Black Lightning Episode 9
Growing up is hard to do, it’s even harder when you find out you have super powers.
Last week’s episode ended with Jennifer telling Anissa that she had fried her phone and we were left with a stunned Anissa saying nothing.
Jennifer
We begin our episode with Anissa coming into Jennifer’s room with Jennifer explaining that she must’ve dreamt the whole thing with the phone. She covers her head with her blankets as Anissa tries to tell her she didn’t. Anissa gets upset and lifts Jennifer’s bed off of the floor. If just finding out she had has super powers wasn’t enough, Anissa drops the bomb that their dad has powers too and is Black Lightning. She doesn’t accept the fact that her dad has kept a secret that big from her and after a screaming match with her mom and dad, she walks off.
Later, Jennifer tells her mom that she doesn’t want the powers. She explains to her that she doesn’t care to save the world like Anissa and all she wants to do is go to prom, head off to college, get married and have babies. She begins to worry that she won’t ever be able to do any of that.
After her mom assures her she can still do whatever she wants with her life, she calms down. They do end the episode with her and her father watching The Princess and the Frog together.
Between her boyfriend getting shot in the spine and the realization of her new powers I honestly think Jennifer isn’t doing too bad. She is letting her emotions out and I think that will come into play when and if she decides to join the family business.
I really like how they are showing a different side to things – how not everyone is super happy when they get powers. Seeing Jennifer be honest about what she wants is something new for a super hero show, whereas most are similar to Anissa and ready to jump in to save others. I also liked how her mother name dropped Vixen and SuperGirl possibly hinting that it is in the same universe as the other shows and we may hopefully see them in a crossover.
Anissa and Jefferson
After Jefferson and Lynn get mad at Anissa for telling Jennifer about their dad being Black Lightning, Anissa scolds Jefferson for being angry with Gambi for the same reason Jennifer is mad at him.
Anissa and Jefferson do manage to find the warehouse where green light is being manufactured and together they blow it up. This is also the first time we get to see Anissa’s suit in action and it’s as awesome as it looks.
At this point in the game, everyone (even Lynn) who has never liked Gambi, tells Jefferson to put aside his anger and ask for help, but he just won’t listen.
I totally understand why Jefferson is angry at Gambi, but I also like how he is shown in the wrong as well. I really feel as though this show is more based on how people really react than the others.
A Favorite…
Anissa is truly becoming my favorite character. She is a strong independent woman who doesn’t take no for an answer. She is also flawed and is learning from her own mistakes. I just wish her new girlfriend was in it more.
This episode mostly focused on the struggles of the Pierce family coming to terms with the girls having super powers. We saw it through the eyes of people who had powers and people like Lynn who don’t. Though there wasn’t much action, this was one of the most intriguing and exciting episodes in my opinion.
From Jennifer’s realistic reaction to her powers to Anissa showing her dad she can handle herself, this episode brought both smiles and tears.
Black Lightning airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on the CW