Black Lightning (season 1)

Black Lightning (season 1)
Promotional poster
Starring
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 13
Release
Original network The CW
Original release January 16 (2018-01-16) – April 17, 2018 (2018-04-17)
Season chronology

The first season of the American television series Black Lightning, based on the DC Comics character Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning, premiered on The CW on January 16, 2018 and ran for 13 episodes until April 17, 2018. The season introduces us to Jefferson Pierce, a high school principal who retired from his superhero identity Black Lightning nine years ago after seeing the effects it had on his family, is forced to become a hero again when the rise of the local gang called The 100 leads to increased crime and corruption in his community of Freeland. The season is produced by Berlanti Productions, Akil Productions, Warner Bros. Television, and DC Entertainment, with Salim Akil serving as showrunner.

The season was ordered in May 2017 as a pilot and filming began in September. Cress Williams stars as Jefferson, along with principal cast members China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Marvin "Krondon" Jones III, Christine Adams, Damon Gupton, and James Remar.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

  • Kyanna Simone Simpson as Kiesha Henderson
  • Skye P. Marshall as Kara Fowdy
  • William Catlett as Latavius "Lala" Johnson / Tattoo Man
  • Dabier as Will
  • Charlbi Dean as Syonide
  • Eric Mendenhall as Joey Toledo
  • Tracey Bonner as Lawanda White
  • Jordan Calloway as Khalil Payne / Painkiller
  • Chantal Thuy as Grace Choi
  • Edwina Findley as Tori Whale
  • Gregg Henry as Martin Proctor
  • Jason Louder as Frank "Two-Bits" Tanner

Guest

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
11"The Resurrection"Salim AkilSalim AkilJanuary 16, 2018 (2018-01-16)T43.100012.31[6]
After his older daughter Anissa is arrested for protesting, high school principal and retired superhero Jefferson Pierce is again pulled over for a crime he did not commit. The last straw comes when his youngest daughter Jennifer gets in trouble at a club owned by a gang called "The 100" and he is forced to use his powers to rescue her. Peter Gambi, his mentor and friend, urges him to become Black Lightning again, but Jefferson refuses to break the promise he made to his ex-wife, Lynn, to give up heroics in hopes of reconciling with her. A 100 gangbanger named Will and his friends abduct Jennifer and Anissa despite an agreement between Jefferson and the gang. Lynn temporarily frees him from his promise in order to save their daughters. With Gambi's help, he rescues the girls from the 100 at the Seahorse Motel. However, he is unable to find Will's boss Lala. After being brought to the head of the 100, Tobias Whale, by his two underlings Syonide and Joey Toledo, Lala is instructed to kill Black Lightning. Anissa's trauma activates her own powers, causing her to break a sink in half.
22"Lawanda: The Book of Hope"Oz ScottSalim AkilJanuary 23, 2018 (2018-01-23)T43.100021.94[7]
Jefferson assures Lynn that he is giving up his Black Lightning identity for good. However, he learns that the 100 are still running prostitutes at the Seahorse Motel and that his daughters are being targeted as witnesses. Jefferson asks Gambi to help him find Lala by hacking the police's database. Anissa's girlfriend offers to get her a therapist. Will escapes police custody, but is captured and executed by Lala. Lawanda, a former student of Jefferson's, tries to free her daughter from the grip of the 100 and he promises to help her. Lawanda is killed when she confronts Lala at the Seahorse Motel. Blaming himself for her death, Jefferson throws aside his concerns and prepares to go after the 100. Lynn visits Gambi and asks him to convince her husband otherwise, but he refuses. Using information from Will's recovered phone, Jefferson suits up and storms the hotel where Lala is hiding, beating him severely just before the police arrive to arrest him. While out shopping, Anissa subdues a robber with her powers. Using his connections with Deputy Chief Zeke Cayman after the Seahorse Motel was shut down, Tobias gets access to Lala's cell and strangles him with only one hand.
33"Lawanda: The Book of Burial"Mark TonderaiJan NashJanuary 30, 2018 (2018-01-30)T43.100032.21[8]
Following Lawanda's death, Reverend Holt plans to orchestrate a peace march in light of the 100's crime waves, much to the dismay of Jefferson and Inspector Henderson. Anissa meets Grace Choi and experiments with her new abilities. Tobias talks with Lady Eve and instructs his minions to massacre the peace march in exchange for Lala's place in the ranks. Though Black Lightning succeeds in stopping the assailant, Tobias is nearby as Syonide shoots Reverend Holt. The bullet goes through Reverend Holt and hits Khalil, Jennifer’s boyfriend. At the hospital, Jefferson sees the mixed news about the opinions of Black Lightning from the peace marchers and Inspector Henderson. At the tailor shop, Gambi deletes evidence that Tobias was the one responsible for the reverend and Khalil being shot. Back at the hospital, Lynn assures Anissa that she will be there for her. Jefferson and Jennifer tell them that Reverend Holt is doing well but Khalil won't walk again. As Jefferson embraces his family, he continues to see the news about Black Lightning as other peace marchers praise his heroic actions.
44"Black Jesus"Michael SchultzPat CharlesFebruary 6, 2018 (2018-02-06)T43.100041.88[9]
One of Jefferson's students, Bernard, almost overdoses on a new strength-enhancing street drug, Green Light. Jefferson is forced to use his powers to knock him out. The school board wants Bernard expelled but lets him stay when Jefferson cedes final authority over student matters to the board. Gambi and Jefferson track Green Light to a mid-level dealer named Two Bits, an old friend of Jefferson's. When he dismisses Jefferson, Black Lightning gets him to reveal the location of a warehouse. Anissa and Grace are confronted outside a bar and Anissa uses her strength on the two thugs. Gambi erases the security footage, but keeps a photo of Anissa's footprint. Black Lightning saves Bernard from a drug den and Jefferson puts him in rehab. Jennifer quits track to focus on supporting Khalil. Lady Eve gets impatient with Tobias, who entered the criminal world after being forced out of city council for supposedly killing Black Lightning. Tobias has Joey Toledo murder the morgue doctor who told him Black Lighting was dead. Tobias' sister Tori arrives and proposes turning the people against Black Lightning. Tobias pays Khalil's medical bills and tells him that it's Black Lightning's fault he'll never walk again.
55"And Then the Devil Brought the Plague: The Book of Green Light"Rose TrocheAdam GiaudroneFebruary 13, 2018 (2018-02-13)T43.100051.81[10]
Gambi alters Black Lightning's suit for flight as Jefferson experiences severe headaches. Tobias visits Gambi, looking for Black Lightning's identity, but Gambi denies knowing and tells Tobias that he's breaking their deal by coming to him. Black Lightning tracks Green Light's to Joey Toledo. Jennifer defends herself against two girls at a skating rink. While Jefferson and Lynn take responsibility upon being confronted by one of the girls' parents, they are impressed with Jennifer. Tori tells Tobias he needs to finally deal with their abusive father, Eldridge. Now an old man, Tobias breaks his father's back and convinces Tori to let him die. Anissa discovers that, decades ago, her grandfather, reporter Alvin Pierce, had a story on the disappearance of nine enhanced teenagers. The newspaper wouldn't print the story and Alvin was murdered a week later. Anissa visits the paper's editor who says "they" are still watching. Nevertheless, he gives her some files and Anissa puts together a suit and explores a storage unit. On a tip from Inspector Henderson, Black Lightning confronts Toledo, but his headaches incapacitate him, allowing Toledo to escape as he vows to Black Lightning that Tobias will kill him.
66"Three Sevens: The Book of Thunder"Benny BoomCharles HollandFebruary 27, 2018 (2018-02-27)T43.100061.64[11]
Joey Toledo contacts Deputy Chief Cayman and Gambi picks up Black Lightning before the police can find him. The next day, Jefferson deals with Anissa getting in trouble with the police in relation to vandalism of a Confederate general's statue, as well as Vice Principal Kara Fowdy showing cyber-bullying videos about Jennifer. Meanwhile, Lynn compares the brain scans of those on Green Light and Black Lightning. While Black Lightning prepares for a confrontation with Tobias, Anissa uses her powers to destroy the Confederate general's statue after she learns that someone was killed over it. Afterwards, Anissa contacts Lynn to reveal her powers. Due to an attack at the hospital, Black Lightning cancels his planned attack on Tobias. Anissa shows up and fights off the thieves; Black Lightning battles and injures her, thinking that she was attacking Lynn. After realizing who she is, Lynn and Jefferson call Gambi for help. Gambi visits Lady Eve, having trained her, and makes a deal to keep the Pierce family off-limits to the 100, who want to stop Lynn's research. Meanwhile, Khalil takes up Tobias's offer to walk again. Anissa awakes and discovers that her father is Black Lightning.
77"Equinox: The Book of Fate"Bille WoodruffLamont MageeMarch 6, 2018 (2018-03-06)T43.100071.46[12]
Since the discovery of Anissa's metahuman powers, Lynn has been examining her and discovers that Anissa also has accelerated healing powers. Gambi comes clean to Jefferson about not telling him that Tobias is back in town. Investigating the break-in at the hospital, Inspector Henderson gets the description of the criminals responsible and believes the 100 are responsible. He also grows suspicious that they have targeted Jefferson's daughters and ex-wife. After visiting Lady Eve about Tobias, a disguised Gambi enters Tobias' club and kills Toledo to make Tobias fall in line. Despite not wanting Anissa to put herself in danger, Lynn asks Gambi to make a suit for Anissa. Black Lightning fights Tobias and his henchmen at his club, which results in Tobias getting wounded and Tori accidentally getting killed by a stray bullet. During this time, Tobias' henchmen use special electrical guns to kill Lady Eve and her minions. After a talk with Anissa, Black Lightning gets a call from Henderson believing he killed Lady Eve. In the final scene, Lala is in a hotel room as he is brought back to life with Lawanda's head tattooed on his chest.
88"The Book of Revelations"Tanya HamiltonJan NashMarch 13, 2018 (2018-03-13)T43.100081.45[13]
Two henchmen are surprised to see Lala back from the dead. Lawanda talks to him, seductively encouraging violence. Gambi meets with ASA member Martin Proctor, who sees Black Lightning as a threat to the Freeland experiment and wants him dead. Examining Lady Eve's body, Jefferson and Anissa trace the weapon's radiation; finding it and the body of Lady Eve's killer. Meanwhile, Jennifer is startled at school, causing her to unlock her own electrical powers. After calling Henderson, Jefferson and Anissa hide nearby when they see someone coming close. While Jefferson sneaks up on the person, Anissa sees that it is about to explode and activates her powers to shield her father. Jefferson suspects the 100 intercepted his call to Henderson. Lynn finds that Green Light was similar to a vaccine that was found in Alvin Pierce's locker from 30 years ago. Gambi admits that his real name is Peter Esposito and that he withheld information to protect Jefferson and his family from the ASA, who made the vaccine and hunt metahumans. Jefferson warns Gambi to stay away from his family. Jennifer confides in Anissa about her electrical powers.
99"The Book of Little Black Lies"Tawnia McKernanKeli GoffMarch 20, 2018 (2018-03-20)T43.100091.55[14]
Anissa reveals her own powers and the fact that their father is Black Lightning to Jennifer, which leaves Jennifer feeling betrayed. Three separate investigations of Inspector Henderson into the corrupt police officers, Gambi into the electrical weapons, and Jefferson and Anissa into Green Light from Alvin's research all lead to the same lab where the drug is currently being manufactured. Gambi gives Anissa her costume as Thunder and says he made a mistake in keeping secrets, but that he was just trying to protect the ones he loves. With help from her mother, Jennifer is able to see why her parents lied but doesn't want to save the world, mourning her loss of her chance at a normal life. Black Lightning and Thunder attack the Green Light lab together and Inspector Henderson is able to make a few arrests before they blow it up. ASA agents attack with weapons to disable Black Lightning's powers, but Thunder saves him. At home, Jennifer is able to forgive her father who promises to be honest with her from now on as they watch The Princess and the Frog.
1010"Sins of the Father: The Book of Redemption"Eric LaneuvillePat CharlesMarch 27, 2018 (2018-03-27)T43.100101.55[15]
Thunder investigates Gambi's tip and finds that the kids from 30 years ago are still alive. When she brings Black Lightning to the lab, it's empty and they fight off ASA agents again. Two Bits sees one of Jefferson's students display powers and get kidnapped, telling Jefferson. Meanwhile, Lala begins seeing Will, now also tattooed on his chest, as a ghost. He also exhibits increased strength, which he uses to take over the 100 while planning revenge on Tobias. Jennifer flares up with electricity during an argument with Anissa. Lynn discovers that while Jefferson merely manipulates electricity, Jennifer can generate it. Martin Proctor and the ASA kidnap and torture Gambi, demanding Black Lightning's identity, and take Jefferson away while he mentors a child to get Gambi to talk. Jefferson uses his powers, allowing Gambi to escape. Gambi begins healing in his basement base and the Pierce family hides in Alvin's old house. Gambi tells Jefferson to find the new ASA spotter in the community that finds kids with powers. At the new location of the stasis pods holding the kids, Proctor has realized that Jefferson is Black Lightning and informs Vice Principal Fowdy, who is the new spotter.
1111"Black Jesus: The Book of Crucifixion"Michael SchultzMelora RiveraApril 3, 2018 (2018-04-03)T43.100111.50[16]
Black Lightning and Thunder raid another location and find that the bodies have been moved again. Vice Principal Kara Fowdy tells a scientist to keep an eye on the stasis pods stable, but one teenager from 30 years ago dies. From the shadows, Fowdy instructs Deputy Chief Cayman to have Jefferson framed for possession of Green Light. In an online discussion with her bosses, Fowdy is told that the federal agents will take Jefferson to the black site to determine if he is Black Lightning. While Lynn tries to find a lawyer that can defend Jefferson, Henderson visits Jefferson's cell, as he acts out an interrogation with Jefferson by talking about why his daughters were kidnapped by Lala. Thanks to Gambi, Thunder runs after his remote-controlled car using a hologram of Black Lightning; to fool everyone into believing Jefferson cannot be Black Lightning. Henderson is able to catch Detective Glennon and convinces him to snitch on the rest. Henderson has Jefferson released and Cayman is arrested for his corruption. Jefferson is exonerated and Henderson is sworn in as the new Deputy Chief of Police. Gambi joins the Pierce family for dinner to celebrate Jefferson's exoneration.
1212"The Resurrection and the Light: The Book of Pain"Oz ScottJan Nash & Adam GiaudroneApril 10, 2018 (2018-04-10)T13.100121.54[17]
After recuperating, Tobias is told by Martin Proctor to capture Black Lightning alive. To aid in this mission, Khalil emerges where he was given a spinal implant to help him walk again. Gambi confronts a weapon maker for information about Proctor. While the weapon maker finds the information, he is confronted by Lala. Meanwhile, Lynn works to help Jennifer with her condition. Under orders of Tobias, Khalil as "Painkiller" attacks Jefferson High using paralysis needles based from a toxin his implant now creates; to draw out Black Lightning so that they can find out who he is. When Black Lightning confronts Khalil, Tobias joins the fight. As Jennifer works to get control of her abilities, Thunder faces off against Syonide. As Tobias restrains Black Lightning, Khalil does a strike that stops Black Lightning's heart, for which Tobias reprimands him. Syonide covers their escape as Jennifer resuscitates Black Lightning. The family retreats to a wooded cabin and Gambi cloaks them from tracking. Following the incident at the school, Proctor tells Kara Fowdry to find Black Lightning. Meanwhile, Lala is brought to Tobias by Syonide. Tobias places Lala under his control using a mystical phrase and plans on taking out Proctor next.
1313"Shadow of Death: The Book of War"Salim AkilCharles D. HollandApril 17, 2018 (2018-04-17)T43.100131.68[18]
Near death, Jefferson's late father Alvin motivates him to wake up. When he does, his powers are gone. With the metahuman occupants dying, Martin Proctor demands living metahuman DNA from Tobias, who sends Lala to him with a bomb. Tobias reveals that he revived Lala and that the tattoos and ghosts of his victims are side effects of his revival. As Proctor sends agents to the cabin, Inspector Henderson gets word and the police pursue. Jennifer restores her father's powers, increasing their chances of survival against the ASA agents and evasion of the police. Tobias’ group attacks the ASA headquarters and only Proctor is able to escape. The Pierce family confronts Proctor and Gambi, realizing he is running a rogue operation, kills him. When the scientist states that he needs the briefcase to deal with the pods' inhabitants, Lynn states that she knows someone who can help them. The details of the ASA's experiments are exposed to the media, causing a government scandal. The public recognizes Black Lightning and Thunder as public heroes for having stopped the rogue government conspiracy. Tobias opens Proctor's briefcase using his severed thumbs; this provides Tobias the means he needs to eliminate Black Lightning.

Reception

Ratings

No. Title Air dateRating/share
(18–49)		Viewers
(millions)		DVR
(18–49)		DVR viewers
(millions)		Total
(18–49)		Total viewers
(millions)
1 "The Resurrection" January 16, 20180.8/32.31[6]N/A1.32N/A3.63[19]
2 "Lawanda: The Book of Hope" January 23, 20180.6/21.94[7]0.71.541.33.48[20]
3 "Lawanda: The Book of Burial" January 30, 20180.8/32.21[8]0.61.541.43.77[21]
4 "Black Jesus" February 6, 20180.6/21.88[9]0.61.391.23.27[22]
5 "And Then the Devil Brought the Plague: The Book of Green Light" February 13, 20180.5/21.81[10]N/AN/AN/AN/A
6 "Three Sevens: The Book of Thunder" February 27, 20180.5/21.64[11]0.51.171.02.80[23]
7 "Equinox: The Book of Fate" March 6, 20180.5/21.46[12]0.41.030.92.48[24]
8 "The Book of Revelations" March 13, 20180.5/21.45[13]0.40.960.92.41[25]
9 "The Book of Little Black Lies" March 20, 20180.5/21.55[14]0.40.910.92.47[26]
10 "Sins of the Father: The Book of Redemption" March 27, 20180.5/21.55[15]0.40.920.92.47[27]
11 "Black Jesus: The Book of Crucifixion" April 3, 20180.5/21.50[16]0.30.830.82.33[28]
12 "The Resurrection and the Light: The Book of Pain" April 10, 20180.5/21.54[17]0.30.860.82.40[29]
13 "Shadow of Death: The Book of War" April 17, 20180.5/21.68[18]0.40.830.92.51[30]

References

  1. ↑ "Lawanda: The Book of Hope". Black Lightning. Season 1. Episode 2. January 23, 2018. The CW.
  2. ↑ "Lawanda: The Book of Burial". Black Lightning. Season 1. Episode 3. January 30, 2018. The CW.
  3. ↑ "And Then the Devil Brought the Plague: The Book of Green Light". Black Lightning. Season 1. Episode 5. February 13, 2018. The CW.
  4. ↑ "Three Sevens: The Book of Thunder". Black Lightning. Season 1. Episode 6. February 27, 2018. The CW.
  5. 1 2 3 "Shadow of Death: The Book of War". Black Lightning. Season 1. Episode 13. April 17, 2018. The CW.
  6. 1 2 Porter, Rick (January 18, 2018). "Originals all hold, 'Modern Family' rerun adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  7. 1 2 Welch, Alex (January 24, 2018). "'LA to Vegas' and 'Bull' adjust down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  8. 1 2 Porter, Rick (January 31, 2018). "'Fresh Off the Boat' adjusts down, plus State of the Union analysis numbers: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  9. 1 2 Porter, Rick (February 7, 2018). "'NCIS' and 'Bull' adjust up: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  10. 1 2 Porter, Rick (February 14, 2018). "Olympics, 'Bachelor Winter Games,' all others hold: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  11. 1 2 Porter, Rick (February 28, 2018). "'The Voice' and 'Kevin (Probably) Saves the World' adjust up: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  12. 1 2 Porter, Rick (March 7, 2018). "'This Is Us' adjusts up, 'Lethal Weapon' adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  13. 1 2 Porter, Rick (March 14, 2018). "'This Is Us,' 'The Voice,' 'NCIS,' 'Black-ish' adjust up, 'Rise' adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  14. 1 2 Porter, Rick (March 21, 2018). "'The Voice,' 'The Middle' and 'LA to Vegas' adjust up: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  15. 1 2 Porter, Rick (March 28, 2018). "'Roseanne,' 'The Voice' & 'The Mick' adjust up, 'Bull' and 'Splitting Up Together' down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  16. 1 2 Porter, Rick (April 4, 2018). "'Rise' adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  17. 1 2 Porter, Rick (April 11, 2018). "Roseanne,' 'The Middle,' 'Lethal Weapon' adjust up, 'Black-ish' down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  18. 1 2 Porter, Rick (April 18, 2018). "'NCIS,' 'Alex, Inc,' 'Lethal Weapon,' 'The Flash' adjust up, 'For The People' down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  19. ↑ Porter, Rick (February 1, 2018). "'This Is Us,' 'The Good Doctor' both double in week 17 broadcast Live +7 ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  20. ↑ Porter, Rick (February 8, 2018). "'This Is Us' sets NBC records in week 18 broadcast Live +7 ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  21. ↑ Porter, Rick (February 15, 2018). "Closing the book on the Super Bowl 'This Is Us': Week 19 broadcast Live +7 ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  22. ↑ Porter, Rick (February 22, 2018). "'The Good Doctor' and 'This Is Us' on top again: Week 20 broadcast Live +7 ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  23. ↑ Porter, Rick (March 15, 2018). "'Agents of SHIELD,' 16 other shows double in week 23 broadcast Live +7 ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  24. ↑ Porter, Rick (March 22, 2018). "'This Is Us' leads the week 24 broadcast Live +7 ratings – by quite a bit". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  25. ↑ Porter, Rick (March 29, 2018). "'This Is Us' goes out on top: Week 25 broadcast Live +7 ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  26. ↑ Porter, Rick (April 6, 2018). "'The Good Doctor' scores highest in week 26 broadcast Live +7 ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  27. ↑ Porter, Rick (April 11, 2018). "'Roseanne' premiere sets a record in week 27 broadcast Live +7 ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  28. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (April 18, 2018). "Live+7 Weekly Ratings: 'Jane the Virgin' on CW Leads in Percentage Lifts". Programming Insider. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  29. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (April 24, 2018). "Live+7 Weekly Ratings: 'Designated Survivor' on ABC More Than Doubles its Same-Day Figures and Leads All of Broadcast in Percentage Boosts". Programming Insider. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  30. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (May 1, 2018). "Live+7 Weekly Ratings: 'Scandal' Series Finale on ABC Ranks 7th Among Broadcast Network Prime Time Telecasts in Adults 18-49 Raw Lifts". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
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