This week on Black Lightning, Anissa’s stealing from the mob made the clinic she donated the money to a target; Whale was arrested but Henderson had no evidence against him; and Jefferson and Lynn realized Jennifer may have to be homeschooled permanently.
1. It’s all Gambi’s Fault
Jefferson is unable to testify that Whale murdered his father, because Gambi advised him not to mention he was there when he was a boy, to help protect him: Gambi also disposed of any evidence proving Jefferson was there at night. Seriously, how could’ve Gambi been so short-sighted? Didn’t Former Mr. ASA have any means of hiding the evidence until it was needed? (Sigh.)
Still, maybe it’s also Henderson’s fault: he’s the one who provides the title by straight up namecalling the albino mob boss, which couldn’t have helped their case, as it may have unintentionally lended credence that Whale was the victim of racial animus.
2. Gambi is Old
Gambi further rendered himself useless this week when Black Lightning and Thunder disposed of the bombs placed at the clinic, when he failed to apprehend the woman hired to put them there. Now granted, her acrobatics would’ve caught anyone by surprise, but it’s clear Jefferson and Anissa could sure use some additional help in the field: old Uncle Gambi isn’t as spry as he used to be.
3. RIP Kara
Have I talked enough about Gambi yet? Well, despite Gambi’s efforts (again), Kara suffered too much blood loss from her harpooning at Whale’s hands, and died. Honestly, Gambi should’ve at least taken her to the hospital – small wonder she wound up becoming so aggressive towards him, despite seeking his help, it couldn’t have been comfortable dying in a makeshift hospital room in his gun closet. Well, RIP Kara: hopefully the info on your phone will help Jefferson and Henderson, although it’s going to be a lot harder to reach that briefcase (and whatever’s inside it) now Whale’s been exonerated.
4. Master Lowry
We got to see how cold-blood Garfield High’s new principal is after Jefferson settles a corridor fight between two students, and Lowry decides to expel one and suspend the other instead. It’s an absolutely appalling and vile decision, which Lowry claims is a act of zero tolerance, but Jefferson recognizes as one that will condemn a child to a life of crime. You just know Lowry wouldn’t have pulled that if it were a pair of white children getting into a scrap. Would it be so bad if Jefferson gave him a little zap next week?
5. Give In
The episode begins with Jen training with Perenna, learning to battle her fears in the shape of Khalil. (Interestingly, in her dreamscape Issa is her prom date, I didn’t think she was attracted to him.) Perenna asks Jen who is Khalil. Unsurprisingly, we don’t see her answer, with the show constantly jumping from one storyline to another, but I’d be surprised if she told her, given how reluctant she is to discuss Khalil’s constant texts and emails with Anissa.
I kept wondering, Jen should talk to her parents about changing her number or something to block him, but as the episode made clear, she feels alone and isolated in her home, and she’s keeping the opportunity to reunite with him open. At the end, both Jefferson and Lynn conclude she still needs to stay at the house to control her powers, and decide to start homeschooling, and Jen eventually sneaks out to meet with her ex at the school. I think what Jefferson and Lynn need to realize is that cooping up Jen in her own home is probably contributing to the anxiety that’s rendering her unable to control her abilities! Suppose it’s simple enough to me, but her parents are probably too stressed out themselves to see it.
Bonus thoughts:
– This week’s director, Salli Richardson-Whitfield (aka Gargoyles‘ Eliza) also plays Henderson’s lawyer Ms. Montez, which is cool.
– It was also neat seeing Black Lightning’s suit powered down in stealth mode during the stakeout of the clinic.
The show’s taking a break as you ought to be out voting in the mid-term elections, so see you all in two weeks.
