TV REVIEWS: FTN Reviews Black Lightning Season 01 Episode 04: Black Jesus

Black Lightning continues to impress as a series. It’s likely because of its shorter season nature as well as the more personal though the show is going for in its main character. Also, it doesn’t use Black Lightning as a character as much as the other hero shows, and for completely fine reasons. “Black Jesus” was another example of the very personal, not to mention real world-like, nature that it goes for.

A new drug has shown up in Freeland called Greenlight, and it’s highly addictive. When one of Jefferson Pierce’s students gets caught with the drug, it opens up many struggles for him. Both in the small-scale and the large-scale. The kid was a good student, he just made a mistake, but because of the board of directors, he was threatened to be expelled from school.

Jefferson’s scene with Bernard and his father was very powerful. For he was both sympathetic but not patronizing. Him using his “catchphrase” about who’s life Bernard is living shows the love and compassion he has for his students. Screw the odds, he wants to save them all. And he’ll fight for them in every way he can. The show continues to show the disconnect between the different races here, where the white boardwoman had to look up the name of the student who took the drugs, while Jefferson knew it instantly.

Add to that, Jefferson had to face an old friend of his who was selling the drugs. Again, his connection with the community is what makes him so special compared to Oliver, Barry, Kara, etc. He knows just about everyone, and that makes every reveal of who’s doing what very personal, and that’s exciting.

Speaking of exciting, Anissa is truly becoming Thunder (her comic book counterpart) one episode at a time, and it’s fun to watch. Her protecting Grace, as well as her students from the drug dealers, was very powerful. But, she also had a moment of panic where she realizes she has to be careful with how much of her power she uses.

Then, there’s Tobias, who honestly had his best episode of the series so far. He got called out by Lady Eve (who was doing something freaky to a LIVE BODY!!!!) because Black Lightning is alive, and not dead like Tobias claimed. What’s more, his actions in the last episode have gotten the higher-ups of The 100 very upset. I’m curious to see who is at the head of this organization. Lady Eve is a DC Comics character, so who else is leading this group? Also, using Kalil as a way to get to Black Lightning? Pretty evil.

Sadly, not everything worked. The series again had some weird jump cuts that made it kind of confusing as to what was going on. Gambi is again being secretive, but it’s still unclear as to why. Finally, Jennifer still has nothing to do outside of being the instrument of negativity for the family. If she’s going to become Lightning something should happen soon.

Also, can Jefferson not see that the Vice-Principal loves him? I’m just saying.

“Black Jesus” kept things moving forward on multiple levels, and it made for some very interesting character moments. I’m glad to see that this show isn’t taking a break next week.