Black Lightning (2018–…): Season 2, Episode 1 - The Book of Consequences: Chapter One: Rise of the Green Light Babies - full transcript
After the Pierces survive Tobias's attack, the Garfield board considers a motion to shut down the school out of concern for the students' safety.
Last season on
Black Lightning...
Now, the purpose
of Black Lightning
was to kill Tobias,
who killed my father.
I got that Green Light.
Oh, I got your Green Light.
Thirty years ago,
I came to Freeland
as an agent for a government
organization called the ASA.
They were conducting
an experiment in Freeland.
Their vaccine inadvertently
created metahumans.
People with special powers.
Yeah, I don't wanna have powers.
I don't wanna save the world.
I've been
doing some analysis.
It turns out that the vaccine's
related to Green Light.
Dad.
I need you to find
Black Lightning.
I finished the project you were working on
before you got hurt.
Painkiller.
You're a monster.
That's funny coming from you.
You're right.
Okay, how do we
get them out of the pods?
I... I need the briefcase.
From our man
in the coroner's office...
Proctor's thumbs.
Mmm.
You're looking at
the king of Freeland.
Long live the king.
- Stop resisting!
- Stop it!
- You're hurting him!
- Get down on the ground!
Do it now!
Stop it, man!
You're hurting him!
Stop it! Stop it!
Stop... Stop it.
That is a child!
You don't have
to do that to him!
That is a child!
Lord have mercy!
Come on, somebody!
Come on, somebody!
Amen!
It's okay.
It's all right. It's okay.
- Take your time now.
- Take your time.
The killing of Issa Williams
is proof that this drug, Green Light...
Lord knows! Lord knows!
...has left our community
in grave danger.
There are people infected with this drug
who are running around with dormant powers.
- Yes.
- That's right.
And the police are
using that as an excuse
to continue to hunt down young black men
and young black women
with a "shoot first,
ask questions later" mentality!
But I'm here to tell you...
- That's right.
- All right.
The police have been
killing and shooting
- and brutalizing and terrorizing...
- Yeah! Yes, Reverend!
...black people long before the drug
Green Light hit the streets of Freeland!
Yes!
Three months ago,
the One Hundred invaded Garfield,
resulting in a faculty member
and a student being kidnapped,
your daughters.
A week ago, three suspects
invaded the school,
one who shot students
with poisoned darts,
another holding kids hostage
in a classroom with a gun.
I'm aware of
what happened at the school.
Of course you are.
But after the fact, Principal Pierce,
because you were
not on campus.
Again, I was on a mini vacation
with my family...
In a remote area where there was
very limited means of communication.
Yeah, we get it.
But even days after the attack,
you chose not
to show up to work?
This was just a matter of...
Unfortunate timing.
Very unfortunate,
Principal Pierce.
I'm sure you understand
that something must be done.
- The school will remain closed.
- Excuse me, the school...
Will remain closed until we find
psychological responders for the students,
the school is repaired and the board is
finished deliberating
and has come to a conclusion concerning
disciplinary action with regard to you.
Honestly, lady,
that dog don't hunt,
so I'm gonna
ask you to try again.
How did you, of all people,
get access to these pods?
I already told you,
I don't know who it was.
It was
an anonymous phone call.
So out of the blue,
someone called you
and asked you to come on down
and claim the pod people?
I've been studying Green Light
for some time and...
I'm not really interested
in what you've been studying now.
I prefer
you answer my question.
Excuse me, I would
like to finish my answer.
I've been studying Green Light
for some time now.
And I understand its components
and neurological effects
better than anyone.
What happened to the other scientist
that was managing the pods?
When we arrived,
no one was there.
Just the children
in those pods.
So, I guess he went
to the same place
as, um, the surveillance footage
and Agent Proctor.
This is useless.
I'm done here.
You are not allowed to leave town or
talk to anybody about this
until the investigation
is over.
And your access
to the pods is finished.
What? Did you
not hear what I said?
I understand Green Light and
these children better than anyone.
You're a liar.
You've been sitting here lying to me
for about an hour and a half.
You know you're lying.
You're not going to admit it.
And I don't like liars.
Not because they lie,
because we all lie,
but because
they make my job harder,
and I have enough
cow manure to deal with
than to have you
make my life more difficult.
Thank you
for your cooperation...
Dr. Stewart.
What you doing?
What? Why're you
looking at me like that?
Here.
What...
So, now I'm floating?
Anissa, please
don't tell Mom and Dad
or I'll never
leave the house again.
I already did.
Tobias Whale wants to talk
to you about that briefcase.
- Not interested.
- It's not a request.
♪♪ You better think, think ♪♪
♪♪ It was the time
When we haven't met ♪♪
♪♪ That's the thing
I never will forget ♪♪
♪♪ Now, baby
I got a lot to give ♪♪
♪♪ And a whole lotta loving ♪♪
♪♪ That a woman could give
Yeah ♪♪
♪♪ But before I give it up
I gotta think, think ♪♪
It takes two
To make a thing go right
♪♪ It takes two
To make it outta sight ♪♪
♪♪ All right, yeah ♪♪
♪♪ Don't say it's easy ♪♪
♪♪ Just plain living ♪♪
♪♪ Sometimes it's kinda tough ♪♪
♪♪ Don't make no decision ♪♪
You should've
accepted my invitation.
♪♪ So I'm laying
The cards on the table ♪♪
♪♪ When it comes to taking care
Of me, I know I'm able ♪♪
♪♪ You may not call it true ♪♪
♪♪ But I won't do nothing
That you won't do ♪♪
Bitch, you got my hair wet.
♪♪ Last night, I saw a superhero
He was black ♪♪
♪♪ He said, "This is for the street,
Black Lightning's back" ♪♪
We saw her control her powers
at the safe house and with Proctor.
Maybe she's kind of like
a baby learning to walk.
You know, at times, able to balance,
take controlled steps.
Other times,
just stumbling and falling.
But I know
that I can train her.
Jefferson, this is clearly
not about training her.
This is about her state of mind,
her mental health.
Yes, you can train her
to control her powers,
but if her mind is in turmoil,
then what good would that do?
- Yeah.
- She needs help.
She needs
a therapist to talk to.
What?
A therapist?
Come on, Lynn.
Jennifer's life is a lot more complicated
than the average teenager.
Really? What,
you think I don't know that?
So, is she supposed to talk
to her "therapist" about her powers?
I don't know, Jefferson.
But what I do know is
our baby girl is in there
floating and glowing
in her damn sleep.
What's happening to
this family, it's not normal.
- Yeah, I know...
- No, I know it's normal for you.
The suit, the powers,
the insanity of the vigilante lifestyle.
But this is new
for Jen and Anissa.
There's gonna be consequences.
Yeah, I know
about consequences.
You know that
I know about consequences.
Tobias brought
the consequence...
Jeff, this is
not about Tobias.
It's not even about your father.
It's about our children.
How did it go
with the school board?
Did they believe you
about the vacation?
Uh... No.
But it went just like
it always does.
They threaten me in
some shape, form or fashion,
slap me around
until they feel satisfied.
And then, when
they think I've heard them,
we come to
some sort of compromise.
Well, we'll figure it out.
Yeah. What about you?
How did things go
with the ASA?
Well, Agent Odell could tell
that I was not being honest.
He told me to stay away
from the pods.
Yeah, I think
that's a good idea.
What? Why would
you say that to me?
You know how much time
I've put into this.
Lynn, your work is in a lab.
Hey, you don't get to say
where my work is, Jefferson.
- You know what?
- Never mind.
We're not seeing eye-to-eye
on anything right now.
Can I help you?
You put a lot of children
into the program.
I'm sorry?
I know you were the spotter
for the ASA original Freeland operation.
Peter Esposito,
the untouchable tailor.
Who are you
and what do you want?
I'm a fellow spotter
who's out in the cold.
I have no resources.
You're the only person I can go to.
- And why would I help you?
- I know who has the briefcase.
I'll get it.
When I do, it's yours.
But I need out of the ASA
and safe passage out of the life.
What's in the briefcase
that makes it so valuable?
I didn't know
it was a rogue operation.
Does it really matter?
Now, what's in the briefcase?
Hell.
I'm gonna be honest.
I don't think you're taking
this situation seriously.
Oh, I'm taking it
very seriously.
Then act like it. Stop being
so damn stubborn and arrogant.
- Oh, so I'm arrogant now?
- Negro, please.
Is that really up for debate?
The board has always thought
that your inability to listen to anything
about enhancing
the school's security,
especially after your girls
were snatched out of it,
was the height
of "I'm the HNIC" mentality.
A mentality that left the school vulnerable
to exactly what happened.
Oh, really?
- Do you feel that way?
- Yes.
Jefferson, we have been
friends since the Olympics,
but on this thing, you're
putting me in a position
to have to explain to these white folks
all things African-American,
- including your black ass.
- Oh.
So you're their, uh...
Their blackspert now?
Watch yourself, brother.
I don't like the way you said that.
Too damn close
to calling me a house nigger.
Come on, Napier,
you were born in Freeland.
We come from the same place.
And you know that the board
has been trying to take over Garfield
simply because I will not treat
these kids like criminals.
Oh, they have money, right?
They have money
for metal detectors.
They have money for...
for guards with guns,
but they never seem to have
money for books, though.
Teachers' raises
or core computers.
When I'm sitting on that board,
my only concern is the students,
not you, Jefferson.
But we're blessed.
Who knows how much worse
the situation would have been
if Black Lightning and Thunder
hadn't shown up.
Like them, I'm trying
to save the school...
Not your job.
We've taken a look
at the government's response
to our request that they release
or allow you to see your loved ones.
Their position is that
this is a public health issue,
and in the interest of public safety
and the safety of your loved ones,
there will be no access granted
to your family members who are still in the pods,
until further notice.
Basically, their position is
they own your family members.
- What the hell you mean, "own"?
- Really?
So we're going to have
to sue the government
for the return
of your loved ones.
And I'll be honest with you,
it's gonna be a costly legal battle,
but we have to be
willing to sacrifice
- for our children.
- Yes.
Reverend Holt, as Dr. King said,
"We all have a role to play
"in the struggle for
the liberation of our people.
- Each and every one of us."
- That's right.
God bless you, brother.
And I would personally
like to thank Benjamin Crump
for his service
to our community.
Well, uh... We are doing everything
we can here at this church to
put together a plan to try
to give financial assistance
to anyone or everyone
who needs it.
- Well, how much money do we need to raise?
- Right.
Considering we have
a lot of families to help,
we need to raise
well over $500,000.
Wow.
Like I said,
we're doing everything we can.
The government
owns them? That's crazy!
- We have to help those people.
- We already have.
We exposed
the Green Light experiments,
got the pods into
the hands of the authorities.
Now it's time to let
the justice system run its course.
Oh, Dad, come on, now.
The system?
The system is rigged.
You know that better than anyone.
Okay, look. Black Lightning
and Thunder will always fight for justice,
but as unfair
as the system is,
some issues need to be
resolved within the system
to bring about
permanent change.
Okay, so if Jennifer and I
were in those pods,
would you be saying that?
Those people are never
gonna have enough money
to sue the government
for custody.
Okay. Anissa, listen to me.
I despise the fact that
those kids are in those pods.
I could easily be in one.
But Tobias, Khalil, Syonide
are still out there.
The attack on Garfield was just
a trap meant for me, for us.
They're gonna keep coming
again and again and again.
They will not stop
until they get what they want.
So we need to be focused on finding them
or being ready for when they find us.
Anissa, look. We have done
all that we can for those children,
but our job right now is to facilitate
the demise of Tobias Whale.
It's time to walk away. Okay?
I'll see you at the house.
Jen, you can't ignore this
in the hope that it's gonna go away.
Give me that.
Look. I know
this has been a lot,
finding out about
your dad and Anissa.
And discovering
you have powers
must be mind-blowing
on so many levels.
But you can't isolate yourself
and not talk about...
What do you want me to say?
That you're gonna commit to finding
a way of dealing with this.
Dealing with what?
The fact that I float in my sleep?
Or that Dad died... Twice?
Are you dealing with the fact
that you shot someone with a shotgun,
or that Gambi killed a man,
or that I electrocuted somebody
who might be dead now?
Which part do you want me
to deal with first, Mom?
Watch your tone,
young lady! Jen!
Mom, are you okay?
Are you okay? I'm sorry.
Jen. Jen!
Jen.
It's okay.
We'll figure it out, okay?
I promise.
It's okay. I'm okay.
It's like our daughter has a disease.
Well, first it was a drug,
now it's a disease.
I'm just saying that
you have a suit and powers,
I have years of experience
as a doctor and a researcher
and we're helpless.
I went to Gambi and I asked him
to pull some strings at the ASA
to put me
in charge of the pods.
- What are you doing, Lynn?
- I'm doing what you do.
I'm using my gifts to help
Freeland, help those children.
Look, we already
talked about this.
You've seen how duplicitous
and dangerous those people can be.
Yes, unfortunately, I have.
I just can't believe you.
You went and talked to Gambi
without coming to me first.
I don't need your permission
to talk to anyone. I'm not a child.
If you were
so concerned about me,
why haven't you
mentioned even once
that I killed a man
and how I felt about it?
But you have a problem with me
going to Gambi and helping those children?
What, do I need powers,
a fancy suit, a funny name
for you to understand
what I'm trying to do?
Seeing what just happened
to Jennifer down there
makes me positive
I made the right choice.
This thing
is tearing us apart.
I told you
there would be consequences.
I'm gonna take a drive.
- Are you kidding me?
- I don't know.
♪♪ Everybody's got
A little light ♪♪
♪♪ Under the Sun
Under the Sun ♪♪
♪♪ Under the Sun
Under the Sun ♪♪
♪♪ Under the Sun
Under the Sun ♪♪
Deputy Chief Henderson.
I asked myself,
now what could possibly keep
Jefferson Pierce away
from Garfield High after it was attacked?
Nothing.
'Cause Jefferson Pierce
was already there.
United States government
sending down national security orders.
Black Lightning
rising from the dead,
showing up
at the Seahorse Motel
only to save
Jefferson Pierce's daughters.
Just say it, negro.
Don't make me rip that mask off
your face. You say it.
You gonna shoot me now,
Deputy Chief?
I should.
Is Lynn Thunder?
No.
Oh.
Anissa?
Hmm?
Come on, man!
I asked you a question.
Yes.
After all these years,
huh, man?
Okay, um... What do we do now?
Bill?
You act like
this is something new.
James Marion Sims, the so-called father
of modern gynecology,
experimented on female slaves
without anesthesia.
Well, because of
Black Lightning and Thunder,
people all over the world will be
exposed to the same truth
that people who reside in communities
like Freeland know all too well.
And that is, the government has used
poor communities, poor people
as guinea pigs for
all kinds of experimentation.
The problem is,
government officials
have always looked down
on this town.
Ever since they started using
these people for experiments,
they don't even see them
as people. Just...
You came back.
I went back to my place...
and figured there was
no better place to be.
He was a good kid. A good kid!
Ain't never done nothin' to no one.
Another kid.
This one shot.
That's one of the reasons
why I went to Gambi.
Stop all this madness
on the streets of Freeland.
I'm going to help
those children, Jefferson.
I don't need your support,
but it would be nice
to have it.
All this negative news,
on metas,
Freeland is gonna start
turning on folks with powers.
That is the future, Lynn,
for Jen and Anissa.
Eventually,
they will be hunted.
If not by the police,
then by the ASA...
Hey. We're gonna
get through this,
with our family intact.
Oh, breaking news...
Henderson knows.
What?
Oh, my God. How?
He's a smart man.
Too many clues.
Wow.
I mean, I could
have denied it all
and come up with a bunch
of reasons why it wasn't true,
but honestly, I was just too
tired to lie to him anymore.
He's a good man
and a good friend.
Might be someone
good to talk to.
I don't know if he'd ever want
to talk to me again.
Anyone who knows who Black Lightning
is winds up getting hurt.
Physically, emotionally.
Now I have him to worry about.
Yeah, I know we talked about
Jennifer seeing a therapist.
But maybe
you should see one, too.
You think I'm crazy?
Well, I know you're crazy.
I just... I think
you've been through a lot of stuff.
Not just in the last few months,
but over the years.
Fighting for Freeland,
and Garfield and...
You're a man of a certain age.
And a lot of guys lose their ability
to get an erection
when they're stressed, so...
Maybe it wasn't the suit
that caused your powers to short-circuit.
Maybe it was Black Lightning's version
of erectile dysfunction.
Gah. Woman, ain't nothin' dysfunctional
about me.
- Really?
- Oh, really, yeah.
You know, um...
I am cool testing out
your theory.
I bet you are.
Dr. Lynn Stewart.
See, I have an idea
about how you can
help me with my stress.
- Aw!
- Yeah.
What? It's Kara.
She was Proctor's spotter.
I knew I recognized the face,
but I couldn't figure out from where.
She came to see me,
offered up Proctor's briefcase
in return for me cleansing her
from the ASA.
This is completely...
I mean...
Okay.
Does she know who has it?
What's in the briefcase?
Probably. She's not saying.
But whatever it is,
it's probably worse than we think.
You think she can get it?
We'll see.
- Yeah. Any word on Tobias?
- Still off the grid.
I'm keeping tabs on Khalil's mom's place.
I think he's the wild card.
No, girl, I'm serious. I'm serious.
He got me
all up in my feelings.
I don't even really
like him like that.
Honestly, it's just...
It's the thought of him thinking
he gonna break up with me,
you know?
I already told you
you too good for him.
- I've been telling you that.
- I know.
Dudes have no kind of shame.
Ain't he got better things
to do with the police looking for him?
Yeah. Yeah, you would think.
Girl, listen.
You were right, J.
That stuff at Garfield, that wasn't me.
Look, if you could
please just give me a chance to explain...
Oh, um, boy, bye.
I mean, did you tell the police
that he's harassing you?
No. I already have enough drama
in my life with my parents.
I don't need more.
Yeah, I feel that.
The police gonna catch
his ass eventually.
I just keep his messages
to remind myself not to talk to him again.
Well, all these
Green Light babies
walking around
with powers and whatnot...
I mean, it's like
the end of days.
All of them, they gonna end up like that boy
that the police choked out.
And Neema's still missing,
and all those other kids
from back in the day that were
experimented on, they're all freaks.
End of days, girl.
I'm telling you.
- Yeah.
- Put your head back.
So we, um, talking here
about consequences.
Everything that you do
has a consequence.
So we're here in Romans chapter three,
verse 21 and 22,
and let's see
what God has to say.
"But now the righteousness of God,
without the law is manifested,
being..."
Whoa, you won't
be needing that.
God willing, we won't.
Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.
Jesus! You see this?
Jesus, do you see this?
They won't even let me
bury my baby right.
What the...
Stop.
Oh, my God.
Don't...
Issa? Wait.
Stay... Stay away! Stay away!
This can't be real.
Jesus, this can't be real.
Jesus, what is this?
Show me the way.
No, you... I don't
want anything to do with you.
- What are you talking about?
- Nothing.
No. You can't be my baby.
My baby is dead.
No, I was relieved when you died.
I was happy to bury you.
I was happy not to be worried about you
on these streets doing Green Light.
No, I was happy.
Mom!
- I'm sorry.
- I was confused.
I didn't mean
to say these words.
- Get on the ground.
- No, wait.
Run. Issa, run!
- No, wait. No!
- Stop!
No!
It's so funny.
Wait. Look at her.
She's so crazy, I'm dying.
She is crazy.
I love it, though.
Oh, my God.
This one's funny, too.
Oh, hell, no.
- What?
- Look!
So now they jumping out of body bags
and coming back from the dead?
Oh, my God.
I'm telling you, girl,
end of days.
Look. Look at him.
All these Green Light babies are freaks.
That is ridiculous. You...
J!
J, what's up?
Jennifer, what is it?
What's wrong?
Hey, come on, Jennifer, you're scaring me.
Open the door.
Come on, Jennifer, open the door.
You're scaring me.
Kiesha, go home, okay?
Jen, what's up? Talk to me. Jennifer!
Kiesha, go home!
I don't give a rat's ass
who pulled strings for you,
but I guaran-damn-tee you
I will find out.
Cut those strings and you are
gonna fall hard, lady.
It's Dr. Stewart.
Oh. Supposed to impress me?
Like you said, I don't give a rat's ass
if it does or it doesn't.
Like crack, this community will have
to deal with the consequences
of the government experimenting
on them for generations to come.
I just want to give them the answers
and the tools to do that.
I'm gonna find out what's really going on
with you, Doctor.
I will.
- Where is she?
- She's in the bathroom.
Jeff, I've never seen
anything like this before.
Okay. Okay. Okay.
Jen?
Baby, are you in pain?
No.
I just can't stop it.
Okay, I need you to
get out of the tub.
No, I... I got you.
Jefferson,
did you hear me?
I said they voted
to close Garfield permanently.
Yeah, I heard you.
I'll step down as principal.
It'll give
the board a win.
They can hire whoever they feel comfortable
with to run Garfield
and it'll look like
they've taken decisive action.
And, uh, the media...
The media will eat it...
and me up.
You sure you want me
to take that back to them?
You said it best, Napier.
Like Black Lightning
and Thunder...
I'm trying to save Garfield...
Not my job.
♪♪ Rockets, moon shots ♪♪
♪♪ Spend it on the have-nots ♪♪
♪♪ Money, we make it ♪♪
♪♪ Before we see it
You take it ♪♪
♪♪ Oh, make me
Want to holler ♪♪
♪♪ The way they do my life
Yeah ♪♪
♪♪ Make me want to holler ♪♪
♪♪ The way they do my life ♪♪
- ♪♪ This ain't living ♪♪
- ♪♪ This ain't living ♪♪
♪♪ No, no, baby
This ain't living ♪♪
♪♪ No, no, no, no ♪♪
♪♪ Inflation, no chance ♪♪
♪♪ To increase finance ♪♪
♪♪ Bills pile up sky high ♪♪
♪♪ Send that boy off to die ♪♪
♪♪ Oh, make me
Want to holler ♪♪
♪♪ The way they do my life
Yeah ♪♪
♪♪ Yeah, make me
Want to holler ♪♪
♪♪ The way they do my life... ♪♪
Syonide was the only thing left
in this world that I gave a damn about.
- Then you should have taken better care of her.
- Mmm.
I need the briefcase.
No more words.
Time to die.
If you must.
I'm gonna peel your skin off
with a butter knife, you bitch.
Black Lightning...
Now, the purpose
of Black Lightning
was to kill Tobias,
who killed my father.
I got that Green Light.
Oh, I got your Green Light.
Thirty years ago,
I came to Freeland
as an agent for a government
organization called the ASA.
They were conducting
an experiment in Freeland.
Their vaccine inadvertently
created metahumans.
People with special powers.
Yeah, I don't wanna have powers.
I don't wanna save the world.
I've been
doing some analysis.
It turns out that the vaccine's
related to Green Light.
Dad.
I need you to find
Black Lightning.
I finished the project you were working on
before you got hurt.
Painkiller.
You're a monster.
That's funny coming from you.
You're right.
Okay, how do we
get them out of the pods?
I... I need the briefcase.
From our man
in the coroner's office...
Proctor's thumbs.
Mmm.
You're looking at
the king of Freeland.
Long live the king.
- Stop resisting!
- Stop it!
- You're hurting him!
- Get down on the ground!
Do it now!
Stop it, man!
You're hurting him!
Stop it! Stop it!
Stop... Stop it.
That is a child!
You don't have
to do that to him!
That is a child!
Lord have mercy!
Come on, somebody!
Come on, somebody!
Amen!
It's okay.
It's all right. It's okay.
- Take your time now.
- Take your time.
The killing of Issa Williams
is proof that this drug, Green Light...
Lord knows! Lord knows!
...has left our community
in grave danger.
There are people infected with this drug
who are running around with dormant powers.
- Yes.
- That's right.
And the police are
using that as an excuse
to continue to hunt down young black men
and young black women
with a "shoot first,
ask questions later" mentality!
But I'm here to tell you...
- That's right.
- All right.
The police have been
killing and shooting
- and brutalizing and terrorizing...
- Yeah! Yes, Reverend!
...black people long before the drug
Green Light hit the streets of Freeland!
Yes!
Three months ago,
the One Hundred invaded Garfield,
resulting in a faculty member
and a student being kidnapped,
your daughters.
A week ago, three suspects
invaded the school,
one who shot students
with poisoned darts,
another holding kids hostage
in a classroom with a gun.
I'm aware of
what happened at the school.
Of course you are.
But after the fact, Principal Pierce,
because you were
not on campus.
Again, I was on a mini vacation
with my family...
In a remote area where there was
very limited means of communication.
Yeah, we get it.
But even days after the attack,
you chose not
to show up to work?
This was just a matter of...
Unfortunate timing.
Very unfortunate,
Principal Pierce.
I'm sure you understand
that something must be done.
- The school will remain closed.
- Excuse me, the school...
Will remain closed until we find
psychological responders for the students,
the school is repaired and the board is
finished deliberating
and has come to a conclusion concerning
disciplinary action with regard to you.
Honestly, lady,
that dog don't hunt,
so I'm gonna
ask you to try again.
How did you, of all people,
get access to these pods?
I already told you,
I don't know who it was.
It was
an anonymous phone call.
So out of the blue,
someone called you
and asked you to come on down
and claim the pod people?
I've been studying Green Light
for some time and...
I'm not really interested
in what you've been studying now.
I prefer
you answer my question.
Excuse me, I would
like to finish my answer.
I've been studying Green Light
for some time now.
And I understand its components
and neurological effects
better than anyone.
What happened to the other scientist
that was managing the pods?
When we arrived,
no one was there.
Just the children
in those pods.
So, I guess he went
to the same place
as, um, the surveillance footage
and Agent Proctor.
This is useless.
I'm done here.
You are not allowed to leave town or
talk to anybody about this
until the investigation
is over.
And your access
to the pods is finished.
What? Did you
not hear what I said?
I understand Green Light and
these children better than anyone.
You're a liar.
You've been sitting here lying to me
for about an hour and a half.
You know you're lying.
You're not going to admit it.
And I don't like liars.
Not because they lie,
because we all lie,
but because
they make my job harder,
and I have enough
cow manure to deal with
than to have you
make my life more difficult.
Thank you
for your cooperation...
Dr. Stewart.
What you doing?
What? Why're you
looking at me like that?
Here.
What...
So, now I'm floating?
Anissa, please
don't tell Mom and Dad
or I'll never
leave the house again.
I already did.
Tobias Whale wants to talk
to you about that briefcase.
- Not interested.
- It's not a request.
♪♪ You better think, think ♪♪
♪♪ It was the time
When we haven't met ♪♪
♪♪ That's the thing
I never will forget ♪♪
♪♪ Now, baby
I got a lot to give ♪♪
♪♪ And a whole lotta loving ♪♪
♪♪ That a woman could give
Yeah ♪♪
♪♪ But before I give it up
I gotta think, think ♪♪
It takes two
To make a thing go right
♪♪ It takes two
To make it outta sight ♪♪
♪♪ All right, yeah ♪♪
♪♪ Don't say it's easy ♪♪
♪♪ Just plain living ♪♪
♪♪ Sometimes it's kinda tough ♪♪
♪♪ Don't make no decision ♪♪
You should've
accepted my invitation.
♪♪ So I'm laying
The cards on the table ♪♪
♪♪ When it comes to taking care
Of me, I know I'm able ♪♪
♪♪ You may not call it true ♪♪
♪♪ But I won't do nothing
That you won't do ♪♪
Bitch, you got my hair wet.
♪♪ Last night, I saw a superhero
He was black ♪♪
♪♪ He said, "This is for the street,
Black Lightning's back" ♪♪
We saw her control her powers
at the safe house and with Proctor.
Maybe she's kind of like
a baby learning to walk.
You know, at times, able to balance,
take controlled steps.
Other times,
just stumbling and falling.
But I know
that I can train her.
Jefferson, this is clearly
not about training her.
This is about her state of mind,
her mental health.
Yes, you can train her
to control her powers,
but if her mind is in turmoil,
then what good would that do?
- Yeah.
- She needs help.
She needs
a therapist to talk to.
What?
A therapist?
Come on, Lynn.
Jennifer's life is a lot more complicated
than the average teenager.
Really? What,
you think I don't know that?
So, is she supposed to talk
to her "therapist" about her powers?
I don't know, Jefferson.
But what I do know is
our baby girl is in there
floating and glowing
in her damn sleep.
What's happening to
this family, it's not normal.
- Yeah, I know...
- No, I know it's normal for you.
The suit, the powers,
the insanity of the vigilante lifestyle.
But this is new
for Jen and Anissa.
There's gonna be consequences.
Yeah, I know
about consequences.
You know that
I know about consequences.
Tobias brought
the consequence...
Jeff, this is
not about Tobias.
It's not even about your father.
It's about our children.
How did it go
with the school board?
Did they believe you
about the vacation?
Uh... No.
But it went just like
it always does.
They threaten me in
some shape, form or fashion,
slap me around
until they feel satisfied.
And then, when
they think I've heard them,
we come to
some sort of compromise.
Well, we'll figure it out.
Yeah. What about you?
How did things go
with the ASA?
Well, Agent Odell could tell
that I was not being honest.
He told me to stay away
from the pods.
Yeah, I think
that's a good idea.
What? Why would
you say that to me?
You know how much time
I've put into this.
Lynn, your work is in a lab.
Hey, you don't get to say
where my work is, Jefferson.
- You know what?
- Never mind.
We're not seeing eye-to-eye
on anything right now.
Can I help you?
You put a lot of children
into the program.
I'm sorry?
I know you were the spotter
for the ASA original Freeland operation.
Peter Esposito,
the untouchable tailor.
Who are you
and what do you want?
I'm a fellow spotter
who's out in the cold.
I have no resources.
You're the only person I can go to.
- And why would I help you?
- I know who has the briefcase.
I'll get it.
When I do, it's yours.
But I need out of the ASA
and safe passage out of the life.
What's in the briefcase
that makes it so valuable?
I didn't know
it was a rogue operation.
Does it really matter?
Now, what's in the briefcase?
Hell.
I'm gonna be honest.
I don't think you're taking
this situation seriously.
Oh, I'm taking it
very seriously.
Then act like it. Stop being
so damn stubborn and arrogant.
- Oh, so I'm arrogant now?
- Negro, please.
Is that really up for debate?
The board has always thought
that your inability to listen to anything
about enhancing
the school's security,
especially after your girls
were snatched out of it,
was the height
of "I'm the HNIC" mentality.
A mentality that left the school vulnerable
to exactly what happened.
Oh, really?
- Do you feel that way?
- Yes.
Jefferson, we have been
friends since the Olympics,
but on this thing, you're
putting me in a position
to have to explain to these white folks
all things African-American,
- including your black ass.
- Oh.
So you're their, uh...
Their blackspert now?
Watch yourself, brother.
I don't like the way you said that.
Too damn close
to calling me a house nigger.
Come on, Napier,
you were born in Freeland.
We come from the same place.
And you know that the board
has been trying to take over Garfield
simply because I will not treat
these kids like criminals.
Oh, they have money, right?
They have money
for metal detectors.
They have money for...
for guards with guns,
but they never seem to have
money for books, though.
Teachers' raises
or core computers.
When I'm sitting on that board,
my only concern is the students,
not you, Jefferson.
But we're blessed.
Who knows how much worse
the situation would have been
if Black Lightning and Thunder
hadn't shown up.
Like them, I'm trying
to save the school...
Not your job.
We've taken a look
at the government's response
to our request that they release
or allow you to see your loved ones.
Their position is that
this is a public health issue,
and in the interest of public safety
and the safety of your loved ones,
there will be no access granted
to your family members who are still in the pods,
until further notice.
Basically, their position is
they own your family members.
- What the hell you mean, "own"?
- Really?
So we're going to have
to sue the government
for the return
of your loved ones.
And I'll be honest with you,
it's gonna be a costly legal battle,
but we have to be
willing to sacrifice
- for our children.
- Yes.
Reverend Holt, as Dr. King said,
"We all have a role to play
"in the struggle for
the liberation of our people.
- Each and every one of us."
- That's right.
God bless you, brother.
And I would personally
like to thank Benjamin Crump
for his service
to our community.
Well, uh... We are doing everything
we can here at this church to
put together a plan to try
to give financial assistance
to anyone or everyone
who needs it.
- Well, how much money do we need to raise?
- Right.
Considering we have
a lot of families to help,
we need to raise
well over $500,000.
Wow.
Like I said,
we're doing everything we can.
The government
owns them? That's crazy!
- We have to help those people.
- We already have.
We exposed
the Green Light experiments,
got the pods into
the hands of the authorities.
Now it's time to let
the justice system run its course.
Oh, Dad, come on, now.
The system?
The system is rigged.
You know that better than anyone.
Okay, look. Black Lightning
and Thunder will always fight for justice,
but as unfair
as the system is,
some issues need to be
resolved within the system
to bring about
permanent change.
Okay, so if Jennifer and I
were in those pods,
would you be saying that?
Those people are never
gonna have enough money
to sue the government
for custody.
Okay. Anissa, listen to me.
I despise the fact that
those kids are in those pods.
I could easily be in one.
But Tobias, Khalil, Syonide
are still out there.
The attack on Garfield was just
a trap meant for me, for us.
They're gonna keep coming
again and again and again.
They will not stop
until they get what they want.
So we need to be focused on finding them
or being ready for when they find us.
Anissa, look. We have done
all that we can for those children,
but our job right now is to facilitate
the demise of Tobias Whale.
It's time to walk away. Okay?
I'll see you at the house.
Jen, you can't ignore this
in the hope that it's gonna go away.
Give me that.
Look. I know
this has been a lot,
finding out about
your dad and Anissa.
And discovering
you have powers
must be mind-blowing
on so many levels.
But you can't isolate yourself
and not talk about...
What do you want me to say?
That you're gonna commit to finding
a way of dealing with this.
Dealing with what?
The fact that I float in my sleep?
Or that Dad died... Twice?
Are you dealing with the fact
that you shot someone with a shotgun,
or that Gambi killed a man,
or that I electrocuted somebody
who might be dead now?
Which part do you want me
to deal with first, Mom?
Watch your tone,
young lady! Jen!
Mom, are you okay?
Are you okay? I'm sorry.
Jen. Jen!
Jen.
It's okay.
We'll figure it out, okay?
I promise.
It's okay. I'm okay.
It's like our daughter has a disease.
Well, first it was a drug,
now it's a disease.
I'm just saying that
you have a suit and powers,
I have years of experience
as a doctor and a researcher
and we're helpless.
I went to Gambi and I asked him
to pull some strings at the ASA
to put me
in charge of the pods.
- What are you doing, Lynn?
- I'm doing what you do.
I'm using my gifts to help
Freeland, help those children.
Look, we already
talked about this.
You've seen how duplicitous
and dangerous those people can be.
Yes, unfortunately, I have.
I just can't believe you.
You went and talked to Gambi
without coming to me first.
I don't need your permission
to talk to anyone. I'm not a child.
If you were
so concerned about me,
why haven't you
mentioned even once
that I killed a man
and how I felt about it?
But you have a problem with me
going to Gambi and helping those children?
What, do I need powers,
a fancy suit, a funny name
for you to understand
what I'm trying to do?
Seeing what just happened
to Jennifer down there
makes me positive
I made the right choice.
This thing
is tearing us apart.
I told you
there would be consequences.
I'm gonna take a drive.
- Are you kidding me?
- I don't know.
♪♪ Everybody's got
A little light ♪♪
♪♪ Under the Sun
Under the Sun ♪♪
♪♪ Under the Sun
Under the Sun ♪♪
♪♪ Under the Sun
Under the Sun ♪♪
Deputy Chief Henderson.
I asked myself,
now what could possibly keep
Jefferson Pierce away
from Garfield High after it was attacked?
Nothing.
'Cause Jefferson Pierce
was already there.
United States government
sending down national security orders.
Black Lightning
rising from the dead,
showing up
at the Seahorse Motel
only to save
Jefferson Pierce's daughters.
Just say it, negro.
Don't make me rip that mask off
your face. You say it.
You gonna shoot me now,
Deputy Chief?
I should.
Is Lynn Thunder?
No.
Oh.
Anissa?
Hmm?
Come on, man!
I asked you a question.
Yes.
After all these years,
huh, man?
Okay, um... What do we do now?
Bill?
You act like
this is something new.
James Marion Sims, the so-called father
of modern gynecology,
experimented on female slaves
without anesthesia.
Well, because of
Black Lightning and Thunder,
people all over the world will be
exposed to the same truth
that people who reside in communities
like Freeland know all too well.
And that is, the government has used
poor communities, poor people
as guinea pigs for
all kinds of experimentation.
The problem is,
government officials
have always looked down
on this town.
Ever since they started using
these people for experiments,
they don't even see them
as people. Just...
You came back.
I went back to my place...
and figured there was
no better place to be.
He was a good kid. A good kid!
Ain't never done nothin' to no one.
Another kid.
This one shot.
That's one of the reasons
why I went to Gambi.
Stop all this madness
on the streets of Freeland.
I'm going to help
those children, Jefferson.
I don't need your support,
but it would be nice
to have it.
All this negative news,
on metas,
Freeland is gonna start
turning on folks with powers.
That is the future, Lynn,
for Jen and Anissa.
Eventually,
they will be hunted.
If not by the police,
then by the ASA...
Hey. We're gonna
get through this,
with our family intact.
Oh, breaking news...
Henderson knows.
What?
Oh, my God. How?
He's a smart man.
Too many clues.
Wow.
I mean, I could
have denied it all
and come up with a bunch
of reasons why it wasn't true,
but honestly, I was just too
tired to lie to him anymore.
He's a good man
and a good friend.
Might be someone
good to talk to.
I don't know if he'd ever want
to talk to me again.
Anyone who knows who Black Lightning
is winds up getting hurt.
Physically, emotionally.
Now I have him to worry about.
Yeah, I know we talked about
Jennifer seeing a therapist.
But maybe
you should see one, too.
You think I'm crazy?
Well, I know you're crazy.
I just... I think
you've been through a lot of stuff.
Not just in the last few months,
but over the years.
Fighting for Freeland,
and Garfield and...
You're a man of a certain age.
And a lot of guys lose their ability
to get an erection
when they're stressed, so...
Maybe it wasn't the suit
that caused your powers to short-circuit.
Maybe it was Black Lightning's version
of erectile dysfunction.
Gah. Woman, ain't nothin' dysfunctional
about me.
- Really?
- Oh, really, yeah.
You know, um...
I am cool testing out
your theory.
I bet you are.
Dr. Lynn Stewart.
See, I have an idea
about how you can
help me with my stress.
- Aw!
- Yeah.
What? It's Kara.
She was Proctor's spotter.
I knew I recognized the face,
but I couldn't figure out from where.
She came to see me,
offered up Proctor's briefcase
in return for me cleansing her
from the ASA.
This is completely...
I mean...
Okay.
Does she know who has it?
What's in the briefcase?
Probably. She's not saying.
But whatever it is,
it's probably worse than we think.
You think she can get it?
We'll see.
- Yeah. Any word on Tobias?
- Still off the grid.
I'm keeping tabs on Khalil's mom's place.
I think he's the wild card.
No, girl, I'm serious. I'm serious.
He got me
all up in my feelings.
I don't even really
like him like that.
Honestly, it's just...
It's the thought of him thinking
he gonna break up with me,
you know?
I already told you
you too good for him.
- I've been telling you that.
- I know.
Dudes have no kind of shame.
Ain't he got better things
to do with the police looking for him?
Yeah. Yeah, you would think.
Girl, listen.
You were right, J.
That stuff at Garfield, that wasn't me.
Look, if you could
please just give me a chance to explain...
Oh, um, boy, bye.
I mean, did you tell the police
that he's harassing you?
No. I already have enough drama
in my life with my parents.
I don't need more.
Yeah, I feel that.
The police gonna catch
his ass eventually.
I just keep his messages
to remind myself not to talk to him again.
Well, all these
Green Light babies
walking around
with powers and whatnot...
I mean, it's like
the end of days.
All of them, they gonna end up like that boy
that the police choked out.
And Neema's still missing,
and all those other kids
from back in the day that were
experimented on, they're all freaks.
End of days, girl.
I'm telling you.
- Yeah.
- Put your head back.
So we, um, talking here
about consequences.
Everything that you do
has a consequence.
So we're here in Romans chapter three,
verse 21 and 22,
and let's see
what God has to say.
"But now the righteousness of God,
without the law is manifested,
being..."
Whoa, you won't
be needing that.
God willing, we won't.
Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.
Jesus! You see this?
Jesus, do you see this?
They won't even let me
bury my baby right.
What the...
Stop.
Oh, my God.
Don't...
Issa? Wait.
Stay... Stay away! Stay away!
This can't be real.
Jesus, this can't be real.
Jesus, what is this?
Show me the way.
No, you... I don't
want anything to do with you.
- What are you talking about?
- Nothing.
No. You can't be my baby.
My baby is dead.
No, I was relieved when you died.
I was happy to bury you.
I was happy not to be worried about you
on these streets doing Green Light.
No, I was happy.
Mom!
- I'm sorry.
- I was confused.
I didn't mean
to say these words.
- Get on the ground.
- No, wait.
Run. Issa, run!
- No, wait. No!
- Stop!
No!
It's so funny.
Wait. Look at her.
She's so crazy, I'm dying.
She is crazy.
I love it, though.
Oh, my God.
This one's funny, too.
Oh, hell, no.
- What?
- Look!
So now they jumping out of body bags
and coming back from the dead?
Oh, my God.
I'm telling you, girl,
end of days.
Look. Look at him.
All these Green Light babies are freaks.
That is ridiculous. You...
J!
J, what's up?
Jennifer, what is it?
What's wrong?
Hey, come on, Jennifer, you're scaring me.
Open the door.
Come on, Jennifer, open the door.
You're scaring me.
Kiesha, go home, okay?
Jen, what's up? Talk to me. Jennifer!
Kiesha, go home!
I don't give a rat's ass
who pulled strings for you,
but I guaran-damn-tee you
I will find out.
Cut those strings and you are
gonna fall hard, lady.
It's Dr. Stewart.
Oh. Supposed to impress me?
Like you said, I don't give a rat's ass
if it does or it doesn't.
Like crack, this community will have
to deal with the consequences
of the government experimenting
on them for generations to come.
I just want to give them the answers
and the tools to do that.
I'm gonna find out what's really going on
with you, Doctor.
I will.
- Where is she?
- She's in the bathroom.
Jeff, I've never seen
anything like this before.
Okay. Okay. Okay.
Jen?
Baby, are you in pain?
No.
I just can't stop it.
Okay, I need you to
get out of the tub.
No, I... I got you.
Jefferson,
did you hear me?
I said they voted
to close Garfield permanently.
Yeah, I heard you.
I'll step down as principal.
It'll give
the board a win.
They can hire whoever they feel comfortable
with to run Garfield
and it'll look like
they've taken decisive action.
And, uh, the media...
The media will eat it...
and me up.
You sure you want me
to take that back to them?
You said it best, Napier.
Like Black Lightning
and Thunder...
I'm trying to save Garfield...
Not my job.
♪♪ Rockets, moon shots ♪♪
♪♪ Spend it on the have-nots ♪♪
♪♪ Money, we make it ♪♪
♪♪ Before we see it
You take it ♪♪
♪♪ Oh, make me
Want to holler ♪♪
♪♪ The way they do my life
Yeah ♪♪
♪♪ Make me want to holler ♪♪
♪♪ The way they do my life ♪♪
- ♪♪ This ain't living ♪♪
- ♪♪ This ain't living ♪♪
♪♪ No, no, baby
This ain't living ♪♪
♪♪ No, no, no, no ♪♪
♪♪ Inflation, no chance ♪♪
♪♪ To increase finance ♪♪
♪♪ Bills pile up sky high ♪♪
♪♪ Send that boy off to die ♪♪
♪♪ Oh, make me
Want to holler ♪♪
♪♪ The way they do my life
Yeah ♪♪
♪♪ Yeah, make me
Want to holler ♪♪
♪♪ The way they do my life... ♪♪
Syonide was the only thing left
in this world that I gave a damn about.
- Then you should have taken better care of her.
- Mmm.
I need the briefcase.
No more words.
Time to die.
If you must.
I'm gonna peel your skin off
with a butter knife, you bitch.