Black Lightning: The Book of Consequences: Chapter One: Rise of the Green Light Babies

October 9, 2018 7:48 PM - Season 2, Episode 1

Concerned for the safety of Garfield's students, the board considers a motion to shut down the school. Jennifer struggles with her powers, Anissa finds a new way to give back to Freehand, and Lynn clashes with Agent Odell over access to the pods.

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posted by oh yeah! (4 comments total)

I really appreciated them not downplaying the fallout of last season, here. It's a good continuation of how much weight this show has over the rest of the CWverse.

I was very surprised to see Syonide go. I guess it still might be a revolving door situation, but Tobias seemed to think she was gone, so... *shrugs*

Also, just waiting for Anissa's actions to backfire spectacularly.
posted by mordax at 1:21 PM on October 10, 2018 [1 favorite]

This was a really strong premiere. I like that they still kept up the blackness of the show, in terms of language and music, and how raw those emotions can be. I feel like it's definitely more focused than Luke Cage in terms of dealing with African-American issues. The house slave conversation was a tough but necessary one between Jefferson and Napier.

I have a feeling Syonide might reappear, but I wouldn't be disappointed if she didn't. Comic book shows like to explore certain villains fully, and they haven't even touched on what she is or how she came to be. And on the other hand, that could be done with a flashback or a one minute exposition, because I don't see her having a well-rounded enough arc to be worth bringing back. Kara Fowley have more of that and I'm excited to see more of her.

So it seems like Jennifer is basically a constantly charging battery that needs to release energy and it would take someone/something like Jefferson to absorb it all. I wonder if that's where they're heading.

I think what I appreciate most about this show is that there's no idiot ball to pass around. Every character acts like they should, even the grieving mother suddenly afraid of her super-powered son coming back to life. There's real prejudices and character flaws in everyone, but they don't go against who they are as a person for the sake of plotting.
posted by numaner at 2:38 PM on October 10, 2018 [3 favorites]

I generally try to record shows for an extra minute so that the ending doesn't get chopped off. So for this episode which began with Issa being murdered by the police as witnesses yell "That is a child!", it ended with my CW-affiliate 10pm news showing footage of Staten Island police using a taser on a kid that they already have on the ground, as his older brother keeps yelling "You see what you're doing to this little boy?" I'm glad that Black Lightning is as unflinching as it is, but, it's heartbreaking that it's as prescient as it is.

Loved Jefferson and Jennifer's healing hug.
posted by oh yeah! at 4:51 PM on October 10, 2018 [3 favorites]

Way behind on this, but:

I loved that they were showing a bullfight on the TV during Thunder’s fight scene.

I also loved that Tobias Whale kills people using a harpoon.

I, too, am going to miss Syonide.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 5:57 PM on October 31, 2018