BLACK LIGHTNING - SEASON 3.2

REVIEW:  BLACK LIGHTNING - SEASON 3, EP. 2:  "The Book Of Occupation - Chapter 2:  Maryam's Tasbah"

Wheels within wheels.  People making moves.  Things are really starting to get interesting in Freeland.  Who would've thought that THIS little town would be the epicenter of a potential war between the United States and the tiny European country of Markovia?  And BOTH sides want to arm themselves with metahumans to fight.  The Markovian Army is in town, and they're NOT here for the local cuisine or take in what little sights there are.  They're armed to the teeth, and looking to steal away the pod kids and any Green Light addicts away from the ASA.  Meanwhile, the Pierce family have their own issues to deal with:  Jeff has been able to use his new abilities to "peek around", Lynn is steadfast by his side, Anissa is the one holding down the fort as best she can for the town, and Jennifer is just trying to fit in.  Gambi's working on a plan to take down the ASA...and Inspector Henderson has his hands tied thanks to the ASA's pet monkey, Commander Williams.  

And....SOMEWHERE in all this mess...the Tattoo Man has the coveted briefcase that the ASA wants DESPERATELY, and he's making moves to take back his turf.

Have we covered it all?

The second installment of Season 3 of Black Lightning was another quality show, with everyone getting some equal screen time, and really moving the story along.  We even got the reappearance of the Perdi, as Anissa was rescued by them before the Markovian Army got to her.  Being in the medical field, she's looking after these refugees...but it doesn't come easy.  She meets resistance from their leader, whom they rescued last season.  There's tension and a tad of animosity between the two, which leads to some of the Perdi attacking Anissa, and paying the price for it by getting their asses kicked.  Things DO smooth out,...especially once Anissa connects with Gambi, and they know the Markovians are coming.

Gambi spends this episode looking for Anissa to inform her of the Markovian Army is out looking for her and the refugees.  She's outside Freeland right now with them, and can't get into the town, due to Commander Williams declaring Marial Law...one thing Inspector Henderson ISN'T fond of.  Gambi sneaks around and eventually makes contact with Henderson, and they both plot to get the communication device needed for Gambi to make contact with her.  Williams continues to flex his muscle, and when he arrests one of Henderson's officers because she's got meta powers, they use that as the reason to get into the facility for Gambi to make off with the piece necessary to contact Anissa.

At the ASA compound, we opened the show with a young woman named Maryam...who's meta powers are causing her to lose her hair, her eyes to bleed, and make her terminally ill.  Odell wants Lynn to work with him to get her back to health, as well as use her for her knowledge of the pod kids, and anyone who had used Green Light.  Jefferson, however, feels that Lynn is being used by Odell, and to not trust him.  This causes tension between the two most of the episode as they try to get Maryam back to health.  Maryam has the ability to blend into her environment, and her powers were working with the help of Jefferson.  However, she collapses, and can't do anymore.  Jefferson goes to see her to see if she saw Tobias, but she said she didn't.  Jeff would like to escape, but they can't.  Odell asks them to also try and contact Anissa, since they can't find her.  He gives them a phone to be able to communicate with the kids.  Jeff is still leery...especially when he can now "peek" through walls, and hear everyone's conversations.  

We know that Odell isn't a man to be totally trusted, and we know one of the reasons why:  He has taken Kahlil...Jennifer's boyfriend who had died last season...and resurrected him, and turned him into a killing machine, thanks to a chip implanted in him to wipe his brain.  Williams is cautious about the mission Odell sends Painkiller on:  to kill his own mother.  Painkiller completes the mission without any emotion whatsoever---showing Odell that he's ready to be in the field.

Since Martial Law has been declared in Freeland, Williams has ALSO initiated a rule that ALL media MUST comply with the ASA when it comes to reporting the news.  But this doesn't stop Jahmille Olsen, who's stuck in Freeland, and working on her story about the disappearance of Thunder, and as to who, what, and WHERE Blackbird is---not realizing they're one and the same.

Jennifer goes through the episode trying to have SOME semblance of a normal life...getting accosted by a boy at school, and wondering where her sister is, and not being able to talk to her parents.  Plus...NOT being able to use her powers to be in the field right alongside Anissa.  She gets approached by Odell, who gives her a phone to be able to talk to her parents, and they left a video message for her.  Odell is looking for Anissa, but Jennifer gives him the brush,.  At the end of the show, we see her having to use her powers when she starts getting attacked after trying to stop a fight.  She walks off with the other students talking about the beatdown she put on several boys who went after her.  

We see the Markovian Army assemble in a warehouse, as their leader, Yuri, informs them that they plan on taking down the US.  

And meanwhile...amidst all this craziness with the Markovians, the ASA, and Martial Law in Freeland---we have the Tattoo Man...briefcase on him....looking for Tobias.  He also is looking to reestablish  a foothold in Freeland once again.  After absorbing two of the gang bangers that he confronted about taking  back his turf, he continues to plan his comeback.

I love this show so far this season.  Both episodes have been well written, I'm invested, and they're laying some serious groundwork for something big---all the while---much like the other shows---the CRISIS hanging over their heads.  And while the CRISIS may or may NOT have a huge effect on the show, it's still awesome entertainment, and everyone is killing it so far.  I love the build, and can't wait to see the payoff.

Thanks yet again for checking out the blog.  Please leave a comment about what YOU think below, subscribe, and pass the word around that I'm here.  I'd like that very much.

Until next week....Power On!