Jennifer Tests Her Powers In A Preview Of Next Week’s Black Lightning

 
With Anissa (Nafessa Williams) and Jefferson (Cress Williams) working brilliantly as a team, it was only a matter of time before Jennifer (China Anne McClain) worked past some of her initial doubts and tested her newfound powers. But as seen in the following preview, super-powered young people like her are being snatched off the streets as the program Gambi (James Remar) was a part of thirty years ago resumes. Even more unsettling: the kids he identified for the ASA back then are still on ice.

I have to admit, I like the way the show articulated Jennifer’s fear of powers and sense of betrayal this week. That she even wants a simpler life is very unusual for superhero shows; but to spell it out as wanting to get married and have kids is truly astonishing. Most superheroes find a way to have it all, but it is interesting that Black Lightning keeps exploring how hard that would actually be, even from a teenager’s perspective.
Considering how quickly the show has introduced these ideas, I hope Jennifer stays a little more reticent to become a hero even as she learns about her abilities. It makes for an interesting contrast to Anissa’s quick dive into the family business.
Also, I can’t wait to see what Jefferson and Anissa will discover in that repository of powered teens or what Jefferson will do when he discovers LaLa (William Catlett) is still walking the Earth.
Black Lightning airs Tuesdays on The CW.