Into The Arrowverse: The return of Wally West!
By Ariba Bhuvad
Pictured (L-R): Cress Williams as Black Lightning and China Anne McClain as Lightning — Photo: Bob Mahoney/The CW
Black Lightning Episode 316: “The Book of War: Chapter Three: Liberation”
And just like that, Black Lightning has ended its third season! It’s hard to believe we’ll be heading into a fourth season when the show returns. So much has happened, particularly with the Pierce family’s evolution into full-blown superheroes. It felt like we were never gonna get there, but we did!
The season 3 finale ended on a pretty epic cliffhanger, and I’m interested to see how it plays out next season. I just hope we don’t find ourselves stuck in a storyline that lasts too long and gets boring.
In any case, this finale picks up from the moment Jennifer tried to take on Gravedigger (foolish girl) and Papa Bear Black Lightning had to step in to save her. And while I’m so annoyed with Jennifer for this, the rescue effort brought on the coolest fight sequence we’ve seen on the show to date.
Gravedigger vs. Team Black Lightning! It was pretty cool between all the punches, throws, and vibrant colors we’ve come to associate with the show. But during the fight, Markovians take over Freeland and literally try to burn it to the ground with its citizens.
I want to commend Black Lightning for never wavering from its underlying message. The Black community of Freeland has always been a target of authorities, and been treated unfairly. We see just how bad this situation gets when the Markovians attack and it feels a bit too real. Especially when that reporter gets attacked, and the scene stays suspended on her body. It really gets you in the feels.
The Pierce family has had to defy all odds and grow with the obstacles they’ve had to face. We see this dynamic really evolve in the third season, especially with Jefferson. He’s always had a certain way of operating and dealing with things but with how horrible the A.S.A.’s hold has been on Freeland, Jefferson has to shift his perspective and morals to deal with them.
Better yet, Black Lightning as a whole has somehow managed to keep the story on a local level while maintaining a global perspective. The meta program in both Markovia and Freeland exists because of the A.S.A., which is essentially what brought Freeland to its knees.
But worry not! Odell, the A.S.A., and Markovia were handled in the season 3 finale, but that’s not to say the problems are over. Tobias and Gravedigger were a part of the cliffhanger, which means trouble is already brewing for season 4.
