Nine years ago, the superhero Black Lightning fought an ongoing battle with the gangs and criminals who plagued the community of Freeland, Georgia. But then a climactic battle with the mob boss Tobias Whale left both men dead or missing.
Today, Jefferson Pierce is the inspirational principal of Garfield High School. He has put his days as Black Lightning behind him, due to the negative impact his double life was putting on his (now ex-)wife and two daughters. He has no intention of ever returning to his previous escapades as a costumed vigilante.
Life, however, has little interest in Jefferson's intentions. Local gang "The 100" appear to be beyond the ability of the local police to control. Thaty means that then some of their number happen to set their sights on the former superhero's daughters, there's no choice but to dust off the supposedly mothballed costume and bring back the Lightning.
Of course, once released, that particular genie will be very hard to put back in its lamp. Especially as it starts to become apparent that Jefferson has passed on more to his daughters than just intelligence and good looks ...
I very much enjoyed this first season of Black Lightning, especially the earliest episodes. With their focus on street level crime and policing, they feel authentic and personal. As the season continues, and more super-tech and superpowered elements are introduced, the more it starts to feel like any of the Arrowverse shows (even though it was not, at this point, part of that shared continuity).
I very much enjoyed this first season of Black Lightning, especially the earliest episodes. With their focus on street level crime and policing, they feel authentic and personal. As the season continues, and more super-tech and superpowered elements are introduced, the more it starts to feel like any of the Arrowverse shows (even though it was not, at this point, part of that shared continuity).
I also liked that from its very first episode, Black Lightning makes its core beliefs and values thoroughly clear. It emphatically advocates that Black Lives Matter and highlights the challenges faced by African-American people. To ensure the authenticity of this depiction, the writing staff are themselves predominately African-American.
In addition to a clear political stance, the writers have delivered compelling, likeable characters. They're helped immensely in this by a talented and charismatic cast. The familial bonds between Jefferson/Black Lightning, his ex-wife and their daughters are all well-depicted, especially the sisterly bond between the two younger Pierces.
In terms of production, the show generally looks good. Fight choreography is solid. I'm actually not much of a fan of Black Lightning's own costume, but the other major costume design is a nice one. The show also makes excellent use of music.
In addition to a clear political stance, the writers have delivered compelling, likeable characters. They're helped immensely in this by a talented and charismatic cast. The familial bonds between Jefferson/Black Lightning, his ex-wife and their daughters are all well-depicted, especially the sisterly bond between the two younger Pierces.
In terms of production, the show generally looks good. Fight choreography is solid. I'm actually not much of a fan of Black Lightning's own costume, but the other major costume design is a nice one. The show also makes excellent use of music.
A real breath of fresh air after the disappointment of the last catch of Arrowverse shows I watched.
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