Black Lightning Review: Black Jesus (Season 1 Episode 4)

On Black Lightning Season 1 Episode 4, “Black Jesus,” there is a new, deadly drug in town, called Green Light, which is one of the many negative by-products of The One Hundred.

As usual, the target is young people and Jefferson is leaving no stones unturned in getting the drug off the streets. While perpetuating their reign of fear, The One Hundred is also strengthening their efforts to get rid of Black Lightning.

Four episodes in and the series seems to be picking up momentum and delving into its prominent plot lines. As The One Hundred continue their terrorist activities, Jefferson is tired of being just the good principal and is gradually making a full comeback as Black Lightning. His first daughter, Anissa, is also coming to terms with her powers and is already having a field day with the bad guys.

Jefferson had been in a difficult situation as a result of his estranged relationship with his wife — Lynn — who left him because of his near-death experiences during his previous time as Black Lightning. For a long time, the fear of risking their impending reconciliation put his rescue efforts on hold but he has apparently started considering the words of the late Lawanda.

Lawanda: Unless all of us are free, none of us will be free.

Jefferson is a man who loves his people and it is heroic that he will risk the relationship of the woman he loves, to keep his community safe.

To be fair, though, it is reasonable and adorable that Lynn fights to protect Jefferson from being Black Lightning again. She is comfortable with the idea of him saving their daughters from trouble and also wants his personality — as Black Lightning — hidden from the public.

But these are two mutually exclusive desires because in eyebrows were raised when Black Lightning rescued Anissa and Jennifer on Black Lighting Season 1 Episode 1, leaving the other girls trapped in the covers of The One Hundred. Thus, if Lynn decides to tow that line of thought, she will still end up outing Black Lightning and probably erasing the community’s confidence in him because then, he would appear to be partial in his actions.

Towards the end of the episode, Lynn sends a voice mail to Jefferson, which sounds like her stance is shifting towards the grounds of acceptance but also genuine concern.

It is also worthy of mention that the chemistry between Jefferson and Lynn is electrifying and they really need to get back together. They want to, but one of them has to make the compromise. At this point, the only option would be for Lynn to support the movement because as the show’s soundtrack says, Black Lightning is back.

This episode is a very important one because it heralds the beginning of a much-needed commitment to crime fighting in Freeland. At this point, both Jefferson and Anissa are oblivious of the other’s superpowers but it may not be long before they realize they are both gifted and fighting the same battles.

During the dinner time between the Pierces and The Hendersons, Anissa is seen echoing the sentiments of her father, when she was highlighting the importance of having Black Lightning back.

The smiles of approval she gets from him are really heartwarming and that confidence will inevitably be the trigger that motivates Jefferson to continue the return of Black Lightning. For the first time, Jefferson is happy that someone in his family appreciates his cause, even though Anissa, also known as ‘Thunder’ from the comics, still does not know that the Black Lightning she roots for, is her own father, Jefferson.

She almost outed herself to Jefferson when she took out the guys that harassed Grace and now that Gambi has started investigating, it will be entertaining to watch the reactions of her family members when they gain knowledge of her powers.

Speaking of Grace, she and Anissa are definitely headed towards a romantic relationship, though their chemistry could use some improvement. Unlike Chenoa, Grace will not downplay Anissa’s powers but will rather understand and support her through her journey.

On the flip side of Freeland, Tobias Whale welcomes his sister in crime, Tori, who has come to town for the grand scheme of killing Black Lightning. Tobias has also made a big swing at Khalil, Jennifer’s boyfriend, trying to convince him that Black Lightning is the cause of his predicament. If he succeeds with Khalil, it will be a big blow to the Pierces because then, they would have an enemy within.

The plot has thickened and the next episodes will undoubtedly unravel new battles, revelations, triumphs and defeats, new villains maybe, and all the nuances that make Black Lightning super entertaining.

OTHER THOUGHTS:

• It baffles me that nobody recognizes Jefferson when he dresses up as Black Lightning. Besides the light from his vest and the auto-tuned version of his voice, his face is uncovered, save for the pair of glasses and I find it hard to understand that the people who know him as Jefferson do not recognize him, even at close proximity.
• I feel like the show rushed through Chenoa’s storyline like they could not wait to kill her off and establish ‘Thunder Grace’, which is Anissa and Grace’s ship name, by the way. She and Anissa basically had one full scene and shortly after, they were broken up. Yes, she downplayed Anissa’s powers, suggesting therapy but generally, viewers did not get the chance to dislike her, other than relying on the knowledge from the comics that ‘Thunder Grace’ was bound to happen.
• I am still trying to wrap my head around the procedure Lady Eve was performing on the table, drilling through a human body. Is The One Hundred also involved in some sort of voodoo? It would hardly be surprising but I guess we will find out in later episodes.
• The fighting scenes are obviously carefully choreographed with accompanying superhero music to match.
• This show deals with heavy topics related to violence, drugs and murder but they are handled in a way that makes the stories neither dark nor heavy and ultimately easy to watch. It is even difficult to hate the villains, I mean, look at Jill Scott making an appearance as Lady Eve.
• Overall, the show is a beautiful depiction of diversity and inclusion. It also pays homage to the black community in an empowering manner and I hope The CW keeps it around for a long time.

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Black Lightning airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW

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Cynthia Jones

Cynthia is a Sociologist but most especially, a TV enthusiast, with an undeniable attraction to authentic storytelling and powerful portrayals. Her interests also revolve around discovering ways of achieving social change through strategic strides in movies and television. Though she can barely strike a vocal note, she has an endless love for music and her piano is her bff.