Black Lightning season 3, episode 2 review: Chapter Two: Maryam’s Tasbih

On the latest episode of Black Lightning, Black Bird goes too far, Jennifer continues to be the best part of the show, and Commander Williams is a jerk!

Previously, on Black Lightning: Chapter One: Birth of Blackbird, we got our first look at how Agent Odell is going to deal with things.

First, we’re privy to how he and the A.S.A. have been interrogating black people who received powers from the drug Green Light. Among those people was Black Lightning. We also met another person with powers named Commander Williams, a soldier working with Odell to “keep the peace” in Freeland. And it looks like he’s more than willing to use extreme measures when needed.

Lastly, we find out that Anissa and Jennifer are having problems of their own. Jennifer’s powers are starting to hurt her when she doesn’t use. Meanwhile, Anissa has embraced her Black Bird persona. With this, she’s been saving people from the A.S.A. and getting them out of Freeland. The episode ended with Anissa getting knocked out after being attacked.

An emotional opening

As if seeing a young Muslim girl locked up against her will wasn’t bad enough, we had to see her condition worsen. Maryam Luqman was talking to the computer after it asked what her condition was. Maryam said it was getting worse. She’s puking, losing her hair, having random spasms, and bleeding out of her eyes. Maryam pleads with someone to help her because she doesn’tknow how much more she can take. And this all happens before the Black Lightning logo even appears. It was a minute-long intro, and it was an intense and emotional moment.

This let the people know that Maryam was going to be important to this episode (if the title of this episode wasn’t enough of a clue). In the previous episode, she explained how the kids in her school are the reason she accidentally took Green Light and ended up in the situation she was in. Her life has become a tragedy, and it doesn’t look like it will be getting better any time soon. She’s a teenager who’s been completely disrespected and then imprisoned. It’s heartbreaking.

Commander Williams

It didn’t take long for Commander Williams and Jefferson to have some tension. Williams couldn’t hear what Lynn and Jefferson were saying, so he came into their “room” with an attitude and ready for a fight. Williams calls Jefferson a Meta, and Jefferson asks why it sounds like a curse word? Thankfully, Lynn puts a stop to a potential fight.

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Soon after, Williams takes them to their new living space. He even tries to sweeten the deal by telling them that their favorite food and beverages are in there, as well. Before leaving, Williams plays on Lynn’s heartstrings. He thanks her for looking at the Green Light kids’ data and remarks how much it will help them. And right after, he tells Jefferson not to get los.

Two episodes in, and, if you’re like me, you’re probably ready to slap Williams. A metahuman who talks down to other metas because he’s “in the house” has a very familiar tone. The creators knew what they were doing when they developed the character, and they’ve done a tremendous job. And Building up this tension with him early is perfect, as it’s making people hate him immediately. So when he does get what’s coming to him, it’ll be satisfying to see. On the other hand, if he has a moment of redemption, this tension will make the moment feel earned.

Electric thoughts

This was a terrific second episode. It had everything from emotional moments, drama, and advancement of character development. Some of the characters are turning into thethings they hate, while others are becoming better people and heroes. This will probably be said often, but Black Lightning doesn’t need a lot of action to be entertaining. This is because the show relies mainly on its characters, which makes it more than effective.

Agent Odell continues to be a terrible person, and everything he did to Khalil is going to make Jennifer lose her cool. Especially when she finds out what he made him do. With the potential power of a nuclear bomb, she’s not a problem Odell or anyone from the A.S.A. wants. Speaking of Jennifer, her moment at the school was a big deal. She continues to be the absolute best part of the show.

Lightning Round

• The Tattooed Man is back and up to his old tricks by looking to sell drugs in Freeland. What’s even worse is that he has the briefcase the A.S.A. is looking for. There’s a scene with him and another gangster that made this writer’s entire day.
• We saw Black Bird get violent against the Perdi, innocent people she normally wouldn’t harm. It looks like things are starting to affect Anissa more than she realizes.
• Lynn and Jefferson had an argument over how each of them are dealing with being in lock-up. Could this be the thing that splits them apart?
• Gambi playing secret agent has been fun to watch and, hopefully, we’ll get more of it.
• The Markovians have arrived and they’re being really subtle. So when will things turn into all out war?
• We still haven’t seen Black Lightning in action. But he’s getting stronger, and it’ll be exciting to see what he can do.

What did you think of this week’s episode of Black Lightning? Let us know in the comments below.