Black Lightning – The Resurrection

By starrymag | January 22, 2018

By: Jessica Wolff

 

 

At the police station, Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams) watches news footage reporting on the 100 gang as he waits with Jennifer Pierce (China Anne McClain). The man on the news comments that even the police can’t stop the gang and the city has lost its mind. News footage shows a protest that turned violent and Inspector Henderson (Damon Gupton) gives a statement to reporters.

 

The Desk Sergeant (Crystal Lee Brown) shuts off the TV, wishing that the news would give more credit to the police for the lives they’ve saved. Jennifer gets a text from Kiesha (Kyann Simone Simpson) and responds that her sister, Anissa Pierce (Nafessa Williams) was arrested for trying to be Harriet Tubman.

 

Anissa is released and Jennifer hands her a dress to wear as Jefferson notices a wanted poster for Black Lightning. In the car, Jefferson yells at Anissa for going to the protest and getting arrested. Anissa insists that the protest was peaceful, and that the people of Freeland haven’t had peace in years when Jefferson argues. Jefferson tells her that violence multiplies violence and Anissa is fed up with the way things are.

 

Hearing sirens, Jefferson pulls over as Anissa pulls out her phone to film. The officers demand he step out of the car and then slam him against the car when he complies. Jefferson tells Anissa to stop recording, and the officer drags him over to a witness and asks her if he is the guy. She shakes her head and the officer lets him go. Jefferson demands to know what’s going on, but the officer tells him to have a good night. However, Jefferson asks again and the officer tells him that liquor store got robbed. Jefferson is furious about the racial profiling and his powers manifest in anger, but he is able to stop himself.

 

At a fundraiser, Senator Nina Turner (as herself) gives a glowing speech about Jefferson’s stellar work as principal of Garfield High School. Jennifer and Keisha touch up their makeup in the bathroom and Keisha teases Jennifer about her “Queen Of Garfield High” moniker. She complains about the name, and Anissa bursts in asking Jennifer where she’s going. Jennifer tells her that they’re going to a small house party, and promises to be home before Jefferson comes home. After some pleading, Anissa lets Jennifer go with a warning to be home by 10:15. Jennifer thanks her and Anissa tells her to stop calling her Harriet Tubman.

 

Turner finishes her speech and invites Jefferson to the stage. He asks his students questions and they stand up and answer in unison. At a nightclub, Jennifer locks eyes with Will (Dabier) from the dance floor. Later, they flirt at a table and Jennifer tells him not to expect them to have sex tonight. Henderson approaches Jefferson at the reception and they tease each other, before Jefferson thanks him for helping get Anissa released. Henderson says it’s no problem, but warns him the dangers of protesting.

 

Ms. Kara Fowdy (Skye P. Marshall) tries to talk to Jefferson about a potential donor, but Jefferson excuses himself to speak to Lynn Pierce (Christine Adams). He kisses her cheek and she tells him that his daughter getting arrested is not a good look. Jefferson reminds her that they share joint custody meaning half of her attitude is her responsibility. Lynn reminds him that Anissa is an adult, but Jefferson argues that she is still emotionally and financially dependent on him. She tells him that Anissa reminds her of him, and they tell each other they look good.

 

Jefferson arrives home to find that Jennifer is not home. He calls Anissa and gets angry when she tells him where Jennifer is. As Jefferson tracks Jennifer’s location, Jennifer keeps flirting with Will. Two men join them and refuse to let her leave the table. From the balcony Jefferson spots Jennifer being dragged into an office. Inside, LaLa (William Catlett) reminds Will that he owes him money and punches him. Will criticizes him for hitting him in front of his girl, but Jennifer insists that she isn’t Will’s girl. LaLa tells Jennifer to shut up and tells Will to pimp her out to pay off his debts. Jennifer tries to argue, but Will stops her. She tells him that he was cute before she learned he was somebody’s bitch and knees him in the balls.

 

Jefferson tries to get in the office, but the Club Security (Joe Lewis) refuses to let him pass. The security pulls out his gun when Jefferson tries to push him, and Jefferson says that he tried to do things the right way before the lights in the club go out. LaLa’s men run outside at the sound of gunshots and shoot at the darkness. One of them is thrown back by lightning and knocked out with a few punches. Jennifer walks outside and runs when she sees the dead bodies, not seeing Jefferson on the balcony above.

 

In the alleyway, a police car pulls up and the officer demands Jefferson put his hands up. He complies and the officers taze him when he doesn’t go to the ground. Jefferson pulls the tazer beams out and strikes both officers with lightning before setting their car on fire with lightning. Peter Gambi (James Remar) finds Jefferson knocked out in his shop, as Anissa yells at Jennifer for going to the club and lying about it. Jennifer argues that she’s tired of being perfect and calls Anissa a bitch. Frustrated, Anissa takes her phone and watches news coverage on the incident at the club where Henderson denies reports that Black Lightning was involved.

 

Jefferson stirs awake and Gambi comments that he thought he was done being a hero. However, Jefferson insists that he is and thanks Gambi for stitching him up. He comments that it’s been nine years since he last used his powers, and Gambi reminds him that he keeps telling him that the city needs him. Jefferson continues to insist that it’s a one-time thing and Gambi reminds him that he became Black Lightning to give people hope.

 

Jefferson argues that the purpose was to kill Tobias Whale (Martin ‘Krondon’ Jones III), but that there’s no end to Black Lighting and the only loser is him. Gambi tells him that his promise to Lynn always had an expiration date and Jefferson flashes back to Lynn finding him bleeding in the bathtub, making him promise to give up being Black Lightning.

 

Lynn watches new coverage of Ronald S. Martin (Ronald S. Martin) defending Black Lightning as Jefferson comes home. She tells him that she came home to console Jennifer, and Jefferson pretends not to know what happened. Lynn defends Jennifer, insisting that she was just being a normal teenager. She explains that she already gave Jennifer her punishment and then asks him about the news report that Black Lightning is back. Jefferson denies it, arguing that he’s saved more lives as a principal. Lynn is glad to hear it, telling him that she never wants to see him like that again. She opens his shirt, but Jefferson tells her that all she’ll find is a man who wants her back.

 

As Jefferson says goodbye to Lynn, he flashes back to Lynn shooing Young Jennifer (Fallyn Brown) out of the bathroom when she asks why Jefferson is bleeding. Lynn then tells Jefferson that she wants a divorce due to his broken promise. Jefferson clutches his wound as Martin explains on the news coverage how Black Lightning’s return is good for the black community. As Tobias throws a man into a piranha tank, a woman calls him over and shows him the coverage of Black Lightning’s return.

 

At school, Jefferson argues with Fowdy over the proposed metal detectors for the school. She argues that it’s for the students’ safety, but Jefferson refuses to treat his students like criminals. Jefferson sees he has an email from Gambi and opens it to reveal a video of news coverage where a Store Owner (Leon Lamar) expresses gratitude for Black Lightning’s help in stopping a robbery years ago.

 

Will approaches Jennifer at school and insists that he’s trying to see if they’re cool. Jennifer accuses him of stalking and tells him to leave. Will grabs her arm, and Anissa gets between them. She asks him to leave, and threatens to call the police. He grabs her as she attempts to make the call, but she hits him and flips him to the ground.  As Will reaches for a gun, Jefferson stops him and warns him that he will go to prison for life for a school shooting. Will insists that things aren’t over as he leaves.

 

Jefferson yells at Anissa for escalating the situation, telling her that this is the first incident of violence at the school in years. Anissa tells him that violence is everywhere, and Jefferson tells her this isn’t about one of her political diatribes. Jefferson insists that he’s trying to keep her daughters alive and Anissa asks when he stopped caring about his people.

 

Jefferson visits LaLa, and reminds him of the agreements he made with the gangs that the school would remain a safe space. He asks him to keep Will away from his daughters and the school, and LaLa demands that Malik (Caleb Thomas) introduce himself to Jefferson. LaLa grabs Malik and chastising him for abandoning his studies, and grabs his head. Jefferson tries to step in, but LaLa points his gun at him. He tells him that he’ll teach his kids his own way, and lowers his gun. After demanding that Malik sweep the floors, LaLa makes Jefferson promise he’ll owe him for this favor.

 

Will and two other gang members burst into the school and kidnap Anissa and Jennifer at gunpoint. Jefferson and Lynn become frustrated with Henderson’s efforts to find the girls, but Henderson tells them to be patient and promises to do everything he can. As Jefferson walks away, Lynn demands to know where he’s going. Jefferson responds that he’s going to get their girls back, and Lynn tells him to bring them home. He visits Gambi and explains the situation. They go down to a secret basement of Gambi’s shop and Gambi tells him he’s been working on enhancements for the suit.

 

Fully dressed in costume, Black Lightning jumps from the roof of the motel and fights the gang members standing guard. He fights his way through the motel as LaLa chastises Will and kicks him for kidnapping the girls without permission. He pistol whips Will and tells him to make the girls disappear. Black Lightning continues fighting through the motel and sees Will lead Anissa and Jennifer out of the room at gunpoint. Will shoots him, and Black Lightning quips that he didn’t get a chance to say something heroic as he pulls the bullet off his suit. Telling Will that he’s pissed off, Black Lightning grabs Will using electricity and demands to know where LaLa is as Anissa and Jennifer escape. Will insists that he doesn’t know, and Black Lightning throws him into his car.

 

Anissa and Jennifer give the police their statement as Black Lightning watches from the motel’s roof. A car blocks LaLa’s car and LaLa is brought to see Tobias. LaLa refers to Tobias as his boss, and Tobias shoots an arrow at him, asking if he believes in the resurrection. Pulling him closer, Tobias insists that he killed Black Lightning and asks LaLa to take care of the problem. Lynn and Jefferson embrace their daughters as they return home. Jefferson washes off the blood in the shower. He watches the girls sleep before turning off the light. Lynn thanks Jefferson for saving the girls, and Jefferson tells her that his fight isn’t over yet. Anissa wakes up as she relieves the night’s event and her hands light up with power as she grips the bathroom sink, breaking it.