Review: Black Lightning 2×14 -“Original Sin”

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Director: Oz Scott

Writer: Pat Charles, Keli Goff

Starring: Cress Williams, China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Christine Adams, Marvon Jones, James Remar

 

Summary

Latavius Johnson, better known by his nickname “Lala,” came back from the dead to bring some horror to Garfield High.. And to shoot Jefferson in the shoulder. He seems to think that Jefferson killed his friend, Earl. While Jefferson calms him down, the voices of the dead start talking to him. The angel and the devil on his shoulders.

Gambi works on a suit for Jennifer. Anissa and Jen have a laugh at the first Black Lightning costume (one that fans of the character’s 70s design will love).

Lynn and Odell don’t see eye to eye when it comes to how to treat pod kids.

Anissa deepens her search for girlfriend Grace. Show watchers learned a lot more about Grace than Anissa did. That she is a shapeshifter. Anissa decides to return to Graces apartment and gets into a fight with her in an alternate form. Things are getting .. stranger.

 

Positives

Jen’s character continues to grow and develop. She’s been the one to watch the second half of the season and she hasn’t disappointed. She’s growing up more and more.

Come on comics fans! You KNOW you loved seeing the old school Black Lightning costume!

The Grace/Anissa storyline has dragged a bit of late so it was exciting to see things go off the deep end with these new revelations. This seems to be headed to a finale that will pack a punch.

 

Negatives

While it may have been dramatic and effective, the Lala storyline was kind of a dud. It didn’t really change him or Jefferson. The dead angel/devil trope seemed a bit cliche. This was (almost) filler in a season that hasn’t had a lot.

 

Verdict

Anissa’s story is looking to get more important as the season heads toward the end, Jennifer is growing into herself nicely. Jefferson is a hero. This episode wasn’t earth shattering, but it setting things in place to end the season on a high note.