Black Lightning, since its start on The CW, was the only DC TV series to not exist with the overall Arrowverse. But 2019 became a big year for Jefferson Pierce and his series as Black Lightning officially joined the shared DC TV universe at the end of the year through Crisis on Infinite Earths. While the crossover still has two more parts to air, Black Lightning had a busy year overall both during season 2 and the ongoing third season. Season 2 focused heavily on fleshing out Anissa as Thunder while Jennifer began exploring her powers that ultimately took her down the path of becoming Lightning. The third season, prior to the Crisis, has been dealing with the Markovians
But the Markovians aren’t the only ones to have been causing trouble as the A.S.A. have been meddling around constantly with Agent Odell pulling many of the strings. With season 3 resuming after the crossover, which will be a new chapter for the series, it’s time to take a look at Black Lightning in 2019. These are the 10 best episodes of Black Lightning both from season 2 and 3.
The Book of Secrets: Chapter Two: Just and Unjust
Chapter 2 of “The Book of Secrets” arc was an emotionally charged hour for the second season. The episode heavily deals with Khalil’s funeral after passing away from his confrontation with Tobias.
But as much emotion as there was in this episode, there was plenty of drama to go around. With Tobias and Dr. Jace around and active, this became the beginning of their metahuman army.
The Book of Occupation: Chapter Five: Requiem for Tavon
Chapter 5 of “The Book of Occupation” makes one of the recurring guest characters the center focus as Tavon gets involved with the larger plot of season 3. After having been suspected to be a metahuman in the previous episode, Tavon was literally dragged out of class. While he was hiding with the Perdis in this episode thanks to Blackbird, Tavon becomes one of Painkiller’s victims down the line.
Despite Tavon’s heartbreaking death, some good came out of “Requiem for Tavon.” The moment when Henderson reveals that he has secretly been working with expanding the resistance force against A.S.A., it gave the heroes a small victory.
The Book of Occupation: Chapter Four: Lynn’s Ouroboros
Lynn has had an intense year thus far in season 3 and chapter 4 of “The Book of Occupation” goes deep into that. “Lynn’s Ouroboros” focuses heavily on the fact that Agent Odell is pretty much enjoying Lynn’s newly developed addiction to Green Light. If anyone who completely despises Odell then this episode probably boosted that feeling against him.
While Jefferson deals with his return to Garfield High, things escalate for Jennifer as her partnership with Odell grows. Even though Odell’s involvement is shady, it still didn’t take away the amazing final shot of Jennifer in her suit outside of Earth’s atmosphere.
The Book of Occupation: Chapter Two: Maryam’s Tasbih
Chapter 2 of “The Book of Occupation” continues to showcase the A.S.A.’s growing control over Freeland. But a major highlight is Lala, who always comes back no matter what, taking over the 100 gang with Tobias locked up. Another focus is Jefferson and Lynn dealing with being held at the A.S.A. which only helps make the organization be more hated.
With the title “Maryam’s Tasbih”, the episode also centers on Maryam Luqman, a metahuman with the power of camouflage. But her declining health causes Maryam to eventually pass away by the end of the episode. Let’s not forget that Khalil, now fully in Painkiller mode under Odell’s control, ends up killing his own mother.
The Book of Secrets: Chapter Four: Original Sin
During season 2, “The Book of Secrets” was one of the many intense arcs and the fourth installment was no difference. “Original Sin” is a major one for Lala as he goes after Jefferson right at the start of the episode. What felt like maybe 20 minutes of airtime was probably an eternity for Jefferson as he, in his own classroom, is being held captive at gunpoint by Lala.
Despite being shot by Lala, Jefferson makes it out alive in the end while also seeing the inner struggle that Lala is going through thanks to what Tobias did to him. Out of all the arcs in the episode, this one is that shines the most as it gets really intense and brings out some powerful performances between Cress Williams and Will Catlett.
The Book of Rebellion: Chapter Three: Angelitos Negros
The third and final chapter in “The Book of Rebellion” concludes Jennifer and Khalil’s little runaway story in a major way. While Jennifer returns to her family, Khalil goes through literal hell when Tobias manages to get a hold of him.
Being the one who gave Khalil the ability to walk again, Tobias literally tears out Khalil’s spinal implant. That scene alone makes “Angelitos Negros” one of the show’s most brutal episodes of all time.
The Book of the Apocalypse: Chapter One: The Alpha
Part 1 of the season finale “The Book of Apocalypse” begins bringing everything full circle for Black Lightning’s second season. Despite Jefferson and his family trying to get back to a somewhat normal life, Freeland had other plans for them.
Tobias and Dr. Jace manage to awaken a few members of the Masters of Disaster that become one of the final threats to the heroes in season 2. But as part 1 concludes, Jennifer’s debut on the field takes a wrong turn.
The Book of the Apocalypse: Chapter Two: The Omega
Following “The Alpha”, part 2 titled “The Omega” concludes season 2 with lots of action, suspense and mystery that set up the third season.
From Black Lightning and Thunder stopping the Masters of Disaster to Lightning going after Tobias, there is a lot to enjoy from the season finale. But as Tobias is stopped, this is where the threat of the Markovians truly begins.
The Book of Occupation: Chapter Three: Agent Odell’s Pipe-Dream
Chapter 3 of “The Book of Occupation” is where Odell, with an agenda, begins to give Jefferson some incentive while manipulating Jennifer.
For Jefferson, he gets his brand new amazing costume that literally lits up Freeland’s longtime hero. While Odell lets Lynn and Jefferson go, it is made very clear that the Pierces are nowhere near in being free from the A.S.A.’s control.
The Book of Resistance: Chapter Four: Earth Crisis
Despite not being marketed by The CW as a Crisis on Infinite Earths connected episode, chapter 4 of “The Book of Resistance” is unofficially the sixth Crisis episode. China Anne McClain steals the show as she gets to play several versions of Lightning in “Earth Crisis.”
As the Crisis begins spreading across the Multiverse, the episode ends with this Earth being destroyed. However, Jefferson gets sent to Earth-1 to join the rest of the Arrowverse heroes in the ongoing threat, which sets up his debut during The Flash portion of the crossover.
