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Black Lightning 1.6 Review – ‘Three Sevens: The Book of Thunder’
Loading...I know I’ve been kinda raving about Black Lightning. But it’s just so good! If you read DC comics or watch the movies based on them, heck, even if the only thing you know about DC is the Arrowverse—you’ll be as shocked as I was at what happened tonight. Only because it never, ever happens in a way that sticks. Not for Batman, not Flash, Supergirl, or anyone at all. Someone’s true identity was actually recognized while they were in costume. As Amber Ruffin would say, “Whuuuuuuuut?!?”
After hearing so much about the Black Panther movie, which I have not seen yet, I’ve heard people actually say that we “don’t need” so many heroes of color. As if two non-white heroes is too many. But see, Black Panther is about Africans. Black Lightning is about African Americans—and they seem pretty serious about demonstrating the difference. Did the writers on this show take into account the enormous reaction Black Panther would receive? Or is even asking that question akin to asking all black superhero fans if they know each other? As always, expect spoilers for “Three Sevens: The Book of Thunder.”
This week begins with a disheartening if expected revelation. The police chief is dirty, and is Joey Toledo (and therefore Tobias Whale’s) contact in the cop shop. He’s crooked, and if Inspector Henderson doesn’t already know this with certainty, he clearly suspects it. Is this going to be a Gotham situation, where Henderson eventually becomes Chief, or even commissioner? I hope so. Despite his annoyance with Black Lightning, a non-crooked cop probably shouldn’t’ be cool with masked vigilantes.
Gambi frantically calls Lynn after literally picking up Jefferson after his scuffle. Remember, she’s a gifted brain doctor and researcher. We’ve been getting hints about this for a while now, but Gambi is mixed up in something awful. We learned a few things about Gambi this week, and had a few others punctuated. Gambi raised Jeff after his dad was murdered (in front of him, by Tobias and his men). Gambi clearly encouraged Jefferson to become Black Lightning, giving him the equipment he needed to focus his powers and use them effectively toward just ends. But neither Jeff nor Gambi appear to live up to their own ideals all the time. Jeff tells Gambi over and over that Tobias is in Freeland. But we already know that Gambi knows that already. This dishonesty between them is bound to come out by the end of the season—possibly breaking the decades-long bond between them.
Lynn is furious about having to tend to Jeff’s wounds again. Speaking of Lynn, she’s got a research assistant who is pretty crafty in his efforts to weasel info out of her. We aren’t sure who he’s working for, but he’s sneaky and deceitful while presenting as helpful and easygoing. His spying means that he knows more than he should, and sees things Lynn thinks she has successfully hidden from him. So that’s no good. I also have to think there are security cameras in that building, which would be bad given what happens later.
Around Freeland, Anissa gets arrested at another protest—this time mirroring current events about Civil War loser statues. Jeff is angry as hell, since Anissa broke the law using fake guns—which means she could have easily been murdered by cops (who would probably call such a shooting “justified.”) Jeff is more fearful than angry, which certainly makes sense. Meanwhile, Jennifer is dealing with high school bitches and even shade from Khalil. While most students of color didn’t appreciate the racially-tinged insults, Khalil’s words clearly hurt Jennifer deeply. The question, and it’s a good one, is Khalil lashing out because he’s so hurt and angry at his circumstances? Or is he showing his true colors? Jen is right; it’s hard to tell. She was already considering what a future with a man who can’t walk would be like. Finding out that Khalil blames Jennifer for his injury was gross—and points clearly toward a breakup followed by intense bitterness on both sides.
This week revisits the question of whether or not Black Lightning’s powers are akin to drugs. Gambi says no. But Gambi is not among the most truthful people on this show. Is it really just endorphins? Even if it is, don’t people get emotionally addicted to those? As a non-aerobic-exercise-person, I’m sure I would not know. But there’s more. If Jefferson has an addiction, could that be what’s driving his need to murder Tobias rather than just bringing him to justice? Sure, after we see the flashback, we understand how Jeff would want to murder Tobias. But murder really isn’t in the purview of the Jeff we know. Vengeance versus Justice is a common conundrum of any superhero. How they come down on the issue reveals whether they’re Superman, or Punisher (sorry to mix Marvel with DC, but if Christine Addams can appear in both, Imma talk about them both here when applicable. LOL)
I wish I could talk more about this “Becky” business. I presume Becky is considered a stereotypically white name—which is funny. Because Suzie-cream cheese-style white girls were called “Jennys” when I was in high school. The name Becky appears in the Sir Mix-a-Lot classic about rotund posteriors. Is that the same usage of Becky? I honestly don’t know. This is also the first I’m hearing of the “crabs in a barrel” concept, but it makes sense on a number of levels. It’s also amazing that Ms. Fowdy monitors social media of her students. Is that commonplace? If it isn’t, maybe it ought to be.
The pattern of Black Lightning eps is a big fight out at the end of the episode. The setup this week appears to involve Tobias’s doctor helping Black Lighting find him. There’s a phone call, and BL promises to be at the doc’s office where a clearly terrified doc normally treats Tobias for various conditions related to his albinism. But we never see how or if that works out, since all hell breaks loose elsewhere.
Anissa (a little startled by the force of her powers) finally wants to tell Lynn what’s up, and there are some brain scans and test samples mixed in the plotting too. But while this is happening, the Plummer Crew, hired by Lady Eve, busts in for the sciencey stuff. One thing leads to another and…BAM! The next thing we know Black Lightning is physically throwing down with Anissa in costume. Her superhero name, as the title suggests, is Thunder. Nice, eh. They fight pretty hard but then…Black Lightning recognizes her. That’s right, someone in the DC universe recognized a superheroes secret identity even though they were still in costume. Seriously, when does that happen? When they take Anissa home—Jefferson reveals to her that he is Black Lighting. Nobody says anything about the badass wig, which is surprising.
Daaaamn, that was amazing. But there’s more to discuss. See, Gambi’s conversation with Lady Eve basically implies that Gambi let Tobias leave town alive in exchange for leaving the Pierce family alone. It’s one of those deals that sounds good until you let it sit for a decade or two. Obviously, there’s more back story for us to learn later on. Does Evelyn have powers too?
We need to talk about the flashback where Alvin Pierce is murdered. In it, Jefferson is a small boy hiding under a bed. How old did he look? Twelvish? But Tobias was a grown man. How old was he? We don’t know for sure. But we’ve also heard that he and his sister don’t age. But they can’t be too old—because as of the last episode, their father had still been alive. Not sure of all the specifics on that, but it’s certainly worth mentioning. Tori Whale has bodyguards around her at all times. I wonder why they told us that, unless it’s to illustrate that Lady Eve is a murderous hag (albeit a stylish one) who would kill anyone at any time. Eve says as much to Gambi, that she’d kill her own mother if it needed to happen. And me, I do love a good matricide!
Jeff gets a taste of his own medicine when he realizes Anissa is also fighting crime. Lynn, on the other hand, comes to accept that Jeff is going to be Black Lighting, and that her real issue was sharing him with the world. Seems like the entire Pierce family will get a taste of this since 3 of the 4 of them have powers. At the end of the ep, we see Tori and Tobias talking to someone in the car with them. I worried that it was the doctor, who they’d kidnapped. But no, it’s worse. They’re with Khalil, and he’s going willingly. They’ve told him that they can help him walk again, which is what Khalil wants more than anything.
Another exceptional ep this week! I love that Black Lighting asks big questions, tackles current events, and makes regular statements on social and political issues. I look forward to watching this family wrestle with revenge versus justice, how to best help a community, and other myriad issues we’re sure to see. What are you looking forward to seeing before the end of the season?
See you’s next week!
