Black Lightning Episode Guide: Season 3, Episode 5 - The Book of the Occupation: Chapter Five: Requiem For Tavon

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




Plot

The hunt for Blackbird intensifies, as Jefferson takes it upon himself to bring Tavon home to Freeland. Meanwhile, Lynn has a major breakthrough in her search for a way to stabilize the metagene but it requires her dealing with the last person in the world she wants to see - Tobias Whale!


Influences

The Outsiders comics of Judd Winick (Grace and Anissa's romance)


Goofs

The scene of Erica dying, leaving behind nothing but smoking shoes is cartoonish.


Performances

Marvin "Krondon" Jones III saves this episode, conveying the menace of Tobias Whale's character even as he's helplessly strapped to a gurney.


Technobabble

Lynn sais that Dr. Jace created the metahuman virus as a means of sending Lynn her research, which was sliced into the DNA of the virus, which she had already developed her  own vaccine.

On closer examination of the virus' RNA, Lynn determines that Dr. Jace used a gene-editing tool to send her a specific amino acid chain.

Twenty amino acids make up a protein chain. The protein created by the specific chain Dr. Jace discovered was a byproduct of a serum that was the predecessor to the metagene-triggering vaccine in Green Light. Once it's metabolized in a human host, it strengthens the mitochondrial membrane potential of meta cells significantly. In theory, Lynn can use this to stabilize the metagene. The only problem is the chain can't be synthesized - it has to be taken from the host who developed the chain naturally.

Robot comes from the Czech word robota, which means "forced labor."

Replenishing electrolytes is the best way to beat a hangover.


Dialogue Triumphs

Painkiller: (To the ASA sergeant that insulted him that is now choking on his poison) Do you have kids, Sergeant? A religious man, perhaps? You see, I often ponder my victims' last thoughts before they die. And the truth is it's fascinating to me.

(Henderson is questioning Two-Bits about stolen ASA property he's been reselling.)
Two-Bits: Why are you hounding me anyway?
(Henderson holds up an evidence bag. In it is the tomato that Two-Bits threw at him earlier.)
Two-Bits: Hey, I did miss.

Henderson: You haven't seen anything out of sorts lately, have you?
Rev. Holt: If I saw something, I'd have said something.
(Rev. Holt chuckles nervously.)
Henderson: Mmm-hmm. The trouble is, all my leads end right here in this church. You care to explain?
Rev. Holt: I have no earthly idea. I suppose those with the most sin cast the first stone.
Henderson: Well, I'm not the one smuggling the metas outside of Freeland. (smirks cutely) All aboard! Choo-choo!
(Rev. Holt's face freezes up in realization.)
Henderson: Yeah, I thought that might ring a bell.
Rev. Holt: Now, now, come on, Chief. Listen You don't think I'm human trafficking? Huh?
(Rev. Holt laughs. Chief Henderson clearly isn't buying it. Suddenly, Holt goes all fire and brimstone.)
Rev. Holt: I am down here saving these poor souls. These people have rights. Chief Henderson, they have rights!
Henderson: Reverend Holt, you have the right to remain silent. A right that I know that you will waive.
Rev. Holt: Now, you hear me, Chief Henderson. You cannot arrest me here. We are in the house of the Lord. And He sees all!
Henderson: Yeah. Between me and you, Reverend, He's seen worse.

Tobias Whale: I recently found myself with a lot of time to contemplate what got me in this godforsaken pit. And all I can come up with is Black Lightning always showing up whenever your daughters are in trouble. Once is chance. Second time is coincidence, but a third? Now, that's a pattern.
Lynn: Black Lightning saves a lot of lives in Freeland.
Tobias Whale: This is true. But after that boy your daughter was dating got his spine ripped out, some new female firecracker-type superhero appeared and lit my ass up. With Black Lightning's help, of course. Do you see the pattern?
Lynn: Only the musings of a lunatic.
Tobias Whale: Humor me. Answer this lunatic's one question. (smiling wickedly) What's your super suit look like, Dr. Stewart?

(Henderson pulls out his phone and shows Two-Bits and Rev. Holt a video a student shot of Jefferson Pierce being beaten by the ASA.)
Henderson: Tavon Singley and Jefferson Pierce are the spark we needed.
Two-Bits: "We"?
Rev. Holt: What exactly are you saying?
Henderson: The people of Freeland are ready to fight now. We've all been working independently, nickel-and-diming these bastards, but it's time to join forces, run the ASA out of here, take our freedom back.
(The rest of the Resistance leadership come out of the shadows behind Henderson) 
Two-Bits: So, you've been leading the insurgents this whole time?
Henderson: I'm just a man trying to do what's right. Join us.
Rev. Holt: We'll be crucified if we try to take the ASA on by ourselves.
Henderson: But who said we by ourselves?
(Blackbird emerges from behind Rev. Holt and nods to him.)
Rev. Holt: "And the scales fell from his eyes, turning Saul to Paul."
(Rev. Holt extends his hand to Henderson, who shakes it.) 
Two-Bits: (chuckling) My man.


Continuity

Tavon films a video for his parents from the commune he's working on in South Freeland. He notes that he'd never seen the stars before now and how the metahumans and ordinary people in South Freeland are working together.

Agent Odell uses facial recognition software to try and identify Blackbird. He seems to have figured out that she is Anissa Pierce.

Painkiller nearly kills an ASA Sergeant who insulted him while sparring.

Agent Odell sends Painkiller after Blackbird.

Lynn has a dream that she was running experiments on a girl named Erica who had the power to absorb kinetic energy, effectively making her bullet-proof. She told Erica to release the energy and Erica made herself explode, leaving behind only a pair of smoking shoes. It's unclear if this was a nightmare of something that did happen or something Lynn feared would happen.

Truthteller Johnson delivers a broadcast, describing how the assault on the Freeland PDHQ in 304 was not the work of Markovian terrorists, as the ASA is now claiming, but Blackbird leading a raid to free non-metahuman citizens that were being illegally held.

Jennifer is feeling sick, her perception of things being slowed down. She wants to take a sick day, but Jefferson feels her forehead and cheek and says she feels fine.

Lynn says that she's been having recurring dreams of severed feet. She eventually realizes this is her subconscious trying to tell her that Dr. Jace left a message for her in the DNA of the metahuman virus.

Lynn determines that Tobias Whale (ASA Patient 49) has an amino acid chain in his DNA that could be used to stabilize the metagene in other people.

Acting Police Chief Henderson announces that Blackbird is now wanted in connection with the attack on Freeland PDHQ. The ASA is now offering a $50,000 reward for her. Two-Bits throws a tomato in his general direction once the press conference is done.

Tavon's parents meet with Jefferson. They believe that the ASA killed Tavon and are covering it up. Jefferson promises he'll see what he can do

Anissa gives Grace the vaccine for the metaplague.

Gambi has been watching over Grace to make sure she doesn't lose control of her shape-shifting when Anissa isn't around.

Jennifer is feeling chills and accidentally triggers a power surge in the computer lab at school. When asked about why she looks bad, she tells her friends that "I was flying high on pure energy last night, and now I feel like gravity's crushing me." They don't realize she's being literal.

Acting Chief Henderson arrests Two-Bits after determining he's been stealing supplies from the ASA and reselling them.

Blackbird delivers more of the meta vaccine to Reverend Holt. She tells him to inoculate all the metas they're going to sneak out of Freeland that night and tells him to make sure everyone is wearing black.

Jefferson asks Anissa to bring Tavon back to Freeland. She says its a bad idea, but she'll see what she can do.

Blackbird delivers the meta vaccine to South Freeland and asks Tavon if he wants to go back home  to Freeland with her.

14 of the Pod Kids died under Lynn's care.

MB4 is the official ASA designation for the serum that gave Tobias Whale eternal youth and super-strength. Lynn gives him a dose of it to save his life so

Painkiller attacks Tavon and Blackbird as they are coming through the ASA perimeter into Freeland. They are able to escape, but not without both being poisoned.

Agent Odell calls upon Anissa's apartment hoping to find her sick with Painkiller's toxin. He is instead greeted by a perfectly healthy Anissa. This is really Grace shapeshifted to look like Anissa.

Acting Chief Henderson arrests Reverend Holt for smuggling metahumans out of Freeland.

Tobias tells Lynn that he's figured out that Jefferson is Black Lightning.

Tavon succumbs to the poison and dies in Black Lightning's arms.

Anissa firmly puts Tavon's death on Jefferson's hands.

Lynn asks Agent Odell to "disappear" Tobias after she is done with him.

The rumor going around Garfield High is that Tavon was shot by the ASA trying to escape Freeland.

Jefferson intervenes after a group of students confront the ASA soldiers over Tavon's death and one of the soldiers hits a boy in the face with the butt of her rifle.

Brandon has something to ask Jennifer, but the question is forgotten as a fight breaks out between Jefferson and the ASA soldiers.

Shots are fired into the air and the soldiers begin beating Jefferson as the students look on in horror.

Brandon holds Jennifer back from getting involved as her powers spark. Somehow, he absorbs the energy she's generating into himself.

Agent Odell says that he marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when he was younger.

Agent Odell allows Jennifer to attack the soldiers who beat up her father.

Inspector Henderson takes Two-Bits and Reverend Holt to a meeting of Freeland's Resistance, revealing himself to be its leader. They agree to all work together, using Tavon's death and Jefferson's beating as a rallying point for the people of Freeland.


Location

South Freeland


The Bottom Line

A complete game-changer that salvages the season so far, by putting the show's best supporting cast front and center and looking at the big picture instead of all the smaller subplots that had been all but forgotten over season 2. We have gone through the tunnel and there is light at the end!

Black Lightning Episode Guide: Season 2, Episode 5 - The Book Of Blood: Chapter 1 - Requiem

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



Plot

Jennifer agrees to meet with Khalil, who is feeling the pressure to take up more and more responsibilities in Tobias' organization. Meanwhile, the tension continues to build between Lynn and Dr. Jace as Anissa takes on a job at the free clinic and Jefferson investigates Gambi's apparent death, while still refusing to believe that his foster father is truly dead.



Influences

The Black Lightning comics of Tony Isabella and Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Gambi's van is similar to Nick Fury's)


Performances

It's all too rare for an actor to underplay a scene where they are mean to be drunk, but Cress Williams does a fantastic job playing Jefferson as a realistic, quiet drunk.


Artistry

The opening sequence of Gambi fighting Tobias' men set to Dean Martin's Ain't That A Kick In The Head is well-blocked and well-shot.

Showing the flashback sequences to Khalil and Jennifer's talk at the end of the last episode in black and white is a nice touch.


Technobabble

Gambi's delivery van is modified with bullet-proof windows and an AI that advises him as to the damage of his van.

Dr. Jace finds a way to save all of the Green Light Babies using Lynn's serum. The problem, she says, is that they looked at each pod as an individual organism. By treating them as a collective unit, and increasing the serum dosage 28-fold to account for the number of vaccinated kids and spinning the cells, it will stave off the cellular deterioration and reach a gestalt with overall stability in the entire collective. This is later revealed to be a lie, however, as Dr. Jace faked the simulation and killed most of the Green Light Babies in the process.


Dialogue Triumphs

Jennifer: I just miss this place. I miss the teachers. I miss my friends. I miss... I miss being called the Queen of Garfield.
Khalil: (snorts) You hate that name.
Jennifer: Yes, I really do. But I would kill for it right now. Because it would mean that I'm actually in school and not locked in the Pierce Penitentiary because my parents think the world is too dangerous for me to live in.

Councilman Kwame Parker: Is this what your version of a law-abiding citizen looks like?
Tobias: Depends on what law you're referring to. I adhere to the law of the jungle. Kill or be killed. Eat or be eaten. Either you're dining or you're dinner.

Jefferson: (To Henderson) You have no idea what my life is like. The sacrifices I've made. This city.. I've given everything for this city, man. My blood, my sweat, my tears...and it just takes. It just takes. And takes. And takes... takes....

Tobias: Like it or not, every successful person remembers two things in life - the first time they tried caviar and the first time they could enjoy it without worrying what it cost.

Two-Bits: (To Black Lighting) You just can't be sneaking up on people like that! Man, I could have shot you! (quieter) If I had a gun. Which I don't. Because I'm on probation.


Continuity

Gambi can speak Japanese.

Six staff members at the free clinic resigned after the bomb scare in 204.

Anissa takes a volunteer job at the free clinic.

Jennifer ignores another text from Khalil.

Tobias blackmails a councilman named Kwame Parker over the fact that he took money from Martin Proctor.

Anissa helps a pregnant woman named Anaya. The father of her baby is an overprotective man named Deacon.

Anissa finds out Henderson knows about her secret life as Thunder.

Henderson tells Jefferson and Anissa about Gambi's apparent death. He says nobody saw him get out of his van before it exploded.

Jefferson doesn't tell Henderson about Gambi's secret life.

Lynn gets her formula for a cure for the Green Light Babies finished. Despite this, the prognosis is 50/50 as to whether it can save their lives given how far gone most of them are.

There are 28 Green Light Babies who are fading.

Lynn refuses to start human trials until there's a chance they can save all the Green Light Babies.

Anissa goes to Grace's apartment and tells her that she would want to spend a day with her if she only had one day left to live.

Anissa and Grace spend the night together, but the next day Grace says it was a mistake.

Grace says her family was not always present and it made her independent.

Grace says Anissa was the first person who could get behind her barriers.

Grace is shown to have something strange happening to her skin that generates an audible clicking noise. She is taking some kind of medication that stops it.

Jennifer refers to the fight with the ASA agents in 113.

Lynn goes to Gambi's apartment to find an gold pocket watch that has a picture of Jefferson with Gambi. It is revealed to have the inscription "Gambi, Thank you for always being there, Jefferson."

Councilman Parker holds a press conference announcing that an anonymous donor is paying to move the free clinic to a safer neighborhood and will be hiring new staff for it and buying new equipment. He says the donor is a man who has just reentered the community and wants to help but refuses to answer if it is Tobias Whale or not.

Jefferson gets drunk at Two-Bits' bar and beats up a man who gets handsy with a waitress.

Tobias paid off the reporter who asked if he was the anonymous donor.

It has been 20 years since Tobias adopted Synoide.

Tobias says that Khalil is the only family he has left and threatens to kill him if he fails him again.

Two Bits tells Black Lightning that the word on the street is that people think the government killed Gambi but that nobody saw him get out of his van before it blew up.

Deacon dies in the free clinic, after running in bleeding. He asks Anissa to find Anaya and save his baby. After he is dead, some strange kind of clear viscous substances pours out of the wounds in his head.

Anissa is able to track Deacon to South Freeland using Gambi's CCTV scanner.

Khalil stops by Jennifer's window to check on her and see how she's doing after Gambi's death.

Dr. Jace faked her simulation and the resulting experiment results in all but 14 of the Green Light Babies dying.

On the way to South Freeland, Anissa is pulled over by a Sheriff Clark, who seems to have worms crawling under his skin. We hear some of the same noises we heard early when Grace was alone. Anissa drives off, with the Sheriff apparently content that she's been scared out of South Freeland.


Location

South Freeland.


The Bottom Line

An interesting episode if only for all the questions it raises and how little idea we have about the answers. Is Gambi really dead? What's the deal with Grace? What is Tobias' plan for the land where the free clinic is? What's going on in South Freeland? What will the aftermath of most of the Green Light Babies dying be?  Throw in some great character development across the board and this season is starting to pick up.

Black Lightning Episode Guide: Season 1, Episode 10 - Sins Of The Father: The Book Of Redemption

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




Plot

Following up on Gambi's discovery, Black Lightning and Thunder investigate a mysterious lab which seems to be holding the cryogenically frozen first generation of Freeland's metahumans. Meanwhile, Lynn studies Jennifer in order to learn about her new powers.


Influences

The Black Lightning comics of Tony Isabella and the Milestone Comics Universe.


Artistry

The direction of the opening sequence with Thunder tracking an abducted kid and finding the lab Gambi spoke of is fantastic, well-shot and with a great musical accompaniment.


Trivia

While not referred to by name, thematically this episode seems to draw off of the general aesthetic of the Milestone Comics Universe. The idea of young people accidentally being given superpowers and then being quietly picked up by the government seems to mirror a similar plot thread in the comic book Static, in which teenagers gained superpowers when an experimental new tear gas proved to have unintended side effects.


Technobabble

Jefferson is able to use his powers to make a springboard of sorts that Anissa uses to jump and flip, so that she can deliver a more effective blow to the ground.

Jefferson can "feel" the presence of electrical currents with his powers. With the help of the goggles Gambi made for him, he can see them as well. He calls this "Electric Vision."

Jennifer's body chemistry disrupts an MRI.

Lynn compares Jefferson's powers to a battery - he takes energy in from the source, stores it and channels it. Jennifer's powers, by contrast, have turned her into a generator, with her cells creating pure energy.


Dialogue Triumphs

"Will": (whistles) Damn. You always mercing someone. Just like how you killed me.
Lala: I didn't do nothing to you but give you a job. Everything after that, you did to yourself.

(Jefferson has just told Lynn about his "Electric Vision".)
Lynn: Can you see through people's clothes?
(Jefferson just stares at her and then his gaze moves downward, as he smiles approvingly.)
Jefferson: Mmmmmaybe?
Lynn: Are you undressing me with your eyes?
(Jefferson just chuckles.)

Jefferson: Anissa told me what happened. Are you okay?
Jennifer: Yeah.
(Jefferson nods and watches her expectantly.)
Jennifer: (sighs) No.
(Jefferson sits on the foot of her bed.)
Jefferson: Look... I promise you, you will be. Ok? You will live the life that you want to live. Not the one Anissa or me or your mother or anyone else wants you to live. The life you want. But you have to learn to control your powers. Someone could get hurt.
Jennifer: I didn't ask for this.
Jefferson: I know (sighs) Believe me, I know. But you still have to deal with it.

(Two Bits is lighting up a marijuana cigarette. A bolt of electricity blasts it from his hand. He looks up to see Black Lighting.)
Two Bits: What-?
Black Lightning: We had a deal.
Two Bits: I'm following our deal! I said I wouldn't sell no more drugs and I'm not!
Black Lightning: You ain't supposed to smoke no drugs either.
Two Bits: It's legal, man! I got a card!
Black Lightning: Uh-uh. You ain't got a card from me.
Two Bits: (pauses) I hate you.
Black Lightning: No, you don't. I'm making you a better man.
Two Bits: I don't want to be a better man!
Black Lightning: Yeah, you do.

(Two Bits is telling Black Lightning about the military trucks he saw. Suddenly an air conditioning unit comes falling down above them, almost hitting them both. The look up to see a woman looking out the window at them.)
Two Bits: What the hell?!
Woman: Damn! I almost got you! I'm sorry, Black Lightning, but you're worth a lot of money.
Two Bits: They doubled the reward they put on you for killing Lady Eve. I'd take you in myself if I thought that I could... take you.
Black Lightning: I didn't kill her.
Two Bits: (laughing nervously) Okay. I believe you. But what I think don't matter. Man, you're doing too much. Maybe you should try keeping a low profile, you know?
Black Lightning: I don't do low profile.
Two Bits: Yeah. I see that.
Black Lightning: Stop smoking them drugs, all right? You need to do better.
(A microwave falls from the sky just barely missing Black Lightning and Two Bits again.)
Woman: Dammit!
Two-Bits: (to the woman) What is wrong with you?! (to Black Lighting) You've got people trying to drop microwaves on your head, and you're telling me to do better?!
Woman: He killed no one, but I've need my bills paid!

Malik: Where's everyone else at?
Jefferson: Behind that preposition?
Malik: What?
Jefferson: It is bad English to end a sentence with a preposition.
Malik: Oh. Where's everyone else at, brah?
Jefferson: Good. That's good.


Continuity

Two Bits is seen for the first time since 104. He witnesses a young girl who appears to be manifesting fire powers being grabbed off the street and put in a van.

Anissa tells Jefferson about the lab that Gambi discovered in 109. She determined that the bodies of the metahuman children were in suspended animation.

Lala is now talking to his dead cousin Will, who he killed in 102.

Will's mother doesn't know that he's dead.

Lala develops another tattoo that looks like Will.

Jefferson tells Anissa about what Gambi told him about his past in 108 and the ASA project that accidentally gave kids superpowers.

Anissa tells Jefferson what Gambi told her - that he leveraged his knowledge to end the ASA program in Freeland and has been trying to make amends for his role in things since.

Two Bits tells Jefferson about the abducted metahuman girl. He says the uniform looked like it was from Jefferson's school.

The abduction occurred on 34th and Oglethorpe.

The missing girl's name is Neema.

Jennifer's powers are determined to be just like Jefferson's, after she sets a couch cushion on fire after she loses her temper.

Two Bits has been tracking the comings and goings of every delivery truck in Freeland since he was a teenager.

Gambi is abducted by The ASA. Martin Proctor from 108 leads the team that does it.

Two Bits has a prescription for medical marijuana.

The warehouse where the metahuman kids were being kept was on 12th street. They were moved by large, military trucks that didn't leave Freeland, but nobody saw where they went.

Jefferson approaches Malik - the boy who works for Lala as a drug dealer - who was last seen in 102. He offers to help Malik by finding a place for him and his grandmother to live if he'll come to the mentoring program at Garfield High at 10 am the next day.

Jefferson give Malik a book of poems by Langston Hughes and instructs him to read one poem a day.

Gambi says the ASA must have another spotter working in Freeland who is tracking the new metahuman kids and arranging for them to be abducted.

Lala begins to push the local drug dealers working for The 100 to sell cocaine and weed instead of Green Light.

Jefferson moves Lynn, Jennifer and Anissa into the house he grew up in, which was held in trust for him until he was 21.

The ASA Spotter is revealed to be Kara Fowdy - the Vice Principal at Garfield High.

Martin Proctor now knows that Jefferson Pierce is Black Lightning. He orders Kara Fowdy to kill him.


The Bottom Line

Another great episode. Though it's unclear where the subplot with Lala is going, it is engaging. More, it's nice to see some scenes here in which we see Jefferson being a hero outside of costume trying to save a young drug dealer from the dark path he was put on. The main plot is moving along nicely as well.

Black Lightning Episode Guide: Season 1, Episode 4 - Black Jesus

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




Plot

As The 100 introduce a new designer drug called Green Light to the streets of Freeland, the public cries for Black Lightning to lead the fight against them. At the same time, Anissa launches her own war on crime as Jefferson fights to save one student who made one bad choice from being expelled by a school board out for blood.


Influences

The Black Lightning comics of Tony Isabella.


Performances

Jason Louder gives a fantastic comic-relief performance as Frank "Two-Bits" Tanner.

Honestly, the whole ensemble is so fantastic, it's hard to single any one out in each episode so far.


Artistry

The electric vision effects look amazing.


Trivia

The episode title is a reference to Jefferson Pierce's nickname in Freeland, because everyone thinks he can do no wrong and walks on water. It was first mentioned by LaWanda White in 102.

In the classic Black Lightning comic from the 1970s, "Two Bits" Tanner was a low-level informant who helped Black Lightning with tips on The 100's activities. In Black Lightning: Year One, he was retconned into Frank "Two-Five" Tanner - a high-level boss in The 100, who owned one-quarter of their operations, hence the nickname. He was also Jefferson Pierce's brother-in-law.

The DCTVU version of Two-Bits was someone Jefferson Pierce knew growing up, who was a few years younger than him. Two-Bits holds a similar role to his classic comics counterpart as a low-level thug, but he does not dress like Huggybear.


Technobabble

Green Light gives a teenage boy enough strength to rip a urinal off a wall and throw it at least 20 feet. It also gives him enough endurance to shrug off two of Black Lightning's taser-level blasts.  According to Gambi, it's like crack and PCP had a baby in terms of its chemical composition.

The way Green Light attaches to neuro-receptors will hook the target after one taste.

Lady Eve notes that there are some parts of Africa where albinos are considered magical and they are kidnapped and killed so their body parts can be used in rituals.

The goggles of the new Black Lighting costume give Jefferson "electric vision" allowing him to see the electrical signature of any powered object.


Dialogue Triumphs

(Black Lightning shocks a thug, demanding to know who is behind Green Light.)
Thug: Okay!  Two-Bits!
Black Lightning: Two-Bits?
Thug: I know it sounds like a 70's slang name, but that's what he goes by!

Inspector Henderson: Whenever somebody says "no offense", it's usually right before they say something really offensive.

Anissa: Look, somebody has to do something because all of this policing and marching and praying - it hasn't changed anything!

Jefferson:  The cops are coming your way. You might wanna get out of this before it gets too hot for you.
Two-Bits: Get out and do what? (pauses) Look, I appreciate you looking out, but I got a family to take care of.
Jefferson: Yeah, but this Green Light stuff is bad news, bruh. Now look - you want to tell me anything? Maybe I can help.
Two-Bits: I've got nothing to tell.  It is what it is, bruh.

(Gambi is telling Jefferson about the large number of Green Light overdoses.)
Gambi: You'd think it would be on the news.
Jefferson: Yeah, black kids OD-ing has never been newsworthy.

Two-Bits: Hey. The streets are talking man! I heard what you did to Block!
Black Lighting: What did you hear?
Two-Bits: I heard you lit his ass up!
Black-Lightning: Good. That should save us some time.

Two-Bits: Hey, hey, hey. Real, real quick. Before you knock me out? Uh, you think I can get a pic?
(Black Lightning is stunned as Two-Bits puts an arm around his shoulders and pulls out his phone.)
Two-Bits: And can you make sure you light up?
Black-Lightning: What?! No!
(Black Lighting taser-punches Two-Bits and lowers him to the ground. He shakes his head as he walks off.)

(Jefferson is testing the electric-vision of his new suit.)
Gambi: So what do you see?
Jefferson: (awestruck) I see everything.
(We get a POV shot as Jefferson looks at the city, glowing and full of life.)

Tobias Whale: How'd you like the gifts?
(Khalil wakes up from a doze and turns to see Tobias Whale sitting in the guest chair of his room. He moves to turn the light on.)
Tobias Whale: You mind keeping the lights off? They hurt my eyes. (smiles) My name is Tobias Whale.
Khalil: What are you doing in my room?
Tobias Whale: I wanted to see how you were doing.
Khalil: Why'd you give me all those gifts?
Tobias Whale: I understand what you're going through. You see, Black Lightning messed my life up too. I wanted you to have some nice things to keep your mind off your troubles. I know it's hard to see now, but in time you will. Black Lightning's the reason you're lying here paralyzed. There was many times when I was younger I needed help, but no one showed up. I don't want to see you have to go through the same thing.
Khalil: Why?
Tobias Whale: Well... I've followed your athletic career a long time and it hurt me to see you hurt. But what I've learned about pain is pain makes you stronger. Pain makes you tougher. And eventually you get to a point where you don't even feel it. If you'd like, I can show you how to kill your pain.


Continuity

Green Light is a new designer drug made by The 100.

Jefferson has contacts with all the street-level drug dealers in Freeland, but doesn't know any of their bosses.

The dealer behind Green Light is a man called Two-Bits.

Two Bits hangs out at a bar called Tanner's Tap Room on 7th Street.

Tobias Whale used to be a politician in Freeland before starting a new career leading The 100.

Lady Eve is part of the group backing The 100.

Tobias Whale built his reputation on the belief that he killed Black Lightning.

The dealer selling Green Light at Freeland High is named Ronald Wright.

The Freeland High bylaws give the principal sole authority over whether or not a student can be expelled.

Joey Toledo kills the corner who failed to properly identify Black Lightning's body.

Anissa beats up the drug dealers that were trying to deal Green Light to her students.

36 people have ODed on Green Light in Freeland. Six of them fatally.

Two-Bits agrees to stop selling drugs in exchange for Black Lightning not calling the cops on him.

The warehouse where Two-Bits gets the Green Light is at 389 Hart Avenue.

Jennifer quits the track team.

Tori Whale is Tobias Whale's sister. She is a new character unique to the DCTVU.

Grace Choi is bisexual.

Gambi lies to Jefferson about not seeing what caused the explosions that he heard. He goes to the scene of where Anissa fought off the bigots who attacked Grace and takes a picture of the footprint that she stomped into the concrete.

Khalil was a two-time state champion sprinter.

Tobias White still has warrants out for his arrest in Freeland.

Tori Whale suggests using Khalil to turn the people of Freeland against Black Lightning.

Khalil is told that his spinal cord is completely severed.

Jefferson gives up his right to final say on expelling students in exchange for saving Bernard from expulsion. Henceforth, the principal has one vote equal to that of all the other school board members.

There is a dope house at 367 34th Street.


The Bottom Line

A fantastic episode with some great comedy moments (courtesy of Two-Bits) and an even expansion of all the subplots so far. It will be interesting to see what becomes of Gambi's secretiveness and Anissa's relationship with Grace. This show continues to intrigue with every passing episode.