In this week’s Black Lightning, Lynn struggles with managing the Green Light babies, Anissa and Jennifer continue to have different perspectives on their superpowers, and Jefferson comes to terms with a new position at Garfield. We review “The Book of Consequences: Chapter Two: Black Jesus Blues.”
Apparently, aerokinesis is a thing
Black Lightning kicks off with the many Green Light babies in their pods. Lynn and her team of ASA scientists have been struggling with managing the situation. Things are made worse when two of the Green Light meta-kiddos wake up. A young man is so disoriented that he accidentally kills himself and one of the doctors. Lynn tries to calm the second one, Wendy Hernandez, a teenage girl, but it’s like she isn’t even able to understand the words coming out of Lynn’s mouth. Wendy summons wind, bursts a hold in the window/wall and leaps away.
During this entire scene, some intense jazz music plays in the background. It’s masterful, but really ups the anxiety! Thanks to Gambi, we learn that Wendy’s power is aerokinesis, “the psychic ability to manipulate, control, or alter air molecules, wind currents, and control air to an extent with the mind.” Impressive, but highly dangerous, especially since Wendy has been in a pod for 30+ years and seriously disoriented. Black Lightning and Thunder are tasked with locating Wendy before she hurts anyone or herself. Incidentally, is there a reason why Gambi isn’t taking a more direct role in the Green Light situation?
“Actions have consequences you have to anticipate…”
And apparently, Tobias Whale believes that Khalil has a lot to answer for. During a very violent chess game in which Tobias beats Khalil for daring to play well, Tobias reveals that he 100% blames Khalil for Syonide’s death. Truth be told, I still can’t believe Syonide is gone… Kara Fowdy took her out so quickly!
Anywho, Khalil realizes he’s in a precarious situation. And honestly, I don’t know how long his loyalty to Tobias will last. Besides, Khalil clearly still wants Jennifer. When he comes to see her, she pushes him off the roof. And Kahlil comes right back. There’s so much angst here! Jennifer is angry about Khalil’s role in Black Lightning’s supposed death. She’s also really struggling to hide her own powers from Khalil. But he’s relentless. Khalil leaves when Jennifer threatens to call the police, but I have a feeling he’ll be back.
As far as Tobias, he’s decided that he’s going to start trafficking in metahumans. He decides to clean up loose ends, which includes killing his old, ride-or-die homie, Marcellus. SAVAGE.
Anissa out here showing her ass, figuratively and literally
Anissa is *loving* her superhero life and she’s looking so good while doing it! Whether Anissa is wearing that red jogging suit and celebrating months of crampless menstruation (a true blessing from God), or suiting up as Thunder, she is thoroughly happy with her current situation. When Daddy and Daughter head out to look for Wendy, Jefferson is scandalized when Anissa encourages applause and accolades from passersby. SMH. Jefferson knows how quickly people will turn on you, and Anissa shouldn’t forget that.
Taking advice from Jennifer, Anissa decides to go out for a night on the town and ends up hooking up with a singer who performs at the lounge. Anissa is gorgeous in her lingerie and she knows it. She does agree to come back the next night for a party… it just so happens that Grace Choi is there waitressing the event and witnesses Anissa with another woman. YIKES. Anissa tries to approach Grace and play things off, but Grace isn’t trying to hear it.
Later, Jefferson decides to go back out without Anissa. He’s able to recover Wendy and return her to the ASA with the promise of help. Anissa is pretty frustrated to learn this, but Daddy lays it down: “…if you don’t tighten up your act, you’re going to end up in a casket.”
Basically, I adore Anissa, but I need her to be nicer to Grace and more careful in her superhero-ing!
Tell the truth, shame the devil… and yourself a little bit
The ASA has their hands on Issa Williams, and Lynn is given the job of supervising him. You’ll recall that last week, Issa’s mom was very vocal about wishing he had stayed dead. Something similar happens when Issa’s sister Tiffany comes to see him in the hospital. So odd. Well, Lynn decides to bring Issa for dinner and allllllllll the Pierce Family truths come out–Jennifer concerned that her parents think she’s a dangerous freak, Anissa chafing under her father’s supervision, and Jefferson and Lynn thinking both girls spoiled. Welps, it turns out that Issa’s superpower is making people tell their truths. Interestingly, it’s Jennifer who befriends Issa and helps him figure out that it only works when he’s looking directly at the person.
When Lynn is conducts more tests, Issa learns the truth about his condition. Yes, she’s working on a cure, but Issa’s cells are deteriorating very fast. It’s either death or a pod. The ASA is able to arrange for Issa to return to his family, but they’re keeping a close eye on him. You never know when they’ll be able to weaponize his powers. I sure hope Lynn has a contingency plan for these Green Light kiddos because it’s clear the ASA can’t be trusted.
Where’s the future? Whose life is this? What are you going to do with it?
For me, one of the most heartbreaking parts of this episode is Jefferson formally learning that he’s out as the principal of Garfield. But to add insult to injury, he’s been asked to stick around as a teacher and help smooth the way for the next principal, Mike Lowry. The Board knows that there’s going to be a lot of backlash from students, parents, and media because Mr. Lowry is white. Who could be better than Jefferson at calming ruffled feathers?
Jefferson is understandably LIVID. So when the Board’s “blackspert” Napier Frank comes to deliver the news, it isn’t pretty.
“If he’s so qualified, then why do I have to shuck and jive for Massa Lowry?”
Jefferson asks the realest questions because this whole situation is a travesty. Napier Frank responds that Jefferson is going to have to shuck, jive, and even moonwalk if that’s what the Board wants. *SIGH*
Jefferson hosts an assembly at the school to tell the students that he won’t be the principal anymore, and students aren’t happy at all. He thanks them for teaching him so much. And in a very beautiful callback, the students stand up and demand that Jefferson answer the questions he always puts to them:
Where’s the future? RIGHT HERE!
Whose life is this? MINE!
What are you going to do with it? LIVE IT BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY!
Black Lightning airs Tuesdays at 9p/8c on The CW.
