Why you should be watching Black Lightning.
Black Lightning is a show about a black superhero family, yes, but the key to it’s great quality and success with its fans is that it is a show about a black family that are still just a family that love each other, fight for or with each other, enjoy each other, everything is “each other” for the Pierce family and their extended family members like Freeland Police Chief Bill Henderson and Peter Gambi.
Before Black Lightning The CW hadn’t had series starring a predominantly black cast since Everybody Hates Chris, Girlfriends and The Game were all cancelled over ten years ago. It gave us something new with a black superhero and his crime fighting daughters and the assistance of his brilliant and beautiful scientist wife Lynn. Not since the 1990’s first black superhero show ever on television M.A.N.T.I.S starring Carl Lumbly has this sort of show even be attempted which is more than enough reason to give it a watch just because of its uniqueness.
But you should also give it a glance just because it’s just a damn good show with heart, soul and social relevance. It premiered at a time when we’re dealing with racial inequality and black lives matter, it’s very timely in that way as the show delves into such heavy topics like racism, homosexuality, police brutality, drugs etc. It’s a very modern show that’s for sure, so if that’s your thing you will be satisfied I promise.
Although the show is very “liberal” or “woke” it is never really one sided when it comes to hard conversations. The characters are all distinctive people and have different viewpoints and allows everyone to speak their piece, including a white principal who despite his appearance grew up much less privileged than Jefferson Pierce himself. The show doesn’t necessarily preach at you but opens up a dialogue.
Most importantly the show is just an entertaining and heart warming show with storylines featuring the classic superhero action elements as well as stories focusing on the family dynamic of the Pierce family and personal stories for all the characters, character driven series are always my favorite and If you love character driven stories about the characters and for the characters then you’ll enjoy this show.
Unfortunately Black Lightning isn’t coming back after season 4, but, the first three seasons are on Netflix right now and this is your chance to check the show out for yourself if you haven’t and fall as much in love with it as much as I and many other BL fans have. Why not give it a shot?
