Marvel's Cloak and Dagger: My TV Series Review

Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger, or simply Cloak and Dagger, is an American cable TV series based on the Marvel Comics characters of the same name, created for Freeform by Joe Pokaski. The series is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) that shares continuity with the films and other TV series of the franchise. The series is produced by Marvel Television, ABC Signature Studios, and Wandering Rocks Productions, with Pokaski himself the showrunner.

In July 2011, development for pairing for this TV series had begun. Freeform, a renamed channel, ordered Cloak and Dagger to series in April 2016. First season aired from June 7 to August 2, 2018 with 10 episodes. Second season was renewed by Freeform in July 2018. Filming took place in New Orleans.

WARNING: Spoilers ahead!!!

The series is all about two teens in New Orleans with acquired superpowers after a life-changing event that revolved around Roxxon Gulf’s collapse. They soon realized that their powers work better when they are not apart with each other as their relationship unfolds, yet their feelings for each other make their complicated world more challenging on the other hand.

American actress Olivia Holt (Kim Crawford of Kickin’ It/ Spider-Girl of Ultimate Spider-Man/ Lindy Watson of I Didn’t Do It/ Valentina of The Evermoor Chronicles/ Britanny of Gnome Alone) played her role as Dagger aka Tandy Bowen, a street thief teen who is connected to Tyrone Johnson thru a shared childhood tragedy. She has the ability to imitate light daggers.

American rapper and actor Aubrey Joseph (Dwight Gooden Stone of The Night Of/ Cefus of Fading Gigolo/ Curtis ‘Legs’ Banks of Run All Night) played the role of Cloak aka Tyrone Johnson, a young black male teen who is connected to Tandy Bowen thru a shared childhood tragedy. He has the ability to engulf others in darkness and transport them thru the Darkforce dimension.

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Canadian actress Gloria Reuben (Kira Evans of Blindspot/ Krista Gordon of Mr. Robot/ Mayor Pamela Clayborne of Saints & Sinners/ Marina Peralta of Falling Skies/ Jeanie Boulet of ER) played her role as Adina Johnson, Tyrone’s mother who works at Roxxon. She invests heavily in making sure her son has a good life.

British actor Miles Mussenden (Policeman of I, Tonya/ Park Ranger of Spider-Man: Homecoming/ MP Officer Patrick of Stranger Things) played his role as Otis Johnson, Tyrone’s working class father who tries to provide for his family. He is also an associate of the Wild Red.

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American actor J. D. Evermore (Dewey A. Revette of Deepwater Horizon/ Sheriff Carl Daggett of Rectify/ The Man of Constantine/ Sniper of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes/ Harley of The Walking Dead/ Woody of Prison Break) played his role as  Connors, an intimidating scar-faced detective of the New Orleans Police Department’s vice squad who hides a secret.

New Zealander actress Emma Lahana (Kira Ford of Power Rangers SPD/ Jen of Supernatural/ Ava Dixon of Stargate: Atlantis/ Charlotte Monroe of Hellcats/ Jennifer Mason of Haven/ Alex of Arctic Air) played her role as Detective Brigid O’Reilly, a detective from Harlem with hardened New York sensibilities. She believes no one is above the law, including other cops.

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American actress Noelle Renee Bercy (Tekkar of Tabloid/ Lamont’s Girls of Slice 3) played her role as Evita Fusilier, a friend and love interest of Tyrone’s. She is from New Orleans and was familiar with the voodoo culture of the city. She was also able to speak to people regarding it for her part.

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Scottish-Dutch Canadian actress Andrea Roth (Noelle Davis of 13 Reasons Why/ Janet Gavin of Rescue Me) played the role of Melissa Bowen, Tandy’s drug and alcohol-addicted yet optimistic mother.

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American actor Carl Lundstedt (Reggie Dalton of Grey’s Anatomy/ Mike Kurtzman of Conviction) played the role of Tandy’s partner in crime and ex-boyfriend named Liam Walsh.

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Japanese-American actress Ally Maki (Jess of Wrecked/ Dawn of 10 Things I Hate Things About You/ Jenny of Step Up 3D/ Missy of ER/ Matsumura of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) played her role as Mina Hess, an environmental engineer at Roxxon Gulf who befriends Tandy.

Korean-American Tim Kang (School Superintendent of A Wrinkle in Time/ Oscar of The Vampire Diaries/ En-Joo of Rambo/ Paul of Two Weeks Notice) played the role of Ivan Hess, Mina’s father who worked with Nathan Bowen at Roxxon Gulf.

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Review aggregator website called Rotten Tomatoes reported a 90% approval rating for its first season, with an average rating of 7.77/10 based from 41 reviews. The website consensus also reads, 

“Cloak and Dagger blends soapy drama with superhero grit to create an exciting, surprisingly thoughtful addition to the genre — even if it falls prey to a certain amount of narrative bloat.”

Metacritic, on the other hand, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 68 out of 100 based on reviews from 15 critics, indicating “generally favorable reviews”.

IMDb, the world’s most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content, gave average score of 7/10  from 8,171 star votes. 

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This newest series from Marvel is much of a drama plus flashbacks from the past, yet as you go along watching the episodes, you will really get amazed how the two teens who have acquired superpowers get along together as they are trying to clear out the issues and dilemmas they have met since the tragic occurence from Roxxon Gulf. They both have different sides of story but later become cool superheroes with their abilities that can really save the day, especially if both of them combine their powers. 

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A much more exciting show packed with actions, mystery and theoretical analysis, but parental guidance is still a must for kiddos, for some few gore and violence. Another great job and success from Marvel for bringing Cloak and Dagger from comics to television. Truly captivated by the actors’ portrayal, purely natural and compelling!

So here’s my judgement — I give my 8/10. Excited for season 2 now!

If you haven’t watched this series yet, here’s the official trailer courtesy of TV Promos YT channel:

Featured Image: source