TV REVIEWS: FTN Reviews Black Lightning Season 3 Episode 9: Earth Crisis

So…that happened. Black Lightning has always existed as an interesting part of the Arrowverse. Both in terms of its location in the show, and out of it. Unlike all the other shows, they film in Georgia, and as noted in many lines and references, are on another world apart from the Arrowverse on Earth-1. Which is fine because so was Supergirl with Earth-38. But the confirmation of Black Lightning being on Crisis on Infinite Earths, and this episode airing during the crossover, yet not being a part OF the crossover per se…we all wondered how it was going to unfold.

“Earth Crisis” answered that question in spades while also delving into the greater turmoil going on with Jennifer Pierce as she tries to figure out which side to choose between the ASA and the Resistance. I personally haven’t liked that Jen is so easily swayed by Odell, but the opening monologue she made was a good way of her explaining it to those who disagree with her choices.

Then, as if to magnify it, they bring in the “Crimson Skies” of Crisis to show us just how right and how wrong she is about her struggle. Showing off the “Gen” and “Jinn” of Earth’s 1 and 2 respectively was a brilliant plot device. As it answers many questions that we have about the Pierce family.

Such as how in Earth-1 Jefferson isn’t Black Lightning, and he apparently is dead, which will likely be undone in a way when Crisis on Infinite Earths is over if it goes the way of the comic. Meanwhile, on Earth-2, Jinn because the cruise missile of the ASA, and she’s so lustful for her own power that she kills her entire family.

Seeing the two different paths of Jennifer was really fun, the path of pure peace, and the path of pure violence, with our Jennifer being the sort of middle ground as she tried to figure out what to do. Seeing these other Jen’s will no doubt lead to her back season storyline.

The only thing I wish is that they didn’t go overboard with the ending like they did in regards to her confronting her different selves. It started out fine, but it got really cheesy at the end and you had to wonder if she believed what she was something to her Earth-1 version at times.

The sideplots were small, but they served their purpose in reminding us that there’s more than just Crisis on Infinite Earths going on here. From Odell willingly weaponizing children to make a point, to the reveal of Kalil being alive to everyone, and more.

And of course, the big twist at the end with Jefferson being pulled away from his Earth just as it’s being hit by the Anit-Matter wave was well done. Further proof that something big has to happen to fix things, else everything we know about the Arrowverse will be lost.

“Earth Crisis” served as a perfect prequel to Black Lightning’s role on Crisis on Infinite Earths. It wasn’t perfect, but it did really good on fleshing out one of the newer parts of the multiverse, and I appreciate that.