Black Lightning

6.9
201845m

Production

Logo for Warner Bros. Television
Logo for Berlanti Productions

Jefferson Pierce is a man wrestling with a secret. As the father of two daughters and principal of a charter high school that also serves as a safe haven for young people in a New Orleans neighborhood overrun by gang violence, he is a hero to his community.

Seasons

13 Episodes • Premiered 2018

School principal and retired superhero Jefferson Pierce leaps back into action as the legendary Black Lightning after a gang threatens his family.

Still image for Black Lightning season 1 episode 1: The Resurrection

1. The Resurrection

6.5

Jefferson Pierce is a man wrestling with a secret. As the father of Anissa and Jennifer, and principal of a charter high school that also serves as a safe-haven for young people in a neighborhood overrun by gang violence, he is a hero in his community. Nine years ago, Pierce was a hero of a different sort. Gifted with the superhuman power to harness and control electricity, he used those powers to keep his hometown streets safe as the masked vigilante Black Lightning, but he left the Superhero days behind. Almost a decade later, Pierce’s crime-fighting days are long behind him…or so he thought.

Still image for Black Lightning season 1 episode 2: Lawanda: The Book of Hope

2. Lawanda: The Book of Hope

6.0

As the community struggles with the violence surrounding them, a glimmer of hope appears: Is Black Lightning back? Lynn Stewart, noticing the changes in the community, is also left wondering. While Jefferson Pierce struggles with his decision, Gambi urges him to take up the mantle once more and return to life as Black Lightning. Anissa and Jennifer try to deal with the aftermath of their jolting experience.

Still image for Black Lightning season 1 episode 3: Lawanda: The Book of Burial

3. Lawanda: The Book of Burial

6.0

As Jefferson Pierce tries to determine if the community can survive without the help of Black Lightning, Anissa starts to come into her own. Meanwhile, Jefferson and Lynn try and figure out their new dynamic. Finally, Jennifer reveals to her parents that she has been grappling with something big.

Still image for Black Lightning season 1 episode 4: Black Jesus

4. Black Jesus

6.2

Black Lightning is recruited to rally against The 100 gang. Anissa investigates the new drug hitting the streets. Meanwhile, familiar faces begin to reappear.

Still image for Black Lightning season 1 episode 5: And Then the Devil Brought the Plague: The Book of Green Light

5. And Then the Devil Brought the Plague: The Book of Green Light

6.2

An unexpected phone call unearths the long-buried need for Jefferson to investigate the murder of his father. Meanwhile, Annisa wrestles with the fact that her actions have dire consequences. Lastly, Jennifer learns the importance of controlling her temper – in all situations.

Still image for Black Lightning season 1 episode 6: Three Sevens: The Book of Thunder

6. Three Sevens: The Book of Thunder

6.1

Jefferson is on the hunt for his father's killer, while Anissa uses her new powers to rectify a wrong after a protest fails. Jennifer grapples with some difficult choices. Elsewhere, Gambi begs for help from Lynn.

Still image for Black Lightning season 1 episode 7: Equinox: The Book of Fate

7. Equinox: The Book of Fate

6.4

Black Lightning’s pursuit for Tobias continues. Anissa continues to find herself in the new normal.

Still image for Black Lightning season 1 episode 8: The Book of Revelations

8. The Book of Revelations

5.8

Black Lightning works with Anissa to help find information to clear Black Lightning’s name. Jennifer begins interning for Lynn. Meanwhile, Gambi finds himself in a precarious situation.

Still image for Black Lightning season 1 episode 9: The Book of Little Black Lies

9. The Book of Little Black Lies

6.2

In the aftermath of the latest killing, Black Lightning works to clear his name while also hunting down the person responsible for his father’s death, and anyone else involved. Tensions remain high between Black Lightning and Gambi.

Still image for Black Lightning season 1 episode 10: Sins of the Father: The Book of Redemption

10. Sins of the Father: The Book of Redemption

6.2

Black Lightning attempts to rescue several long-missing children reveals a secret he did not anticipate, and its resulting connections. Gambi struggles to stay strong while in a compromising position. Jefferson begins to view things differently.

Still image for Black Lightning season 1 episode 11: Black Jesus: The Book of Crucifixion

11. Black Jesus: The Book of Crucifixion

6.5

As suspicions grow that Jefferson Pierce is Black Lightning, the ASA arranges to have him arrested. Lynn seeks help from Detective Henderson. Meanwhile, as Jefferson is in custody, Gambi and Anissa work together to show Black Lightning is still running around the streets of Freeland.

Still image for Black Lightning season 1 episode 12: The Resurrection and the Light: The Book of Pain

12. The Resurrection and the Light: The Book of Pain

6.2

Tobias returns to Freeland. He is tasked to capture – not kill – Black Lightning with the help of an unexpected source. After a battle of epic proportions, Anissa and Jennifer provide surprising aid.

Still image for Black Lightning season 1 episode 13: Shadow of Death: The Book of War

13. Shadow of Death: The Book of War

5.8

The aftermath of the showdown with Black Lightning leaves everyone reeling. Meanwhile, Tobias gathers his forces.

Cast

Photo of Cress Williams

Cress Williams

Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning

Photo of Nafessa Williams

Nafessa Williams

Anissa Pierce / Thunder / Blackbird

Photo of Christine Adams

Christine Adams

Lynn Pierce

Photo of Marvin Jones III

Marvin Jones III

Tobias Whale

Photo of James Remar

James Remar

Peter Gambi

Photo of Chantal Thuy

Chantal Thuy

Grace Choi

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Reviews

G

GenerationofSwine

1/10

I suppose that the best part of Black Lightening is that, from time to time, it throws some serious 1970s Funk at you, and that is honestly about the coolest thing that you can do with a show...or movie...or just in general. And it beats the heck out of modern music.

However, more so than any of the other Super Hero shows on the CW, it suffers HEAVILY under the mark of the CW. Just when you think it's going to take a good turn, the CW teenage focused melodrama is injected into it and takes the wind out of it's sails.

It would be forgivable if it happened once, but it seems to get neutered by the CW every time it takes what promises to be heading into a good direction. It could have dealt with race relations in an entertaining and dramatic manner...but then it turns into a CW manner and it turns into a melodrama.

It could have dealt with death is an entertaining, gripping, and dramatic way...and then abruptly turns to CW melodrama.

And those are just a couple of examples. it all adds up...and even though I can honestly say that it does deserve more than 1 star...the CW robbed it of it's potential too many times to sit down and watch.

Its like the CW is yelling "STOP! you're about to get gripping and realistic, remember your audience is a high school clique!"

I gave up. I can't watch it any longer...but I do believe that, if any other network (with the exception of Netflix) were to have picked this up, the show could have been very good.

You've reached the end.