S01.E06: Three Sevens: The Book of Thunder

[formerlyfreedom]

Quote

Jefferson is on the hunt for his father's killer, while Anissa uses her new powers to rectify a wrong after a protest fails. Jennifer grapples with some difficult choices. Elsewhere, Gambi begs for help from Lynn.

 

[AimingforYoko]

Man, I'm finally glad the whole family's secrets are out and everybody can be open with each other. Except for Jennifer, of course. This could get awkward.

Of course Khalil is going supervillain.

The dialogue on this show is pretty solid, so a clunker like Gambi's, "When you're retired, you get to be corny." really sticks out. What does that even mean?

[Primal Slayer]

What a good episode made even better by that family fight! I was not expecting to get Black Lightning vs. Thunder but we got it! and they made it work very well. Great way to get it out of their system. I need to rewatch it like 10 more times. 

I can't wait to see the show delve into metahumans in general.

[johntfs]

Tobias bitching out Joey Toledo continues to remind me of Uncle Ruckus from The Boondocks.

[thuganomics85]

As soon as they showed that Confederate statute, I knew the plot was going to end with Anissa shattering it.  Satisfying enough, but I did think the show blatantly turning it into a Charlottesville situation with the news report about someone running over protestors was way more on the nose then the show usually is.

Glad that the show isn't going to drag out all the secrets and now not only does Jefferson (and Lynn) know about Anissa's newfound powers, but even she knows Jefferson is Black Lightning.  I can't wait to see how all of this plays out.  At the very least, I hope Jefferson apologizes for the whole inadvertent "Sorry I beat the shit out of you, daughter" moment...

So, not only does Gambi also know Lady Eve, but they were part of some organization where he trained her, he has made some deal with her to protect the Pierces, and even has "skeletons in his closet" that could ruin him.  What have you done, Gambi?!

Khalil really is buying Tobias' bullshit hook, line, and sinker.  Kind of disappointed by this development.  I wouldn't have mind it as much if I found Tobias more charismatic, but while he's a good villain in a brutish, physical way, he's pretty much always wearing an "I clearly am a crook who should not be trusted" sign.  Poor Jennifer.

While Lynn is still a bit by the numbers as a character, Christine Adams really did a great job when Lynn finds out that Anissa has powers as well.

[Trini]

I think this one is the best episode yet! The only nitpick is that they didn't follow up with that dermatologist.

Of all the ways I thought that Anissa and Jefferson would learn about each others' powers, I did not predict a fight! That was great! Sucks that she lost, but Anissa held her own.

It's hilarious that she's walking around Freeland in that gaudy outfit though. But on the other hand... Black Lightning.

So I guess Shady Gambi is the reason Jefferson never went after that research; he's probably the reason for a lot things. So he actually trained Lady Eve(lyn)? The plot thickens...

Speaking of, Jill Scott is gorgeous; and now I have a new villain to root for.

Khalil, no!

More thoughts later....

[Dee]

Gambi & Eve need to have Hate Sex ASAP.

[VCRTracking]

Whoooooooooooooooooooooooo! That fight! I was like Winn on Supergirl when Superman and Martian Manhunter were arguing "This is terrible! This is awesome!"

Damn Khalil turned evil faster than Tommy Gunn in Rocky V.

[AnimeMania]

The whole time Khalil  was saying he had nothing, I was staring at that huge expensive watch on his wrist.

What does the episode title: Three Sevens: The Book of Thunder (The Three Sevens part, since Thunder is the daughter's superhero name).

Edited February 28, 2018 by AnimeMania

[Sakura12]

I'm so glad everyone knows about each other (except Jennifer). But man did Black Lightening put a beat down on his daughter, it's a good thing she's got powers and didn't just put on a suit to try to make a difference. I did love how terrible her disguise was that Lynn recognized her immediately. 

Khalili's turn was sudden, I hope he finds out that the lady he's riding around with his the one that actually shot him. 

It's funny how the advice Jefferson gives his daughters is the exact advice he ignores. 

[Quark]

Enjoyable episode. 

I think this is the first time that the woman who is always with Tobias (don't know her name) actually spoke. So that was fun.

Lady Eve and Gambi had a very interesting conversation.

The fight between Anissa and Black Lightning was great although I found Mum's reaction to it lacking vigour. You would think she would try by more assertive in trying to stop her ex-husband fighting there daughter.

[Sakura12]

3 minutes ago, Quark said:

Enjoyable episode. 

I think this is the first time that the woman who is always with Tobias (don't know her name) actually spoke. So that was fun.

Lady Eve and Gambi had a very interesting conversation.

The fight between Anissa and Black Lightning was great although I found Mum's reaction to it lacking vigour. You would think she would try by more assertive in trying to stop her ex-husband fighting there daughter.

Wasn't her mouth covered in duct tape? And she was tied to a chair. She was trying to shake her head but I don't think Jefferson was looking at her he was too focused on the brightly dressed woman in front of him. 

[Quark]

4 minutes ago, Sakura12 said:

Wasn't her mouth covered in duct tape? And she was tied to a chair. She was trying to shake her head but I don't think Jefferson was looking at her he was too focused on the brightly dressed woman in front of him. 

She was, but surely she would do everything in her power to overcome her constraints?

Yeah she shook her head a bit, but that was it. I just thought she could have attempted to do more.

[Sakura12]

To me Jefferson seems kind of one track mind when he's fighting and would not have heard her making noises or understood what she was doing since he wasn't even paying attention to her. 

[rollacoaster]

6 hours ago, AnimeMania said:

The whole time Khalil  was saying he had nothing, I was staring at that huge expensive watch on his wrist.

 

And I was thinking: "Fool, you have Jennifer!"

[AnimeMania]

I am surprised the video of the fight between Jennifer and that girl hasn't come out yet. They showed a little of it in the bullying video.

[UNOSEZ]

Wi the CW just gonna keep turning Jordan calloway into a villian... Lol that super creepy chick is gonna be the he ruin of him.. Can't wait for more of gambi's past to be revealed... Looking fwd to father daughter crime fighting... So they are gonna start testing Jennifer right no way to think it won't happen to her.. 

[Ohwell]

I hope that wasn't Whale's dermatologist on Lady Eve's table but it sure looked like him.  Poor bastard.  Does she have a "cover" job in a funeral home, because why is she always shown with a body on the table?  

I don't watch much superhero stuff, and this is the first time I've even watched anything on the CW channel but I turned in because I wanted to see Cress Williams.  The show has been somewhat interesting and I'll watch until the end of this season, but I'm not sure I'll make it to another season.  

[Trini]

14 hours ago, VCRTracking said:

Whoooooooooooooooooooooooo! That fight! I was like Winn on Supergirl when Superman and Martian Manhunter were arguing "This is terrible! This is awesome!"

I mean, yay! finally a showdown between two superpowered people - BUT - it's between a father and daughter, with the mother watching one of her worst nightmares unfold.

[VCRTracking]

3 minutes ago, Trini said:

I mean, yay! finally a showdown between two superpowered people - BUT - it's between a father and daughter, with the mother watching one of her worst nightmares unfold.

And Lynn recognized her right away, probably being "WTF?" at both Anissa's powers and her outfit! Jeff was too much in a rage already because of Tobias and misunderstanding the situation to think clearly.

[Trini]

Late-released promo photos have a few with Anissa's costume:

http://blacklightningtv.com/black-lightning-ep-6-three-sevens-book-thunder-description/

[Lantern7]

Initial thought: "There's a Confederate statue in Freeland? Of course there's a Confederate statue in Freeland, Why wouldn't there be a Confederate statue in Freeland?" And then we get off-screen violence and a fatality covered by Channel 52 the local news.

Never thought that the Black Lightning powers would be mostly mental. Once again, I'm assuming Jefferson was a mutant (or local variation thereof), and he's in the report floating around. And Anissa is second-generation meta, albeit without her father's fashion sense. Well, not yet.

Anybody else surprised the specialist wasn't dead by the end of the episode? I wouldn't have bet against there. Anissa wakes up, sees her father in his "other" outfit. Fade to black. "Oh, and Tobias suspected something was up, so he snapped the chump's neck in three places."

Edited March 1, 2018 by Lantern7

[tennisgurl]

4 hours ago, Trini said:

I mean, yay! finally a showdown between two superpowered people - BUT - it's between a father and daughter, with the mother watching one of her worst nightmares unfold.

 

Hehehe, truly you are Caitlin, and I am Cisco. "This is so cool...but also so awful"!

No, Khalil, dont fall for his bullshit! I mean, could Whales have "I am bad guy" tattooed on his head any more obviously? I feel bad that he had his life fall apart, but damn, thats no reason to go super villain on everyone. I really liked him too. 

So, Gambi and Lady Eve have a connection? Interesting, very interesting. They have a weirdly intense chemistry. Were they a thing at some point? Also, it looked like that might have been Whales doctor on the table, but I hope not. Poor guy. 

Thank god the secrets are all out! Now I want father/daughters superhero adventures right now! I figured that we would have to wait awhile longer. 

Wow, that confederate monument was really ripped from the headlines, huh? I mean, they could have just used actual reports from the Charlottsville tragedy, it was that close to what happened. The woman who was killed even looked a bit like the poor woman who died in real life. I should have known what was in store for her when the camera focused on this seemingly random girl next to Annnisa. Pretty on the nose there, show. Except, you know, a superhero didn't show up and blow any statues up. I did like seeing Anissas reaction to everything, and I love her superhero journey. 

Edited March 1, 2018 by tennisgurl

[mxc90]

The opening scene was a waste. The police are gathering from a tip to take down Black Lightning. The captain gives orders to keep their heads on a swivel and later we see a police cruiser pass BL as he stands in the alley (begging to be cuffed). Joe Toledo is bad at giving directions and not killing BL when he had the chance.

Off topic - Whenever I see a BMW or Mercedes on a show, the ornament/logo is removed from the front (this was from the van Gambi was driving). What's the purpose of this? With or without it, we know the make the vehicle.

[Cthulhudrew]

10 hours ago, Ohwell said:

I hope that wasn't Whale's dermatologist on Lady Eve's table but it sure looked like him.  Poor bastard. 

 I have to go back and check now. I was actually wondering what would become of that guy once BL didn't show up for the meet and greet. "So what's so urgent?" "Uhh... uhh... you see..." "You keep looking over my shoulder. Are you expecting someone? You know what happens to people who waste my time."

1 hour ago, mxc90 said:

Off topic - Whenever I see a BMW or Mercedes on a show, the ornament/logo is removed from the front (this was from the van Gambi was driving). What's the purpose of this? With or without it, we know the make the vehicle.

Branding issues. Either they don't want to give free advertising space to the car companies who haven't paid for it, or they are not able to show the car logos because they haven't paid for it. I'm not sure which, but it is doubtless one of those.

Once again, a really stellar episode. Some of Gambi's dialogue did seem a little bland tonight, and I really hope that Lynn didn't just decide at the drop of a hat that she suddenly has no problem with Jefferson's crusading, and was saying that mainly to talk him off the ledge. While I generally dislike conflict for the sake of drama in tv shows, in this case I think her fears and pov are very believable and justifiable, and their butting heads has been handled very well so far (albeit Jefferson seems a bit too bullheaded to try and see her point of view sometimes).

[raven]

On 2/28/2018 at 8:52 AM, Sakura12 said:

It's funny how the advice Jefferson gives his daughters is the exact advice he ignores. 

Classic parenting move LOL.  Do as I say, not as I do.

The guy on Lady Eve's table was not the dermatologist - the dermatologist has a beard and is more round, the table guy was more square.  I fear for the dermatologist now though.

I want to know more about this agency that Lady Eve talked to Gambi about.  I guess they created metas there, hence Whale, et al.   Gambi, come clean!

I'm really enjoying Anissa's learning curve - not so much getting hurt by her dad, but all the rest.  Maybe I'm in the minority but I like her costume - she looks strong; brightly colored but strong.  The wig isn't too bad and it's necessary in her case to keep her disguised.  The gold painted mask is as bad as Clark Kent's glasses, though, hee.

Aw Kahlil. I can completely understand being angry, he WAS doing everything the "right" way;  I even understand taking it out on Jennifer (though I was hoping it was a "drive her away from me because I can't be the man for her" type of thing) but that seems like a pretty quick turn down the path of evil.  OTOH, if they are telling him they can enable him to walk again, it is really understandable.

[ottoDbusdriver]

1 hour ago, raven said:

Classic parenting move LOL.  Do as I say, not as I do.

The guy on Lady Eve's table was not the dermatologist - the dermatologist has a beard and is more round, the table guy was more square.  I fear for the dermatologist now though.

I want to know more about this agency that Lady Eve talked to Gambi about.  I guess they created metas there, hence Whale, et al.   Gambi, come clean!

I'm really enjoying Anissa's learning curve - not so much getting hurt by her dad, but all the rest.  Maybe I'm in the minority but I like her costume - she looks strong; brightly colored but strong.  The wig isn't too bad and it's necessary in her case to keep her disguised.  The gold painted mask is as bad as Clark Kent's glasses, though, hee.

Aw Kahlil. I can completely understand being angry, he WAS doing everything the "right" way;  I even understand taking it out on Jennifer (though I was hoping it was a "drive her away from me because I can't be the man for her" type of thing) but that seems like a pretty quick turn down the path of evil.  OTOH, if they are telling him they can enable him to walk again, it is really understandable.

I know that Anissa has been slowly discovering her strength powers, but at what point did she find out she was also bulletproof ?  And where did she get that outfit that is also apparently bulletproof ?  And electricity proof (since it deflected BL's lightning bolt) ?

[Cthulhudrew]

4 hours ago, raven said:

I'm really enjoying Anissa's learning curve - not so much getting hurt by her dad, but all the rest.  Maybe I'm in the minority but I like her costume - she looks strong; brightly colored but strong.  The wig isn't too bad and it's necessary in her case to keep her disguised.  The gold painted mask is as bad as Clark Kent's glasses, though, hee.

I think the costume looks fine- maybe a little too busy, but not overly so. I did find it incredibly odd that no one at that vigil stopped what they were doing to stare at the costumed person until she'd destroyed the status, though.

I wish that BL's costume were a little more streamlined like hers is. Lose some of the extra padding- the shoulder and knee and leg pads- and give the lightning bolts on his chest more straight lines. 

[johntfs]

18 hours ago, ottoDbusdriver said:

I know that Anissa has been slowly discovering her strength powers, but at what point did she find out she was also bulletproof ?  And where did she get that outfit that is also apparently bulletproof ?  And electricity proof (since it deflected BL's lightning bolt) ?

We're assuming that they're strength/toughness powers.  What if they're more like telekinesis?  Maybe Anissa creates a kind of "force field" around herself that allows her to do the stuff she does, including deflect bullets without tearing up her clothing. 

On 3/1/2018 at 12:22 AM, Cthulhudrew said:

I really hope that Lynn didn't just decide at the drop of a hat that she suddenly has no problem with Jefferson's crusading, and was saying that mainly to talk him off the ledge.

I think she meant what she said in the moment she said it.  Lynn recognizes that Jefferson has made his decision to return to being Black Lightning and she can either support him in that decision or abandon him.  However, it's clear if she abandons him it opens the possibility for him to go down some very dark paths.  That said, the fact that Anissa seems to be pursuing the same very dangerous path might be enough to give both her and Jefferson second thoughts about this whole super-heroing thing.  Neither of them want to lose one of their children to that life.  Or at all.

[ottoDbusdriver]

4 hours ago, johntfs said:

We're assuming that they're strength/toughness powers.  What if they're more like telekinesis?  Maybe Anissa creates a kind of "force field" around herself that allows her to do the stuff she does, including deflect bullets without tearing up her clothing. 

That actually sounds pretty cool -- I just thought it was a substantial leap she made to assume she was also bullet proof.  Or lightning proof. What if she wasn't ?

But the force field idea would also explain why her costume was not damaged by the bullets or the lightning.

Edited March 3, 2018 by ottoDbusdriver

[johntfs]

4 hours ago, ottoDbusdriver said:

That actually sounds pretty cool -- I just thought it was a substantial leap she made to assume she was also bullet proof.  Or lightning proof. What if she wasn't ?

Then she'd be bleeding out or electrocuted.  Remember, Anissa's still 23 right now.  So, while, yes, she's a medical student and a health teacher, she still hasn't lost all her teenage stupid yet.