Review: Black Lightning 2×15 – “The Alpha”

by Brad Filicky
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[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Director: Salim Akil

Writer: Jan Nash

Starring: Cress Williams, China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Christine Adams, Marvon Jones, James Remar

 

Summary 

Rule Number #1: We don’t tell anybody who we are.

Rule Number #2: You always have back-up.

Rule Number #3: We don’t kill. Ever.

With those three rules Jefferson Pierce finally totally accepts his daughters into the costumed vigilante world. This is quite different from the Jefferson we saw in season 1, but really given the experiences that Anissa and Jennifer have had he has to realize it was something that even he did not have the strength to fight.

This acceptance did nor prevent Jennifer from making a big mistake in going after Tobias. Her suit wasn’t ready and it would be dangerous to use. Hey Jen, Gambi tried to warn you.

Agent Odell has not gotten any less creepy, but he has gotten a lot more dangerous. Thanks to some hidden cameras, he now knows the Pirece’s secret and it will be only a matter of time before he uses it against Lynn.

Tobias, please listen to Jace. Train your Masters of Disaster. they will be no match for Jefferson, Anissa and Jen. That all might be a moot point cuz Lala is gunning for you and by all indications he’s as hard to kill as T-800.

 

Positives 

I’ve talked a lot about how much I’ve enjoyed the character development this season. Mostly, though, this has been confined to his daughters, but this week Jefferson showed some growth. Accepting that his children are going to become superheroes was deeper than simply “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em”. It was letting them go, but giving them the tools to help them.

It’s always nice to see Lynn be so human and so heroic in helping Wendy. Not all heroes wear capes.

Agent Odell.. what a cliffhanger. Can’t wait to see what he does with his knowledge.

 

Negatives

Oh come on Tobias! You’re smarter than this. Train your pod kids. Trying to sell them for money won’t get you far when they are dead. And you better deal with Lala.

 

Verdict 

Some real human moments with Jefferson and cliffhanger with agent Odell kept the episode moving at a brisk pace while driving the narrative of the season further. Another strong episode in a season that has done a great job of separating itself from the other superhero fiction out there today.

 

 

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