Spoilers Black Lightning - Season 1

[Christopher]

and I though the way they later on addressed that uncertainty of what exactly does having wonky DNA entail("Can I have kids?") felt real and not commonly seen in shows like this.

I found that question from Jennifer a little odd. I mean, she has the same powers as her father (just orange instead of blue), and the fact that she exists to ask the question proves that her father was able to have kids. So it follows that she should be able to as well.

I think the more appropriate question there would've been, should she have kids? Knowing that superpowers are a hereditary trait in their family, would she be willing to have kids, knowing that they would grow up to have powers and face the burdens/responsibilities that come with them?

 

[dahj]

I found that question from Jennifer a little odd. I mean, she has the same powers as her father (just orange instead of blue), and the fact that she exists to ask the question proves that her father was able to have kids. So it follows that she should be able to as well.

It's not that simple for women. Her dad proved he can pass on genetic material, but women are usually much more involved when it comes to procreation. Even if anatomically everything still works, what if she lightnings-up while pregnant?

 

[Christopher]

It's not that simple for women. Her dad proved he can pass on genetic material, but women are usually much more involved when it comes to procreation. Even if anatomically everything still works, what if she lightnings-up while pregnant?

Good point. But I'd think that if her own body is protected from her electric discharges, then a fetus growing within it would probably be as well. Doesn't electricity tend to flow along the outer surface of an object? That's why those tree-shaped lightning-strike burn patterns that Anissa and Gambi talked about last week are formed on the skin.

In Marvel, I believe it's generally the case that mutants (which is the equivalent of a hereditary metahuman) are immune to the powers of their own family members -- e.g. Havok is immune to Cyclops's eye blasts and Cyclops is immune to Havok's concussive discharges. On the other hand, I guess we've already seen that Jefferson and Anissa are not immune to each other's attacks, so there goes that idea.

 

[JD]

I have to agree with Lynn and Jefferson, Anissa just telling Jennifer everything out of the blue like that, was a pretty crappy move. I'm so used to seeing characters excited about having powers and eager to go kick ass, that it surprised me that Jennifer actually didn't want them. It was a nice change of pace, and I'm curious exactly where they are going with her story.
The takedown of the ASA's lab was a pretty cool action scene. It looks like the story will be shifting from the Green Light stuff, to the ASA kidnapping kids with powers.
Did we see someone phase through a wall in the trailer?

 

[Christopher]

Did we see someone phase through a wall in the trailer?

Looked that way.

 

[Morpheus 02]

Regarding which earth are we on... Now, didn't Supergirl reveal herself to Earth 1 in the Invasion! crossover?

Did we see the president in that episode? And when did it happen? COuld we say it was in 2017...or maybe they elect presidents in the same way 24 the TV show did -- alternative years (i.e. mid term elections on our world like 2014, 2018)

I agree with every one, that this reveal of Thunder as a hero (and that everyone knows her name) in the show seems to come out fo the blue... but if this is the worst istake of the show, i can roll with it. How much has she done in the time frame? And how many weeks in between?

Whatever the time frame...it seems like holiday break, as Jefferson and family haven't been in school. Again..small detail that we can nitpick, but can roll with.

And i strongly disagree with Christopher -- since this is a fantasy series, why can a 3rd party not win? I mean, DC TV shows exude a lot of hope...so a 3rd party having a chance is a piece of hope i will cling to!

 

[dahj]

The official Thunder theme is neat, but does anyone know if the unofficial theme( "dat ass doe") can be found online somewhere?

 

[Mr. Adventure]

The official Thunder theme is neat, but does anyone know if the unofficial theme( "dat ass doe") can be found online somewhere?

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[dahj]

^^
Nah, I meant the fake youtube video from the episode.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Well, found this on my way to the above (though not the isolated video itself):

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[TREK_GOD_1]

Black Lightning
Episode ten: "Sins of the Father: The Book of Redemption"

Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning: Once again, his team-up with Thunder is a joy to watch. The characters compliment each other. In other matters, it was pretty predictable that his neverending resentment of Gambi had to take a turn for the worst..

Gambi: Well, what do you know? The worst happened at the hands of the A.S.A..

Wait--Gambi needs rest? How about the emergency room for an elderly victim of torture? Yeah, he's avoiding any police contact (most hospitals will call the police if an elderly person comes in as the victim of physical abuse), but he needed medical attention.

Anissa & Jennifer Pierce: I'm enjoying her rejection of the "noble" cause of wearing tights / beating the crap out of people. Her body generates energy in way that suggests she will have a power that might be too much for her to understand or control. That would be a believable development, as opposed to Anissa who gained control of her powers almost overnight. There needs to be struggle somewhere in this family where superpowers are concerned.

Martin Proctor / The A.S.A.: So, there's a potential army of metahumans is suspended animation, while new victims are still being kidnapped off the streets.

Lala: Interesting that he's reading something (Egyptian Book of the Dead) so far removed from his upbringing to seek answers. He's become an interesting and creepy character in his state of confusion, and bizarre "possession" by the "spirits" of the people he murdered.

Fowdy: Working for the A.S.A.?? Or is she a plant for someone else?

NOTES:
Joshua Mikel (long-haired Steven Conners) has a recurring role as the asshole/Savior Jared on The Walking Dead.

The "Two Bits" character was supposed to be comic relief, but he was so much a stereotype of the "jiving", "neighborhood hustler" character seen in too many offensive black sitcoms (courtesy of Norman Lear, Topper Carew & Martin Lawrence) and Blaxploitation films.

As an educator, Jefferson has no problem quoting Henry Ford, despite Ford's despicable ideas on race.

GRADE: A.
I believe there's only three episodes left in the season. Its going to be an exercise in patience waiting for the next season of TV's best superhero series.

 

[Christopher]

Did we see someone phase through a wall in the trailer?

Turns out she wasn't phasing through the wall, just smashing through it.

That was a neat fight scene in the first act. Black Lightning and Thunder are already making a great team, with some neat combo moves. Did she jump off a platform made of his electricity?? And I love what a tank she is, just this bulletproof, immovable force.

Just once, I'd like to see a story where the heroes come back to investigate the sinister secret spy facility and arrive while the cleanup crew is still in the middle of moving everything out overnight, instead of after it's all gone.

Don't make Jennifer angry. You wouldn't like her when she's angry. But how come her lightning burned the pillow but didn't affect her clothes?

And that is really, really not what an MRI scan looks like. But... hmm... if Jefferson absorbs and manipulates electricity... and Jennifer generates electricity... that could be a powerful combination.

So... Vice Principal Fowdy is evil, huh? There was always a bit of subtext from her, an excessive interest in Jefferson and his activities, but I thought she just had a crush on him. It's a bit close to home to have Jeff's own closest colleague be a villain, but it makes sense -- if they want to monitor for children developing powers, a school administrator is a good spotter. Good thing she wasn't in the hall when Jennifer burned out her phone.

 

[The Realist]

Really great, eventful episode tonight. A few surprisingly funny bits amidst all the darkness and drama, too. I love the actor who plays Lala; he kills every scene he's in (and often not just figuratively). Also, Jen's powers look wicked when they manifest.

 

[dahj]

Wait--Gambi needs rest? How about the emergency room for an elderly victim of torture?

I'm sure Lynn will have checked up on him.

Did she jump off a platform made of his electricity??

They learned that trick form the Amazons

There was always a bit of subtext from her, an excessive interest in Jefferson and his activities, but I thought she just had a crush on him.

I got the vibe from that last scene that she was indeed crushing on him a bit, hence why she was so surprised. (BTW the previously bit ruined that reveal to me, as soon as they mentioned another spotter I figured it was her).

The ASA are ahead of the game compared to most comic book villains, usually they don't connect the dots when "coincidences" like that power surge happen

I love the actor who plays Lala; he kills every scene he's in (and often not just figuratively).

Yeah, I was initially disappointed that they swapped Lala back in for Lady Eve, but he's definitely benefited from the weirdening. Also, Tobias has been suspiciously absent for several episodes now... so if there's one thing that I'd appreciate they work on for S2 it would be the villain switching.

 

[Christopher]

(BTW the previously bit ruined that reveal to me, as soon as they mentioned another spotter I figured it was her).

For me, it was the combination of her recap appearance and the fact that she hadn't been seen in the episode up to then.

 

[YellowSubmarine]

So Lala's resurrection and post-resurrection seem to be showing signs of quantum immortality. The story revolves around Lala then?

 

[Christopher]

So Lala's resurrection and post-resurrection seem to be showing signs of quantum immortality. The story revolves around Lala then?

It would only be quantum immortality if the gun had been triggered by a decaying radioactive particle rather than a thug's finger.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Two-bits is half the gangster 50 Cent was...

The season has been a pretty good story so far, the shorter episode order seems good for cutting the fat and filler. Have we seen Tobias at all in the last couple of episodes? Lala makes for a compelling figure in his stead even if he's only been indirectly involved with BL at this point.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

The season has been a pretty good story so far, the shorter episode order seems good for cutting the fat and filler.

Agreed. Many shows could take a hint from that.

Have we seen Tobias at all in the last couple of episodes?

No--he's off mourning over his sister, and we can guess a big return painting targets on the backs of more than just Black Lightning.

Lala makes for a compelling figure in his stead even if he's only been indirectly involved with BL at this point.

His resurrection, hallucinations and dipping his toes into random mysticism makes him such a bizarre character who seems to have moved beyond the pseudo mystical babblings of Lady Eve into a man thinking he's meant for some other purpose..

 

[The Realist]

Well, this is pretty uncompromising.