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Black Lightning: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Critics

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 223 Ratings

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5.4

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5.4	Your Score
5.4	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 223 Ratings

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Black Lightning

Season Details & Credits

The CW | Season Premiere Date: January 16, 2018

Starring: Cress Williams, James Remar, Christine Adams

Summary: Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams) had retired from his secret identity of Black Lightning many years ago, but when danger threatens his twenty-something daughter, Jennifer (Nafessa Williams), and a promising student is being lured by a gang, he returns to the fight.

Creator: Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure

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Show Guide

79
Series Overview
79
Season 1 Overview
Air Date: January 16, 2018
tbd
S1:E13. The Resurrection and the Light: The Book of Pain
Air Date: April 10, 2018
tbd
S1:E13. Shadow of Death: The Book of War
Air Date: April 17, 2018
tbd
S1:E12. Rebellion in the Ranks
Air Date: April 8, 2018
tbd
S1:E11. Black Jesus: The Book of Crucifixion
Air Date: April 3, 2018
tbd
S1:E10. Sins of the Father: The Book of Redemption
Air Date: March 27, 2018
tbd
S1:E9. Little Black Lies
Air Date: March 20, 2018
tbd
S1:E8. The New Normal
Air Date: March 11, 2018
tbd
S1:E8. The Book of Revelations
Air Date: March 13, 2018
tbd
S1:E7. Equinox: The Book of Fate
Air Date: March 6, 2018
tbd
S1:E6. Three Sevens: The Book of Thunder
Air Date: February 27, 2018
tbd
S1:E5. Aches and Pains
Air Date: February 13, 2018
tbd
S1:E4. Black Jesus
Air Date: February 6, 2018
tbd
S1:E3. Lawanda: The Book of Burial
Air Date: January 30, 2018
tbd
S1:E2. Lawanda: The Book of Hope
Air Date: January 23, 2018
tbd
S1:E1. The Resurrection
Air Date: January 16, 2018

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Allison Keene

Jan 4, 2018

It’s positive, it’s victorious, it’s complicated, and it’s badass. Read full review

Mark A. Perigard

Jan 16, 2018

Not nearly as bright as “Supergirl,” as angst-ridden as “Arrow” or as campy as “The Flash,” “Black Lightning” lights its own path--by being a story about the debt we owe to our community and the importance of inspiration. Read full review

Eric Joseph

Jan 8, 2018

To its credit, this young series has done a phenomenal job of finding its footing with the first two episodes, and trust me, it’s the second that’ll really hook you. Capable of warming hearts just as The Flash does while being more similar in tone to Arrow, Black Lightning stands as one of the more sophisticated additions to the DC TV landscape. Read full review

Hank Stuever

Jan 16, 2018

The show is a fine example of what television might look like once we move past the more ceremonial aspects of diversity. This is a black show on a network filled with white superheroes, and it displays no insecurity or self-consciousness about that. It feels strong and confident, at least in the first two episodes. Read full review

Ira Madison III

Jan 17, 2018

The series juggles police brutality, systemic racism, black youth culture, gang violence, and black parenting with aplomb, and all topics feel entirely new to The CW but also necessary for the network, where it can be paired with an equally pulpy series like Riverdale. Read full review

Kelly Lawler

Jan 16, 2018

The series' tone ably walks a fine line between being relevant and pedantic. Its themes are a bit heavy for a superhero show, but it still features fun, dazzling action sequences. The show makes great use of light and dark visuals and vividly brings Jefferson's powers to life. Read full review

Matt Roush

Jan 4, 2018

While Lightning may sound like campy blaxploitation, it's no joke. [8-21 Jan 2018, p.13]

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User Score

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5.4

User Reviews

Hype2x

Jan 16, 2018

A great and freshing superhero tv show in this age of Superhero tv mash. It's unique in terms of unique, and has good performances by its main characters.

10 of 33 users found this helpful1023

Pomba

Jan 17, 2018

O piloto foi maravilhoso e a série tem tudo pra continuar numa crescente e se tornar a melhor da CW.

3 of 13 users found this helpful310

Landomax

Jan 25, 2018

While I did find this promising, didn't think I should come back for a second episode till the youtube clips of the public happily greeting Black Lighting as he enters a door to kick some bad guy asses. And after watching the episode I have to say it's picking up pretty nicely.

Don't letWhile I did find this promising, didn't think I should come back for a second episode till the youtube clips of the public happily greeting Black Lighting as he enters a door to kick some bad guy asses. And after watching the episode I have to say it's picking up pretty nicely.

Don't let the sour taste of CW's other shows ruin it for you (minus Legends of Tomorrow which I can make the same argument about and trust me is good). The realistic take is quite interesting and so far had done a fair job not screwing up on any sides. The actor of Cress Williams is doing a surreal job as depicting his character as the "Black Jesus" as the show described. The villains are again realistic mob bosses and gangs and if the comics are to go by, have the potential to be really memorable adversaries. The daughters' plotlines do need to pick up, though. As for the superhero itself, cool martial art moves but need to explore the lightning powers a bit more. And hope we get a few metahuman thugs or badass normal adversaries to challenge the hero.

Overall and again, a good series that I feel can be much enjoyable if it doesn't follow CW's other shows' mistakes.… Expand

6 of 11 users found this helpful65

CoKronakan

Mar 30, 2019

This fresh IP of a series feels like it is an over reaction of racism, and manipulating characters to do their ultimately intended purposes. It had an interesting point and scenes and emotional moments that where worth something. The directing style is too simple and it gets boring realThis fresh IP of a series feels like it is an over reaction of racism, and manipulating characters to do their ultimately intended purposes. It had an interesting point and scenes and emotional moments that where worth something. The directing style is too simple and it gets boring real fast. The acting was mostly off, and the only scenes when the acting was worth something it was repeated to a time when it became repetitive. The music was one of the best parts in the whole series, which was original and really well paced. The plot was too simple and event less at times and to complex at times which made it hard to understand and to keep up with it after the slow paced events.
Overall it's an above average series at best, but maybe in the future without all the exaggeration and senseless plot and average acting it can be a lot better.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Ripandread

Feb 16, 2018

This show has potential but the main character needs some work. Mild-manner principal by day and angry avenger by night. That scenario has been played to death. The criminals are so stereo-typical from those awful 1970's black exploitation movies. I tried to like this show...I really did;This show has potential but the main character needs some work. Mild-manner principal by day and angry avenger by night. That scenario has been played to death. The criminals are so stereo-typical from those awful 1970's black exploitation movies. I tried to like this show...I really did; but unfortunately I just cannot watch it anymore.… Expand

5 of 8 users found this helpful53

runeborsjo

Jan 29, 2018

I don't understand the near-universal acclaim in the press - I suspect that too is driven more by politics than content. To me, this is the weakest of the DC shows on The CW. Much like Supergirl, it's more concerned with identity politics and firsts than telling a compelling story. PeopleI don't understand the near-universal acclaim in the press - I suspect that too is driven more by politics than content. To me, this is the weakest of the DC shows on The CW. Much like Supergirl, it's more concerned with identity politics and firsts than telling a compelling story. People need to stop comparing this to Luke Cage - which is actually a good show.… Expand

9 of 22 users found this helpful913

SunOneElse

Apr 10, 2019

When i first watch season 1, i had a hard time getting through it, because even though it had a strong super hero plot that followed a successfull father trying to find the right thing to do to keep his family safe and keep himself safe, the recuring generic antagonist of the series appearsWhen i first watch season 1, i had a hard time getting through it, because even though it had a strong super hero plot that followed a successfull father trying to find the right thing to do to keep his family safe and keep himself safe, the recuring generic antagonist of the series appears to be the white cops.

the cops arnt just dirty, they arnt just paid off, they are vast majority just plain racist. if a white person appears in the show, with exception to Black Lightnings Foster day, you can bet they are portrayed as a racist.

its distracting to try to watch a show that is constantly telling you that "white people are inherently racist unless they know you."

I was excited to see that season 2 had come out, i started watching it and within the first minute, white cops were beating a black man. so i turned it off.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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