Black Lightning’s debut season ends on high note

The ASA is closing in on the Pierce family, but faith and trust get them through in Black Lightning’s season finale.

Black Lightning’s first season had to end on a win – wrapping up the first chapter of this story to make you feel good. With the Pierce family coming together to protect each other and rid Freeland of Proctor and the ASA, it was a reminder that this family is best when they stick together.

The Pierce family didn’t stray too far from that all season. They are one of the best families on TV, even if Jeff and Lynn are divorced – but that’s not going to last. There were a few moments where secrets led them astray, but their faith in each other allowed their best qualities to come forward with powers that complement each other.

It was a little touch-and-go in the beginning with Jeff’s vital going haywire after Jennifer shocked him back to life. But crazy vitals are still better than no vitals.

More from CW

• The CW’s culture of pulling shows continues as Everyone Else Burns and Run the Burbs are removed from the schedule
• All American: Homecoming season 3 release updates, strike delay, and more
• The CW is out of the superhero business with Superman and Lois canceled
• The Spencer Sisters filming locations: Where is the CW drama filmed?
• The Librarians: The Next Chapter release updates and everything we know so far

While unconscious, Jeff had flashbacks of important moments that defined his life. He also had a conversation with dead father, telling him that he was sorry he couldn’t do more for him. But Jeff’s father was able to tell him things that wouldn’t resonate from anyone else – and stuff he needed to hear.

Jeff’s father told him only he would know if everything he did, the sacrifice, the violence was worth it in the end. Making a better Freeland and snatch it back from the hands of corrupt and vile people certainly seems worth it.

Thankfully, he also told Jeff needed to finish his business and sent him packing.

Jeff woke up just in time. The ASA found the safehouse and Black Lightning, Thunder, Jennifer, Lynn and Gambi had to suit up to take on the agents who marked them for death. Jennifer and Lynn fought for their lives, but they did it for family. They did it to protect the people they love from hateful, immoral thugs.

Meanwhile Proctor wants to get a sample of Black Lightning’s DNA to stabilize the first group of subjects he kidnapped 30 years ago. His evil speeches were a bit over the top, saying let’s ‘Make America Great Again’ more than once, channeling his inner white supremacy.

Yet, the writers weren’t trying to hide it. All of Proctor’s employees were white, and he couldn’t help but put down the Black community. When trying to justify what he did to the kids in Freeland, he said they would wind up in prison or on welfare anyway.

That prompted Jennifer to give him a good thumping with her powers.

The hypocrisy wasn’t lost on the Pierce family that Proctor needed Jeff, a Black man, to complete his project.

But eventually Gambi killed Proctor, taking the task away from the Pierce family. Though some how it felt Gambi killed Proctor to hide another secret after he called Gambi a monster. Yet we cheered on the death anyway because Proctor needed to go for a number of reasons: he was a terrible person, but his villain was also a total cliché.

Tobias Whale, on the other hand, is a much more dynamic bad guy. We learned he gets his powers from a serum, so he is not a metahuman. But the difference between Tobias and Proctor is Tobias isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.

Tobias’ role on Black Lightning isn’t through – not even close.

Next: Black Lightning: Jeff faces indignities and injustices, but finds redemption

While he didn’t get a chance to avenge his sister’s death and take down Black Lightning, he did convert Khalil into Painkiller, tearing him away from Jennifer – a consequence he doesn’t know about yet. He also opened a briefcase belonging to Proctor that got him all giddy.

“You’re looking at the new king of Freeland,” Tobias told Cyanide after getting a peek of the contents. We didn’t learn what was in the briefcase – needing to save a little something for season 2.

Black Lightning’s first season concluded and it is one of the best superhero shows, combining action, activism and sense of community to create compelling TV.

What did you think of Black Lightning’s first season? Hit the comments and let us know.