SummaryJefferson 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 student at her school is being lured by a gang, he returns to the fight.
SummaryJefferson 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 student at her school is being lured by a gang, he returns to the fight.
Jefferson Pierce isn't just a superhero. He's a social justice warrior. He quotes Martin Luther King Jr. AND beats up bad guys. This instantly makes him one of the most interesting heroes on television.
Ultimately, though, “Black Lightning” fulfills its most important role of providing fun escapism that stands out in a genre flirting with the upper limit of saturation. Part of the credit for that is due to Williams’ charisma and the winning dynamic displayed between his character and Adams’ Lynn, in addition to the strong familial chemistry they have with Williams and McClain as their daughters.
Like every superhero show, Black Lightning delivers energizing fight sequences and intriguing nemeses that our protagonist must confront. But as developed by husband-and-wife producing team Salim Akil and Mara Brock Akil (Being Mary Jane), alongside co-producers and Arrow-verse veterans Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter, it is more organically substantive than much film and TV comic-book fare. It’s also deeply aware of its black popular-culture roots, with a soundtrack that swings from hip-hop to Nina Simone to ’70s soul.
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.
I enjoy the premise of the show and even the old school R&B and Hip hop. I was very disappointed in The extreme immaturity exuded by the characters. Black Bird- toxic and selfish the entire season. Using drug money and threatening the very people she is suppose to help! Her relationship with a shape shifter was unnecessary and somewhat weird (how old is the little girl). She is more interested in her name or face being at the forefront than the mission. Jennifer is still a child, who was too easily manipulated and lacks the ability to see beyond her emotions! Even after traveling to another dimension and learning she was being manipulated, she returned to the same mindset. She is never concerned about anyone else’s feelings or opinions. Black Lightning’s inability to see his wife’s drug addiction or to even say anything to defend himself is lacking.
Overall, there seems to be way too much dysfunction in this family with such a good upbringing! The costumes are very good and the fight sequences are pretty good as well! I like Wayne Brady as a villain.
Nice plot and visual effects. The series speaks and uses a real life social issue, the discrimination and violence against African Americans. Unfortunately, this turns into white racism. Throughout the whole story, except one, all white are the bad guys.