Luke Cage - Season 1 Edit

A blind man who can see,

A bold, charismatic man who...

A breeding ground for artistry... greatness.

A building fell on you. People are shooting at you.

A casualty of war.

A central bank?

A chance to clear his name. Right here.

A clue is a clue, no matter how small.

A cop was killed by this super powered menace.

A couple days after you were undercover at the Harlem's Paradise?

A couple of Cottonmouth's people got hit

A crime boss who's related to a prominent city councilwoman.

A crime scene.

A dead criminal.

A dead one at that.

A Dumpster?

A few illmatic deaths.

A few questions about your time at Seagate.

A former associate of mine was feelin' himself.

A free black man.

A get out of jail free card for any non violent felony.

A good cop would ask the person doing the shooting that question.

A good razor shave is like a vacation to me.

A guy in a hoodie, punching a cop and then saying his name?

A historically corrupt Harlem.

A hundred large for Detective Scarfe.

A hundred large per case. Ten cases, a cool mil.

A little bit easier.

A little bit of both.

A little while back.

A lot of good work.

A lot of people wrote me off back then. But not Scarfe.

A lot. And they're moving.

A man whose cells can regenerate is a man who doesn't age.

A man whose name rings out in both legitimate and criminal circles.

A miracle child.

A number of other crimes.

A photograph freezes time.

A power base for community relations.

A prepaid phone I picked up from CVS.

A slap on the wrist.

A somehow brutal assault that took place at the Crispus Attucks Houses

A vigilante?

A washed up gangsterland?

A witness puts you at the scene.

A year from now,

Abilities.

About $100,000 worth.

About all the kids getting beaten up by cops and the videos going viral?

About being a man.

About sick and tired of the Knicks losin' all the time, man!

About time

About what? About Mariah's little "I Have a Dream" moment outside?

About who Chico really is.

Absolutely.

According to protesters and a confidential NYPD source,

According to the lab...

Accused of killing a cop,

Across the street from a building named after one of our greatest heroes?

Across the street from a building named after one of our greatest heroes?

Actually, I believe he was the dishwasher.

Actually, I don't.

Actually, it wasn't a choice at all.

Actually, it's ooh woop...

Actually, it's Power Man.

Actually, Pete's right.

Adam Clayton Powell, Shirley Chisholm complexes

Affordable options.

After a multiple shooting at a Harlem junkyard.

After abolition, it's how gun laws got enacted in the first place

After about ten seconds, you'd beg me to put a bullet in your head

After all that, you can't say you're not special.

After an ambulance was forced off the street,

After I kill Luke Cage...

After I showered, I came out to see Cornell.

After I was saw Mr. Stokes.

After what happened this morning, you expect me to trust the system?

After what happened with Dante, we circling the wagons.

After what I did at Genghis Connie's...

After what you did to my club,

Again! Again!

Against the recorded voice of a dead whore any day.

Ah, he lucky I let his ass in here.

Ah, he was sent here to rot.

Ah, he's a little bit of everything.

Ah, it's cold.

Ah, the bank will swoop in and take it eventually.

Ah, you can't be to blame with this kind of crazy.

Ah! Come on. Let's go inside.

Ah! God!

Ah! I saw you running for the bus this mornin'.

Ain't no secrets uptown.

Ain't no talking when I'm talking.

Ain't no way I'm splitting that shit three ways no how, man.

Ain't nobody goin' up in the projects. We got that shit on lockdown.

Ain't nobody heard of him dying, so...

Ain't nothing down there for me. I'm back.

Ain't that right, baby?

Ain't that the truth.

Ain't that what the great Reverend James Lucas used to scream at us?

Ain't the same.

Ain't worth the tin it's printed on

Aisha ain't like the others.

Aisha shot that dude?

Aisha.

Aisha's ring. You got it?

Aisha's the one had the idea for this damn shop.

Albert, please!

Albert, quit overreacting.

Albini, he must've just spotted him and he tried to take him down himself.

Alex, would you wait in the car with Tony?

Alex, you're the man.

Alex!

Alex...

Aliens coming out of the sky.

All City in basketball in a town where that really matters.

All credit goes to Diamondback.

All four of your complexes could be up and running.

All HD. Got it right here. Blu ray, too, 'cause I'm nice like that.

All he has to do is [shouting] show up

All I did your whole life was protect you!

All I know is, Cottonmouth dies, this guy shows up,

All I know is... everything happens for a reason.

All I wanted to do was take my control back.

All I'm saying is that if you want to talk to Pop about Chico,

All loyal.

All me, I'm afraid.

All my dad's convention trips with Dana.

All of our problems are swept away.

All of that was Stryker.

All of your cash profits from the corners, stash houses, drops.

All of your goods will be returned.

All over Harlem, young black and brown men are being slapped around by an NYPD

All people will remember

All right, all right.

All right, darling.

All right, here we go.

All right, I'm gonna press even harder, okay?

All right, just... just sayin'.

All right, let's go.

All right, look, I don't have anything on me now.

All right, macho man.

All right, now I heard that.

All right, okay, my bad.

All right! All right!

All right? He needs to stay right here.

All right.

All right.

All right.

All right.

All right.

All right. Hold on.

All right. Okay.

All right. Put your head back. Just open your mouth.

All right. We'll be right here. We got your back.

All that "keep Harlem black" rack a bully ack might get you re elected.

All that education, and you just as shady as me.

All that gunfire and no bodies.

All that Seagate shit you told me about.

All the other subjects failed.

All the pieces that are left are just trapped.

All the sideways glances during service.

All the things I could've did with my life...

All the way up

All the world's a stage for the preacher's son...

All these people were talking bad about Luke Cage.

All they know outside is that Cage lost his mind,

All those brothers...

All those prisoners who died.

All you guys wanted was the cash.

All you had to do was take the shrapnel out?

Allegedly.

Alone.

Alone. Without pulling you in on a single detail.

Alpha team, you take point positions in the convoy.

Although police still have not detained any suspects,

Although, true...

Always forward, Pop.

Always forward.

Always full of surprises.

Always treats my wife and me with respect.

Always.

Always.

Always.

Always.

Always.

Always.

Always.

Always.

Always.

Always.

Always.

Always.

Always...

Always...

Am I my brother's keeper?

Am I still being charged with anything?

An African American woman, mid twenties, in front of a bodega.

An empty politician who'll be lucky...

An experimental weapon that's never been authorized before.

And a photo with the mayor as a reward? [scoffing]

And a shaky ass story...

And after we have him in custody, we'll verify it.

And all I have in my bag is a half eaten Snickers bar.

And all that talent you have?

And all that's on me?

And always make sure they spell your name right.

And another one went to go get her medication.

And any asshole who tried to take anything from me

And apologize to the people of Harlem, we will...

And arresting the same piece of shit over and over,

And as a proud NYPD detective...

And as long as he is running around loose, hiding amongst us, no one is safe.

And ask themselves if the world is ready

And be left the hell alone?

And bring me in at the same time.

And can you be fixed?

And Carl and I...

And certain... muscle headed fugitives lookin' for a change of pace.

And Chico... a follower.

And Count Basie, too.

And Cuban crime families have all gone missing.

And do it.

And do me a favor.

And does his presence here mean that we will be endangered? Endangered...

And doesn't kill a single one?

And don't act like you did it for the guys 'cause...

And ESU Officers are approaching the building entrance

And every other car was playing either "Shook Ones" or "Ice Cream."

And every other family in the congregation,

And everybody else caught hell but you.

And everybody else in that apartment.

And everyone you have pinned on it.

And everything changed.

And everything was good...

And find a new dude to fight for Rackham.

And for all of that, we've got...

And for what?

And for what? [stutters] For a chicken banquet dinner

And fortify it against the real invaders.

And Fredo was the craziest little Puerto Rican in black Harlem.

And get her hands dirty

And get us out from under Rackham, I will.

And giving it a good shake.

And go fetch my money.

And go with what you know.

And good food, and the pure genius that permeates the streets.

And he flew back over 20 feet.

And he flew back, like, 20 feet,

And he made them feel better about the world and themselves.

And he returned every last one of them.

And he still has time to get to Genghis Connie's before anyone else.

And he that sat upon him, his name was Death."

And he warns that he'll start killing people if the police approach.

And he was never going to pay it back.

And he was pissed off when those guns were stolen.

And he was wanted for robbery in three different states.

And he wouldn't think twice about cutting your head off with a sword.

And healing properties of human epidermis.

And her brother in law, Pistol Pete Stokes, shown here,

And here you are upturnin' Harlem around.

And here's the thing. It's not the fall that kills you.

And his friends broke in and killed Louisa.

And hit about 20 other spots all over uptown.

And hoods scatter like roaches with the lights on!

And how do I do that with Luke Cage around?

And how'd that work out last time?

And I ain't ever sent nobody to Seagate, so I ain't got that problem.

And I ain't gonna lie, Misty.

And I ain't never seen a day in lock up.

And I allow it.

And I always denied.

And I am not afraid to speak out about it.

And I am not going back to prison.

And I can make a difference here.

And I could find Waldo faster than anybody.

And I could trust him like I could my own brother.

And I don't just represent Harlem.

And I encourage that community to rally with me at Harlem's Paradise.

And I figure...

And I froze.

And I get a little extra coin. And you... [clicks tongue]

And I hate that.

And I hate that.

And I have got what it takes to put him behind bars

And I know you will welcome to this mike right now,

And I make sure that plate glass window stays spotless.

And I may have dragged you into this bullshit unintentionally.

And I respect Mr. Stokes.

And I saw Mr. Stokes down below on the floor.

And I think it's important for all of us to realize something.

And I trusted him...

And I was a quarterback.

And I was powerless.

And I was wrong.

And I will give it to you...

And I won't hold my tongue about Willie anymore.

And I would never sleep with him.

And I would test that love

And I'd like to guide you

And I'll enjoy every second when you do.

And I'm a strong believer in party first, no matter what.

And I'm not even gonna know him.

And I'm not? Look, I'm spitting off the dome.

And I've never seen an arraignment happen so quickly.

And if you believe that, you're dumb

And if you refuse... then back to Seagate you go.

And in order to cut through it, he's got to weaken the lock and key,

And is his name Dr. Noah Burstein?

And it cost him his life, too.

And it got... [scoffs]

And it has to come from somebody he trusts.

And it pains me to even be here.

And it turns out...

And it was the only way I could get on the court, so...

And it would never, ever happen again.

And it's called blowing off steam.

And it's like a get out of jail free card for me, right?

And it's not going nowhere.

And just let him stick me for a hundred large?

And keep my hands on something positive.

And kill an innocent man. [stutters] That's it.

And kill... Dante.

And killed a good man trying to get at you.

And lifting up refrigerators like they're empty cardboard boxes,

And Luke Cage didn't hate my cousin... and me,

And Luke Cage in cuffs.

And Luke is still wanted for Albini's murder, Cottonmouth's murder,

And make sure these people don't scuff up my floors.

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

And match lead for lead.

And maybe confirm some of Cornell's contacts,

And maybe I never did.

And Misty Knight...

And moments ago, we heard the sound of what we believe is...

And most of the injured protesters have been rushed to the hospital.

And my guess is that's Domingo and them,

And nature abhors a vacuum.

And neither did anybody else in this damn department.

And neither should you.

And never confuse us with those who are the real threat.

And no matter how many passes I threw...

And no, she's not going anywhere, but...

And not many brothers can get with a girl

And now somebody comes along

And now that he is...

And now the city's most...

And now we have to pay the price.

And now, somehow... you're a part of it.

And oldest friend.

And once we get the facts,

And only a coward would hide in the shadows

And our movement to rebuild Harlem for our Harlemites.

And our young brother was hurt during their witch hunt.

And passionate about seeing him dead.

And people hate us until they need us.

And progress that Harlem's famous for

And protect them from the forces that would do them harm.

And pulled the trigger.

And push your permits through.

And put in some tank like an exotic fish.

And recovered from a brain hemorrhage in a few hours.

And recovery of sight for the blind...

And refurbishing the club.

And remember, how you start...

And right now, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

And see your cousin as a brave man who stood up to a freak.

And Shameek, too.

And she insults you, and you lost control...

And she just left.

And she put Luke Cage on blast.

And she was taking way too long talking to some cute boy.

And she's gonna be able to defend her damn self.

And since we ain't got no righteous people in here,

And some even frightened.

And somebody got dead.

And somebody is gonna start asking questions.

And someone paid it in cash.

And sometimes, that's gonna mean standing up to a bully.

And stay on your line like I told you, and your chin down.

And stay ready.

And suddenly everything changes all over again.

And sweet Dana?

And take your hand... out of your purse.

And thanks to my partner's GPS on her phone,

And that $7 million in blood money that came out of your office.

And that dude with the hoodie, if he's still out there...

And that is why people will always need us.

And that much should go in my record.

And that of your whole family.

And that pisses me off.

And that, in your lap, represents a chance to change your life...

And that's how we got to look at Pop's death.

And that's just a taste.

And that's what I go through every day.

And that's what makes you different. They see you.

And that's why you'll never see him again.

And that's you.

And The 48 Laws of Power.

And the apartments above collapsed, and not the whole structure.

And the bodies Cottonmouth burned there won't stick.

And the Chinese, they got their own thing going on downtown,

And the death of Damon Boone, although unnecessary,

And the first time he spoke to me, even in a low cut dress,

And the infection is contagious.

And the money... that Domingo and his crew were supposed to give you...

And the name was right.

And the night when I came into the club,

And the one I took down had a scar... like from an autopsy.

And the only direction in life that matters is forward.

And the only person to tie it all together is a corrupt cop.

And the only time you'll see the street is in the parking lot,

And the only way to bring him down is for us all to come together.

And the Oscar goes to...

And the plover... he gets a free meal.

And the punch was so hard, it bent back the shock plate

And the pure genius that permeates the streets.

And the saline portions of the experiment

And the sanctity of our community. You know what?

And the shootout at the barber shop was payback for the heist.

And the size of the hole and the punch is consistent

And the social conditions that created hip hop.

And the victim...

And the woman she's accusing is politically connected.

And then gave them back to Cornell.

And then he turns around and tries to kill me.

And then I'll take Rackham down myself.

And then Jazzy ran off.

And then Jazzy ran off.

And then this... this guy, Diamond Jim.

And then you started sleeping with him?

And then, uh, remove the shrapnel.

And then... you give him the illusion of freedom.

And there was another shooting this morning tied to all of this.

And there was some press, you might get lucky.

And there're only gonna be more.

And there's bound to be another way out of here.

And there's the bartender.

And they both needed my help.

And they bounced off.

And they don't know a thing about you.

And they incinerate forensic evidence, so they are untraceable.

And they making money in here. Good ass money.

And they shine.

And they will betray each other and hate one another.

And they're in another?

And they've given the captain a heads up.

And this guy over here talking to Chang

And this guy took the control away from you when he took your gun.

And this guy...

And this is it, huh?

And this other man who survived a shotgun blast to his head

And those dudes was nervous, so anything could've happened.

And throw your ass in the Hudson.

And to facilitate that meticulous deal that just fell apart.

And to genetically enhance the durability, pliability,

And unlike you, I'm not a murderer.

And using my name to do it.

And walk out like kings.

And wants to clean up a year's worth of patrol work by himself?

And war.

And washing dishes.

And we are discussing the recent events

And we are not in control yet.

And we both know if he doesn't wanna be, he'll walk.

And we haven't totaled that one yet.

And we hope he's doing well.

And we still need to talk about Mariah Dillard.

And what do you mean "we"?

And what does that tell you? He wants distance. Deniability.

And what in the hell is taking those damn unis so long to get here?

And what people would think about me.

And what the hell was Luke Cage doing with Detective Scarfe?

And what you need to do.

And when a cop gets killed, heads roll. That's just how we do.

And when Claire was talking sideways about me,

And when Claire was talking sideways about me,

And when that same well read ex con comes back wanting to be paid in cash...

And when the water fills your lungs, right before you black out,

And when they start crying, talking about, "Why? Why?"

And when you get away with this...

And when you lose control,

And white folks went running for the suburbs.

And who better to broker the deals, hmm?

And who raided the projects... all by himself.

And who's the dude in the sunglasses behind you?

And why we had to wear these ugly smocks.

And will more come like him?

And with his dying words, gave up you and your homeboy.

And yet...

And you act like you better than me.

And you activated it.

And you ain't Rick from Casablanca, neither.

And you ain't Turkish neither, Turk.

And you are not dragging me down with you. You hearin' me?

And you can't even tell me about his private entrance.

And you come back with superpowers.

And you don't find him suspicious?

And you free yourself.

And you gotta go back.

And you guys cheer.

And you guys go for it.

And you guys go for it.

And you have absolutely no idea what they're thinking.

And you just shrug 'em off.

And you know damn well, Chico ain't gonna show up for work today.

And you know it.

And you know it.

And you know what I thought about?

And you murdered Cornell.

And you need a short dress for that?

And you need to keep steak on the table.

And you paid the price.

And you speak to me

And you stepped up.

And you still... can't speak English?

And you take him down once and for all?

And you up here talkin' about an office?

And you walk around without a scratch. Who's gonna ignore all that?

And you're asking why he's running? Come on.

And you're bulletproof.

And you're gonna be the one to run it?

And you're in one emotional place...

And you're not a real politician, because if you were,

And you're not getting out of it.

And you're not?

And you're not?

And you're positive it was Luke Cage?

And your ass might be bulletproof, but Harlem ain't.

And your dumb ass ain't inventive enough to think of some shit like this.

And your friends are gonna be looking to finish the job, right?

And your job is to turn my water into wine.

And your old ass is getting left... [yelps]

And your popularity surges.

And your real estate project.

And, uh... Scarfe.

And, um, I was trying to calm myself down.

And...

And... from where I'm at...

And... he died on his own, too.

And... well, she wanted me to have something of my father's.

Anonymous tip?

Anonymously.

Another question for another time, my man.

Any bites yet?

Any ideas?

Any last words?

Any of you guys at Crispus Attucks the other night?

Any survivors?

Any time one of Harlem's finest is killed, we all suffer.

Anybody ain't us is a hostage.

Anybody can win with Jordan and Kobe.

Anybody resists, blindfold 'em.

Anyhow, shit done changed.

Anything is better than what's waiting for them out there on the street.

Anything on your boy?

Anything related to how I lost 80% of my cash reserves?

Anything you need, Madam Councilwoman, let me know.

Anything you said to Diamondback or Shades in here...

Anytime.

Anyway, thank you.

Anywhere else than right here.

Apartments, sham businesses, street pushers.

Are stuck together like Legos, which is normal.

Are the ones who don't know him personally.

Are the victims a part of Cottonmouth's crew?

Are they dipped in something?

Are you and me.

Are you gonna make it to the Founders' Day Lunch at Cecil's?

Are you kidding me? Come at me again, bitch,

Are you losing your way?

Are you okay?

Are you one of those that used to follow Cornell around like a puppy?

Are you really trying to have a conversation right now?

Are you saying you can't recreate what you did?

Are you serious?

Are you serious?

Are you single?

Are you sure Luke Cage is in there with her?

Are you sure you don't know where to find him?

Are you sure?

Are you that desperate?

Are you threatening me?

Are you?

Are you?

Around 10:00, I realized that I hadn't heard back so...

Around noon, I called Cornell and told him that we needed to talk.

Arrests lead to indictments. And indictments lead to pleas.

As a matter of fact, give me your phone.

As a sign of goodwill, Mr. Cage is willing

As a sign of solidarity with an outlaw some people still perceive to be a hero.

As far as I'm concerned, he's no longer a suspect.

As far as I'm concerned, Luke Cage saved my life, man.

As how best to achieve an outcome that's beneficial to all parties.

As if you're not actually in the presence of death.

As in determined.

As in factual.

As long as the business is business, I'm good with it.

As long as things are paid for on time.

As long as you stay in your place.

As long as you stay on the clock, it doesn't matter.

As much I'd like to put my foot in Cottonmouth's behind,

As soon as I get the rest of the funding and we start our construction.

As soon as I put Cottonmouth in handcuffs, I'm ghost.

As soon as you have a clear shot, take it on my command.

As the situation continues to unfold here on Malcolm X Boulevard...

As usual, your priorities are all out of whack.

Ask for a cut, sit in my chair...

Ask no questions, tell no lies.

Ask your man, Shades.

At an anti Luke Cage rally when Luke Cage shows up?

At Crispus Attucks

At Genghis Connie's, no one asked the crucial question.

At Harlem's Paradise tonight,

At just what you're capable of.

At least as far as the neighborhood knows.

At least I kept one promise.

At least that's what your wife keeps telling me.

At least the bastard had enough sense not to hit him in the face.

At the barber shop.

At the junkyard?

At the Rucker, jacked your shit

At this time next year...

At this time, we still have no clear idea what Luke Cage wants.

At what cost, Cornell?

At what?

At your request, so you could refurbish your club.

Attempted to arrest Cage,

Attention to detail.

B, there's, like, a million dollars right here.

Back away, Lucas.

Back in the day.

Back in the days, people had respect.

Back off.

Back off.

Back up!

Back! Back!

Bad pun.

Bank's not worried about it... neither should you.

Baseball is a game passed from father to son.

Based on a prototype by Hammer.

Based on what they found in his pockets. We'll need dental to confirm ID.

Basically, I look at the financial books.

Be a hero.

Be careful.

Be careful.

Be sure and tell Bessie I said hey.

Be thankful I'm not the one with the powers...

Because everybody is so focused on Luke Cage,

Because he wanted the game in your hands.

Because he was mind controlling her.

Because his other senses are so amplified.

Because I have been anointed to preach good news to the poor.

Because I remembered seeing myself see myself...

Because I think you have something to say.

Because I'd kill you if you did half the shit that you did to him to me.

Because life has turned you sour.

Because Luke Cage does.

Because Mariah's not going anywhere, guilty or not.

Because my name was attached to it.

Because of what Albert Rackham did, turning up the heat on the bath,

Because she was protecting you.

Because she's gonna be a lawyer,

Because the door was locked?

Because the pain would be so bad. But your...

Because they got to gangster number one without catching a bullet.

Because you didn't trust me.

Because you didn't trust our system.

Because you give me hope.

Because you got no power to shut me up.

Because you love the brothers,

Because you provide hope.

Because you were strong. Stronger than most.

Because you were the closest to him.

Because you're a snake...

Because you're about to meet my mother, Damon.

Because you're not afraid of Cottonmouth, and he's obviously afraid of you.

Because you're smart and stupid at the same time.

Beef? No beef.

Before I got to the precinct.

Before this place turns you to salt.

Before you can punch back.

Before you get hurt.

Before you guys decided to rob him...

Before you let your little soror skee wee on out of here.

Before you make things worse.

Before your skin closes up again.

Begging?

Begin and end in these projects?

Behind closed doors in your cheap ass club.

Being away for so long?

Being pushed around by other people?

Being so powerless?

Believe it or not, it'll benefit both of us.

Believe it or not, there's supposed to be rules to this shit.

Belonged to Cornell.

Benign neglect.

Benign what?

Benjamin Franklin is on the $100 bill, Scarfe.

Benjamin Franklin...

Besides playing chess, I used to do the man's taxes every year.

Besides, Luke likes you.

Besides, we all contribute to this city, one way or another.

Best believe that.

Best believe that.

Bet... bet you didn't know that, hmm?

Better get that Spanish dictionary.

Better paying, too.

Better than the original.

Between black and Latino street gangs

Biblical. [chuckles]

Biggie photo...

Black Escalade.

Black fear.

Black history and black ownership must also matter.

Black money.

Bleedin'... and in the wind.

Blended in, in the crowd.

Blocked ID.

Blood everywhere, none of it his?

Bobbing and weaving because you're too scared to take a hit.

Bobby just bought these chairs. He's gonna be pissed.

Bobby? Are you in here, man?

Bobby. Bobby Fish.

Boom!

Boom. Right back in business. I ain't going for that.

Booze, bitches, extra rations, shit like that.

Boy drew a shank and...

Boy drew a shank and...

Boys run.

Brace yourself.

Bravo team will bring up the rear.

Break it down and let it be broke.

Break it up a little bit. There you go.

Breathe some of this fresh air, young blood.

Breathe through your nose.

Breathe.

Breathe.

Breathe. Breathe. Just breathe.

Breathe. Okay.

Bridges, tunnels...

Bring everything back by the end of the day.

Bring him to you or Mr. Stokes?

Bring it.

Bring your apron.

Brings the best out of certain people.

Broken...

Brother deserves discretion.

Brother's got a point, Henry, much as I hate to admit that.

Brothers and sisters...