An invincible man with a disturbing past tries to start fresh in Harlem, where crime is about to go from bad to worse after the local bosses lose a large sum of money in an exchange gone bad.
Pop presses Luke to go looking for Chico, who is also being chased by Cottonmouth and the police over his involvement in the shoot-out. Luke finds out what Misty Knight really does for a living, while Pop tries to arrange parlay to save Chico's life.
Trying to decide how to move forward after the death of someone close to him, Luke decides to dismantle Cottonmouth's empire one piece at a time -- starting with his cash flow. Misty grows increasingly suspicious of Luke.
Beneath a pile of rubble Luke works to save the life of a friend, while he remembers his fateful time in Seagate Prison -- at the mercy of a corrupt guard who is running an illegal fight club.
An infuriated Cottonmouth puts the squeeze on Harlem's people in order to recoup some of his monetary losses, casting all the blame on Luke Cage. While Luke prepares for Pop's memorial service, Claire Temple arrives in town.
Scarfe ends up shot after pushing his luck with Cottonmouth and turns to Luke for help, offering evidence that can put the crime boss away. Luke is reunited with nurse Claire Temple, and Mariah Dillard tangles with the press at an in-home interview.
Cornell Stokes flexes his muscle with a quick release from prison, calling on Luke Cage for a parlay to try and threaten him into leaving town. While Mariah fends off threats to her council seat, Shades pressures her to step up and fulfill her family's legacy.
Luke is targeted by someone from his past who has the ability to shoot him, forcing him and Claire on the run. Elsewhere, Shades helps Mariah plot to cover up a murder and try to pin it on Luke.
Luke fights for his life while the New York police launch a manhunt to bring him in, seeking help from the scientist who made him the way he is. Meanwhile, Misty is forced to come to terms with her anger following her brush with death.
To advance his new alliance with Mariah, Diamondback strikes out at the police force and tries to frame Luke. After Claire fights to save Luke's life he sets out to discover the truth about his family history.
Luke is trapped inside Harlem's Paradise with a wounded Misty Knight after Willis Stryker attacks the club and takes hostages -- including Claire. Willis tries to frame Luke for the crisis, but outside Inspector Ridley grows suspicious that they have targeted the wrong man.
Luke must evade the police after the incident at Harlem's Paradise, while Diamondback is targeted by a rival gang. Shades is bailed out of jail and faces the new reality of shifting allegiances.
