On the series finale of Black Lightning, Jefferson lay beaten, near dead, and buried in a coffin by Whale; Lopez began absorbing Freeland’s power grid; and the truth about Jennifer’s transformation was revealed.
1. What a Waste
The comic book-style opening title immediately gives away China McClain’s return as the original Jennifer, which I suppose was an attempt to cushion us against the disappointment that was Laura Kariuki’s J.J. turning out to be an impostor: we learn she was a disembodied lifeform in the ionosphere that envied humans, and saw the opportunity to steal Jen’s life whenever she ascended to recharge. As Jen’s dialogue with her family at the end makes clear, J.J. wasn’t a clone or a WandaVision-style “real deal” (something the show previously referenced) who believed she really was Jen, but a liar. I’m so irritated by this reveal, I feel it was an utter waste ever investing myself in J.J.’s transition, not to mention the colorist optics of the lighter-skinned Jen reclaiming the mantle from her evil, darker-skinned counterpart. Spare a thought for Uriah too: he died for nothing.
2. Full Circle/Rehash
I understand this was the finale, and the creators wanted to bring the show full circle, but Jefferson having a conversation with his father’s spirit while dying veered too close to the first season. I admit, the decision to show Jefferson at both the age Alvin died, and as his adult self, was a unique play on that old question of how old you’ll appear in Heaven, but it paled in comparison to the stylish, black-and-white conversation he had three years ago. I’ll get into my overall assessment of the show in a minute, but I feel Jeff’s role as a teacher became incredibly underutilized, and that his emergence from the coffin would’ve felt less repetitive if his thoughts had been about how he was going to let down all of his students (including those who have passed away).
3. Whoops, Manslaughter
After a drawn out, knuckle down fight in Whale’s apartment that sees a truckload of props get gloriously smashed, Black Lightning accidentally blasts his tormentor out of the window, and onto a building spike. It was a poetic end for Whale, finally killed by his own arrogance, as well as a building hazard resembling the harpoons he was so fond of, and his body returning to its natural age as he bled out was a well done combination of make-up and visual effects. It seemed abrupt though, after all that time building up to the fight — for example, where was Val? Her ability to nullify Jeff’s powers would’ve increased the tension, even if it would’ve been repetitive by this point.
Maybe it was the overly joyous choice of backing music, which wasn’t as dramatic and triumphant as the score when Jeff emerged from his grave; or perhaps it was Whale’s last words being Ahab’s from Moby-Dick, which had been done before, and better in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Speaking of unsatisfying conclusions, Lopez’s rampage wasn’t much was it? She, naturally, got lightning powers, and only spent her screentime in an alley antagonizing her former colleagues, before Jen showed up and defeated her even more quickly than her father took out Whale — “boring” indeed.
4. Cancellation
As you’ll have heard by now, the CW has opted not to pick up Painkiller, meaning — barring any guest appearances — this’ll be the last we’ll hear from Freeland’s corner of the Arrowverse. It’s quite apparent the creators were fully expecting the pilot to go forward though, between T.C. erasing Painkiller’s memories, and Lala breaking free of his concrete prison… which further raises the question, why replace China McClain at all if she was going to return for the finale? At least you can ignore the sinister music in the last scene, and pretend Lala got a happy ending too.
5. Conclusion
Black Lightning wasn’t a perfect show: its pacing was glacial, its cliffhangers rarely paid off satisfyingly, and some of its music choices rendered even its action scenes languid and morose. Yet, despite all the flaws I’ve mentioned, and the clear impact budget cuts and the pandemic had on the show, it was something special and unique, a primetime, broadcast network superhero show with a Black lead, and a lesbian as co-lead. While it burned out quickly, when it blazed, it burned brighter than any of the CW shows, and it’s a shame it’s not continuing in some form, whether through the spin-off or with a new showrunner. It’s been a privilege and a careful responsibility to cover this show, and I sincerely hope we’ll see all of the cast — not just Cress Williams — on Batwoman, The Flash, Superman & Lois, Naomi, or Legends: they thoroughly deserve it.
Continued belowBonus Thoughts:
– The red tie really completed Whale’s Trump impression during his acceptance speech.
– It’s unfortunate that this is the only episode where Anissa’s new costume is used in action.
– Jennifer resembles her comics counterpart’s costume when she lights up before destroying J.J.
– It’s a good thing Jeff decided to retire again afterwards: the cops probably want him for killing the mayor.
– Jen and T.C. certainly forgot about Supergirl et al. when reflecting on their alien infiltrator (almost as if the shows weren’t originally part of the same universe!)
Well, that’s all folks, but feel free to discuss it in the comments, while I’ll continue to cover the unlikely sister show Legends of Tomorrow. Stay tuned for our Summer Binges beginning next week as well, where I’ll be discussing stories strange and “massive.”
