Black Lightning hasn’t changed too much since the big crossover. Despite now living in a world where Superman and Batwoman aren’t just fictional characters, life back in Freeland remains the same. I guess that makes sense. The city is still under quarantine, and I guess Jefferson didn’t want to ask his new super friends for help right after meeting them. (Still, a couple Kryptonians and a speedster might come in handy right about now.) Still, the crossover didn’t completely go to waste. Black Lightning knows how to build and work with a team now. That’s coming in very handy as he mounts a mission to rescue Lynn.
There’s a little bit of friction between the ASA and Jefferson. He negotiated immunity for everyone on his team, but they aren’t looking so hot at the beginning of this episode. Most of them have limited fighting ability and aren’t working well together. Jenn asks Khalil to join up, but he refuses. He can’t trust himself in violent situations knowing everything he’s done. Honestly, fair. Jefferson finds Khalil packing up to leave, and shows him kindness and compassion. He mentions they could really use him, but that he respects his desire to leave.
Nafessa Williams as Anissa and Chantal Thuy as Grace Choi — Photo: Jace Downs/The CW
We all know that meant he was staying. Still, once it was time for the team to go on a mission, when we get that shot of everyone doing their coolest walk down the ASA hallway, it felt good to see him step out and join the team. Even after multiple scenes of dysfunction among the team, that once scene got me hyped for the mission to come. Even if the plane ride over isn’t the most elegant scene, it still lets us see some tensions between the team members getting worked out. Thunder still doesn’t trust Khalil completely, but we can see that distrust start to melt away when he uses his training to calm Brandon, who’s Earth-based powers rebel against air travel. He shows them he can use his training for good, and reassures Anissa that he can’t poison people anymore. Meanwhile, TC reveals he’s deactivated the ASA fighters’ chips. Now there’s no chance they’ll try to kill Lynn. With all that out of the way, it’s time for the coolest fight scene of the season so far.
Black Lightning punches down into the Markovian outpost, blasting away all the guards around him with a massive lightning arc. When that’s how a fight sequence begins, you know we’re in for something special. We finally see Grace in action, shapeshifting to look like Colonel Mosin and taking out an entire roomful of guards. From there, she gives Gambi access to the whole facility. What I absolutely love about this sequence is that every team member gets a chance to shine. Characters we don’t normally see in action get to show their stuff. Black Lightning and Thunder find a door they can’t power through, so they use Erica to absorb and amplify Thunder’s punches. She runs into the door and knocks it clear across the hall. The way every fight is shot and every power is showcased put a huge smile on my face that stayed put through the credits.
Cress Williams as Black Lightning — Photo: Annette Brown/The CW
Probably the best part of all this though is that Lynn isn’t waiting around to be saved. Mosin gets replaced early on by Gravedigger, a metahuman who can control people with his voice. He forces Lynn to work on a cure, but she figures out that Green Light can counteract his powers. With him still thinking she’s under his control, she gets him to give her some of his blood. With that, she’s able to give herself some of his powers. This is the Lynn I’ve been waiting to see. She can be such a great character when the show doesn’t make her helpless for no reason. She forces Mosin to lead her out once she hears the rescue team approaching. Jenn finds her and leads her back to the helicopter, but not before she forces Mosin to shock himself until he passes out. Damn, Lynn. Didn’t know you had it in you. Guess he had it coming though.
Gravedigger is an amazing new villain, by the way. His mere presence has me so much more excited for the rest of the season. He’s played with such intimidating menace by Wayne Brady of all people. Remember that Chappelle’s Show sketch he did in the early 2000s where he was all tough and scary? I feel like the lesson of that sketch that got lost in all the catchphrases that followed was that Wayne Brady can act. Like, he’s really good here. Gravedigger is very different from the role Brady played in that old sketch, but just like back then, his calm and collected demeanor are what make him so scary. He’s disarming. When he’s calmly talking through Khalil’s techniques during their fight, I was genuinely worried. He clearly respects the kid, but you know he’ll make good on those threats to kill him.
Wayne Brady as Gravedigger — Photo: Annette Brown/The CW
That’s why the end of the episode is so satisfying. Gravedigger easily defeats Khalil, who fortunately makes it back to the helicopter alive. Gravedigger then gets the drop on Jefferson, knocking him out. He finds the helicopter and orders Lynn to get off or he won’t let the copter leave. For a second, I actually thought the episode would make this mission a total failure. Then Black Lightning jumps in. He wasn’t down for long. The episode starts to set up a big fight, but Jefferson pierces Gravedigger through the shoulder with a lightning arc and lifts him up into the air. “Nobody touches MY WIFE!” That moment might be the coolest thing this show’s ever done. When Lynn told Jefferson she loved him, I was squealing in my seat.
This episode was Black Lightning at its best. It had phenomenal action sequences, a tightly focused story, and even some real character growth. Everyone had a part to play, and each one was executed perfectly. We even got a fantastic new villain out of it. We’ll see if the next episode will maintain this level of quality, but after this, it’s certainly got a ton of momentum behind it.
Black Lightning airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on The CW
Previously on Black Lightning:
- Black Lightning Season 3 Episode 12 recap
- Black Lightning Season 3 Episode 11 recap
- Black Lightning Season 3 Episode 10 recap
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