[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Director: Oz Scott
Writer: Tony Isabella and Charles Holland
Starring: Cress Williams, China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Christine Adams, Marvon Jones, James Remar
Summary
At its heart Black Lightning is a show about family. The season premier showed the Pierce’s in conflict, Episode 2, showed the family coming together. Even while dealing with their own issues.
Lynn found herself dealing with two different “Green Lightning babies”, one that escaped from a pod, and one that was detained after what happened in the last episode. She tries to help them while the ASA merely saw a potential asset should he live.
Anissa starts to appreciate and soak in the love of the crowd and meets her new girlfriend..
Jennifer had her own struggles, as she continued to fight her powers, all the while dealing with her feelings about Kalil, who visited her to try and get some stableness in his own life after Tobias blamed him for the death of Cyanide.
Jefferson resigns his position at Garfield High, showing true heroism and sacrifice. He is given a standing ovation by his students. A gesture he surely deserves.
Tobias tightens his control and continues the role of Big Bad.
Positives
As it’s second season continues, Black Lightning is capitalizing on what made the first season so good. Being a superhero show with something to say, with characters who deal with real consequences. We see a reflection of a family that can feel like our own.
Cress Williams has really come into his own in portraying Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning. This episode did a good job of examining how he deals with loss (resigning his job at Garfield High) and explored his relationships with his daughters as he helps them get use to their powers.
Christine Adams is also pro as Lynn. A strong woman who will do what has to be done to protect her family.
We are still in the opening salvos of the season and one thing that is important at this stage is to build a foundation that the season ca build on and this episode does that.
Negatives
One has to wonder though, when it comes to villains will the “Green Light babies” be a “monster of the week” a la Buffy, X-Files or the early seasons of Smallville? If so it could become a tired gimmick. We don’t want the show to feel dated.
Verdict
Black Lightning is a show with heart and humanity and the Black Jesus Blues continues to utilize what made the first season so good while building a solid foundation for the series to explore in it’s second season.
Solid performances all around especially during the scene where students give Jefferson a standing ovation when they learn he will be leaving the school
The only point where it lags is dealing with the “Green Light babies”. I hope this does not become an easy fall back when Tobias can be enough of a villain to carry the season.
Overall I’m still excited to see what the season has in store for us!
