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Black Lightning Season 1, Episode 2-"Lawanda: The Book of Hope"

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Pennywise

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 23

BLACK LIGHTNING

"Lawanda: The Book of Hope" - (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET) (TV-14, DLSV) (HDTV)

IS HE BACK? - As the community struggles with the violence surrounding them, a glimmer of hope appears: Is Black Lightning (Cress Williams) back? Lynn Stewart (Christine Adams), noticing the changes in the community, is also left wondering. While Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams) struggles with his decision, Gambi (James Remar) urges him to take up the mantle once more and return to life as Black Lightning. Anissa (Nafessa Williams) and Jennifer (China Anne McClain) try to deal with the aftermath of their jolting experience. Damon Gupton and Marvin Jones III also star. The episode was written by Salim Akil and directed by Oz Scott (#102). Original airdate 1/23/2018.

Read more: Listings - BLACK LIGHTNING on The CW | TheFutonCritic.com http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20180105cw04/#ixzz54yoyGu8D
 
Personally, Black Lightning does something that, as far as the CW DC related shows do, I've only seen iZombie do, but none of the actual DCCW Berlanti shows: properly make the licensed music fit well with the scenes. With Flash, Arrow, and Supergirl, it feels a bit much. But here and iZombie, it works.
 
Definitely one of the more higher stakes shows on the CW as far as the subject matter. Some of this stuff was ripped right from real world stuff.
 
There's a definite 'tension' the other shows are missing.
 
Oh, okay. Didn't expect the show to jump so soon into Anissa's sexuality, but it definitely didn't feel gratuitous at all. Felt like a conversation that two folks in a relationship would actually have.
 
Yeah, that whole scene I was like, "awww ****, are we on basic cable?"
 
La La off the chain. lol
 
This might be the realest show on the CW right now, man.
 
Finally realized who Lawanda reminded me of: Aisha from Luke Cage in that she clashes with the main hero and demands that he take action.
 
So this is where Chuck from Riverdale has been.
 
You got to love how brutally unapologetic this show is. When people get offed it has weight and is definitely treated in a realistic way which I really like. Can't say I have seen that from any of the other CW shows.
 
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It's alright about your wife. That sexy woman that works at the school is available.
 
Another good episode. I was not expecting Lala to be offed so soon though!
 
I like Supergirl and the Flash, but they could take some lessons. Not total Black Lightning, but a little heavier and edgier.

Loved that last scene with Anissa in the store. A little surprise, shake it off and on her way.

Noticed while looking her up, that in the character listing she is listed as 'Thunder' and her younger sister as 'Lightning.'

https://www.google.com/search?sourc...b..0.15.1077...46j0i46k1j0i10k1.0.1emonCjcQrk
 
Not quite as strong as the pilot, but that was still a very solid episode. I also wasn't expecting Lala to die this early lol.
 
Great Episode! It really feels like nothing else on the CW, and that's a good thing!
 
Great episode.

Really loving this show.
It keeps my attention even when powers aren’t being used.
Can’t say I feel that way about the other CW shows:funny:

I care about all the characters.
I’m interested in what’s going on with them.

Loved the stairwell fight when BL was going to get Lala.
It was really pretty short but badass.
The suit looked fantastic.

Really liking Whale.
Excited for him and BL to run in to each other
 
Another great ep. I'm pleasantly surprised that this show's been allowed to do what it's doing on this network. Really strong right out of the gate.
 
Another awesome episode. This show continues to impress.:up:
 
Another great episode for me.

I have to say, there's an excitement with this show that I don't think I've felt with any of the other ones. By virtue of not having the same kind of CW-ness as the other shows, you don't exactly know what you're going to get.
 
It was hilarious how the doorman and elevator guy were all "yo, Black Lightning, let me help you out, man"

LaLa killing Will and Lawanda was cold blooded.

Anissa and her girlfriend weren't as chaste as your usual CW same-sex relationships.
 
You definitely feel the stakes in this show.

I understand Lynn's point of view in not wanting to see someone she loves killed but I also can't help but feel it is selfish. Letting everyone else in your city die or go to hell as long as your family is fine is realistic but not exactly noble.

I give the showrunners props for doing the whole 'superhero realizes he can't have a normal life' trope without it feeling derivative.
 
Still going good. I like the potential of Jefferson's powers potentially being addictive. That has some potential for storylines. And hopefully CW doesn't cheap out on the soundtrack in later seasons.
 
Awesome show. Feels alot more "real" than the other DC shows.

Agree that Lynn's stance is understandable, but it definitely comes off weird that he gave up being Black Lightning for, what, 9 years or so and they still divorced (separated?).

I mean, you forced he dude to quit, he did and you still left him. Now that he's needed, you're gonna dangle the carrot in front of him to stop AGAIN. Greater good, woman, greater good.
 
Still going good. I like the potential of Jefferson's powers potentially being addictive. That has some potential for storylines. And hopefully CW doesn't cheap out on the soundtrack in later seasons.

I wonder if they are only considered addictive because Lynn made the comparison. I love that BL's partner pointed out that Jefferson was addicted to HER not his powers.

If anything, he looks like his power builds up in him and needs to be released to prevent pain.
 
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