Okay, I’m sure that a lot of people have already done their own analysis as soon as it went off but I’m two hours behind the East coast so you guys will catch my review when I post it. I will try my best not to spoil too much but I will try my best. I also will kind of skip parts because I want you to watch the show so there’s that.
Black Lightning is the hero we need right now (before Black Panther comes out). If you don’t know who Black Lightning is, look him up. He used to be called Vulcan on the Super Friends and he was the mentor to Static Shock. He’s always been that grizzled older hero that was always a few steps ahead. But lets get into the show. This show starts out super black, meaning a situation occurs that most black Americans are familiar with. On the way to an award ceremony with his two daughters when they are pulled over by two cops.
Jefferson (Black Lightning) was asked to step out of the car which he complied to. He was then forcefully handcuffed and walked back to the cop car. While at the cop car, his face was shown to a small Asian woman to which the cop asked “Is this him?”. Apparently, the old woman’s store was robbed and Jefferson “matched a description” (because of course he did). The cop let him go but it left a bad taste in Jefferson’s mouth. With racial tensions at an all time high in America, a show addressing these things is always a double edged sword. Either it’s perceived as it was meant to be or it’s perverted to fit an agenda. If you’ve watched Black-ish or Luke Cage, then you have already seen these type of situations.
Fast forward to the award ceremony where Jefferson is being honored as a great principal and leader in the community. It was a pleasant sight to see a positive representation of a predominately minority inner city school. Jefferson’s youngest daughter, Jennifer (played by China Ann McClain) was preparing to sneak away to a party at the 100 Club. She told her sister Anissa (played by Nafessa Williams) it was a house party, but you know…little sisters lie.
At this party, Jennifer was feeling this guy (which she didn’t know was a gangster). All of a sudden, three guys showed up to take him and unsuspecting Jennifer to LaLa, the boss. Apparently ol boy owed some money and he attempted to pimp out Jennifer to which she responded by kicking homie in the balls.

Jefferson finds out where his daughter went and FLIPS out. So he heads to the club to get his daughter. He arrives to see her being taken to the back. The guard pushes him back and Jefferson lights him up….literally. The gangsters shoot the club up which inevitably brings the cops. And that of course means another confrontation with Jefferson. They tell him to put his hands up but one says “Put your black ass hands up” or “Get your black ass on the ground” (honestly, the phrase escapes me). “Black ass” triggers Jefferson which causes him to light them AND their car up. Jefferson retreats with injuries to an old friend of his and his father.
Okay, that’s all I’m going to tell you about the episode. It’s good. The show started off fast and kept the momentum going. I love the fact that it’s not an origin story. He’s already established. Black Lighting is a known vigilante(hero) that has retired to focus on his family. He decided to build his family and his community up without putting himself in harms way anymore. I also like the way that they introduced the hurdles that he and his immediate family will face throughout the season. Seeing a superhero show that highlights the dynamics of a black family and what it means to be black in America during this time is great. Yes, I know it’s kind of been done via Luke Cage but this is definitely a different type of hero show. Always know that representation matters.
Did you watch the premier? What did you think of it? What comic Easter eggs did you notice? I may end up doing episode reviews for this show all season, they just won’t be this long. Let me know what you think in the comments below. Until next time, Nerd out!
Black Lighting comes on the CW on Tuesdays at 9pm EST after the Flash.