On Black Lightning season 3’s penultimate episode, Jefferson was plotting out the best response to Gravedigger’s arrival in Freeland, but Jennifer was none-too-pleased about her designated role as back-up. Meanwhile, Lynn discovered Jefferson’s big connection to Gravedigger, and Anissa and Grace decided to take the next big step in their relationship.
1. Gravedigger’s Sensitive Soul
Like many characters this season, Gravedigger opens the episode with a video journal, outlining his goal to liberate all the metas imprisoned by the ASA. You really feel for the guy, you learn from his testimony that he earned his nickname from his general assignment before he was enhanced, and that his respect for all human life would extend to him even burying the Nazis he killed in combat. I can really see now why they cast Wayne Brady, and right now I can’t really see anything problematic about his character – the only issue is the ASA would rather nuke Freeland than lose to Gravedigger, which is a terrible predicament for Jefferson to be placed in.
2. You Won’t Like Him When He’s Angry
Khalil’s attacked by the ASA while trying to escape Freeland, causing his Painkiller persona to take control and defend himself while his captor is weakened. In their mental corridor, Painkiller wants Khalil to concede he’s an essential part of him (his drive, his instinct to survive), but Khalil won’t, and makes the mistake of fighting back, allowing Painkiller to fully take back control and plot another attack on the Pierces. Basically, Khalil’s made the mistake of not making the first step, which is admitting you have a problem: if he can’t accept this aspect of his personality, how can he hope to control it?
3. Shadow Board
Lady Eve meets with Odell, whom we learn is a member of the Shadow Board, the organization she was a part of before her death. She wants to rejoin, but Odell is unimpressed, not even by the prospect of her using Lazarus to resurrect him (he’s made his peace with how his life has panned out, essentially). It’s cool that as this occupation storyline is finally concluding that we’re getting a sense of the greater threat lurking in the horizon, bigger than the ASA, 100, or Markovia – maybe we’ll get one season for every member of the board?
4. Whoa Ladies
Grace’s discovers she’s developed superstrength this week because of her shapeshifting – while it’s nice she now resembles her comic book counterpart in that respect, I don’t think that’s how it works, even if exercise technically strengthens the muscles through tearing them. But that surprise was nothing compared to what came next:
They’re getting married!
I know Anissa and Grace don’t know what’ll happen when Gravedigger arrives, and they have known each other for a long time, but like Lynn, I still thought it was rather sudden. (They both look great in white though.) Also Gambi is an officially licensed minister: is there nothing he can’t do?
5. Family Connections
Lynn discovers Jefferson and Gravedigger have matching DNA, indicating they’re related, and explaining why both of them have never been negatively impacted by their mutations. Jefferson remembers he had a great-uncle who apparently disappeared during the war, and soon deduces Gravedigger is his uncle.
Unfortunately, Jennifer charges off on her own to confront the villain when he’s spotted inside the city, and her power is no match for his experience, as he casually tosses her into the perimeter shield, overloading her. Jefferson arrives just in time to save her, but he’s too clouded by anger to have a heartfelt reunion with his long-lost relative – oh well.
Bonus thoughts:
– So TC is trying to make him and Erica a thing huh?
– It might sound a bit much that Gravedigger is the most powerful metahuman, but he could feasibly take mental control of Superman and Supergirl.
– Why is Lala acting like Lady Eve can’t paralyze him?
– Oh no, not Dr. Blair – RIP you amoral scientist.
See you all next week for the season finale.
