8) References To Big Bads Past
As well as every supporting character putting in an appearance, just about all of the major villains we’ve seen so far throughout the shows are name-checked or obliquely alluded to over the course of The Defenders.
First of all, when Luke starts investigating the deaths of youngsters in Harlem, he suspects it’s the doing of “Mariah and Shades.” After all, at the end of Luke Cage, Mariah Dillard and her new partner in crime escaped to see another day, presumably setting up a major role in season 2. Mariah’s plan for “A New Harlem Renaissance” is also referenced by a sign on a bus.
Stick later informs the gang that Nobu, the Hand leader seen in Daredevil seasons 1 and 2, was only a lackey for Murakami, In the same episode – “Take Shelter” – the Hand’s Sowande taunts Jessica by mentioning a man who got in her head some time ago. This is obviously a nod to the mind-controlling Kilgrave.
Finally, Madame Gao reminds Elektra at one point that Alexandra has built up relationships with everyone from “crime lords to corporate partners.” It’s likely that she’s referencing Daredevil‘s Wilson Fisk and Harold Meachum from Iron Fist, both of whom had dealings with the Hand.
