One of the things I like about Black Lightning is that while it is a superhero show, it’s much more than that compared to the other CW/DC series. It’s a story about family, and one about politics, and “The Book Of Occupation” is once again not being coy about how it’s about things going on in America right now, just with a superhuman twist.
After we left the Pierce’s in the season 2 finale, things have only gotten worse in Freeland. The ASA has basically quarantined the entire city under the President’s orders. And in doing so, gotten permission to take any potential child or adult away if they’re suspected of being a metahuman.
In a twist, Black Lightning is one of these “detainees”, and he did it willingly to allow his wife and children to not be taken. This is a fun twist on events, and I look forward to seeing how this plays out. As well as the new players we have on the scene. Including the head of the ASA forces, who is equal parts evil as he is efficient. He doesn’t care about race as a tense scene with Henderson proves, he just cares about his version of justice and “freedom”. And following orders.
There’s also a new reporter in town who’s apparently trying to tell the real story of things going on in Freeland. We’ll have to see how that plays out.
While the adults of the Pierce family are locked up “for their own good”, we get to see Anissa and Jennifer be the “Resistance” and the “Underground Railroad” with Gambi. Ferrying metahumans out of Freeland so that they can get away from the encampments.
And then…there’s Agent Odell. His actor plays him so well, so calm, yet so vicious at times. Willing to use anyone to get what he wants, and disposing of them when they’re a liability or a threat. You almost have to wonder what is his true goal or endgame, not that he’d ever admit it.
There was a lot to enjoy here, but also, at times, things to cringe at or question. Anissa hooking with the reporter felt random, especially since they literally just met and the reporter is a new character. Likewise, her hooking up right after the Grace reveal scene was questionable at best. They’re also trying to spin a lot of plates in the air. Like showing Tobias in a bad way, asking about the briefcase, only to reveal that Lala has it.
Still, these small faults aside, the Season 3 premiere was very riveting, and once again shows why Black Lightning is one of the stronger CW/DC Comics shows.
Todd Black
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!
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