'Black Lightning' Season 1, Episode 1 'The Resurrection' Recap: Here Comes the Thunder [SPOILERS]

Apparently, lightning does strike twice (someone had to make the joke). The CW premiers another series in its DC lineup with “Black Lightning,” following retired vigilante Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams) as he takes back the name, the suit, and the responsibility he had left behind nine years ago. Now, Black Lightning checks off all boxes that we’ve come to expect from the superhero genre. It’s the classic tale of a hero bringing justice back to his town with the help of his allies against a more significant threat. There’s the fight choreography, the CG effects, the over-the-top villain, and, of course, the flashy suit.
But Black Lightning also brings to the table something new and refreshing to the CW— a more in-depth look into real-world issues only given surface glimpses in other shows. The first 5 minutes of “The Resurrection” sees Jefferson dealing with the indignity of racial profiling, pushed down against the hood of his car while his daughters watch helplessly. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Like Netflix’s Luke Cage, Black Lightning is a cultural force—a mirror and voice into Black identity.

‘I’m Sick And Tired Of Being I’m Sick And Tired’

There’s an exchange near the beginning of Black Lightning’s “The Resurrection” between Jefferson and his daughter Anissa (Nafessa Williams) where they argue the cost of peace. Anissa had earlier attended a peaceful protest against the 100 Gang which swiftly became violent, ending in damaged police cars. “Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars,” Jefferson tells her. A quote from Dr. Martin Luthor King, Jr. Unimpressed, Anissa replies back with the words of Fannie Lou Hamer, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Not 5 seconds later Jefferson is dragged out of the car and searched by an overzealous police officer. Those words soon become the anthem of the episode.

Nine years ago, Jefferson gave up his role as Freeland’s protector. He did so partially at the demand of his then-wife – now ex-wife, Lynn (Christine Adams), who served him an ultimatum. The suit, or his family. Naturally, Jefferson chose to give up the suit, and in doing so salvaged a close-knit relationship with his daughters Anissa and Jennifer (China Anne McClain)—though he still lost his wife. But the episode later reveals his internal conflict also played a factor in his decision. Jefferson saw no end to the criminals he faced as Black Lightning, no realization of the justice he had tried so hard to create. Believing he could do more good out of the suit, he became the principal of Garfield High School. “I have saved more lives as a principal than I ever did as Black Lightning,” Jefferson declares. But it quickly becomes apparent that Freeland still needs their hero.

Black Lightning Is Back

Members of the 100 Gang populate Freeland’s streets, backed by crime boss Tobias Whale (Marvin Jones III), a longtime enemy of Black Lightning. This gang warfare ultimately leads to Black Lightning’s return. While partying at a club, Jefferson’s youngest daughter Jennifer gets caught up in a conflict between Will (Dabier) and Lala (William Catlett). Will, who owes Lala money, agrees to have Jennifer as a prostitute at the Seahorse Motel—a decision Jennifer vehemently fights. She just met the guy and wanted nothing to do with his debt issues. But though she manages to escape unscathed (after a brief appearance by her dad shorting out the club), the situation escalates when Will visits her at school. He kidnaps her and Anissa, bringing them to Lala to settle his debt.

But Lala lashes out at Will for acting without his permission. He and the other gangs have an unspoken agreement with Jefferson that his school—and his daughters—are off-limits. Because of Will’s impulse decision, Lala now faces a backlash from Jefferson, who he calls Freeland’s “Black Jesus.” He tells Will to handle the girls and then disappear himself. Thankfully, it never gets that far. After retrieving an updated suit from a tailor and pseudo-father figure Peter Gambi (James Remar), Jefferson shows up as Black Lightning at the motel. He manages to deal with the 100 Gang members, including Will, with his daughters none the wiser. But even with his family reunited, he can’t hang up the suit. As he tells Lynn, “It’s not over yet.”

‘Where’s The Future?’

Now presumably, it won’t be over until the 100 Gang is wiped out. Not an easy task with Tobias Whale lurking behind the scenes. We get a glimpse of him at the end of the episode, telling Lala to take care of the Black Lightning problem. And then there’s the issue of Anissa. Troubled by flashbacks, she accidentally activates her powers in the bathroom and destroys the sink. Here comes the Thunder…
“Black Lightning” continues next Tuesday, January 23rd, with “Lawanda: The Book of Hope” at 9/8c on The CW.