I don't think I've ever seen this before. This may be a first for me, and for this show. I don't think I've ever been so disappointed at a season of television before. I really don't. For some context, I love Black Lightning! I think this show, historically, has been phenomenal. Seasons 1 and 3 are incredible, and season 2, despite its many faults, still has its moments where it shines. Season 4 though... Just...
Okay, it has its own merits. It does! It honestly does! Tobias is still a fun and charismatic villain, despite the network having to censor his usual mannerisms. Yes, CW. I did notice, and you're not being clever. Hassan Shakur has had a lot of potential to be that "cool cop" archetype that doesn't care how justice is served as long as it gets served, and Wallace Smith is great in the role. Chief Lopez also has a good dynamic going all around, and is a stark contrast to Henderson from before. I'll even go so far as to say that Tobias's new lackeys are well cast, and have interesting mannerisms and power sets of their own. And let's not forget the phenomenal Painkiller backdoor pilot episode.
On the other side though, there's so much that I just can't ignore based on how much I want to like this season. Lynn's been angry at Jeff for no reason all season long. At first, it was because he's been distant and grieving for a year, which was understandable. Now though, she's mad at him for something he didn't even do! Lynn, I'm sorry that you got fired from your job, but it's not Jeff's fault. It's Tobias's fault. If you wanna be mad at someone, be mad at him!
I also didn't need to see that prison strip search scene this week. I was very uncomfortable. I understand that it's a thing that happens in real life all the time, and that the writers were trying to get us to cringe in our seats and look away. On that side of things, well done. Mission accomplished. On the other hand though, why was this scene included? I don't believe it serves any purpose. It was also around 2 minutes longer than Jeff's strip search scene in season 1. Ew.
Next up, they're overusing Khalil. Like, I understand that he's easily the best, most well rounded and developed character on this show, but some of that development needs to be saved for his own spinoff! The backdoor pilot could've served as Painkiller's *actual* pilot episode, and worked just as well. It sets up Khalil's team, shows how much he's changed, and gave a new element to the duality of Khalil and Painkiller, firmly establishing them as separate entities that inhabit the same body. It was weird saying Painkiller cry, but it kinda worked and fleshed out the character in a whole new way. The more this season explores that dynamic, the less "Painkiller" will have to work with when it comes to writing that series!
And then there's all the stuff they're doing with JJ. I can't stand this character! I have nothing against Laura Kariuki, and I think she's doing a good job with the material she has, but I just can't stand how the writers have blatantly changed the way Jennifer acts. That's why I'm calling her JJ. Sure, Jen's always been a little hot-headed and reckless, but she's never been *this* self-centered! Not even in season 2 was she this bad! At least in season 2 she wanted to use her powers to kill Tobias, but now she wants to use her powers to impress some guy on Instagram. This is what this phenomenal character has become. In my mind, Jennifer Pierce died in episode 4. JJ is a completely new character, for better or worse, and it's definitely leaning towards the ladder half on that front.
I don't know, man. Maybe I'm just living in the past. Maybe this season's a lot better than I'm giving it credit for. If it is, I'd honestly like to know so I can rewatch this season and know what to look for and care about. I'm still waiting on that for Arrow's fifth season too to be honest. As of right now though... I'm honestly just waiting for the last 4 episodes to air so that I can say that I made it all the way through this show.
To me, Black Lightning ended after their third season.
Okay, it has its own merits. It does! It honestly does! Tobias is still a fun and charismatic villain, despite the network having to censor his usual mannerisms. Yes, CW. I did notice, and you're not being clever. Hassan Shakur has had a lot of potential to be that "cool cop" archetype that doesn't care how justice is served as long as it gets served, and Wallace Smith is great in the role. Chief Lopez also has a good dynamic going all around, and is a stark contrast to Henderson from before. I'll even go so far as to say that Tobias's new lackeys are well cast, and have interesting mannerisms and power sets of their own. And let's not forget the phenomenal Painkiller backdoor pilot episode.
On the other side though, there's so much that I just can't ignore based on how much I want to like this season. Lynn's been angry at Jeff for no reason all season long. At first, it was because he's been distant and grieving for a year, which was understandable. Now though, she's mad at him for something he didn't even do! Lynn, I'm sorry that you got fired from your job, but it's not Jeff's fault. It's Tobias's fault. If you wanna be mad at someone, be mad at him!
I also didn't need to see that prison strip search scene this week. I was very uncomfortable. I understand that it's a thing that happens in real life all the time, and that the writers were trying to get us to cringe in our seats and look away. On that side of things, well done. Mission accomplished. On the other hand though, why was this scene included? I don't believe it serves any purpose. It was also around 2 minutes longer than Jeff's strip search scene in season 1. Ew.
Next up, they're overusing Khalil. Like, I understand that he's easily the best, most well rounded and developed character on this show, but some of that development needs to be saved for his own spinoff! The backdoor pilot could've served as Painkiller's *actual* pilot episode, and worked just as well. It sets up Khalil's team, shows how much he's changed, and gave a new element to the duality of Khalil and Painkiller, firmly establishing them as separate entities that inhabit the same body. It was weird saying Painkiller cry, but it kinda worked and fleshed out the character in a whole new way. The more this season explores that dynamic, the less "Painkiller" will have to work with when it comes to writing that series!
And then there's all the stuff they're doing with JJ. I can't stand this character! I have nothing against Laura Kariuki, and I think she's doing a good job with the material she has, but I just can't stand how the writers have blatantly changed the way Jennifer acts. That's why I'm calling her JJ. Sure, Jen's always been a little hot-headed and reckless, but she's never been *this* self-centered! Not even in season 2 was she this bad! At least in season 2 she wanted to use her powers to kill Tobias, but now she wants to use her powers to impress some guy on Instagram. This is what this phenomenal character has become. In my mind, Jennifer Pierce died in episode 4. JJ is a completely new character, for better or worse, and it's definitely leaning towards the ladder half on that front.
I don't know, man. Maybe I'm just living in the past. Maybe this season's a lot better than I'm giving it credit for. If it is, I'd honestly like to know so I can rewatch this season and know what to look for and care about. I'm still waiting on that for Arrow's fifth season too to be honest. As of right now though... I'm honestly just waiting for the last 4 episodes to air so that I can say that I made it all the way through this show.
To me, Black Lightning ended after their third season.
