Black Lightning - Season 1, Episode 11: Black Jesus: The Book of Crucifixion
Trailer
This series sees the retired Black Lightning return to the hero life after a decade hanging up his costume and devoting himself to the life of an educator, as well as its effects on his family life.
It's titular hero is a black man and because we live in a time in which stories about the police killing innocent unarmed black people are a damn-near daily occurrence.
Just a few days after Easter, Black Lightning has hit us with its own crucifixion story. This week's episode title bills itself as the "Book of Crucifixion," and it sure delivers.
With two episodes left, an entire governmental agency, a shady police department and two charismatic gangsters on their tail, the Pierce family is going to need their concerted strength to survive.
This was a difficult episode to watch. That wasn't an accident though, which made this one of the season's most emotionally draining and ultimately rewarding episodes.
Black Lightning may be a show about a man with the capacity to change the world, but what makes the show so compelling is its commitment to remaining rooted in reality.
"Black Jesus: The Book Of Crucifixion" pivots its focus, showing that no matter how big the superhero may be, he's still beholden to the bias and limitations placed upon the man underneath the mask.
The team work that comes into play in Jefferson's rescue is worthy of mention. I like that he is portrayed not as a superhero that is capable of beating all odds, but as one that is flawed and needs protection too.
