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Black Lightning season 1, episode 5 review: And Then the Devil Brought the Plague: The Book of Green Light

by Mark Lynch

Black Lightning returned for its latest episode on Tuesday night. What happened in “And Then the Devil Brought the Plague?”

In the previous episode of Black Lightning titled “Black Jesus,” Jefferson (Black Lightning) was searching for a drug that came in the school called “Green Light” that gave a student super-strength. This is also the first time Jefferson’s oldest daughter Anissa goes out and tries to be a hero. Tobias also calls his in his sister to help him kill Black Lightning. This episode ends with Tobias’ sister telling her brother the best way to take out Black Lightning is to make him a look like a villain.

“And Then the Devil Brought the Plague: The Book of Green Light” starts off in an insanely cool way. Black Lightning gets a suit upgrade that allows him fly. But things take a weird turn and Black Lightning gets a headache so bad it almost knocks him on his back. These headaches are also causing Black Lightning to have more aggressive behaviors. And the hits don’t stop coming. We find out that Tobias and Gambi (who Tobias calls The Tailor) have a prior relationship. Gambi mentions that Tobias and his sister have a serum in their body that gives them their powers.

Meanwhile, Anissa is studying up on how she got her powers. She finds out that the her grandfather was one of the Tuskegee Airmen who was experimented on and maybe had powers. The more she digs, the more she realizes that something funky is going on. Even her dad is sketchy about the subject of her grandfather’s past.

Rating: 8

Black Lightning is only five episodes in, but it has already been amazing. All of the major cast members continue to grow individually. Alissa is slowly starting to connect the dots to the source of her powers and takes a big step in becoming a hero. Anissa’s little sister Jennifer beats up two girls with no issue. One of them even gets a broken wrist for her trouble. And, most importantly, Tobias continues to establish himself as a great antagonist.

The backstory to where all of Tobias’ anger comes from was a great addition to the series. Doing it this early leaves the viewers with less questions going forward. Also, like Wilson Fisk in Daredevil, it gives us a reason to understand why he is the way he is and maybe even feel bad for him. He may be aggressive, but can we really fault him for his actions in this episode? All in all, the trend of great episodes continues.

Lightning Round

  • The headaches are not going to stop here.
  • How do Tobias and Gambi know each other? Gambi has been sneaking around without Black Lightning knowing. I’m certain he isn’t going to be happy when he finds out.
  • What are we going to learn about the Pierce family history? Why were they experimented on? How did they get their powers? Are they being watched
  • What was message Lady Eve sending Tobias?
  • Anissa starts to become a hero.
  • Gambi is definitely more involved in the powers race then he is letting on.

Black Lightning will return at a later date.