Black Lightning is The CW’s newest TV series adaptation of a DC
Comics property. It’s not yet definite
if the show is set in the main Arrowverse or in a different universe like Supergirl (likely, the latter). Either way, its 13-episode debut season has proven
that it’s not a redundant addition. It
brings something fresh.
Everything about the central
character, Jefferson Pierce a.k.a. Black Lightning, is the best parts of the
show. Firstly, actor Cress Williams is
suitably charismatic, that he almost has this Idris Elba-esque quality to his
bearing on screen. Secondly, the costume
is pretty badass. And thirdly, the
presentation of his electric powers is fantastic. In relation to this, they are excitingly
incorporated and utilized in the fight scenes, yielding entertaining results.
Another thing that makes Black
Lightning stand out is that he doesn’t belong in the same generation as his
Arrowverse counterparts. While Green
Arrow, the Flash, Supergirl, and the Legends are in their 20’s or 30’s, Black Lightning
is old enough to be their father. As a
middle-aged man, he’s dealing with the kinds of responsibilities, viewpoints,
burdens, and imperfections inherently unknown to the younger DCW heroes. For example, although he’s not washed up,
he’s nevertheless being troubled by some depreciation. Also, he’s the father of two young ladies,
and though all DCW heroes carry a sense of responsibility (in varying extents),
his has a distinctively paternal quality as a result. Also, the show actually starts off with him
retired as a superhero, and the first few episodes involve him contemplating
whether he should un-retire or stay retired.
When all these unique character details are summed up, Black Lightning is
given the projected air of a seasoned, august crime-fighter, which other DCW
heroes don’t have.
The rest of the show’s characters
are fine, I guess. As necessary parts of
the story, they do okay with their roles.
But I didn’t necessarily care so much of them as much as I get to care for
the ensembles of other DCW shows. That
said, I like the family dynamics of the show’s narrative. I like that Black Lightning’s sidekicks are
his own daughters. Well, at least, Anissa
Pierce a.k.a. Thunder, who has already suited up in the first season. The younger daughter, Jennifer Pierce, has
manifested her powers, but hasn’t had a costume or superhero name yet. But, most likely, she’ll eventually become
Lightning (her comic book counterpart) in future seasons.
As for the writing, it shifts between being good and bad. Sometimes, the narrative is enjoyably grounded and intriguing. Sometimes, it’s boring and
conventional. And, just like other The
CW shows, it has its share of SJW/liberal propaganda. The show suffers when it touches on
this, especially when it’s trying to have some political and social
commentary. Now, don’t get me wrong. The attempt of commentary actually helps make the narrative more interesting at
times, especially when it makes clever references or parallels to real-life
events (e.g. US government experimenting on black Americans and flooding black neighborhoods
with drugs). On the other hand, there
are also off-putting moments where it is obviously more concerned with its liberal agenda that it is even willing to make stupidly false equivalencies (e.g.
the villain, who kidnaps kids off the streets to conduct deadly experiments on
them, is painted as a Trump metaphor).
To sum it up, Black Lightning is a mixed bag for me. Cress Williams’ Black Lightning is appealing,
but his supporting cast is just basic.
I enjoy how the plot can get gritty, sensible, and down-to-earth in ways
that other DCW shows can’t. But its storytelling
can’t maintain a constant thrilling and engaging quality. Nevertheless, all in all, it’s a welcome new DCW show, and I can’t wait to see Black Lightning have a crossover with the other Arrowverse heroes (if he doesn’t, I will deem the show’s existence a failure).
So as far as being a rewarding
black superhero TV show is concerned, Luke Cage remains the top dog.
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