Spoilers Black Lightning - Season 3

[JD]

Let's take one of those examples: it means that people who have taken a stand against the annual call for vaccinations (because they claim the vaccinations have caused serious health problems such as autism in children) have been treated as if they are loons/idiots by the mainstream media--who in turn have a relationship with government (or in this case, health departments/agencies from the CDC down to state offices) to push the narrative that vaccines are 100% safe and anyone not standing in that line is a nutjob and a threat to public health concerns.

I have no idea what you're referring to with the 9/11, but it has been proven repeated that all of the stuff the anti-vaxers believe is 100% Grade A bullshit. Anybody that still believes is in that crap is an idiot who is unnecessarily putting their kids in danger. There are diseases that been extremely in the US for decades that are coming back thanks to them.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Definitely some dialog here I wouldn't expect to hear on The Flash.

This show's gotten pretty crazy considering how it started, it's full bore comic book now. I do think sometimes it forgets some pieces as it barrels forwards and is a little awkward when it goes back to pick them up. Still, they're cashing in a lot of chips and I'm curious to see how the season ends up.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Black Lightning
SEASON THREE / Episode 11 - "The Book of Markovia: Chapter Two - Lynn's Addiction"

Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning: Jefferson learning Jennifer--his "baby girl" =--may have killed for Odell was painful. As much as he tries to protect his daughters, that job continues to slip through his fingers; on the one had, he's coming to some understanding with Anissa, but Jennifer...

Still, I am glad to see Jefferson returning to his role as a serious father/husband who manages to maintain his sanity even as things fall apart around him.

Lynn: Despite her addiction, she is still level-headed enough to know how to use the metabooster on Sgt. Gardner Grail, but trying to rescue/use Tobias? Ehh...
The episode's subtitle: "Lynn's Addiction" refers to her obsession with being the one to save/stabilize all of the metas (no matter the risk) as much as its a reference to Green Light. True to an obsessive, addict personality, she did not think the plan through or consider that someone might be tracking her movements. Sure enough, they were captures by the Markovians.

The episode subtitle: "Lynn's Addiction" refers to her obsession with being the one to save/stabilize all of the metas (no matter the risk) as much as its a reference to Green Light. True to an obsessive, addict personality, she

Jennifer / Brandon: Jennifer still walks the fence between recklessness and wisdom. Yes, she realizes how she was duped by Odell, but being so hotheaded to kill Odell is an obvious recipe for tragedy, especially dragging Brandon along. She would lose her mind if Brandon were caught or killed.

...and yeah, he almost named himself Geo-Force (originally a Markovian introduced in The New Teen Titans #28 & The Brave and the Bold #200, both published in 1983). While the idea of Brandon putting his powers to use in the meta-war is intriguing, it would be nice for the teen to have second thoughts and choose a normal life.

Gambi: Complex guy; admitting his role in the early abductions--the shame was written on his face, contrasted with his love/being a surrogate father figure for Jefferson, and now with T.C. I just hope the showrunners do not have this promising kid end up caught up in situations far beyond this ability...

I love the way he can turn his agent past on and off in the would-be torture scene with Odell. I had doubts about his willingness to hammer nails into Odell's feet, but for moment, I thought he would do it anyway.

Odell & Major Sara Gray: Odell lives in Gotham in a place "specifically designed for me, by me...". Whether or not that means a coming crossover between the two best DC-TV series remains to be seen. He would be a terror to the limited resources of that small group (Kate and Luke).

Even Odell knows fear. Between using the words of Rev./Dr. King to suddenly play a "black card" to quoting Psalms, he was trying every angle (based on he knows about the Pierce family) to save his ass. It was great to see him sweat, but with his rescue comes a true final offensive. The only question is, who are his other allies since the teaser shows Sara Gray apparently joining team Black Lightning to fight the Markovians? ..and on that note, trusting her is not a smart move, since she just tried to murder them.

Khalil/Painkiller: Thanks to T.C., we now know the real Khalil is buried somewhere in Painkiller's mind. I'm not certain his "telling" T.C. that he loves Jennifer is a ploy. For all anyone knows, that was planted in him as a contingency plan to break down the defenses of the Peirce family in the event he ended up just as he did in this episode. Of course, I would like to see the goodhearted Khalil return, but the moment his real side remembers he murdered his own mother might be too much for him to bear...

Tobias: "Black women are tricky." He never lets up with the self-hate. Then again Lynn fired back by calling attention to the size of his lips. Giving him a dose of his own race hatred. Note that he has no intention of leaving Freeland, not with Lala in possession of that briefcase and trying to run "his" house, so to speak.

Lala: He supplies the revolution, but he still tries to be a crime kingpin. After all he's experienced...life, death and resurrection, he still believes in the base life of a criminal? cannot recall if he's fully aware of Lady Eve's past as an agent of the ASA, but he's making a serious mistake trying to strongarm the brothel away from her.

NOTES: As always, I love the intensity of this series.
No sub-plots about the multiverse dropped in to get in the way of this storyline (in fact, Jennifer only mentioned being in that other realm as an afterthought). As noted last week, as tightly plotted as this series is, it cannot just flow into the others without its core being compromised. While I could see how Odell could be an under-the-surface threat growing in Gotham, his entire ASA storyline (the heart of who he is) would be out of place on Batwoman.

Next week, Lynn is held captive, reunites with into Helga Jace, and an unlikely union attempts to mount a rescue mission. Best laid plans, I imagine.

GRADE: A+.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I love the way he can turn his agent past on and off in the would-be torture scene with Odell. I had doubts about his willingness to hammer nails into Odell's feet, but for moment, I thought he would do it anyway.

Speaking of turning the agent on whenever he grabs a gun he's not someone to mess with!

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Speaking of turning the agent on whenever he grabs a gun he's not someone to mess with!

Yes--he did not even blink before shooting the ASA men. What's interesting is that the entire Pierce family knows Gambi can be so lethal, but do not have an expressed problem with it.

 

[Kirk Prime]

I will say this--an episode truly showing Gambi at his strongest would be very interesting.

This episode really didn't do it for me, but admittedly, I was a bit distracted while watching it.

I believe this is the first mention of Gotham on the show, which makes me feel that we have more evidence that the world changed here. But it also continues the problem of how it is possible for everything to be so exactly the same in the post-Crisis world.

It's a bit weak that the writers didn't do a better job with that.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

I will say this--an episode truly showing Gambi at his strongest would be very interesting.

I like the fact he chooses to stay in the shadows (unless absolutely necessary as seen in this episode). He's not an agent anymore, so when he leaves said shadows, its usually something to see--another window into his past.

But it also continues the problem of how it is possible for everything to be so exactly the same in the post-Crisis world.

It's a bit weak that the writers didn't do a better job

As mentioned some time ago, the Black Lightning showrunners/writers had their storylines developed long before the shoehorned CW-COIE was ever considered. They should not have to jump from their story/creative lane to find a way to shove the crossover into their story. That was the responsibility of those behind CW-COIE to talk to Black Lightning's showrunners to see how or if thay crossover would fiy into a series that was very much its own universe up to that point. So far, it appears they did do that. In other words, the master plan was not well planned.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I was surprised to even hear them mention Gotham. Being this far into the season I think they've done enough post-Crisis. While Black Lightning may not have shown a lot of external changes I'd argue that they both BL and Lightning appear to have been affected by their experiences in their post-crisis approaches to the Freeland situation.

 

[JD]

As mentioned some time ago, the Black Lightning showrunners/writers had their storylines developed long before the shoehorned CW-COIE was ever considered. They should not have to jump from their story/creative lane to find a way to shove the crossover into their story. That was the responsibility of those behind CW-COIE to talk to Black Lightning's showrunners to see how or if thay crossover would fiy into a series that was very much its own universe up to that point. So far, it appears they did do that. In other words, the master plan was not well planned.

I think this is probably for the best, at least until we hit the end of the current storyline. The other shows had already hit an end, or at least easy transition point before the Crisis hit, so it was a lot easier for them to change direction. Black Lightning was pretty much in the middle of it's arc, so there really was no where to fit any kind of crisis aftermath into more than they already have.
I really was curious how far they were going to go when they had Odell. Usually I wouldn't have expected them to actually torture someone, but after everything Odell had done to them I thought they might actually do it.
I was a little shocked that Jennifer actually took Brandon down into Gambi's hideout. I know they're friends, but she still doesn't know a ton about him, so there was still a bit of risk if you ask me.
I missed some stuff during Lynn and Tobias's escape from the lab. How did she get in, and what power did she have?
The reference to Gotham surprised me.
So the end seems to give us first indication of why this is The Book of Markovia.

 

[The Realist]

^ We've seen the immediate aftermath of Gambi torturing somebody before (he tied up one of his would-be assassins and cut off his fingers to force him to talk, before executing him in cold blood), so he's certainly capable of going there.

And Lynn used a holographic device to disguise herself as the ASA doctor she was working with to infiltrate the facility. Her power was evidently some kind of super-strength and/or invulnerability, though I don't remember the specific meta she referenced as being its source.

 

[JD]

OK thanks. I remember seeing the other doctor in the lab, but I was going and out of the room, so I missed Lynn turning off the disguise, and thought he had left before she came in.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I really was curious how far they were going to go when they had Odell. Usually I wouldn't have expected them to actually torture someone, but after everything Odell had done to them I thought they might actually do it.

I guess to the show's credit I was actually a little nervous where that scene was going.

 

[Guy Gardener]

In the comics the King of Markovia is Brion, who is the super hero GeoForce.

Brandon is now a super hero called Geo.

Spoiler

imdb is telling me that TC is also called Baron, which alludes to the non Royal Markovia nazi supervillain Baron Bedlam, who keeps trying to conquer Markovia.

 

[Enterprise is Great]

Gardner Grayle the ASA guy who helped Lynn is a superhero named Atomic Knight in the comics. He was a member of the Outsiders

 

[Nerys Myk]

Gardner Grayle the ASA guy who helped Lynn is a superhero named Atomic Knight in the comics. He was a member of the Outsiders

They're going pretty deep into the Outsiders oeuvre. I wonder if they'll get to use Metamorpho or maybe the DCW's Katana.

 

[Morpheus 02]

As mentioned some time ago, the Black Lightning showrunners/writers had their storylines developed long before the shoehorned CW-COIE was ever considered. They should not have to jump from their story/creative lane to find a way to shove the crossover into their story. That was the responsibility of those behind CW-COIE to talk to Black Lightning's showrunners to see how or if thay crossover would fiy into a series that was very much its own universe up to that point. So far, it appears they did do that. In other words, the master plan was not well planned.

This, i'd agree. I think there was either a long drawn out behind the scenes fight, or Salim Akil might have just blown off Berlanti & Co. up until the last minute.

And not sure if you watched the other shows, but it seems like there is A LOT of inconsistency in settling in. Arrow, for example seems to even have contradicted last week's episode with the finale, at least as far as Dinah.


And I still fail to see how merging the Earths totally changes Black Lightning. President Obama of 2008-2017 wasn't vital to Black Lightning's origin or re-emergence. They could time adjust some things (Obama was president earlier), and the racism has been lived out more on the localize level (with the aggregate still providing the racist system).

And yeah, you would think they would reach out to the other heroes, but hopefully they can speak on racism in future episodes, even from the other (mostly white) heroes, as to why they didn't help.

Also, would be interesting to see how ARGUS, ASA and the DEO work with each other (though the DEO seems to have shifted from government agency to a government contractor).

Good to see Lady Eve back...she was a good villain, but weird to see her in such a weak position. Lala might be getting back to his roots, when he was actually an interesting character.


And didn't I suggest Brandon would be Geo Force a ways back? Nice to hear the hint. We might find that he is half-MArkovian, and maybe his birthname is indeed Brion. And his excuse to leave the show is that he needs to take over royal duties. Though he might get a suit before he leaves. I don't think his line about costumes was random.

I can potentially see TC dying sometime in the show.... or hopefully his powers will cause health issues so that he should NOT use them, and just go to a normal life. Jennfer especially might appreciate him a lot more, especially if he can "fix" Khalil... though i think Khalil might sacrifice himself to save Jennifer. The actor's agent REALLY needs to set him up to be the next action hero.

 

[JD]

Gardner Grayle the ASA guy who helped Lynn is a superhero named Atomic Knight in the comics. He was a member of the Outsiders

I was wondering about that, it did seem like a more comic booky name than a lot of their characters have had.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Black Lightning
SEASON THREE / Episode 12 - "The Book of Markovia: Chapter Three - Motherless ID"

Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning: Standard of late, Jefferson is trying to be strong, but that's not working out with his concerns going in every direction. We see Anissa is more understanding with him (in regards to Lynn's plight) and becoming a bit more level-headed in getting him to accept working with Sara Gray, but he is losing his attempt to be that pillar of unwavering strength to those he loves. It would be terrible to see him have some kind of a breakdown (moral, physical, etc.) while Lynn's future is clouded.

Jennifer / Brandon: She might be upset that Khalil being alive was not shared with her, but she's proving she is slowly growing up in the way she was so nurturing to him in the safe space of his mind.

Gambi: Enjoying Gambi's faith in T.C., but i'm starting to think all things are not going to go well for the kid.

He's had business in Markovia even Jefferson was not aware of...interesting. I wonder if he will be recognized by Mosin….

Colonel Yuri Mosin / Helga Jace: Jace could not believe Odell made Lynn an addict? How naïve could she be? Her own work took a total lack of scruples to carry out, so getting someone hooked would be a walk in the immoral park for a man like Odell. Besides, whether she was playing Tobias or not (about his being on schedule for a lobotomy), she seems to genuinely enjoy screwing with his mind, and Mosin's, it would seem.

Khalil/Painkiller: T.C.'s infiltration of the chip proves--once again--that Khalil was not lost, or some "bad" person. Khalil's creation of a safe space--his room, filled with his medals and photos of loved ones--was the reaction a child would have, which was sad, but not as heartbreaking as his own history as Painkiller playing out on the "walls" of his mind, including the murder of his own mother. As I thought, he did not want to live after realizing what he was forced to do. If that was not tragic enough, he's alive--awake and is--as he put it--poison.

I would hate to see a character who was designed to represent the struggle of a young black male to lift himself out of poverty just end up a meat puppet on the strings of one user after another (Tobias & Odell). There has to be some justice for him...some sense of hope.

Tobias: The black Markovian associate's "You know, I cannot stand a self-hating black man. But then again, you're not that black." At last--someone giving Tobias a dose of his own racial abuse.

NOTES: Excellent pacing with the Markovian invasion plan not going into effect overnight (as in taking place in this episode). The highlights were the fates of Khalil and Lynn, with both having an uncertain future. Even if Lynn is rescued, as Jace pointed out, there's still no true understanding of Green Light addiction, and the formula she used was tweaked on Odell's orders, so right now, she might be "shit out of luck" as the expression goes.

In the next episode, the war is on, and there are hints that this will bring an end to the Markovian plot, and the effects of Green Light on Freeland, which will not be so easy to sweep away, because there's still...

• Brandon with his vendetta with Jace, and a "revenge is not good" talk won't ease the pain of losing his mother.
• Tobias--is he a free man once he's rescued? Will Major Gray simply "reclaim" him as ASA property? And what of Jefferson--will he work to rescue the man who murdered his father?
• The teaser has Jefferson embracing the idea of killing, when non-lethal action was one of his strongest tenets. If renounces that belief, what kind of man will that make him--and in the eyes of his family?
• Whether Tobias escapes or is set free, he's still obsessed with that infamous briefcase now in Lala's possession. Further, Lala muscling in on Lady Eve's brothel is part of his continued rise as the city's new crime lord, which means the series' original narrative of a predominantly black city under siege (from drugs) is far from over.

In other words, Black Lightning should continue to be the mature, grim series with a message, as it needs to be, instead of suddenly becoming just another unstructured and/or thinly plotted superhero show.

GRADE: A+

 

[JD]

I have to admit, I was surprised they actually brought back the real Khalil, I figured he was gone for good. The scene with him and Jennifer in his mental bedroom was pretty good.
Is Jace really a prisoner? I thought was working with the Markovians purely of her own free will.
So if Major Gray stays true to her word, does that mean Gambi won't have to be in hiding any more?

 

[Mr. Adventure]

The scenes with Khalil were compelling but the music was really unnecessarily overbearing and distracting. The science if you will was pretty questionable but the drama was solid and compelling.

I’ve been impressed with how far they’ve gone with Lynn’s addiction. That can’t be a comfortable performance for Christine Adams and though you feel her plight it makes it hard to like the character.

It’s been hard to get a sense of Markovia as a country. In practice it doesn’t come off much different than like the hideout of The Thinker or something like that. I guess maybe that’s a budget thing but it comes off like some shadow organization. At one point, I thought maybe the Markovia meta plot was just going to be a scare ploy made up by the ASA to justify their actions.

I’m curious if Lala and Lady Eve will show up next week or not. Sometimes the show seems to just pick up and drop some of these elements haphazardly. Is this the last book or are there more episodes coming this season?

Slue-footed? Tobias really went the extra mile tearing into that guy. The threat of lobotomization might put him in his place though.