Spoilers Black Lightning - Season 3

[Kirk Prime]

Interesting episode but the Crisis really hurts it in many ways. I find it absolutely impossible to believe that things would be exactly the same in Freeland.

It's almost as if the shows didn't know the ending of Crisis when they wrote these episodes.

The whole "one universe" thing doesn't work at all because they flat out showed that not only does the multiverse still exist, but some of their worlds changed too.

Earth 2 is completely different now. Earth 96 changed for the better.

It's actually distracting when they talk about all the other Earths being gone when we saw flat out they aren't, and this is something the writers must address sooner than later.

It was also bad writing that Gambi couldn't hear Black Lightning's monologue at the beginning, like the whole "superman is real" thing.

Gambi should have answered and said, "of course he is, why would you say otherwise?"

How can Freeland and their shield exist in that bubble? BL now has friends that can really help out as well.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I don't think they call it that, but essentially yeah. He gained it earlier this season, I believe as a result of ASA experiments while he was in their custody.

Thanks, didn't remember that. I think it'd be cooler if he more saw like their "electrical outlines" or whatever instead of a clear picture. I guess that might be more of what's happening and that's just what we see as a viewer but I think it'd work better with a different effect.

What to call it? "The Electric Eye"? Hell, probably dating myself with that term, does anyone even use that term anymore?

 

[The Realist]

^ IIRC, when he gained the ability, they made a point of establishing that it wasn't just outlines or impulses, which he could sort of already do (maybe with the suit's help). The "X-ray vision" was a new organic ability he had gained, and he was shocked and confused when it began to manifest.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

^ interesting, I mean I know it's all "magic" but that seems an odd extension of his powerset. Maybe that's why I seem to have blocked it out.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Interesting episode but the Crisis really hurts it in many ways. I find it absolutely impossible to believe that things would be exactly the same in Freeland.

Just the opposite: its Black Lightning with the consistent, coherent arc while the all-over-the-place CW-COIE is the square peg. The undeniable strength of Black Lightning's story should be the priority from any sensible, creative standpoint, not force fitting the effects of a mess of a crossover "just because."

It's almost as if the shows didn't know the ending of Crisis when they wrote these episodes.

Er...the running arc of this series was written well in advance--that is how good series arcs are developed. This series had its own direction long before that crossover, which by the way, at one point, the Black Lightning creators were not entirely sure if the lead character would be involved.

It was also bad writing that Gambi couldn't hear Black Lightning's monologue at the beginning, like the whole "superman is real" thing.

Why would Gambi acknowledge it when he not only had no perception of Jefferson being absent, but was highly skeptical of the idea of an alternate reality. As it stands so far, this series still functions as it should. Moreover, its the job of the writers of the other CW-DC series to also explain how Jefferson's world has (among endless details) real world U.S. presidents (and why was it erased in favor of what was seen in the CW-COIE conclusion), or why Supergirl--as of last season--was only a fictional character in a Blu-ray ad in the world of Black Lightning.

You seem to treat this series as if it was always meant to follow whatever other series were/are ding, when that was never how Black Lightning was created, nor its intention. This CW-COIE is the "intruder" of sorts in that its being forced on the original format/message of Black Lightning, not the other way around.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I was hoping when Jefferson said "Superman is real" that Gambi would reply "Of course, he is.".

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

^ Its a confused ness dumped on this solid series. It was good that no one else suddenly started referring to those other series and/or characters, which would upend Black Lightning. But I fear that's what will happen (or start to) after next week's showdown episode (Team Black Lightning vs. Odell/ASA)

 

[Kirk Prime]

Just the opposite: its Black Lightning with the consistent, coherent arc while the all-over-the-place CW-COIE is the square peg. The undeniable strength of Black Lightning's story should be the priority from any sensible, creative standpoint, not force fitting the effects of a mess of a crossover "just because."

Thing is though--COIE happened to Jefferson. His Earth is now merged with all the other CW shows. That president we saw was HIS president. If there is a country of metas that is an outside threat to the US, there is a Justice League out there that will help. This Freeland doesn't fit with the government that Supergirl works for.

Er...the running arc of this series was written well in advance--that is how good series arcs are developed. This series had its own direction long before that crossover, which by the way, at one point, the Black Lightning creators were not entirely sure if the lead character would be involved.

It's part of the bigger universe, and the writers have to adapt their story to fit. What is the point of the Crisis if the shows completely ignore it in the aftermath? Reality completely changed, but Freeland didn't?

Why would Gambi acknowledge it when he not only had no perception of Jefferson being absent, but was highly skeptical of the idea of an alternate reality. As it stands so far, this series still functions as it should. Moreover, its the job of the writers of the other CW-DC series to also explain how Jefferson's world has (among endless details) real world U.S. presidents (and why was it erased in favor of what was seen in the CW-COIE conclusion), or why Supergirl--as of last season--was only a fictional character in a Blu-ray ad in the world of Black Lightning.

In this new reality, Gambi would know Superman is real, and responding to Jefferson's comment would be an acknowledgement that Jefferson knows what happened, but Gambi does not. And you're right--the writers of the other CW series' need to be consistent. Now more than ever, there needs to be some sort of consistency. Freeland being hidden in a shield makes no sense right now.

I was hoping when Jefferson said "Superman is real" that Gambi would reply "Of course, he is.".

Exactly. The higher ups behind the scenes have put Black Lightning where he belongs--in this universe. That is a major change from COIE and one to which that the BL writers must adapt.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Thing is though--COIE happened to Jefferson. His Earth is now merged with all the other CW shows. That president we saw was HIS president.

It does not erase the history of his life. He knows he lives or lived in an approximation of the real world, with real world politics, culture, concerns and history. That is what shaped and drives Jefferson and all of the characters and events of Black Lightning.

If there is a country of metas that is an outside threat to the US, there is a Justice League out there that will help. This Freeland doesn't fit with the government that Supergirl works for.

It's part of the bigger universe, and the writers have to adapt their story to fit. What is the point of the Crisis if the shows completely ignore it in the aftermath? Reality completely changed, but Freeland didn't?

You have just explained why CW-COIE was an asinine idea: the ASA and related government agencies have been creating metas for decades, and in recent years, there's been an explosion of metas on the streets. If the post CW-COIE world now has its own history everyone knows, then other super-powered beings would have at least heard of superpowered people running the streets and/or tied to a drug addiction problem unlike any other in history....but that's not happening. On every CW-DC series post CW-COIE, no one has mentioned an outbreak of metahumans in Freeland, or anywhere else, and none are aware of the Markovian development / interest in a metahuman war program / infiltration of America.

That is a problem for all responsible for creating the CW-COIE, not the Black Lightning showrunners, who--as noted yesterday--already had the arc you're watching planned and in progress log before CW-COIE was ever written. They should not cast aside their structured storyline all to shovel that rickety crossover's effects into it, and for no reason that supports the long-established story (including a political / cultural foundation completely alien to all other CW-DC shows), which continues this week, and from next week's teaser, in that episode, as well.

In this new reality, Gambi would know Superman is real, and responding to Jefferson's comment would be an acknowledgement that Jefferson knows what happened, but Gambi does not. And you're right--the writers of the other CW series' need to be consistent. Now more than ever, there needs to be some sort of consistency. Freeland being hidden in a shield makes no sense right now.

The answer--the only rational answer is the show the post-CW-COIE world is not working and needs to be fixed in-universe.

 

[Kirk Prime]

It does not erase the history of his life. He knows he lives or lived in an approximation of the real world, with real world politics, culture, concerns and history. That is what shaped and drives Jefferson and all of the characters and events of Black Lightning.

Jefferson would remember everything, but he would also remember the new timeline. I think pretty much only the paragons would have no memory of the new timeline (which is why Superman not knowing he had two boys at home made no sense).

Jefferson himself would be in tact--but the world around him would be different.

That is a problem for all responsible for creating the CW-COIE, not the Black Lightning showrunners, who--as noted yesterday--already had the arc you're watching planned and in progress log before CW-COIE was ever written. They should not cast aside their structured storyline all to shovel that rickety crossover's effects into it, and for no reason that supports the long-established story (including a political / cultural foundation completely alien to all other CW-DC shows), which continues this week, and from next week's teaser, in that episode, as well.

It's all one big giant sandbox though--they need a head guy, which I assume is Berlanti--driving it.

You would think they could have a "continuity committee" that would make sure things are consistent.

The answer--the only rational answer is the show the post-CW-COIE world is not working and needs to be fixed in-universe.

And THAT has potential for a good story.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Jefferson would remember everything, but he would also remember the new timeline. I think pretty much only the paragons would have no memory of the new timeline (which is why Superman not knowing he had two boys at home made no sense).

But his exposure to this new timeline was limited; it was created, and shortly thereafter, he was heading back to Freeland, so all he really knows is the events of the crossover (until he suddenly remembers more). Its not like he had time to explore the post-Crisis world at all, so his frame of reference/knowledge will still be centered on his original world/timeline. As we see, the second he returns, his world's problems are still going on as he last remembered/experienced it.

It's all one big giant sandbox though--they need a head guy, which I assume is Berlanti--driving it.

Berlanti is part of the problem, and other than a in-name-only credit, he had little to do with Black Lightning's development, so he would not even know how to handle a series with a voice all its own like this one.

You would think they could have a "continuity committee" that would make sure things are consistent.

So far, its pretty clear that does not exist.

And THAT has potential for a good story.

Yes--a Zero Hour clean-up.

 

[JD]

As much as I wanted to see Black Lightning incorporated into the Arrowverse shows, I do think merging his Earth (did we get a number for it?) with the rest was a mistake. Even more than the other series, there are just to many things that don't really make sense if this it all happened on the same world as the other series.
I was not at all shocked to see that there do not appear to be any changes from the merge, although that does leave all of the previously mentioned questions open.
It was nice to see the acknowledgement of COIE at the beginning, but it cracked me up the way they had the "we don't have time for this" line, and then just went back to the arc like nothing had happened.
It's really sad to see how far Lynn has fallen, but hopefully now that Jefferson knows about her addiction they can get her help.
I did like how Jennifer's encounter with her Earth-2 counterpart changed her mind about working with the ASA. Even if the COIE main event didn't have an impact, it was nice to see that their tie-in episode did.
I liked the stuff with TK and Gambi, I wonder if we'll see TK becoming part of their team now that he knows about Black Lighting and co.
I can kind of see why Annisa got mad when Jefferson walked in and took over her Resistance meeting, but at the same time, he was right about Henderson asking him for input. But really, I think it was a shit move on Henderson's part more than Jefferson, since he was the one who pretty much ignored her, and went right to Jefferson.
I'm a little confused by why this batch of episodes is The Book of Markovia, when this episode, and from the preview probably next week's, have absolutely nothing to do with Markovia.

 

[Kirk Prime]

But his exposure to this new timeline was limited; it was created, and shortly thereafter, he was heading back to Freeland, so all he really knows is the events of the crossover (until he suddenly remembers more). Its not like he had time to explore the post-Crisis world at all, so his frame of reference/knowledge will still be centered on his original world/timeline. As we see, the second he returns, his world's problems are still going on as he last remembered/experienced it.

Correct me if I am wrong, and I may be, but I believe that J'onn restored Jefferson's pre-crisis memories. That would mean that he should have HAD his post-Crisis life in his head. He would know what happened, but he would live in a world that was always Earth Prime. His frame of reference would be the post Crisis world. It would have been his whole life. It's the pre-Crisis memories that would be messing with him.

Yes--a Zero Hour clean-up.

Unless they intentionally have a Zero Hour crossover in mind, they should have learned from the comics version that they needed to map it all out.

I am ok with this new world completely messing with the continuity of the past shows. Earth Prime is not Earth 1 or Earth 38 or Earth BL.

So past events that we have seen could easily be altered to be consistent.

But I cannot see the situation in Freeland being EXACTLY the same, right down to the ridiculous quarantine.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Correct me if I am wrong, and I may be, but I believe that J'onn restored Jefferson's pre-crisis memories. That would mean that he should have HAD his post-Crisis life in his head.

So far, Jefferson has not said he had his memories restored, or even having any contact with J'onn in reference to that.

He would know what happened, but he would live in a world that was always Earth Prime. His frame of reference would be the post Crisis world. It would have been his whole life. It's the pre-Crisis memories that would be messing with him.

...but they are not, hence his not losing a beat in the ASA/Freeland/Markovian conflict.

Unless they intentionally have a Zero Hour crossover in mind, they should have learned from the comics version that they needed to map it all out.

With Black Lightning and Batwoman still dealing with their pre-CW-COIE arcs (for now), it would be easy for a Zero Hour to set things right with minimal effect. Yu would see the biggest changes on those shows that were always closer in terms of production, crossovers and overall level/kind of storytelling.

But I cannot see the situation in Freeland being EXACTLY the same, right down to the ridiculous quarantine.

The quarantine is as real as it gets. Ironically, a week or so ago, I referred to the coronavirus and the government's response to such a virus in another thread, and now--in real life--the coronavirus is exploding all over the world, and yes, entire cities are being quarantined. Black Lightning's showrunners did their research to make its world feel real, which is why it is a universe apart from the other CW-DC shows (with some exception with Batwoman).

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I don’t think the storyline is affected too much by the crossover events. More metas and powered beings may even more motivating for the ASA and others willing to exploit the disenfranchised to try to keep up. The main thing that seems odd is when they don’t call in the heavy hitters for an “airstrike” when they have identified the big targets and could use some muscle but I think even comic books themselves are guilty of that.

With Black Lightning and Batwoman still dealing with their pre-CW-COIE arcs (for now), it would The quarantine is as real as it gets. Ironically, a week or so ago, I referred to the coronavirus and the government's response to such a virus in another thread, and now--in real life--the coronavirus is exploding all over the world, and yes, entire cities are being quarantined. Black Lightning's showrunners did their research to make its world feel real, which is why it is a universe apart from the other CW-DC shows (with some exception with Batwoman).

The quarantine is one thing but cutting off all communications to the populace seems a stretch in the US even with the problematic direction we seem to be headed at times.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

I don’t think the storyline is affected too much by the crossover events. More metas and powered beings may even more motivating for the ASA and others willing to exploit the disenfranchised to try to keep up. The main thing that seems odd is when they don’t call in the heavy hitters for an “airstrike” when they have identified the big targets and could use some muscle but I think even comic books themselves are guilty of that.

More to the point, if everyone except Jefferson was automatically altered that they have "always" known the post-crisis reality as their own, the fact no one--not Gambi, Anissa, Lynn or anyone else involved in the ASA/Markovian/Freeland battle--has mentioned any superheroes says much. Well, it says much about the Black Lightning showrunners being determined (as far as we know right now) to continue telling their long-established story, which would be compromised if this dark, tough struggle for the few heroes suddenly has even one extra superpowered guest just waltz in to tip the scales.

The quarantine is one thing but cutting off all communications to the populace seems a stretch in the US even with the problematic direction we seem to be headed at times.

Honestly, the government already monitors innumerable public conversations, and if they wanted to interfere with service providers, media, etc. about the message coming in/going out of a city, they have the means to do so, insuring their message is the one sold as factual, while those in opposition would be written off as crackpots,or worse. We see this in the treatment of 9/11 witnesses who claimed (from the start) they saw something different than eventual official report, to how so-called "anti-vaxers" are called misguided and on some occasions, dangerous to public health.

 

[theenglish]

We see this in the treatment of 9/11 witnesses who claimed (from the start) they saw something different than eventual official report, to how so-called "anti-vaxers" are called misguided and on some occasions, dangerous to public health.

????what do you even mean by this????

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

????what do you even mean by this????

Let's take one of those examples: it means that people who have taken a stand against the annual call for vaccinations (because they claim the vaccinations have caused serious health problems such as autism in children) have been treated as if they are loons/idiots by the mainstream media--who in turn have a relationship with government (or in this case, health departments/agencies from the CDC down to state offices) to push the narrative that vaccines are 100% safe and anyone not standing in that line is a nutjob and a threat to public health concerns.

 

[theenglish]

Well nothing is 100 percent safe but vaccines do not cause autism and only work if nearly 100 percent of the population gets them. Loons, no? But deceived, certainly.

 

[Kirk Prime]

So far, Jefferson has not said he had his memories restored, or even having any contact with J'onn in reference to that.

I could have sworn he did in Part 5, when he showed up in Star Labs.

Also, the fact that he said "Superman is real," means that to him, he wasn't before, and he knew that.

The quarantine is as real as it gets. Ironically, a week or so ago, I referred to the coronavirus and the government's response to such a virus in another thread, and now--in real life--the coronavirus is exploding all over the world, and yes, entire cities are being quarantined. Black Lightning's showrunners did their research to make its world feel real, which is why it is a universe apart from the other CW-DC shows (with some exception with Batwoman).

I don't think they did. There is no reason to have a phone black out. It makes no sense. People would be demanding information on their relatives--and the mere fact that they can't even phone anyone would raise massive suspicion, especially in today's real world.

Honestly, the government already monitors innumerable public conversations, and if they wanted to interfere with service providers, media, etc. about the message coming in/going out of a city, they have the means to do so, insuring their message is the one sold as factual, while those in opposition would be written off as crackpots,or worse. We see this in the treatment of 9/11 witnesses who claimed (from the start) they saw something different than eventual official report, to how so-called "anti-vaxers" are called misguided and on some occasions, dangerous to public health.

Having witnessed 9/11 first hand, living in NYC at the time, the conspiracy theorists ARE nuts.

But getting back to the topic at hand, there would be no reason for a communications blackout in a quarantine. If anything, doctors would be allowed in as well.