Black Lightning Review: The Book of Rebellion: Chapter 3: Angelitos Negros (Season 2 Episode 10)
A few years back when a show went on a mid-season break, it left you with a juicy cliffhanger and then returned with a vengeance. More recently, this trend has seemed to die off. Black Lightning Season 2 Episode 10, “The Book of Rebellion: Chapter 3: Angelitos Negros,” proves my point exactly.
For the last few episodes, Jennifer and Khalil have been on the run from just about everybody in town. Jefferson, Lynn, Tobias, and Cutter are still on the chase throughout the first fifteen minutes of the episode.
An episode ago, I was already bored with this whole thing. Not much really has happened during the chase, except for Cutter catching up with them once, a few episodes back.
The hysterical Lynn Pierce panicking is just annoying because we know her daughter is in fact alive the whole time. The dire attempt at suspense here is a little sad. When we know there is nothing at stake, the drama doesn’t really work — at all!
The worst thing about this chase that finally comes to a close about halfway through the episode, is the way it ends. It actually seems like an insult.
Do they get caught? Does Jennifer hear her mother’s plea and run to her in the dark alley?
Nope. None of these. Instead, Jennifer returns home — while her family continues scouring the streets for her.
It is really quite anticlimactic. This doesn’t even turn into a decent “CW moment.” I shed no tears for their reconciliation — not even a sniffle.
Lynn: We are not a family without you.
I’m actually more relieved that the scenario is over, to be honest with you. It really feels like the story arc was a long and drawn out waste of time. Everything could have been resolved much quicker, in a single episode revolving around Jen and Khalil.
Sure, there was a bit of character development along the way, but nothing too revealing that couldn’t have come out somewhere else down the line.
Aside from this anticlimactic scene, there are even more irritations running amok.
It is no surprise that Khalil gets caught by Cutter after turning himself in to the authorities. The minute the plan leaves the lips of Jefferson Pierce, it is already set in your mind that things are not going to work out.
There is no chance of things running smoothly. Again, this draws away from the drama and tension.
Of course, we don’t know exactly what is going to go down, so things aren’t totally destroyed. That is until Cutter finally shows up.
Okay great, here comes a huge showdown between Cutter and the SWAT team. There is going to be blood, guts, and a few awesome fighting scenes.
Wait, what? A commercial break. That’s fine, I have a little stress building, it works.
Counting the minutes. Counting the seconds.
And then we see it.
The aftermath.
What? You gave me nothing?
This feels like missing the winning touchdown while flipping channels!
A little blood on the pavement is about all we get to see from the bodies strewn about. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not some sort of sadist or anything. It’s just that a superhero show shouldn’t shy away from the action.
Not everything has to be shown here. A couple flying fists, a sweeping kick, maybe even a broken nose would suffice. I’m not looking for an “R” rating, but this barely earns a “PG-13.”
The lack of action here, just adds to the absence of excitement in the episode. Black Lightning and Thunder barely do anything while in costume — besides standing around. They search abandoned warehouses and cry Jennifer’s name.
Why exactly do they even have to be in costume to do this?
No one is going to think anything of a worried family searching for their daughter. It doesn’t scream superhero. It screams concerned family member – that is all.
I’ll admit, there is a little saving grace in the last five minutes of the episode. Not enough to spare a bad score from me, but something worth mentioning nonetheless.
Spoiler Alert!
Khalil’s metal spine being ripped out of his back, is something I definitely do not see coming. I expect a punch or two thrown in Khalil’s face. Nothing too brutal, especially after the letdown with Cutter.
It is hard to say right now, if Khalil is going to survive this onslaught. With him still withering in the street in front of the church, chances are they might keep him around for at least awhile.
This is the cliffhanger they should have left us with when Black Lightning went on the mid-season break. This is the sort of thing that keeps viewers interested. Stretching out scenes that could be cut completely does not.
But what do I know.
What did you think of this episode of Black Lightning? Did it disappoint you, or did it excite you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Black Lightning airs Mondays at 9/8c on The CW.
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Charles E Henning
Charles E. Henning lives in a quaint town of Illinois with his ever-loving wife since 1998. He is new to writing reviews, but has over thirty years of fictitious writing for his own personal fulfillment. His interests range from science fiction to character-based dramas, but he is a sucker for anyone in a cape.