Black Lightning season 4, episode 11 review: Trial and Errors

Things are starting to look good for the Pierce family on Black Lightning season 4. But before they can get better, Tobias gets something he wants.

Previously, on Black Lightning season 4, Tobias successfully took the powers away from every metahuman in Freeland. Simply put: If you were a meta and weren’t with Tobias Whale or had a special bracelet to negate the effects of the machine, you lost your powers. And this made him more powerful than anyone in town.

However, Lightning found a way to get her powers back and give herself a much needed recharge. While this was going on, Lynn and Jefferson were still dealing with their marital issues. It didn’t help that her ex-boyfriend came in and saved the day. What’s going to happen next? Let’s find out.

Here’s what happened in Black Lightning season 4, episode 11, “”The Book of Reunification: Chapter Two: Trial and Errors”.

Lightning’s powers aren’t working right

Lightning’s trip to the ionosphere did have a negative effect on her after all. While she was getting Tobias’ container of metahuman genes, her powers started acting irregular. She plays it off like it was nothing, but she knows something is up. To make things worse, Tobias sees her stopping his shipment. He starts to wonder what’s going on and has his computer look up Jennifer Pierce’s social media account and run her DNA.

This writer was wondering when anyone was going to put two and two together. It took Tobias long enough to figure out something was funky about the new Lightning. It’s shocking that it took this long. Not a great time for Jennifer’s powers to betray her.

The hits to Black Lightning keep on coming

Lynn’s lawyer, Keith Michaels, tells her that the best course of action is to take a plea deal. If she doesn’t, then all of her family’s secrets would be exposed – something that doesn’t sit well with Jefferson. It starts an argument between Jefferson and Keith as if Lynn isn’t actually there. In the end, Lynn says it’s her decision and that she’ll be the one to make it.

The scene switches to Tobias at home enjoying the announcement of his victory. He’s the new Mayor of Freeland. Before he could celebrate, however, Chief Ana Lopez comes by and says she needs more firepower. Tobias offers her metahuman serum. She declines until Tobias talks her into taking it. He tells her it’s no different than the police having guns since other criminals do.

Tobias has all of Freeland in his hands. He’s the mayor, he controls who does and doesn’t have powers, and it looks like he’s going to end up sending Lynn to jail. It’s been a masterful attempt at villainy. He even figured out that J.J. and Jennifer are the same person.

The ledger

TC puts Jefferson and Khalil back in contact. The latter tells Jefferson that he has a ledger that can clear his name. First, they need to get to Looker. It appears that Tobias has been paying her to make people do whatever she wants. Jefferson agrees to let Khalil help, but he needs her alive.

Next up, Jefferson is at a bar where he meets up with Detective Hassan Shakur. He tells him that he may be able to get him the ledger to help clear his name but that he needs his help to do it. Hassan tells Jefferson he has to meet Black Lightning. That’s when Jefferson reveals that he is Black Lightning.

Hassan isn’t happy. He feels like he’s been getting played the entire time. Who can blame him? Hassan has been putting his life and career on the line from the very beginning. Jefferson didn’t offer him the same courtesy. Granted, Jefferson can’t tell just anyone that he’s Black Lightning. Nevertheless, if Jefferson’s best friend Henderson trusted him, maybe Jefferson should have too.

Painkiller vs Looker

Looker reminded viewers of a couple of things. First, she’s an awful human being. Her racist comments are still a thing and that makes you detest her even more. Second, she backs up her trash talk. It took Khalil and Painkiller working together in their head to defeat her. Thankfully, they’ve had training keeping people from mind controlling them.

This episode was worth watching for this sequence alone. It was definitely the best fight of the series.

Black Lightning Review

Watching episodes like this is quite frustrating. How can episodes like this be so good, yet other episodes be so lacklustre? Everything about “Trial and Errors” was flawless. The actors put on great performances from start to finish, the episode was well-paced and things are starting to look good for the Pierce family and Black Lightning.

That said, there are still two more episodes of the Arrowverse series to go. Who knows what could happen before the series ends. Black Lightning season 4’s most tragic moment could still be waiting to strike.

Lightning Round

• It was good to see Looker again. She should have been around more. She’s also the perfect person to team up with Tobias.
• Is this writer the only person completely annoyed with Red? He’s the worst.
• Not seeing Black Lightning was weird. It does show how good Cress Williams is. He doesn’t need the suit to be good.
• Jennifer seeing the guy that she liked die was a heavy moment.
• Things are finally starting to look good for Black Lightning and the Pierce family. It was a long time coming.
• Khalil’s attitude is phenomenal. He has the best charisma on this show by a mile.
• Adding Black Rob’s “Whoa!” to Khalil and Looker’s fight scene was a nice touch and it made for a nice tribute.
• If you need a reason to get excited for the next episode, we’re going to see Ishmael vs Painkiller!

What did you think of this episode of Black Lightning season 4? Do you have any thoughts about what’s going to happen next? Let us know in the comments below!