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TV REVIEWS: FTN Reviews Black Lightning Season 2 Episode 9: Gift of the Magi

December 12th, 2018 by Todd Black Comments

I’m really impressed with Black Lightning and this storyline. Jennifer’s running away has brought pretty much all the characters to their breaking point in one form or another, and that’s really intriguing. Also, them sticking with the storyline, and giving Kalil a healthy way out that didn’t mean them returning to Freeland just yet proves that they’re willing to commit, which I appreciate.

“Gift of the Magi” was very much about everyone reacting to the situation at the Aunt’s house. Kalil is dying, Jennifer is trying to save him, while Jennifer, Gambi, and Jefferson (as well as Lynn) are desperate to find them and get Jennifer safe.

It was great seeing Lynn and Jefferson breaking down in their own ways. With Jefferson willing to blow his secret identity in order to save his daughter, and Lynn being miserable until she decided to get proactive and get stuff done, even if it didn’t lead to anything.

Jennifer’s struggle to keep Kalil alive was also good, as it lead to a new use of her mind space and a realization of her powers that could have big impact in the future. Her getting the drop on Cutter was also well played, as was her sticking with Kalil even when he was telling her to return home.

Though “Gift of the Magi” did stick with Jennifer and her situation for most of the time, I liked that we saw Tobias start to make moves in his own plan. Bringing in a passed over young scientist in Todd Green (who you might recognize as the Blue Ranger from the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers movie) to help him. It was fun to see Tobias try and bring Todd to his side, and then get him in the end with the simplest of gestures. Where this leads, I don’t know, but I’m curious to find out.

Finally, a teleporting meta is on the way, and that could spell bad tidings for Black Lightning.

I’m not sure why Black Lightning is moving to Monday’s, but when it returns in a month or so, you can count me in as interested.

4.5 out of 5 nerds

Todd Black is reader of comics, a watch of TV (a LOT of TV), and a writer of many different mediums. He's written teleplays, fan-fictions, and currently writes a comic book called Guardians (guardians-comic.com). He dreams of working at Nintendo, writing a SHAZAM! TV series, and working on Guardians for a very long time!