Black Lightning season 4, episode 3 review: Despite All My Rage

Jefferson helps a friend without being his alter-ego only to have his soul crushed at the end of Black Lightning season 4’s latest episode.

Previously, on Black Lightning season 4, the Pierce family drifted further apart from each other. Jefferson continued his dangerous path of rage and anger. Gambi was frustrated with the way Jefferson has been acting and that frustration led him to accept a job that’s going to take time away from assisting with the hero side of things.

Elsewhere, Lynn and Jennifer collided over the latter’s future, partially due to Jennifer becoming more addicted to using her powers. Anissa really seems to be the only one keeping it together. And if all of that conflict wasn’t bad enough, Tobias has upgraded his powers so that he’s now immune to Jefferson’s lightning.

Every episode has made the Pierces’ lives more difficult. It’s too bad things are going to get worse in the Arrowverse series.

Black Lightning season 4’s latest opening

This episode of Black Lightning starts with a dream sequence in which Jefferson is fighting Tobias in his home after the villain threatens Jefferson and his family. Unfortunately, Tobias is unfazed by anything Jefferson throws at him. When we get to the present, however, Jefferson is talking to his therapist about the dream. She forces him to admit that the dream is about how he feels like he failed his family and his community.

As important as this is, two things come to mind when watching this scene. First, having Jefferson in therapy normalizes the idea of one talking about their problems. Therapy in the black community is something that is finally becoming normalized so seeing it featured here on TV may help people a great deal.

As far as the narrative goes, this writer still believes the therapist is up to something. She’s working for the opposition in some way, right?

Elsewhere, Lala decides to focus his attention on something else by creating a virtual fighting arena – somewhere that people can gamble online that also leaves him less vulnerable to Blackbird and anyone else who may come after him. This is the smartest thing he’s done all season. For once, he’s not just reacting to things. Lala’s actually thinking first.

His actions throughout the episode also indicate that he’s not someone to be messed with – a reputation he has longed to create for himself.

Things get better then worse on Black Lightning

Thankfully, something good happened in this episode as Grace finally woke up. After months of worrying, Anissa finally got to see her loved one doing better. With everything that’s happening, we, the viewers, needed some good news – something to break up the sorrowful moments that the season has already been full of. Grace waking up was a welcome surprise.

Granted, nothing good happens without something bad happening around the corner. On that note, Jennifer attempts to change the perception of her on the news while Jefferson’s colleague must fight inside the Steel Cage to make money for his family. As sad as this is, he’s doing whatever he can do to protect his family. However, he finds himself up against Jefferson – who goes into the steel cage next.

Jefferson takes a beating before he inevitably wins the fight. Of course, no one thought Jefferson was actually going to lose this fight – especially since he was helping a friend. This is a wonderful moment that continues to showcase the man that he truly is – and letting his friend stay in his old home was a real nice touch.

Just as Jefferson was riding high from his recent adventure, however, he walks in on his wife having a romantic dinner with Tobias. Of all the people for him to see his wife with, it’s the man who killed his father, threatened his family, and is currently tormenting his life. Jefferson didn’t react like we all thought he would have, however, as he left the scene. Then again, how do you respond to seeing the woman you love having a low-lit dinner with your mortal enemy?

Final thoughts

This week’s installment of Black Lightning season 4 was the strongest episode thus far. That’s not to say the others were bad, but this one was a step up. There were plenty of emotional moments (and not all of them were heartbreaking) and the cast delivered.

The worrisome part, however, is how things took an eventual turn. As soon as Jefferson had a good day, he walked in on Lynn having a romantic dinner with Tobias. Jennifer cleared her name only to start having some serious issues. On the other hand, Anissa and Grace finally got married and nothing bad happened… yet.

This has definitely been a tense season so far and “”The Book of Reconstruction: Chapter Three: Despite All My Rage…” has been the best episode yet.

Grade: A+

Lightning Round

• Gambi is always a step ahead. While it appeared that he was leaving Black Lightning, he was actually looking for information on the new weaponry.
• Tobias going directly to the mayor of Freeland was a bold move.
• Tobias is still making moves on Lynn. With everything that’s happening with her and Jefferson, she may accept his advances. Could she? Would she?
• Tobias’ proposal isn’t all dirty. It doesn’t come from a clean hand, but it does have some benefits.
• How is Jefferson going to react to Tobias putting the moves on his wife? We can assume that there will be consequences.
• Jefferson helping someone as himself and not Black Lightning is furthering his idea that Black Lightning is better off retired. How long until he puts the suit back on?
• Jennifer going to the ionosphere is clearly affecting her more than anyone knows.  Her body is radiating more energy and that’s not a good thing.

What were your thoughts on Black Lightning season 4, episode 3? How do you think Jefferson is going to react to Lynn with Tobias? What’s going on with Jennifer’s powers? Let us know in the comments below!