The CW's Black Lightning - Episode 2.04 "The Book of Consequences: Chapter Four: Translucent Freak"
Jefferson confronts Anissa about her reckless and irresponsible behavior leading to a fierce disagreement.
In 2018, it has become very difficult to keep up with every television show out there. It's even more difficult to provide adequate coverage on this site about the episodes that air every week. Not every show can get full coverage because of my busy and hectic viewing schedule. As such, some reviews will now be condensed to give only some summary thoughts. But it also affords a space for me to jot down my thoughts on the various episodes. And so, here are my thoughts on this week's episode of The CW's Black Lightning.
"The Book of Consequences: Chapter Four: Translucent Freak" was written by Adam Giaudrone and directed by Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Tobias got arrested for a reason. That was always obvious. It wasn't some surprising action that truly caught him and the audience off guard. Instead, he wanted to be at the precinct being questioned by Henderson. It's all a part of his master plan. And now, that is coming into better focus. Sure, a lot of it remains cryptic - especially when it comes to whatever is in the briefcase. However, he now sees himself as a fully exonerated man in the public's eye. He came forward to get arrested just so he could have his moment in front of the camera after being released. Sure, he is going to have to come up with a better explanation for why he looks the same now as he did thirty years ago. That defies any kind of logical explanation. But he fully believes that he can be seen as a good influence for Freeland once more. Of course, that stands in stark contrast to his final moment of being welcomed back into his community with the chants of the hundred. That's certainly ominous even though it feels forced and awkward as well. It just ensures that he is really stepping up his game this season in a major way. He is living on that public platform. He is playing by a different set of rules. That's the lesson that Jefferson has been trying to pass onto Anissa when it comes to crime fighting as well. He wants her to be careful and smart. He doesn't want her to turn something that she cares about into a target for hatred and criminal activity. They have to act quickly in order to save the clinic she supports from being destroyed by a bomb. She made it known to the criminals that this was an aspect of the city that she cared about. It didn't matter that she wasn't presenting herself as Thunder. She still put innocent lives in harm's way because she was stealing from the corrupt and giving it to those in need. Sure, it's idealistic and noble. She lashes out at her father when he doesn't agree. It may be right for her to move out and have some independence away from her family. But even that act has to be seen as a personal betrayal. Jennifer needs her sister in her life in order to make sense of everything that has been happening to her. Sure, that could highlight a real codependent relationship between them. Jennifer believes she needs Anissa in order to continue making progress. That's not true at all. It's all about how well she can maintain control over her own emotions. That appears to be the trigger for her powers. But she is also right to be frustrated because her family keeps making decisions about her life without consulting her at all. Jefferson and Lynn just decide that she will have to be home-schooled because it's not safe for her to return to Garfield. They know that she's going to be upset but they don't think to include her in that conversation. That's absolutely devastating. It also pushes her straight into Khalil's arms again which is bound to send her down a bad path as well. Jefferson knows so much about how to be a good hero and father. And yet, he is still prone to making mistakes. There is still plenty in this world that enrages him. He tries to maintain his superiority over those who question his motives. And yet, his anger is also very potent and visible. That can be just as destructive as it is beneficial. That proves that he is just as complicated a hero as always because there truly is a cost to this life that he has tried to maintain for himself and his family.
