Black Lightning Review: The Book of Ruin: Chapter Two (Season 4 Episode 6)

Jennifer Pierce has always been my favorite character on Black Lightning.

Watching her navigate her powers, while also maintaining her teenage spunk, has been quite the spectacle providing the viewers with a high level of relatable drama that the younger audience may not be able to find in Jefferson. The choice to recast China Anne McClain with Laura Kariuki further exemplifies the passage of the informative years.

Black Lightning Season 4 Episode 6, “The Book of Ruin: Chapter Two,” highlights the personal struggle of a young woman facing the possibilities of an entirely new life. As many of us may have noticed, dramatic change can often cause a sort of identity crisis not only for one’s self but for those around them as well.

Many shows have gone the route of recasting characters when they aren’t finished using them even though the actor decides to move on. It can oftentimes make or break a show in a matter of episodes. Luckily, someone decided to write the change of Jen’s physical appearance into the script, thus forth avoiding the awkward transition.

When something dramatic (or even traumatic) happens in our lives, everything gets turned upside down. While this could be a physical change, it can also include a move from a major city, a job loss, or a divorce. Any of the options cause us to debate what led us here, and how it ultimately defines us. 

Although it may not seem it at the time, we are the ones who give our circumstances the right to change us. 

When Jennifer Pierce first steps out of the crazy machine that put her together piece-by-piece, she has no clue as to what the matter is. Her family stares at her in disbelief, unsure of who exactly they are looking at. They know who is supposed to be standing before them, but their eyes do not meet their expectations. 

Jefferson, Lynn, and Anyssa lob questions at Jen as if she is supposed to have some magical answers they don’t know about. Who are you? Where is our daughter?

This will happen to us as well.

Losing a job you once loved can throw your entire future into turmoil. Where do I go from here? A divorce can affect the way you love people. How do I avoid being hurt again?

Grace: It’s not who you are on the outside, it is who you are on the inside.

All these kinds of questions will revolve around the person’s mind, encompassing every aspect of their lives until they make some sort of decision.

Sadly, the first option is often the worst — choosing to shut down. 

We are hurt and wounded and don’t know how to move on. We are traumatized by fear — causing us to become paralyzed. 

When Jen first realizes what the problem is, she runs into the next room. She doesn’t want her family to see her like this, and who can blame her? She doesn’t believe she is the person she once was.

At that moment, her life is spinning completely out of control. Up is down, and down is up. Nothing makes a lick of sense.

I’ve been there, losing a job I had for nearly 15 years due to company closure. It hurts — it hurts bad. You feel completely betrayed.

I’m sure Jen feels the same way. Why would something so horrible happen to the good guy? If she fights for good, then why does something so bad happen to her?

Her family is equally in dismay. We raised her right, gave her firm footing, so why is this unfolding?

Everyone ends up in a state of shock and disbelief. 

Unfortunately, her father takes it the hardest. He runs headfirst into denial.

Jefferson shuns his daughter to her face, refusing to accept that this new person standing before him is the child he sired. He goes as far as wondering aloud about throwing her back into the machine and trying again. Absurd and unreasonable, but some parents would go that far.

This further impacts Jennifer negatively. She is already having a hard enough time accepting herself, with her father rejecting her as well, all seems lost.

Lynn and Anyssa embrace their family member after the initial shock, trying to bring her peace and comfort. Although none of this makes sense, they know that the power of love will persevere. 

That is the truth, my friends. We may be dragged out and struck down, but eventually, we will be able to get back on our own two feet again. With time and effort, we will heal. 

Throughout the rest of the episode, Lynn and Anyssa do things to bring out the traits of their daughter that they know are still there. They have conversations that highlight her sense of humor, her stubbornness, and her memories.

The choice to do this is very important. It proves to Jen that she is still the same person no matter what her outer appearance is. This also helps Lynn and Anyssa to accept the fact themselves.

The truth of the matter is, life does many different things to change us. Physical, mental, and emotional stimuli happen during every moment of every day. But what matters most is what is in our hearts and souls. 

God put special things in each of us, a gift to those around us filling a hole that no one else can. 

Jen’s place within her family is to show them unconditional love, strength, and fortitude. While others can show these traits to her family members, only she can give them that personal touch that will affect them most deeply. 

We were put in our situations for a purpose and placed into our environment — not by accident. We are here because this is where we will be most effective.  

You are you no matter the circumstances. Your preferences might change throughout your life, but deep down you are always who you were meant to be. Fill your role — you never know who you are blessing along the way.

What did you think of this episode of Black Lightning? Does the change in actor affect how you feel about Jen? 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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