Black Lightning Episode Guide: Season 1, Episode 7 - Equinox: The Book of Fate

For a summary of the episode guide layout & categories, click here.



Plot

As Jefferson continues in his efforts to hunt down Tobias Whale and bring him to justice, Anissa struggles to find "the new normal" in the wake of discovering her powers. Meanwhile, things heat up as Tobias makes his move against Lady Eve and Black Lightning.


Influences

The Black Lightning comics of Tony Isabella.


Goofs

Jefferson doesn't trust Gambi any more, yet trusts him enough to let his family hide in his basement?


Artistry

The fight choreography between Tobias Whale and his sparring partner is fantastic.


Trivia

The outfit that Gambi wears while killing Joey Toledon resembles the costume of the classic pulp vigilante The Shadow.

Tobias Whale keeps a copy of Moby Dick on his desk. This is, of course, a classic novel about a great white whale.

By the end of the episode, Lady Eve is dead and Black Lightning has been framed the murder. A similar thing happened in the comics, with Black Lightning being blamed for the death of Joey Toledo. This fueled Inspector Henderson's determination to bring Black Lightning to justice until the hero proved himself to the old cop.


Technobabble

Some of Lynn's research has to do with addiction and its effect on the human brain.

Lynn did not get a chance to look at Alvin's research beyond noting some pretty advanced biochemical formulas.

The costume Gambi plans for Anissa will be made of a breathable Kevlar weave so it will be bulletproof even when she isn't. It will also be fireproof, water-resistant and contain a state-of-the-art neuro-interface technology stitched into the lining that will let Gambi monitor her vitals.

Tobias' men attack Lady Eve using some kind of high-tech energy weapon that electrocutes its victims.


Dialogue Triumphs

Anissa: This is a gift from God, Mom! A blessing!
Lynn: You sound just like your father...
Anissa: (scoffs) And that's a bad thing?!

Gambi: Have I done something to upset you?
Jefferson: It's what you didn't do, Gambi. Why didn't you tell me Tobias was back in Freeland?
Gambi: (annoyed) We're back to this again?
Jefferson: Yes, we are! Do you expect me to believe it took you two hours to get some intel on thieves on the dark web, but you haven't heard anything - ANYTHING - about a six-foot albino in Freeland?!
Gambi: I told you I didn't know!
Jefferson: I know what you told me! It doesn't mean I believe you.
Gambi: (sighs and takes off his glasses) I didn't tell you in order to protect you...
Jefferson: From Tobias?
Gambi: From yourself.
(Gambi walks around the counter to stand right in front of Jefferson.)
Gambi: Jefferson, I didn't want you to do something that you'd regret for the rest of your life. There's no coming back from something like that. Trust me.
Jefferson: (cooly) That's just it. I don't.
(Jefferson turns around and walks away.)

Tobias: I thought PCP was bad. This Green Light is on a whole other level. It's too volatile. Too addictive. Truthfully, it's killing too many people and dead customers don't pay.

(Gambi wants Tobias Whale brought down.)
Lady Eve: You could have Joey Toledo. Toledo is Tobias' right hand. If you remove him from the equation, maybe Tobias will get the hint and start being more careful?
Gambi: And if Tobias doesn't fall in line?
Lady Eve: I'll throw him off that bridge when I get to it.

Lynn: When you do what your father does - what you want to do? Everybody gets a happy ending but you.
Anissa: But the community, they fell apart, Mom, without Black Lightning. But the people are starting to believe that they can get up from The 100 again. Up from the crooked police. Look, I can finally help Dad free Freeland. And I'm willing to sacrifice my happiness so that other people can have theirs.

Jefferson: I'm a hypocrite. You know how I always get on you to keep your head? I've let my emotions get the best of me over and over again. And tonight, a young lady died.
Anissa: Dad, listen-
Jefferson: No, no, no. We are both gonna make mistakes. Horrible mistakes. But without us, Freeland doesn't stand a chance. (chuckles) I don't know everything. But what I do know, I'm going to teach my daughter.
Anissa: No, you're not a hypocrite. You're great. You're a great dad. A great principal. The greatest hero. I mean, Dad, I can only hope to live up to your example.
Jefferson: No. Be better than me.


Continuity

Anissa has some degree of enhanced healing, like her father.

Gambi lies to Jefferson about the men who attacked Lynnbeing part of a gang of roving tech thieves.

Lady Eve sends some of her men out to hit the men who attacked Lynn.

Lynn works at Bowman College

Lady Eve has Gambi listed in the contacts on her phone as The Tailor.

Tobias Whale addresses his female assassin as Syonide for the first time.

Jefferson says that Tobias Whale hasn't aged a day in 30 years.

Anissa tells Jefferson about how she got Alvin's research from David Poe in 105.

Tobias makes a 300% profit on what is invested in him by the 100.

Tobias is about to open a new nightclub in Freeland.

Jennifer figures out something is going on between Anissa and Jefferson.

David Poe died several days earlier, struck by a car on his morning bike ride.

Gambi kills Joey Toledo, leaving a box full of albino bone dust on the body.

Anissa tried walking for the first time when she was 10 months old.

Lynn asks Jefferson to train Anissa as a vigilante.

Tobias refers to the group behind Lady Eve as The Shadow Board.

Black Lightning is saved on Inspector Henderson's phone as The Electrician.

The two men who attacked Lynn are found dead near PAX Institute.

Gambi starts designing a superhero suit for Anissa.

During Black Lightning's attack on Tobias' new club, Tobias is wounded by one of his men when his gun goes wild while in auto-fire mode. He is taken away to safety..

Tori Whale is wounded and left for dead, dying as Black Lightning gets to her.

Lady Eve is killed by Tobias' men.

Anissa calls Grace and asks her out for a date as soon as they both have time.

Lady Eve's full real name was Evelyn Stillwater-Ferguson.

Black Lightning is framed for the deaths of Lady Eve and her employees.

In the end of the episode, Lala - who Tobias killed in 102 - is resurrected. He has a vision of LaWanda White, who he killed in the same episode, before a tattoo of her face appears on his chest.


The Fridge Factor

Tori Whale is killed off only to give Tobias one more reason to want to kill Black Lightning and to give Jefferson more angst over his vigilantism getting other people killed.


The Bottom Line

Problematic in that it kills two of its main female characters, but at least it does so in a way that is plot-relevant in the case of Lady Eve and at least Tori Whale goes down fighting. Still, the action of the final fifteen minutes is thrilling enough though I have no idea what to make of the final scene. You can bet I'll be anxious to see how this develops next week, though.

Black Lightning Episode Guide: Season 1, Episode 6 - Three Sevens: The Book of Thunder

For a summary of the episode guide layout & categories, click here.




Plot

Jefferson hits the streets to hunt down Tobias Whale as Anissa takes action after a local protest of a Confederate monument turns violent thanks to a group of White Nationalists. Meanwhile, Gambi turns to Lynn for help in stopping Jefferson from going over the line and becoming a killer as Jennifer makes a fateful choice regarding her relationship with Khalil.


Influences

The Green Arrow and Outsiders comics of Judd Winick. (Jefferson Pierce being portrayed as willing to kill.)


Goofs

Why didn't the base of the statue collapse along with the statue itself? Thunder's shockwave should have passed through it into the statue when she stomped the ground.


Artistry

The sequence of Thunder destroying the statue is a powerfully shot and directed moment.

The flashback sequences of Alvin Pierce's murder are suitably horrific.

The fight between Black Lighting and Thunder is well choreographed and a great use of special effects.


Trivia

The scene of Black Lightning looking down at Tobias Whale, ready to strike him down, mirrors a similar scene from Judd Winick's run on Green Arrow where Black Lighting struck down the businessman responsible for arranging the murder of his niece.  A later retcon changed it so that instead, Deathstroke the Terminator killed the man in away that made Black Lightning think he was responsible for the death, even though he only mildly electrocuted the man.


Technobabble

Lynn uses a portable CAT Scan machine to check Jefferson for brain damage. She determines that his powers are still overcharging his ability to heal, noting he still heals twice as fast as a normal person even though he's slowed down from when he was younger.

The brain scans of the Green Light addicts are unusual, being "lit up like a Christmas tree" where the grey-matter should be dark.

The research Anissa found in her grandfather's storage unit is scientific research into human mitochondria and how they provide energy in human cells that can be altered in various ways to potentially create super powers.

Gambi says that Jefferson's powers are largely neurological and that his brain picks up and uses electricity the same way a normal person might pick-up any other tool.

The Black Lightning suit prevents Jefferson from blowing out his nervous system by using his powers. When the resistance is set too high, it causes feedback (i.e. the headaches that Jefferson had been having)

Albinos suffer from eye problems and skin ailments far more than most people. This requires them to seek regular medical treatment.


Dialogue Triumphs

Jefferson: (To Anissa) Let me ask you a question. Should I have you committed? Because you've obviously lost your damn mind.
Anissa: That statue, Dad, is an insult to black people, glorifying a national traitor.
Jefferson: You broke the law, Anissa. That gives the police an excuse to hurt you. And on top of that, you used guns. Guns!
Anissa: They were water guns.
Jefferson: They looked enough like real guns to be the end of you. All it takes is for one cop - one cop - to see your color instead of your humanity and decide "better dead than sorry". (sighs) Look, you're a black woman. You don't have the luxury of being naive.
Anissa: I know. I know. You've said that a thousand times-
Jefferson: Then hear it!
Anissa: Okay!.
Jefferson: And I will stop saying it!
Anissa: Okay!

Gambi: Jefferson? I don't know what you're up to, but there is a difference between you and Tobias. You need to keep it that way.

(One of the burglars raises his gun on Thunder. She holds her breath and he empties his gun into her. She grabs it from him, throws it away, then throws him across the room. The second burglar, clearly shaken, raises his gun, hands shaking as he stares down Thunder.)
Thunder: What? You thought he missed?

(Jefferson, looking down at the injured, costume-clad Anissa.)
Jefferson: What the hell was she doing?
Lynn: What you do! She has powers, Jeff!

Gambi: Evelyn.
Lady Eve: Peter Gambi. How did you get past all my security?
Gambi: Evelyn, I taught you everything you know. Not everything I know.


Continuity

The episode opens immediately where 105 ended, with Jefferson passing out after fighting Joey Toledo and the police en route to catch him.

Gambi is able to get to Jefferson and saves him before the police find him.

Tobias Whale once again makes reference to Lady Eve's threat regarding the magical properties of albino's bones from 104.

Tobias Whale has a protection squad watching his sister Tori in the face of Lady Eve's threat.

Jefferson says he was there when Tobias Whale killed his father, Alvin Pierce.

Anissa is arrested for vandalizing a statue of a Confederate general with a super-soaker full of red paint along with a group of other activists.

Jennifer says she's the only one in the Pierce family who is bad at math.

Jennifer says that she's reconsidering her relationship with Khalil in the face of his paralysis but feels guilty about that.

Jefferson gets the feeling that Gambi is reluctant to see him go after Tobias Whale.

Anissa asks Lynn to help her with researching the data Alvin Pierce uncovered.

Lynn's research assistant seems to be in the employ of The 100. We see him going to make a phone-call after he sees Lynn comparing the Green Line users brain scans to Jefferson's. Gambi also seems to go out of his way to talk to Lynn before her assistant shows up.

Jefferson begins investigating doctors in Freeland who specialize in treating albinos to try and find Tobias Whale.

Khalil begins joining in with the girls cyber-bullying Jennifer, now blaming her for his paralysis since he only went to the rally in 103 to be with her.

Anissa puts on her new Thunder costume to destroy the statue following a White Nationalist driving his car into a group of student protesters, killing one 19 year old woman.

Anissa was born on June 28, 1994

Jennifer was born on October 7, 2001.

Anissa is bullet proof when she braces herself.

Anissa also proves to be immune to her father's electrical attacks, though she still develops a concussion, bruises and burns once he starts magnetically throwing her against the floor and ceiling instead of just trying to shock her.

Jefferson and Lynn discover that Anissa has super powers.

Tobias Whale and Syonide take Khalil on a ride, saying that he will walk again very soon and learn what it is to be a wolf among sheep.

Lady Eve's real name is Evelyn.

Gambi claims to have taught Lady Eve everything she knows. They were part of the same Agency before they both retired.

Apparently there was some kind of deal Gambi negotiated that made The Pierce Family off-limits. Lady Eve says the bargain is still in place, but that Lynn Stewart had been engaging in some off-limits research. The burglars were just supposed to steal her research. They were not expecting her to be there or the metahuman who attacked The Plummer Crew (i.e. Thunder).

This is the first episode in which metahumans are mentioned, suggesting the term is not unknown in the universe of Black Lightning.

Gambi says he could have outed Tobias Whale in the past but didn't. Lady Eve says that if anything happens to Tobias Whale, Gambi's dirty laundry will be revealed as well.


The Winick Factor

Portryaing Jefferson Pierce as a man capable of killing in cold blood is a Winickian conceit.


The Bottom Line

Not the most well-written episode. There's not a lot of snappy dialogue and there's way too many subplots starting out. As a result, nothing seems like it gets very well developed up until the third act when the Anissa, Jefferson and Lynn subplots all come crashing together. This still leaves Jennifer's bully subplot just sitting there and everything with Khalil comes out of left field after his absence last week. Still, hopefully the disjointed feel of the show over the past two weeks will get better now that Anissa and Jefferson know each others secrets.

Black Lightning Episode Guide: Season 1, Episode 5 - And Then The Devil Brought Plague: The Book Of Green Light

For a summary of the episode guide layout & categories, click here.




Plot

Jefferson continues to investigate the source of the new drug Green Light, discovering that his old enemy Joey Toledo is back in town. Unfortunately, Jefferson's started suffering headaches and acting more aggressively in a way that has both Gambi and Lynn worried. In the meantime, Jennifer rivalry with another girl turns ugly as Anissa's exploration of her superpowers leads her to discover an unlikely connection to her grandfather, reporter Alvin Pierce.


Influences

The Black Lightning comics of Tony Isabella.


Performances

There's some great non-verbal acting on the part of Cress Williams and China Anne McClain, in the discussion of Jennifer's fight.


Artistry

The fight between Joey Toledo and Black Lightning is great, well-blocked and well-shot.


Trivia

The packing slip seen in the opening of the episode identifies Freeland as being in the state of Georgia and having the ZIP Code 30318. This coresponds to a real-world ZIP Code in Atlanta, Georgia.

Tobias Whale is said to have taken some kind of serum that prevents him from aging. This is likely a reference to how, in the original DC Comics Universe, the crime lords who led The 100 used alchemical and magical rituals to prolong their lives by feeding on the suffering of the people who lived on the lands they owned.

It should be noted that the original Tobias Whale from the comics did not reach the ranks of The 100 that earned this immortality power, acting instead as the face of the gang called The 100 that fed the member of The 100 who drew power off of the Metropolis neighborhood known as Suicide Slum.

This episode reveals that Peter Gambi is part of some organization called The ASA. In the original Black Lighting comics by Tony Isabella, Gambi was a former hitman for the mob in Metropolis, who reformed and became a tailor, sharing his profits with Jefferson Pierce's mother as penance for accidentally killing Jefferson Pierce's father.

The man responsible for distributing Green Light is identified as Joey Toledo. In the original Black Lighting comics by Tony Isabella, Joey Toledo was the operative with The 100 who was responsible for killing one of Jefferson Pierce's students, inspiring him to become Black Lightning.

The DCTVU version of Joey Toledo is Tobias Whale's right-hand man.

Jefferson stealthily disappears while in the middle of a conversation with Inspector Henderson. More than a mere nod to how Batman does the same thing to Commissioner Gordon, this is likely a nod to how, in the comics, Batman trained Jefferson Pierce in several disciplines Jefferson had not studied, including stealth.

Jefferson also pays tribute to The Bat Signal by calling the burner phone he gives Inspector Henderson "The Black Signal."

Anissa buys a blonde wig to wear as part of her superhero costume. In the Outsiders comics, Anissa did wear a blond wig as part of her original Thunder costume.

The bodysuit we see Anissa wearing as part of her costume shares the yellow boots and bracers and general purple/pink color scheme of Anissa's first Thunder costume in the comics, though her catsuit covers her entire body. The costume from the comics is cut rather low in the front and would probably require double-stick tape in order to maintain Anissa's modesty.


Technobabble

An enhancement Gambi added to Jefferson's suit in this episode now allows him to "fly", though honestly he hovers and uses his electrical blasts to enhance his ability to jump father than achieving true flight. He is, however, able to manage an impressive swoop as he moves to save a drug addict strung out on Green Light from being shot by two police officers.

Inspector Henderson says the number of Green Light overdoses is becoming so bad that the first responders in Freeland have all started carrying Naloxone. This is a drug that is used to treat narcotics overdoses in emergency situations.

An issue with the capacitor relay in the new suit is what caused Jefferson's headaches and blackouts.

A control module controls all the programming within The Black Lightning suit.

Jefferson is able to magnetically pull Joey Toledon's gun out of his hand.


Dialogue Triumphs

Black Lightning: Call for an ambulance! This kid is definitely high on Green Light! And next time, try using a Taser first!
Cop: ... yes. sir.
(Black Lightning nods as blasts emit from his hands and he begins to slowly fly upwards as the cops watch in shock.)

Whale: What I need from you is a name. Who is Black Lightning?
Gambi: I can't help you.
Whale: Oh, I think you can.
Gambi: Knowing things about Black Lightning gets men killed. I do my best to avoid knowing things that can get me killed.
Whale: Not telling me what I need to know can get you killed too.

(Inspector Henderson opens his car. He finds a cel-phone in a brown paper bag.)
Inspector Henderson: Are you serious?
Black Lightning: Hey, I'm old school. It's safer. Consider this... The Black Signal. (chuckles)
Inspector Henderson: You still got jokes, huh?
(Henderson looks up to see that Black Lightning has disappeared from the shadows where he was standing.)
Inspector Henderson: And you still do that.

Jefferson: Jennifer, how do you expect us to feel when someone shows up to tell us you were involved in a fight and that we didn't know about it?
Jennifer: There were two girls. They both run for Booker T.
Jefferson: (impressed and stunned) Two girls?
(Lynn gives Jefferson "The Look" as in "The Look all wives give husbands to let them know they are saying precisely the wrong thing.")
Jefferson: (defensively) Lana didn't tell us that part. (To Jennifer) You weren't hurt at all?
Jennifer: No. You taught us how to defend ourselves.
(Again, Jefferson look stunned and oddly proud.)
Lynn: Jeff! This is not a good thing!
Jefferson: ... right! (To Jennifer) Right!
(Jennifer rolls her eyes quickly.)
Jefferson: That's no excuse for hurting someone.
Jennifer: I barely touched her.
Lynn: Jennifer, her wrist is broken! And since grounding seems to have no effect on you-
Jennifer: Wait - so I'm not getting grounded?
Lynn: Oh, you are!
Jennifer: Why am I getting in trouble for defending myself?!

Lynn: You're grounded for lying!
Jennifer: I didn't lie. I just didn't tell you guys about it.
Lynn: Oh, you really want to play with me right now, little girl?
Jefferson: (shaking his head) Mmm-mmm. You don't.
Lynn: Exactly! And you need to figure out how to resolve conflict without fighting or losing your temper. And as your father taught you how to fight, he can be a big help, because believe it or not, not everyone solves their problems with their fists!
(Lynn leaves the room. Jefferson turns to Jennifer.)
Jefferson: Two girls?!
Jennifer: Two.

Elridge Whale: At least I stayed, huh?  I didn't leave in the middle of the damn night like your damn mama did. Instead I fed you. And I clothed you. Even tried to take care of them twitch-ass eyes of yours.
(There is a long pause as Tobias finally nods.)
Tobias Whale: You're right. Mom left and you stayed. You did feed and clothe us.  And I can appreciate that. Now. (pauses) Yeah, I can appreciate that.
(Tobias Whale opens his arms and steps forward. Cautiously, Elridge steps forward and hugs him.)
Tobias Whale: The question is why?
(Tobias begins to squeeze Elridge, who begins to cough as we hear the sound of bone crunching.)
Tobias Whale: Why did you stay? Was it so that you could have someone to torture? To beat on? To blame for your failures? Or was it about collecting money from the state? Because it certainly wasn't about love.
(Tobias drops Elridge on the floor, as Tori Whale draws a gun.)
Tobias: You stayed.
(Tobias puts his hand on Tori's gun hand and gently pushes it down.)
Tobias: Leave him. Your back is broken, Elridge. You're gonna die. And you're gonna die slow.
(The two turn their back on their father, as he screams Tobias' name and coughs, writhing in pain.) 

Jefferson: "The one thing you can't take away from me, is the way I choose to respond to what you to do me. "
Jennifer: MLK?
Jefferson: Viktor Frankl - Holocaust survivor. How you respond in a crisis is your choice, but to exercise that choice you have to recognize your emotions and regulate them.
Jennifer: Okay, well what about when someone is trying to regulate upside your head?
Jefferson: (chuckles) Look, fighting should never be about adding fuel to the fire. Fighting should only be about putting the fire out. And often... I mean, not the best choice, even when it is so hard to do, is to walk away.
Jennifer: (scoffs) Easier said than done, Yoda.
Jefferson: Yeah. I know, my little Padawan. I know.

Anissa: (to herself) Okay, listen - if you wanna be a superhero, you cannot be afraid of dead rats.


Continuity

Freeland is in the state of Georgia and has the ZIP Code 30318.

Jefferson starts to suffer some kind of strange headaches whenever he uses his powers or comes close to losing his temper,

Tobias Whale had some kind of deal with Peter Gambi where Whale was supposed to leave Freeland forever.

Tobias Whale is confirmed to have taken some kind of serum that prevents him from aging.

Gambi alludes to the serum having some kind of side-effects which The 100 didn't tell Whale about. Tobias sais he figured out everything they didn't tell him.

Tobias Whale says that Gambi works for some organization called the ASA.

Anissa has moved back in with her father and Jennifer.

Anissa finds a video by a conspiracy theorist who claims that 30 years ago in Freeland, around March 30, 1987, there were nine children displayed enhanced abilities before suddenly disappearing.

Lana is a track star at Booker T. Washington High School in Freeland. She is also Khalil's ex-girlfriend.

David Poe was the editor of The Freeland Gazette for over 40 years. He canceled a series of stories, written by Alvin Pierce, about the children with the enhanced abilities and how it tied into vaccinations the children had been given.

The man behind the distribution of Green Light is revealed to be Joey Toledo - Tobias Whale's right-hand man.

Lady Eve is identified as part of the ruling council of the organization backing The 100. Tobias Whale has been working to become part of the same group for years, but was denied promotion due to Black Lightning's efforts.

Elridge Whale was Tobias and Toria's father. He was abusive towards both his children, but particularly Tobias, whose medical care took up half his paycheck.

Jefferson Pierce says that his father always did the right thing and that he sees a lot of him in Anissa.

Black Lighting gives Inspector Henderson a phone that he can use to contact him.

David Poe gives Anissa all of her grandfather's old files.

Tobias Whale breaks Elridge Whale's back and leaves him to die a slow death.

Reference is made to Lady Eve's conversation with Tobias Whale on the African beliefs on the magical properties of albinos from 104 after Tobias receives an envelope full of white powder - presumably the ground bones of another albino.

Anissa wears her new costume to inspect her grandfather's old storage unit. She finds a safe containing a vial filled with some kind of powder.

Joey Toledo's girlfriend is a woman named Caroline Brown.


The Bottom Line

Another solid episode, though much more slow-paced than previous episodes. Still, we get a bit more insight into Tobias Whale's background and learn a bit more about Gambi. Not enough to explain everything, of course, but enough to build the respective mystery around both characters. Anissa's subplot is further expanded with a few interesting twists. The only weak spot is Jennifer's story and that's only due to how disconnected it feels to everything else. Still a great episode of a great series.