Black Lightning: The Book of Occupation: Chapter One: Birth of Blackbird

October 7, 2019 7:48 PM - Season 3, Episode 1

Jefferson and Lynn are in the hands of the ASA as Agent Odell tightens his grip on the Pierce family, leaving Jennifer abandoned and Freeland without Black Lightning and Thunder. But Anissa secretly defies Odell in her alter ego as Blackbird with the able tactical and technical support of Gambi.

Den of Geek - Black Lightning is back for a third season, and Freeland is very much on Markovia's meta-hungry radar.

TV Line Recap: Fractured Family

TV Fanatic recap

posted by oh yeah! (6 comments total)

Thanks for making these posts, but I ... can't go on. It's not a bad show, and I love the cast and the characters, but with this episode's separated kids in cages, and killing of Issa because "the truth is so rare and dangerous," I'm out.

For me, shows and movies that turn current Trump Administration events into plot points are less entertainment and distraction, and more of another way to discuss things that are happening, but not changing [yet!]. Mr. Robot is now bordering on this for me, but maybe having villains who look more like the current administration is my biggest problem.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:41 AM on October 9, 2019

Understandable, filthy light thief. I think having seen the cast panels at DragonCon the past two years has broken the 4th wall for me in a way that made this episode less upsetting than it might otherwise have been. I expect I’ll keep posting the weekly threads even if they’re low-to-no volume in comments, if only to see how things shake out for the Crisis crossover-palooza.

Looks like some of this year’s panels made it onto YouTube - I don’t know if my question is in there, I asked Cress Williams about being number one on the call sheet (in that I’ve always heard that the lead sets the tone of the set). And there was a really sweet moment from James Remar at one panel, where he talked about how much he appreciates the role, because it came at a point where he hadn’t booked a significant part in a while and was getting discouraged/low on money, and because of how good the show/cast is. He got a little choked up talking about how moved he was in the scene when Anissa (or Jennifer?) found him injured that time and called him Uncle Gambi while putting her hand on his cheek.

If you do quit the show, maybe checking out the panels would let you leave it on a less depressing note?
posted by oh yeah! at 9:10 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]

Thanks! And I'll keep reading your posts to see how things shake out, because I do enjoy this show.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:04 AM on October 9, 2019

Admittedly, I was very tired while watching the show, to the point where I actually went to bed early in the middle, but...it was kind of a confused mess to me to watch.

I also just can't care about another interchangeable girl in Anissa's boinking life. Whatever, y'all.

I think I can deal with superhero shows having parallels to real life shit because unlike in real life, the superhero shows will actually do something about it.
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:42 AM on October 10, 2019

I'm still watching! Not much to say though other than I enjoyed the premiere. It's definitely darker than it used to be, but I'm looking forward to Jen getting better controls over her powers.
posted by numaner at 2:53 PM on October 10, 2019

Casting news from ET - Wayne Brady Joins 'Black Lightning' as Gravedigger
posted by oh yeah! at 4:37 PM on October 10, 2019