Spoilers Black Lightning - Season 3

There's 4 more episodes left.

 

This show can be very hit or miss with me. Sometimes the show bores me to death, like last week's episode. Other times, the show is really good, like this week's episode. I think Khalil is the MVP of this season.

I like the actor, and he really has this action hero vibe. I can see him having much success after he is done playing Khalil, though I'm interested in this story line. What the ASA did to him was no different than Lena's mindrape of Eve on Supergirl.

It might be interesting if the two ideas intersect now that they are on the same Earth.

I'm still finding issue with reconciling BL with the rest of the Arrowverse and being on the same Earth. I'm actually hoping that we see a little more integration as plotlines settle.

The idea of a rogue country that is harvesting metas is something that can permeate the entire Arrowverse.

I am hoping the tone eventually shifts to bring Jefferson more into the fold, as I feel both the Arrowverse as a whole and BL would be better.

I want to see more Jefferson. One of the problems with these shows is that sometime the titular hero doesn't get enough story. That actually happened this week on Flash, and happens on Supergirl all the time.

That's another benefit of expanding the show's bubble in the Arrowverse. You could have Jefferson face off with some more known threats.

 

I think as long as the Akils are in charge Black Lighting will probably always be off in it's own little bubble. They will probably incorporate a few references to the characters and places from the other shows, like Odell going home to Gotham, but I doubt it will ever be as connected as the other shows are.

 

Even forgetting the merging of other shows I've been surprised with how much BL has been developing it's own mythology. You got BL flying around, Thunder being damned formidable and nearly indestructible, Lightning is turning into pure energy, TC's remarkable powers, Gambi's insane tech and everyone and their brother (and sister) coming back from the grave, the ASA and Markovia and I'm not sure where it's heading. I can't imagine Jefferson just being a high school principal next season.

 

It's been mentioned before, but it is similar to comics where individual titles can do their own thing in their own style, but still exist in the same universe with other titles.

 

Although horrible, the ASA used what they considered a "dead" kid. As far as we know, they did not look a living person square in their face as Lena did with Eve, lie to and experiment on her without Eve's consent, only telling her after said experiments already started.

They would not, as they are completely different programs with equally different outcomes.

As mentioned before, Black Lightning had its own universe and story arcs developed long before the idea of CW-COIE, and should not shove any its plans aside just to throw a bunch of characters together for another mess of a crossover. The hard work the Akils, Scott, et al., put into this series deserves to continue with their solid storylines.

Why should it? That's what killed superhero comic books over the past 3 decades: dumping so-called "master" plots into titles where it did not fit. The Markovian story would be a poor fit not in keeping with the tone of a series like Batwoman, which needs to stay as close to the ground as possible.

Black Lighting is already the best (and most mature) CW-DC show ever produced, and it earned that status without any connection to the other series.

That would be the best situation for all parties.

 

The series never just leaves supporting characters hanging; the fact both Lala and Lady Eve were resurrected, and the continued effects of a crime lords on Freeland (and remember, Tobias still has interests in Freeland, like the contents of that briefcase in Lala's possession, for one thing) seems to suggest that they will play the role it has since the pilot, but somewhat altered, as both are essentially "living dead" people (or rather, they might have that view of their place in the world) running around.

 

Oh I know, and I love that about it.

 

...and in those 4 episodes, I cannot imagine the series-long crime situation in Freeland with resurrected Lady Eve & Lala being wrapped up so soon.

 

I don't necessarily expect it to be wrapped up but at least addressed. Otherwise, it just feels tacked on and awkward IMO.

 

So what's with Jefferson shaking Khalil's hand, when they made a point last week of saying it was hazardous to touch his skin ... especially his hands?

ETA: NM, answered. Guess Gambi was just wrong last week.

 

Well, that was just great ... as in, even better than the usual great. I'll leave it to TG1 to detail all the reasons why, but the inevitable A+ this week is well-earned.

 

Black Lightning
SEASON THREE / Episode 13 - "The Book of Markovia: Chapter Four - Grab the Strap"

Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning: Disturbing to see Jefferson psychoanalyzing himself / talking to Gambi while drunk. Its almost as if he's considering giving up the other half ("Nothing mixes well with Black Lightning"), thinking that his powers are "useless" in the fight against drug dealers...

Well played scene between Jefferson and Khalil--trying to treat him not as the lost "thing" Khalil believed himself to be (as a tool of the ASA), but as the man he was on his way to becoming. Khalil joining the mission was expected, but the moment he sees Tobias....

Lynn: She's ever the sharp one in synthesizing Gravedigger's powers for her own use, although it was temporary. I could see some corrupt person trying produce it for commercial use...
I'm glad her addiction arc is nearing its conclusion, but if the series plays it realistically, she should struggle to a great degree for some time to come.

Gravedigger: Ah. The president of Markovia demoted Mosin in favor of Gravedigger. In a moment, he tried to play Good Cop, only to calmly let out that "freedom is not free" line about weaponizing the pod subjects. Wayne Brady--and the writers, of course--subverted expectations of Brady being some sort of comic relief. He was ruthless, but not the black & white moustache twirler or evil caricature (e.g. the Arnold Schwarzenegger clone from Stranger Things' third season). He seemed to have a touch...just a touch of humanity shortly before his end (if that was his death scene).

Gambi: His conversation with Jefferson was the perfect, heartfelt bookend to some of Jefferson's doubts--
Gambi: "I'm proud of you, you know that."
Jefferson: "I haven't done anything to be proud of."
Gambi: "But you have. Over and over and over again. Ever since you were twelve years on. And now you're not only a hero...you have the stature to lead other heroes. I am proud of you. ..and Alvin would be, too."
Jefferson: "What is a hero these days?"
Gambi: "You are."
Jefferson: "Thanks, old man."

Whether or not Jefferson rediscovers his need to be a superhero should be addressed by season's end, but the family dynamic of this show is its true backbone, feeling real and not just having characters profess their emotions because the script has actors mouthing for flat characters.

Anissa / Thunder: Wow--she was so suspicious of Khalil's every move. She had to know he was not going to kill Brandon...but she didn't.

Jennifer / Lightning: She was hurt by Khalil not wanting to help Lynn and Anissa not telling her about him, but she's pretty clueless not to understand that Khalil is effectively back from the dead for what is only the past few hours from his perception--and dealing with the fact he killed his mother. Once again, Jennifer will take a few steps toward maturity, only to take more back in the direction of petulant child.

Khalil: As noted in his conversation with Jefferson, he's not a lost "thing", but what future does he have in Freeland? The memories of his mother--then killing her, being crippled and used by Tobias, then the ASA...staying in Freeland would be one long nightmare. Whatever he chooses, he's proven himself to be a truly good man since his introduction, and has not lost his true self. Some will question how he was able to so easily tap into the Painkiller "mode" to fight Gravedigger, but I'm hoping its Khalil learning to control the programming in a manner similar to T.C.'s ability to communicate with any electronic device.

Brandon: Man, did he ever turn out to be a Grade-A idiot. His hostility and attempt to kill Jace made him a very unlikeable character. Some of this might be motivated by the knowledge that a living Khalil meant he lost Jennifer in an instant (and it appears to be that way)

Major Sara Grey: Temporary truce aside, I cannot imagine she's through trying to carry out Odell's original mission.

Colonel Yuri Mosin / Helga Jace: Both alive, with Jace free to do what? The same with Tobias; as Black Lightning was attacked by Gravedigger, he slipped away. With the Markovian military knowing who he is and how his bone marrow is the key to stabilization, a free Tobias would not be himself if he did not try to twist screws to get whatever he desired on his way back to America, such as Markovian aid to rid himself of a certain family, for a start.

NOTES: Fantastic rescue mission sequence, opting for visual brevity over overblown setpieces. Tight, believable choreography sold the danger to everyone involved, capping off a fairly breathless, emotionally potent episode.
Next episode: "The Book of War: Chapter One: Homecoming" That's a very suggestive title applicable to several characters--most of them evil...

GRADE: A+

 

Even BL’s facetime sessions are soulful lol. Having the O’Jays playing helps.

Pretty good even though I was disappointed that Wayne Brady didn’t choke a bitch. I think it might’ve been interesting if Khalil had gone through with not going on the mission. I really liked the conversations with Khalil.

The mission was fun and everyone looked nicely badass. Solid action, more cool tunes, good stuff. This episode did earn that A+, nice payoff to the buildup even we need to wait a couple weeks for the denouement for some reason.

 

Terrific episode. It had the right mix of action and story, and the stakes were very high. They also didn't drag the story along.

Interesting that they made it a little unclear as to whether Gravedigger was killed. I actually hope he was. I like that his powers didn't work on Khalil, and would have liked to have seen some immunity from Jefferson as well. I was disappointed at their initial confrontation with Gravedigger just pulling out an effective gun on BL. I would have liked to see the mental powers fail, engage in a fair fight like he did with Khalil, but with Jefferson getting a slight upperhand due to experience, and THEN pull out the gun.

But still, loved the payoff, and I do hope Gravedigger would die. BL isn't Superman, and even if he were, under the circumstances, lethal force was justified in this case. I don't believe BL's anti-killing code really was sacrificed here, because justifiable homicide matters.

The most important part for me was that BL saved the day. It's about time the title character showed what he was the title character and stopped a big villain on his own show.

Of course, it's Earth Prime so rather than endanger his family and friends, it would seem that a call to Flash, Superman and Supergirl could have been made. That's the downfall of the COIE.

This show is very hit or miss, but the last two weeks have been very good.

 

^ This is Black Lightning, Gravedigger could've died and still return in later episodes.

 

I hope this odd choice of phrase isn't referencing what I think it might be.

 

Overall, Gravedigger's personality mixed with his brutal fighting style was such a visual joy. Every strike looked like it actually hurt.

Although Black Lightning's attack appeared lethal (some might say he went overboard), I'm not sure Gravedigger would be killed off so easily. Wounded? Maybe. In need of emergency treatment? Easy to buy, but he could be in a position like the ASA's chief company bootlicker Williams, who suffered from a direct hit from BL's power, but survived it.

That's the point: the Black Lightning universe--swarming with metahumans, corrupt governments and everything in-between--does not need help from anyone else. That, and they would not fit the tone of this show in any case. Flash and Supergirl would be so out of place in every scene.

OTOH, I could see Batwoman racing through the nighttime streets of Freeland.

 

This was a great episode.
The opening with Jefferson and Gambi's conversation was really good. It was nice look at where Jefferson is mentally right now.
It will be interesting to see where they take Khalil from this point on.
The way they handled TC deactivating the meat girl's chip was fun. With him seeming not know how to behave around a girl, only for it to turn out his borderline creepy behavior actually had a good reason behind it.
We got some great action scenes here, and they did a good job of everyone a moment to shine.
I wonder if they are going to do anything with the fact that Lynn has figured out how to give people regular people different meta's powers. That seems like a pretty major development, that I could see ending up being very important.
I'm a big fan of Wayne Brady from Who's Line is it Anyway? so I got a big kick out of seeing him as Gravedigger.

 

Not at all, but justifiable homicide absolutely exists. Sometimes, even a hero has to kill, and what Jefferson did was absolutely in that category.

I would not say his attack went overboard. Gravedigger is a very dangerous enemy. Someone who can affect your mind is more dangerous than a physical enemy. He could literally turn any human into a weapon, including most metas. The writers would have to come up with a reason that Gravedigger can't control certain characters, like they did with Khalil.

Otherwise, only aliens like J'onn, Supergirl, and Superman should be immune. Gravedigger is a lot like Kilgrave on Jessica Jones. Interesting that they have similar names too. What I did like was that Gravedigger isn't a one trick pony. He was able to get the better of Khalil (sans poison).

I do wonder now if Painkiller was in control, if that fight would have been different.

Whether or not the other heroes of Earth Prime would fit in doesn't change that they do exist on this Earth. I'm hoping starting next season, the show adapts. I think it can without changing too much.

This was arguably the best episode of the series. The timing of it was interesting since I think Flash just aired its worst ever episode.