Black Lightning Review: The Book of Resurrection: Chapter Two: Closure (Season 4 Episode 13)

After four seasons, the Pierce family finally hang up their hats. With their closing episode, they continue to teach the viewers a lesson and give us hope for a future in Freeland.

Black Lightning Season 4 Episode 13, “The Book of Resurrection: Chapter Two: Closure,” begins with the tension as high as ever putting each part of the superfamily isolated and in danger. Jefferson has been buried alive, Jen faces off with her doppelganger, and Anyssa has been shot with an IED.

Their struggles mount, yet they refuse to give up against the impossible odds. These characters truly are superheroes. 

Throughout this final season, Tobias has kept a foot ahead of Jefferson and his brood. By attacking his public image, Tobias Whale has created something worse than violence. He has created doubt.

Doubt is a powerful tool that can be used in the evilest of ways. It can drag someone down to their lowest depths and bury them there. This defeats the spirit — our most powerful ally.

As it has been seen over the last several episodes, a defeated spirit can be overcome, but it takes more than a little fortitude. 

That is why it is always important to have someone in our corner. We may be beaten down and ready to give up, but if someone else is there rooting for us in our darkest hour, we may just be able to stand again.

Some of the most powerful scenes in this episode are the ones where Jefferson speaks with his deceased father.

His father’s death is the most powerful catalyst Jefferson has ever had in his life. At the time, he did not know that terrible moment would be life-altering in a positive way. We too can use our pain to build better lives.

As Jefferson gives up his life to God, he has altered memories of sitting on the porch with his father. In a typical father-like style, the man speaks words of wisdom letting Jefferson know that he is here for a reason.

Any situation or scenario that is thrust upon us is given to us for a purpose — to build us into who we are truly meant to be.

It takes a while for Jefferson to comprehend the message his father is trying to convey. He feels powerless and at the end of his rope. How can he overcome a situation that appears to be already over?

The answer is the power inside. 

Like Jefferson, we all have an amount of power lingering inside of us. A gift called will. 

The will to fight on. The will to defend what is right. The will to overcome. 

Gambi: Don’t give up. Learn from this.

If we call upon that will in the bleakest of nights, a light begins to shine letting us find our way to the exit. This is exactly what happens when Jefferson draws strength from the earth’s elements. He finds hope where there appears to be none at all.

Jefferson rises from the grave better, stronger, and more determined than before. He knows his worth and his duty — there is no stopping him now.

Jen’s battle is more of a metaphorical one. Although she physically fights JJ, her story is more about overcoming herself.

China Anne McClain was replaced by Laura Kariuki several episodes back, and no one has thought twice about it. Actors come, and actors go. It is just something fans have to learn to live with. 

Surprisingly enough, this isn’t what it appeared to be after all. Some other lifeform took Jennifer’s place when she was visiting the ionosphere. The details aren’t explained all that well, but with time restrictions it is forgivable.

As Jen faces off with JJ, we see what it is like to truly battle yourself. 

Sometimes when our lives become too overwhelming, we begin to take on new and different traits. Some of these traits can be pleasant, but these traits can also be harmful to who we truly are.

Eventually, like Jen, we will have to face off with this new version of us to see which one is stronger. This kind of battle may prove to be the most difficult one of our lives. Every defense mechanism we have built to protect us will be used against us in some form. 

Hopefully, we will be like Jen and overcome the thing that has taken our place. It won’t be easy, but the fight will be well worth it. 

I’m glad that in the finale there are lessons to be learned. It would have been easy for the writers to create a major fight scene and end the series in mayhem and explosions. Instead, we are treated to closure. 

The true Jennifer is back, Jefferson and Lynn are getting remarried, and the torch is passed to Thunder and Lightning.

Even a suitable death to Tobias is played out. Jefferson doesn’t go against his morals, and Tobias curses Black Lightning until his last breath.

I would have slightly preferred if Tobias lived and paid the penalties for his life of crime, but at least the ending we are given makes sense. 

Tobias will never again be able to weasel his way out of prison or hire another hitman to take out the Pierce family. It is logical and probably pleases more fans than it irritates.

If I have to nitpick the closing moments of the series, I’d feel the need to point out that this doesn’t feel like the ultimate ending. 

With Lala resurrecting in the final seconds, I feel like this could be the beginning of Season 5. But maybe that is exactly what they are going for. 

We are left with hope for peace in Freeland, a town less than perfect, but always building towards a brighter future. 

What did you think of this episode of Black Lightning? Are you satisfied with how everything turned out? 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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