As we learn whether Tobias will be charged or not, Jefferson has the kind of conversations with his kids which will alter their relationship.
Network | ||
CW | ||
Director(s) | Salli Richardson-Whitfield | |
Writer(s) | Adam Giaudrone | |
Air Date | 10/30/2018 | |
Introduced This Episode | ||
Ms. Montez | Salli Richardson-Whitfield |
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Something Has To Change In This Relationship: Jefferson, Anissa, Gambi
Anissa has always been someone who has been very headstrong. However, with her reasoning backed by the morals and values her parents instilled in her, it is sometimes hard to argue against them. Take, for example, her stealing from the mob, who are looking for payback, to give to Reverend Holt, amongst others. Naturally, Jefferson doesn’t support this and is upset with Gambi for even participating. Yet, in Gambi’s mind, better to guide her while doing something rash than abandon her to the wolves. Even if she is pseudo-bullet proof.
But, even with that in mind, Jefferson goes off on Anissa and tries to pull rank. Not as Black Lightning but as her dad and the person who owns the house she lives in. Which, considering Anissa got money, also has no issue being on her own, she decides to leave – and live with Gambi for a little bit. Though, when things cool down, Jefferson’s father’s house is offered. Leading to them to reconcile just in time to stop two bombs from going off.
Commentary
You know, I never thought about why is Anissa, a grown ass woman, still living with her parents. The obvious reason would be to save money since she is in med school and med school is expensive. But, considering her mom is a doctor, dad formerly a principal, you’d figure they’d pay for her tuition as long as she was doing well. Plus, taking note of Anissa’s love life, you’d think she’d also want space to do what she wants, including sleeping with her girlfriend, or whoever she is messing around with, and do it in her space. Rather than be in their element all the time.
That thought aside, can we just give props, as we do every episode, to this show really putting people on? I don’t know who that was that damn near whooped Gambi’s ass but they were Black, had a little fro, and I’m sure this could lead to more work for them. Because, even if there aren’t a lot of AAA budget Black dominate action movies coming out, she definitely made a case for her casting. If not at least some stunt work.
Garfield Isn’t What It Used to Be: Lynn, Jefferson, Mr. Lowry, Jennifer, Khalil
Mr. Lowry has made it clear that, while he cares to a point, at the end of the day he is about metrics and safety. Anyone who threatens that, they’re out. Well, except Jefferson who outright threatens him but Mr. Lowry, maybe because he doesn’t have the authority, doesn’t fire him. Instead, he takes the back and forth and shows he may very well be a figurehead in quite a few ways.
Which, with that in mind, and Jennifer’s powers still being out of control, it is decided Jennifer will be homeschooled. Something that pushes her over the edge for she already feels isolated and stifled. Thus, after avoiding Khalil for quite some time, even dreaming of maybe dating Issa, she finds herself talking to Khalil – in real life at that. Making it seem, while Jefferson can push Anissa and she may come back quickly, Jennifer might be a little bit more difficult.
Commentary
With Tobias knowing of Jefferson’s family, but not who Black Lightning is, you have to wonder if Khalil may find himself trying to recruit Jennifer. Much less, if things are so bad she’d legit runaway. Though, of course, there is the option of her living with Anissa. Bringing in a whole new issue since, between being Thunder, dating, school, and so on, it would mean Jennifer having a massive amount of freedom.
But, I think the real thing to question is how long should we expect Mr. Lowry? Clearly, he and Jefferson both can’t stay at Garfield yet I can’t foresee them firing Jefferson. Yet, can you imagine someone talking to their boss like that and not being reprimanded or fired? Never mind, in the hallway, undermining his authority in front of students?
The Exoneration of Tobias Whale: Jefferson, Tobias, Henderson, Ms. Montez, Gambi
Despite the multitude of crimes Tobias has committed, being that the witnesses are all dead, Ms. Montez doesn’t seem to be able to think the case is worth it. Which, of course, upsets Jefferson and he even talks about being a witness. Problem is, Gambi destroyed any and all records connecting Jefferson to the event. Thus leaving him with nothing but his word to stand on. Something that Jefferson may feel is strong in the community but there is the issue of the defense bringing up his demotion and he last few weeks as principal.
So, in the long run, Tobias walks and makes it seem he is on his way to recovering his former glory. Both in terms of being out in public life as well as leading the 100.
Commentary
Can you believe this is the end of the first book of the season? I don’t know why but, even with me naming something to praise in each episode, story-wise, it kind of felt anti-climactic. I wanna give the benefit of the doubt and say, “The season has just begun, and maybe things will pick up from here?” After all, Tobias is out and back in control of the 100, Jennifer is at a new level of teenaged rebellion and with a kid dying in the pods, it means they may start something different with them. Plus, with the mob asking for permission to raise some hell in Freeland, there is that too. Maybe one of these things could give Black Lightning the villain it sorely needs and has consistently lacked.
Other Noteworthy Facts & Moments
- Jace discovers Lynn’s samples she took from Jefferson and is intrigued to the point of having to be redirected.
- Kara dies and leaves Gambi the information she has on Tobias.
On The Fence
- While I love the show, with how it focuses on the family dynamics and relationships within the Jefferson household, it makes everything else feel like it is on the backburner. Crafting a good villain for Black Lightning and Thunder? Backburner. The situation at Garfield under this new regime? Backburner. Hell, Kara’s death should have been a bigger thing but it didn’t feel like it. Dr. Jace doing an experiment which killed a kid didn’t feel like a big deal either. All the passion and emotion is solely held within Jefferson’s relationship with his kids and wife and everything else just happens. Almost making you think the whole comic book aspect is done simply for a hook and nothing else.
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Season/ Episode | Synopsis | Episode Information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Season 2/ Episode 6 “The Book of Blood: Chapter Two: The Perdi” | Black Lightning finally brings on a new villain, a faction war, and loads of action. Thus reminding you this isn’t strictly some metahuman family show. |
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Season 2/ Episode 5 “The Book of Blood: Chapter One: Requiem” | Black Lightning continues to suffer by not having a true villain, but it may use the existence of new, or newly revealed, and old metahumans to compensate. |
Featuring: Deacon, Anaya, Councilman Kwame, Grace, Anissa, Tobias, Dr. Jace, Lynn, Jennifer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Season 2/ Episode 4 “The Book of Consequences: Chapter Four – Translucent Freak” | As we learn whether Tobias will be charged or not, Jefferson has the kind of conversations with his kids which will alter their relationship. |
Featuring: Jefferson, Anissa, Gambi, Lynn, Mr. Lowry, Jennifer, Khalil, Tobias, Henderson, Ms. Montez | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Season 2/ Episode 3 “The Book of Consequences – Chapter Three ‘Master Lowry'” | The Book of Consequences arc continues to be about building up to something bigger than starting things off with a bang. |
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It seems like DC and the Akils are looking to steal some of Black Panther’s thunder (I couldn’t help myself) with the premiere of Black Lighting. |
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Black Lightning pushes what you expect from network TV, hell the CW, as it throws us some unexpected deaths to push Jefferson to accept fate. |
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As Black Lightning makes his presence known to even Tobias’ boss, Lady Eve, so comes the question of whether his presence helps as much as Gambi thinks it does. |
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Lady Eve makes it clear Black Lightning has to be eliminated, for real this time. However, how can you take down a superhero beloved by the people? Well, turn the people against him. |
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Season 1/ Episode 5 “And Then the Devil Brought the Plague: The Book of Green Light” | For those wondering about the origins of Tobias, as well as his beef with Jefferson, Anissa begins that journey this episode. |
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As Gambi’s secrets slowly are revealed to us, Jefferson comes to a crossroad of whether or not he’ll officially become a murderer. |
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With Lady Eve and Gambi trying to maintain this balance of power they created, people die and one, strangely, comes alive. |
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Gambi’s struggles to keep his past in the shadows as the reckoning comes with Lady Eve’s murder. |
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Thunder & Black Lightning have their first official outing together as Jennifer deals with the family secret. |
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Season 1/ Episode 10 "SINS OF THE FATHER: THE BOOK OF REDEMPTION" | As Tobias remains in hiding, Lala continues to reestablish himself as a villain, but not one that will stand in Black Lightning’s way yet. He instead is dealing with his second betrayal in months. |
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Gambi may have found a way to not only buy Jefferson some time off the ASA’s radar but also reconcile with him. |
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Season 1/ Episode 12 “The Resurrection and the Light: The Book of Pain” | The battle for Freeland has intensified as new defenses against Black Lightning have been made and it seems he is becoming heavily outnumbered. |
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In the season finale of Black Lightning, the fate of the encased metahumans gets decided and some characters present their final goodbye. |
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What Black Panther did with empowering the undeserved on the big screen, while appealing to the masses, Black Lightning does on television episode to episode. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Season 2/ Episode 1 “The Book of Consequences: Chapter 1 ‘Rise of the Green Light Babies’” | Black Lightning is back and to move the story forward, his identity comes out to a few people. Also, there is a need to address the kids in pods. |
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Season 2/ Episode 2 "The Book of Consequences: Chapter Two 'Black Jesus Blues'" | As someone in the pods breaks out, and Tobias begins making moves, Jefferson is forced to face the music at Garfield High School. |
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