Black Lightning Review: The Book of Blood: Chapter One: Requiem (Season 2 Episode 5)
Black Lightning Season 2 Episode 4, “The Book of Blood: Chapter One: Requiem,” leaves a lingering question that all are asking: Is Gambi dead?
Although Gambi’s character is and has been influential, he’s never been that compelling of a character. Yes, although he took care of Jefferson when he was young, I never really found him as interesting as any of the other characters (and the show even pokes fun at his presence by calling him one of the only white men seen).
However, his loss (or loss?) is clearly taking a toll on the Pierces, not to mention the long-term fallout. Yet, it’s still unclear where the show is going to go from here. It feels almost too chill to be true, given that we don’t ever see the body and that it was presented in such a nonchalant way.
The time that we are given to simply process his death is so short and so abrupt that sniping him off like that feels a bit cheap. I wish there could have been actual stakes in the moment that allowed for us to acknowledge his supposed death and the ramifications of it rather than jumping to the outcome.
Nevertheless, the chance that he is actually dead allows the episode to play out in a way that taunts our expectations of the show and its narrative. We get a darker, more emotional episode that is complemented by Anissa’s and Jennifer’s storylines.
In the same vein, Jennifer and Khalil’s storyline feels like it’s faltering, too.
I still don’t know if I can buy into his return, and so many bridges have already been burned. I’m left wishing Jennifer was given some time on her own to go about her business–even if she is a teenage girl, it doesn’t have to always be male-centric.
Anissa’s storyline is perhaps the most devastating and plays out the best in the context of Gambi’s supposed death. After Anissa runs to Grace, it’s heartbreaking to see them fail to get together in a mutually beneficial fashion–that is, they both deserve love and someone to love, and they’re both not quite in that place. Remember, communication is key!
I’m also curious to see how the show will handle Grace’s powers, now that we’ve gone through many iterations of this. Will the show present something new?
However, I’m holding out for them both after Anissa’s romantic storyline pretty much disappeared last season and Grace popped up here and there, but the show focused much more on the superhero storylines. It was a choice that was made, for better or worse, but now, it’s time for that plot to reemerge.
Grace’s rejection of Anissa is understandable, given that Grace has practically spent her entire time on the show trying to gain the affections of Anissa, and now she’s being brushed off. If they’re ever going to team up or make things work together, there’s going to need to be more emotional sharing going on.
What did you think of this episode of Black Lightning? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Black Lightning airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.
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Olivia Popp
Olivia Popp is a freelance writer, artist, and entertainment fanatic who started living and breathing television ever since her parents told her in elementary school that it would rot her brain. Now, she's a film student and TV apologist with a penchant for providing forceful and unsolicited series recommendations to anyone within earshot. Ask her about science fiction, comedy, nature photography, filmmaking, tasty cheese, or even more television.