Black Lightning Review: The Book of Rebellion: Chapter One: Exodus (Season 2 Episode 8)

Before I get too far in my review of Black Lightning Season 2 Episode 8, “The Book of Rebellion: Chapter One: Exodus,” I have to share some good news. Black Lightning has been officially renewed by the CW for Season 3. 

It is always great to have these kind of announcements ahead of time, so that we don’t have to wait all summer to see if our favorite characters will be joining us again next year. A big congratulations goes out to the entire cast — job well done!

With that out-of-the-way, let’s move on to the episode at hand.

Intensity is a key ingredient when it comes to any superhero show, and boy does this episode deliver! Starting right out of the gate, Khalil rips into Club 100 — biting off way more than he can chew. 

This fight — while entertaining — ends up being fairly predictable, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. It is easy to see, that a rookie like Khalil will quickly become overpowered by the sheer numbers of the gang he is up against. Especially when the fight happens so early in the episode.

I feel the choreography has really been ramped up as the season progresses. Gone are the fight scenes that are much too over-the-top to enjoy. Instead, we get well thought out one-on-one grapples that focus not only on brutality, but style as well.

It is a surprise that Jennifer doesn’t get spotted by anyone when she uses her powers to save her man’s butt. It could have made for an interesting turn of events, if one of Tobias’ underlings reported back to him on this crucial information — before he hires some outside help.

Speaking of which, this is a particular part of the episode that I did not like.

Tobias does his normal thing, and scopes out the town by himself to see what he can find. That is all fine and dandy. Even questioning Khalil’s mother seems to be right on point for Mr. Whale.

The whole thing doesn’t lose me, until he decides to hire some no-name assassin to track down Khalil and Jennifer. Seriously, does she have a name?

I understand that Tobias is trying to give off the appearance of an outstanding citizen. What I don’t understand, is why he can’t at least contact Lala to do some of his evil bidding.

Really this is a lame complaint though, because I’m sure the outcome would still end up the same. 

Gambi: Sometimes we keep things from the people we love to protect them.

Okay, so I can’t say I completely called it on this one. Tobias does track down Khalil and Jennifer at a crucial moment like I thought he would, but I assumed they would have to fight their own way out.

Khalil holds his own for a few moments against the assassin, while Jennifer is busy in the background. A surge of triumph hits you when the main man, Black Lightning, shows up to save the day.

I love that the two rebellious teens use this as a distraction to continue their way out-of-town. For a second, I’m afraid that the scene is going to turn into a “CW moment,” where they all decide to hug it out. Luckily, this isn’t the case — at least for now.

You never know when the CW will pull something like this on you, so I live in perpetual fear of when it does. For me, this typically ruins the episode — and sometimes the entire story arc.

So it is a breath of fresh air, that Khalil and Jennifer do hightail it out of there and into the woods. Of course, they still manage to put in a cheesy second or two of them hiding from her father in the underbrush.

Do you mean to tell me a well-seasoned hero like Black Lightning hasn’t had something like this happen to him before? A man who is often seen giving surveillance to his entire city, just doesn’t think to explore a few more feet ahead of him? Okay, if you say so.

Maybe Arrow’s Oliver Queen can give you a couple of pointers on that, Mr. Pierce. Sheesh, even the Flash would take an extra second just to make sure.

As the episode winds down a bit, we get to see Tobias start to put two and two together — on the connection between Jefferson Pierce and Black Lightning. I’m very excited to see where they are headed with this.

Will Tobias fully grasp the entire  scenario, piecing every element of the Pierce family puzzle together? I for one, hope so. It will up the ante on the Tobias and Black Lightning relationship. 

There is no greater weapon than knowledge, and this knowledge will give Tobias the final upper hand. 

Only time will tell how he will use it. And that my friends, could make for a rather compelling foray into the third season .

What did you think of this episode of Black Lightning? Where are Khalil and Jennifer headed next? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Black Lightning airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on the CW.

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