Black Lightning Review: Black Jesus: The Book of Crucifixion (Season 1 Episode 11)

On Black Lightning Season 1 Episode 11, “Black Jesus: The Book of Crucifixion,” Jefferson gets arrested and detained on the orders of the ASA, while Gambi works with Anissa to get him off the hook.

Black Lightning has been known to strategically use Biblical references in naming its episodes. From The Revelation and the Book of Revelations, to the Book of Redemption, and now the Book of Crucifixion.

Black Lightning has been dubbed ‘Black Jesus’ because of his efforts at protecting the people of Freeland, for being a ‘savior’ figure to them.

In “The Book of Crucifixion”, just like in The Bible, ‘Black Jesus’ is arrested and detained for something he didn’t do but the fundamental difference here is that before he is shipped off to the black site, which would have ended him, he gets rescued through the collective efforts of Inspector, now Deputy Chief Henderson, Anissa and Gambi.

Jefferson is beloved by his students and indeed, most people in Freeland, as a motivational speaker and principal extraordinaire. Though they do not know him as Black Lightning, they still respect him, which we see when his students attempt to prevent the police from arresting him.

The puzzle they are yet to unravel is that Black Lightning is Jefferson and his humane personality shines through in either forms of his existence. Thus, when people defend Jefferson, they inevitably defend Black Lightning, whom they also admire.

So far, the show has succeeded in keeping his two personalities separate from each other, yet identical in purpose. Freeland will definitely be in shock when they finally discover that he is one and the same person. I can’t wait to see how that day plays out.

A very prominent theme on this episode is self-control. Jefferson has always been an advocate of good judgment, and he has tried to instill those values into his daughters. Notice how he stops himself, Anissa, Jennifer and even the students from taking actions against the police during his arrest.

Watching Jefferson go through those humiliating moments in the hands of the police is painful to say the least, and the very realistic expectation would be to have him “Black Lightning his way out,” as Jennifer hilariously asks Lynn. Instead, he plays it calmly, risking death in the process.

That scenario also lays a parallel with Biblical events, whereby Jesus Christ, with the powers to free Himself, exercised restraint and forbade His disciples from seeking vengeance for Him.

The decision to not exhibit powers is also to avoid revealing his identity and those of his daughters, which would have put their mission in jeopardy.
This episode delivers panic and exhilaration in a very interesting fashion that it keeps you glued from start to finish.

Vice Principal Fowdy, who is the facilitator of Jefferson’s arrest, is still not convinced that Jefferson is Black Lightning and her oblivion is very relatable because Jefferson masks his superhero identity really well with his calm demeanor – to think that even his daughters didn’t find out until recently!

Besides, nobody would expect a metahuman to be sharing spaces with normal humans daily as a principal in a regular town like Freeland.

His feud with Gambi comes to a close after Gambi designs a hologram that exonerates him, though from all indications, it is a temporary solution because the ASA have it on good authority that he is indeed, Black Lightning.

The team work that comes into play in Jefferson’s rescue is worthy of mention. I like that he is portrayed not as a superhero that is capable of beating all odds, but as one that is flawed and needs protection too.

I thought he would have opened up when Henderson asked the truth of him but he doesn’t and this could be because he has no reason to trust anyone outside of his family.

He trusted Gambi but later realized Gambi had been hiding the truth from him. Once beaten, twice shy. His friendship with Henderson will likely be put to the test when his identity gets revealed.

Jefferson’s ordeal will probably be the springboard needed to launch Jennifer into full bloom, going by how powerless she feels about the situation.

The season is almost over and I need to see Jennifer in superhero mode at least once this season. The slow burn has been intriguing but if it drags on for too long, it becomes stale.

Now that Jefferson is back home, we know that the battle is far from over. He will still go in search of the missing kids, who have been transferred to another laboratory facility, and as we see, one of them already passed on.

The preview for the coming episodes heightens the anticipation for extraordinary drama, with Lala and Tobias making the cut, and with Vice Principal Fowdy as the enemy within. The battle for Freeland’s progress rages on but it only gets more exciting.

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

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

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