuted independently of each other in the early ’70s (Luke in ’72 and Danny in ’74), they became inseparable when they first teamed up in 1977’s Power Man #48. Two issues later, that comic changed its title to Power Man and Iron Fist, and the two have been linked ever since. Like, a few years ago in the comics, Luke Cage named his daughter Danielle after Danny Rand! That’s how close these two are!

When Netflix first announced that they were making series based on four heroes, every comic fan knew that Luke Cage and Iron Fist would eventually cross paths. After meeting in Marvel’s The Defenders last year, Luke Cage Season 2 establishes that this onscreen friendship is only deepening. Here’s everything you need to know–including some spoilers–about Iron Fist’s impact on Luke Cage Season 2.

When is Iron Fist mentioned in Luke Cage Season 2?

Danny Rand gets name-dropped, along with the rest of the Defenders, during an argument in episode 2 (“Straighten It Out”). Trying to talk sense into a hotheaded Luke, Claire (Rosario Dawson) tries to get him to see how similar he is to not only Matt Murdock, but Jessica Jones and Danny Rand too. He’s gotta stop running away from his responsibilities and deal with his issues, specifically his daddy issues.

Iron Fist is also mentioned in episode 3 (“Wig Out”) and episode 8 (“If It Ain’t Rough, It Ain’t Right”), when Luke’s back is up against a wall (metaphorically) and Team Cage wonders who they can reach out to for help.

Does Iron Fist help Luke Cage in Season 2?

Yes! First, Rand Industries makes the robot arm prosthetic that Misty Knight (Simone Missick) starts using to dangerous effect in episode 4 (“I Get Physical”). Things really get cooking in episode 8, after Luke Cage saves Mariah Dillard (Alfre Woodard) and her daughter Tilda (Gabrielle Dennis) from getting burned alive from the vengeful Bushmaster (Mustafa Shakir). In order to keep Mariah alive (she’s gotta be alive in order to go to jail!) and protect his loved ones from Bushmaster’s wrath, Cage makes a call to Danny.

While we don’t see Iron Fist in episode 9 (“For Pete’s Sake”), the episode takes place in an unopened Rand pharmaceutical research facility in Queens. Danny gave Luke the code to get inside the heavily-fortified building, and the good guys (plus Mariah) spend the episode holed up there. Mariah is, of course, shocked to learn that the hero of Harlem is in good with a weirdo billionaire; Luke tells Mariah that he met Danny while doing “hot yoga.”

Does Iron Fist show up in Luke Cage Season 2?

Yes! After getting mentioned in episodes 2, 3, 8, and 9, Finn Jones appears in person as Iron Fist in episode 10 (“The Main Ingredient”). He struts into Pop’s Barbershop, takes off his shoes (duh), and plops down in a chair. Danny’s there to help Luke fight Bushmaster, because Bushmaster made the mistake of messing with Danny’s bud.

This is the one Power Man and Iron Fist episode of Season 2, and Luke and Danny spend the 58 minutes taking on henchmen and tracking down Bushmaster. But more importantly, Danny picks up on Luke’s out-of-whack chi. He’s angry about his father, he’s angry about Claire leaving him, he’s angry about Bushmaster, and he’s angry about having to fight and fight and fight. Danny imparts some mind-clearing K’un-Lun wisdom to Luke, urging him to remain cool and be in the moment.

If you’ve been waiting to see Iron Fist and Power Man together in live-action for decades, this is the episode to watch. If you have no interest in Iron Fist, here are the three main takeaways from this ep:

1. Misty Knight and the NYPD out Nandi as a crooked cop and arrest her for feeding information to Bushmaster (also Simone Missick shouts “Get up and take this ass-whoopin’!” which is phenomenal)
2. Luke and Danny burn down all of Bushmaster’s attempts to grow his own nightshade to give him powers.
3. Mariah, Shades, and her crew murder every single person in the Brooklyn restaurant owned by Bushmaster’s family. It’s harrowing.

But what about Colleen Wing? Does she show up in Luke Cage Season 2?

You bet! Not only are Luke and Danny major partners in the comics, so are Misty Knight and Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick). And like Luke and Danny, Misty and Colleen (a duo known as the Daughters of the Dragon in the comics) get their own mini team-up in episode 3. We learn that Misty’s been training with Colleen, trying to get her edge back after losing her arm in The Defenders. Not only does Colleen help Misty get back in fighting shape, she also helps her get out of her emotional funk… by letting Misty cut loose in a big ol’ bar brawl.

And that’s pretty much how Iron Fist the man and Iron Fist the show impact Luke Cage Season 2. This new season is still very much Cage’s show, but the seeds planted in Defenders are starting to grow. Both Colleen and Danny get an episode a piece where they hang out with their BFF-in-the-making, and you can definitely expect these relationships to keep developing. In fact, we already know that Misty Knight is going to appear in Iron Fist Season 2, which is expected to drop sometime later this year.

“Power Man and Iron Fist” does have a nice ring to it, and Netflix knows it.

Where to stream Marvel's Luke Cage