Black Lightning Review: The Book of Secrets: Chapter Three: Pillar of Fire (Season 2 Episode 13)
Black Lightning Season 2 Episode 13, “The Book of Secrets: Chapter Three: Pillar of Fire,” gives us a handful of confusing scenes that do not get sorted out to the end of the episode. It is a bit of a letdown after the powerhouse we received last week.
Don’t get me wrong, this episode isn’t entirely bad. Being able to see Jennifer strike out on her own and take out members of The 100 — is quite exciting. I must say, it is about time.
The problem is in some of the similarities with other plot points.
Since I have already mentioned Jennifer’s side mission, I guess I’ll start there.
So Jennifer lies to her sister and takes to the street to find out information on Tobias. Okay, that makes sense. Heck, that part of the story arc practically writes itself. It is a good lead up and makes for a great action sequence.
The major problem here, is that Jennifer dresses up exactly like her sister does when she goes undercover.
When I was taking notes during the first scene, I literally wrote down the name Anissa several times. Everything from shirt, to pants, to bandanna, are exactly the same attire Anissa wears when she is playing “Robin Hood.” So much in fact, that it even confuses the bad guys.
Okay, I’ll give you that the get-up makes sense for going undercover and fighting crime. It really does, but there needs to be some defining characteristic of the outfit. Something that says, “Hello audience, it’s me Jennifer!”
This could have been done with anything from jewelry to a wild colored bandanna. It would still be confusing to the bad guys, but at least we would be in on the joke.
Henderson: Just what I need, more questions.
Besides the lazy acts of the wardrobe department, we get another confusing part revolving around the new meta in town.
The entire season, every time the pods were mentioned the inhabitants were called kids. Not young adults, or even twenty-somethings — it was always kids.
Imagine my surprise when a full-grown man is awoken by Tobias to do his evil bidding.
Later on, someone explains there were four metahumans also frozen in pods along with the kids. These metas are named the Masters of Disaster.
This seems odd to me that this idea is announced this late in the game. With less than five episodes left in the season, they are just throwing this curve ball at us now?
Did they just realize there hasn’t been much in the way of a big bad yet this season? Yeah, Tobias is here, but he is just the constant menace in the background.
I’m just thinking that there could have been hints of these characters popping up here and there throughout the season. Wouldn’t Lynn question why a few adults are mixed in with the kids? She is a scientist — she is supposed to question things.
The last confusing thing I would like to point out, is a little different from the rest. It is more of a, “what’s the point,” than the other two.
I can overlook the clothing choice Jennifer makes, and I can ignore the fact that all the metakids aren’t necessarily kids at all. This part of the story I’m about to talk about on the other hand, barely makes sense to me at all.
Yep, I’m talking about the Mr. Lowry scenario.
With the whole tirade Mr. Lowry went on last week about this, that, and the other thing, it makes sense that some questions would be raised by parents. It even comes down to reasonable deduction that the school board gets involved and questions his character.
What doesn’t add up for me, is that this all comes to a head for nothing.
The whole thing plays out pretty simply. Jefferson is approached to attest to Mr. Lowry’s character, and of course, he is much obliged.
Speaking of which, I am not a fan of the cockiness Mr. Pierce portrays during these scenes. It didn’t seem to fit the person they have built Jefferson to be.
Of course, Jefferson backs down at the last-minute, realizing that maybe at this point in his life, being principal isn’t what he needs to do. Even though I can kind of see the point that is being made, the end doesn’t seem to prove the means.
Mr. Lowry does not seem to be the right person for the job. Couldn’t Jefferson say that and turn down the job at the same time? Just because I don’t want to be president, doesn’t mean anybody else that wants the job should have it.
Jefferson could nominate someone else for the job, who is more caring and considerate to the students. It really is that simple.
I understand tough love, but Mr. Lowry shows a lack of compassion for these students and their futures.
Nonetheless, it will be interesting where they go from here. Hopefully this strange turn of events, will ignite something in Mr. Lowry and help him see the possibilities of teaming up with Jefferson to tackle things head-on.
I just hope something more meaningful presents itself down the line — besides a bit of closure for Mr. Pierce.
A majority of the problems that appear in this episode, don’t take too much away from the entire season. Sure they are bad choices, but at the end of the season, I doubt I’ll even remember them.
Luckily, I am not a fan of ending everything with a big beautiful bow on top, so I can live with these shortcomings for the time being. I just hope this doesn’t form a habit — ruining all the successful storytelling thus far and going for convenience.
What did you think of this episode of Black Lightning? Did you find yourself confused? 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.