Black Lightning Review: The Book of Revelations (Season 1 Episode 8)

On Black Lightning Season 1 Episode 8, “The Book of Revelations,” Jefferson trains Anissa on how to approach her powers as they try to exonerate Black Lightning from Lady Eve’s murder; Gambi comes clean about his double-dealing, and Jennifer discovers something unusual about herself, you guessed right, her supernatural endowment.

Unlike the other episodes before this, the tempo is mostly mellow, with no fights or acts of violence, but a series of events aimed at making revelations, which is appropriately the title of the episode.

The episode will be important in advancing the next journey of the narrative. There is no mention or appearance of Tobias but there is a new evil sheriff in town, named Martin Proctor, who is obviously Lady Eve’s boss, on a mission to hunt down Black Lightning for Lady Eve’s murder.

It seems like a logical progression to introduce a new and more powerful villain to replace the one who was once deemed the evil queen, Lady Eve.

Lala’s return is given more visibility, though the reason for his return is not very clear yet. He clearly has amends to make to Lawanda, whom he murdered in cold blood. But, reintroducing Lala in a mysterious and still inexplicable method, is a decision that may work against the show, if handled shabbily.

Lala’s story seemed to have run its course especially when Tobias came into the scene and snuffed him out. Unless they have him coming back as a changed person to help defeat Tobias and The One Hundred, his return may fall flat and add no significance to the grand scheme of events.

Gambi’s portrayal makes a complete turn around from his previously suspicious actions and returns him to what he was initially perceived as, a mentor and guardian to Black Lightning, someone with good intentions for the Pierce family.

Seeing him in Church, listening to that beautifully-rendered, soul-soothing song – which by the way, was a great song for the situation – is like a cleansing of his image, the image that had been tainted by his secret meetings with the bad guys.

Apparently, he is genuinely committed to Black Lightning’s cause but there is no blaming Jefferson for being upset after he learns the truth because, who wouldn’t? To think he had entrusted his life and those of his family members to someone who was at the helm of affairs of Freeland’s now raging problems?

That feeling of betrayal and anguish couldn’t have been taken away from him and if he had reacted otherwise, it would have felt deeply unrealistic. With the benefit of experience, it is expected that he will get over it and form a formidable alliance with Gambi again, hopefully with no thoughts left in the dark.

A large part of this episode centers on Jefferson teaching Anissa how to use her powers but ultimately realizing that he needs to avoid inhibiting them.

It has always been canon that Jefferson is the most powerful person in Freeland, given his superpowers. He seemed like the one to save everyone, not needing to be saved.

So, when Anissa saves his life, he is completely shaken and this is an element of surprise, not just for him, but for viewers, and also a ploy to establish the importance of Anissa as a participant in Freeland’s redemption. It also reinforces the humanity of Jefferson, as a mere mortal who cannot adequately survive all by himself.

Having a female superhero who is capable of saving the male protagonist is a welcome development and will serve as an inspiration to young women. Her role as a partner to Black Lightning is solidified and with how Jefferson reacted while narrating the incident to Lynn, it is expected that he will entrust more responsibility and trust to Anissa, going forward.

Speaking of The Pierces, Jennifer’s powers are only just being introduced and this is the eighth episode of the show’s. The fact that these characters are given the time to grow and come into view, is commendable and their development does not seem forced at all.

However, they also need time to explore the full extent of their abilities, so, here’s hoping that the show gets more episodes and seasons; otherwise, it would be a disappointment to watch these powers develop systematically only to be underutilized.

By discovering the corpse of the person who likely murdered Lady Eve, Jefferson tried to clear Black Lightning’s image in the eyes of the law and the people of Freeland, who now consider Black Lightning the enemy. Making that discovery is a plot point that is expected to help achieve that aim.

On the flip side though, It seems unimaginable that whoever killed him and buried him in the shallow grave, left that weapon, the same one he used to kill Lady Eve, right by his graveside.

From what Jefferson calls the second rule of high profile assassination, which is killing the killer, it would only be that the assassin was killed to conceal evidence and avoid exposing the perpetrators. But the error of leaving that weapon behind? The one thing that would trace the murder back to them? That does not sound like what a high profile killer tactic would be oblivious of.

Apart from the obvious reason of having Black superheroes on Television, another reason for new viewers to embrace this show would be because of the enchanting display of a lovely family by Cress Williams and the others.

The Pierce family is portrayed like every normal, close-knit family, though Jefferson and Lynn are still not romantically together yet; they cook, eat dinner together, have normal family problems and work together to make sure their family is protected.

Their arc is like a redefinition of family dynamics and works for them because for Lynn, moving away from Jefferson when she did, built up her strength, such that now that she is back, she is handling the whole situation a tad differently. Yes, she is still worried but her commitment to the struggle is a tool that may help save the day. Besides, family is family and you love them regardless, which is what their example heavily amplifies.

The scene where Jennifer brings her phone to Anissa in an attempt to recount her experience at discovering her powers also reinforces the family’s unique relationship and reenacts the closeness between the two sisters, which was first introduced in the Pilot.

Additionally, it highlights the fundamental difference in their personalities, which may eventually play out in the way they work out their superpowers.

Unlike Jennifer coming clean about her experience, Anissa kept hers a secret until it was impossible to keep it a secret. Watching them manifest their powers in relation to their differences will be interesting to explore and I hope the show devotes adequate attention to that.

What did you think of this episode of Black Lightning? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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

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