Black Lightning: The Book of Consequences: Chapter Three: Master Lowry

October 23, 2018 7:51 PM - Season 2, Episode 3

Jefferson is forced to watch as all his good work is undone when his replacement arrives and begins implementing sweeping changes. Meanwhile, Anissa continues to play Robin Hood by stealing from one of the most powerful crime syndicates in Freeland.

AV Club - Black Lightning gets bogged down by its own ambition

Den of Geek - Jefferson struggles to get through to Khalil, as Painkiller falls further into Tobias Whale's organization.

posted by oh yeah! (3 comments total)

I'm kinda with the AV Club on this one: I loved almost everything that happened in this episode, but I wanted more time on most of the individual threads rather than seeing it all crammed into an hour that couldn't do most of it justice.

I am especially interested in Anissa right now, because she's reacting the way I think I would have at that age to getting special abilities: reveling in her powers, taking dangerous shortcuts, busting heads, being a bit of a player... and making some serious mistakes that would make sense if you're not cynical enough. It's a fun switch from the usual 'oh I just want to be NORMAL' thing I'm used to in this kind of story. (I'm drawn the Tom Holland's Spiderman for similar reasons. I think being able to punch through concrete would be, above and beyond everything else, fun. Have a hard time with stories that don't show people enjoying their gifts.)

By the same token, I'm the least interested in Jenn's story, although her psychic therapist reminds me a lot of some plot threads from The 4400. (Her therapist's intro was super creepy though, and they really ought to have known better.)
posted by mordax at 10:19 AM on October 24, 2018 [1 favorite]

i see they've returned to the Outsiders will with a version of Dr. Jace. I'm kind of surprised that character wasn't saved for the Titans show (Is anybody watching that? Is it worth discussing on FanFare?), as she was instrumental in the creation of one of that team's biggest threats (and somehow I can't see her other creation turning up in this show).

The introduction of Perenna was awkward and stupid. That has to be the absolute worst way to meet a new therapist. Great parenting Lynn and Jeff!

Rookie cop is going to either get into serious trouble or turn into serious trouble, isn't he?

I hope they devote some time in the school to show the inevitable revolt (by some) and the formation of what are going to be two clashing allegiances: those to Pierce and those to Lowry.
posted by sardonyx at 9:28 PM on October 24, 2018 [1 favorite]

It did feel kind of all over the place. Especially for Lowry, whose name is in the title but we get all of a minute with him, and they picked a meek looking actor (no offense to PJ Byrne aka Bolin!), so him trying to act tough around an imposing Jefferson was more amusing than anything else.

I think this episode was supposed one of those necessarily-over-ambitious ones with a bunch of running threads that will be tied up in later episodes. It's not a great episode, but it'll make the later ones down the road really good.
posted by numaner at 5:36 PM on October 29, 2018