Black Lightning Review: The Book of Reconstruction: Chapter Four (Season 4 Episode 4)

As this season of Black Lightning began, it was revealed that many of the characters were keeping secrets. Namely, Jen, Lynn, and Jefferson had their own dual identities living somewhere off-grid from their other family members. In typical form, these secrets led to more secrets — which led to even more secrets.

The problem with secrets, of course, is that eventually they boil over into the public eye, and that is exactly what happens on Black Lightning Season 4 Episode 4, “The Book of Reconstruction: Chapter 4.” 

Last season, Lynn became addicted to Glimmer. She told herself it was only for the greater good, and the end justifies the means.

If she really believed this though, why did she hide it from her family? If she let her family in on her little secret, maybe she could have kept it all in check preventing herself from becoming a full-fledged addict.

Instead, she stayed in the shadows growing increasingly dependent on the next fix. This led right into the beginning of Season 4, where Lynn is continuing to shoot-up with a man-made serum in order to have her own set of superpowers.

Right away this shows that Lynn has not learned her lesson. Like Jefferson has said throughout the episodes, she has just traded one addiction for another. 

With Lynn’s shady actions, she has proven herself untrustworthy to her family because lies and secrets go hand-in-hand.  Her word doesn’t mean much at all anymore. 

As lies and secrets continue to snowball, Lynn’s meeting with Tobias is just added to the pile of untruths sitting in the middle of the floor. After all, what is a tiny exclusion compared to everything else she is hiding? 

This is a good way for us to lose all credibility. We tell a tiny white lie, then later on we have to tell another lie to cover up the first one.

Eventually, the line between hurtful truth and helpful lies becomes blurred beyond recognition. Hiding becomes our comfort space, and we go there whenever life’s tensions build.

Jefferson learns early on about Lynn’s meeting with Tobias. Instead of straight out confronting her, Jefferson keeps this little secret to himself. The question is, why?

Is it really because he is waiting for her to come to him? Or is it because Jefferson has plenty of secrets of his own? 

Secrets can reform our motives and morals. We tell ourselves repeatedly that we aren’t hurting anybody — we are protecting them from the dirty, ugly truth. That in and of itself is a lie. 

Although the truth can be extremely painful, it is always necessary to hear. Lies and secrets fester inside of us, tearing away who we truly are and rebuilding a facade that we learn to live behind. 

Jefferson: I’ve come here to fight. That’s what I’m going to do.

For Jefferson, this facade is Lala’s fight club. With building tension and aggression, Jefferson needs an outlet to release all of his pent-up grief. He tells himself that this is a healthy way to release his emotions, this is a helpful way to get back to normal — this is far from the truth. 

When Lynn calls him out on this, Jefferson explodes into a frenzy of anger. How dare she confront him with the truth when she is a liar herself!

Of course, all these secrets and lies have put tremendous stress on the Pierce family. They squabble over the tiniest of details and the most minute of decisions. 

When something as major as the truth comes out, it is devastating. 

Fireballs of anger fly throughout the room aiming at each other’s hearts. They are both hurt and want to deflect that hurt on to the other person. It is a natural defense we fall into — no matter how many times it doesn’t end well. 

Lynn and Jefferson’s ferocity towards each other isn’t necessarily the problem here. They aren’t as mad at each other as they believe. In actuality, they are mad at themselves. 

They know they have lost part of themselves within the deception. Now that deception is out in the open, they feel exposed — completely and utterly naked. They both retreat to hide their shame. 

In reality, this boiling point is a beautiful thing. The truth is out in the open.

It may feel like rock bottom, but honestly, it is climbing back onto the ladder — stepping up one rung at a time to regain everything that was lost. 

As it has been said before in various ways — the truth will set you free. 

Now everything can be explored freely in plain sight of everyone around. 

No more half-truths in the way. No more white lies dressed up in a bouquet of roses. 

Jefferson sees this truth staring in his face. An opportunity to rebuild and become the hero he once was. Someone his family can look up to and learn from. 

Sadly, just because we learn a lesson doesn’t mean we don’t have to pay repercussions. 

The toll of not being there for his family has led to many dark corners for them, Jen especially. The mayor’s death weighs heavily on her as she feels at least partially responsible. 

If Black Lightning was there at the scene of the crime, instead of being off somewhere sulking, the outcome of the predicament may have been entirely different.

Although Jefferson has some calm and soothing words for his daughter, they come too little, too late.  

Jen resorts to her little addiction, a trip into the stratosphere. The energy she collects gives her new life, but as of lately, she has grown overly dependant on it. 

With no real glaring side effects, Jen has refused to see the increasing danger she is putting herself in. Guidance from her father could have set things straight, but there is no turning back the clock. 

Once Jefferson sees how his absence has affected his daughter, what will he do? Will he stick to his word and return to the man he once was, or will he fall farther into a depression, emerging himself into even greater darkness? 

The choice is ultimately his. Loss changes everything, and only we can figure out what to do with it. We can allow it to lead us to new heights — or the lowest depths.

What did you think of this episode of Black Lightning? Is Jen dead, or will she be reborn into something different? 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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