Home > Black Lightning > Season 1 « TV Series Page Black Lightning: Season 1 (2018) SEASON: Season 1 Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Want to see Episode List Season 1 Black Lightning Critics Consensus Black Lightning doesn't reinvent superhero TV, but it does give the genre a necessary jolt with real-world plots, scary new villains, and a star-making performance from Cress Williams. 96% TOMATOMETER Critic Ratings: 49 54% Audience Score User Ratings: 2265 NEW More Info × Close Want to see Super Reviewer Submit Super Reviewer Edit Review Episodes 1 100% The Resurrection Air date: Jan 16, 2018 A retired superhero is drawn back into his old lifestyle when his daughter seeks to serve justice to evil-doers in the series premiere. More 2 100% Lawanda: The Book of Hope Air date: Jan 23, 2018 As the community struggles with the violence surrounding them, a glimmer of hope appears: Is Black Lightning back? Lynn Stewart, noticing the changes in the community, is also left wondering. While Jefferson Pierce struggles with his decision, Gambi urges him to take up the mantle once more and return to life as Black Lightning. Anissa and Jennifer try to deal with the aftermath of their jolting experience. More 3 82% Lawanda: The Book of Burial Air date: Jan 30, 2018 As Jefferson Pierce tries to determine if the community can survive without the help of Black Lightning, Anissa starts to come into her own. Meanwhile, Jefferson and Lynn try and figure out their new dynamic. Finally, Jennifer reveals to her parents that she has been grappling with something big. More 4 100% Black Jesus Air date: Feb 6, 2018 Black Lightning is recruited to rally against The 100 gang. Anissa investigates the new drug hitting the streets. Meanwhile, familiar faces begin to reappear. More 5 100% And Then the Devil Brought the Plague: The Book of Green Light Air date: Feb 13, 2018 An unexpected phone call unearths the long-buried need for Jefferson to investigate the murder of his father. Meanwhile, Annisa wrestles with the fact that her actions have dire consequences; and Jennifer learns the importance of controlling her temper in all situations. More 6 89% Three Sevens: The Book of Thunder Air date: Feb 27, 2018 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. More 7 100% Equinox: The Book of Fate Air date: Mar 6, 2018 Black Lightning's pursuit for Tobias continues. Anissa continues to find herself in the new normal. More 8 100% The Book of Revelations Air date: Mar 13, 2018 Black Lightning works with Anissa to help find information to clear his name. Jennifer begins interning for Lynn. Meanwhile, Gambi finds himself in a precarious situation. More 9 91% The Book of Little Black Lies Air date: Mar 20, 2018 In the aftermath of the latest killing, Black Lightning works to clear his name while also hunting down the person responsible for his father's death, and anyone else involved. Tensions remain high between Black Lightning and Gambi. More 10 100% Sins of the Father: The Book of Redemption Air date: Mar 27, 2018 Black Lightning attempts to rescue several long-missing children reveal a secret he did not anticipate, and its resulting connections. Gambi struggles to stay strong while in a compromising position. Jefferson begins to view things differently. More Show More Episodes Black Lightning: Season 1 Videos 2:48 Black Lighting: Season 1 Trailer 2:34 Black Lightning: Season 1 Trailer - Where Heroes Are Born 0:07 Black Lightning: Season 1 'Motel' Teaser 0:30 Black Lightning: Season 1 Trailer - Origin 1:00 Black Lightning: Season 1 Trailer - Resurrection 1:00 Black Lightning: Season 1 Trailer - Power Struggle 0:30 Black Lightning: Season 1 Trailer - Family Fights Back 0:10 Black Lightning: Season 1 Teaser - Power Up 0:30 Black Lightning: Season 1 Episode 2 Preview 0:30 Black Lightning: Season 1 Episode 4 Preview View All Videos (18) Black Lightning: Season 1 Photos View All Photos (69) Tv Season Info High-school principal Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams) suits up once again as Black Lightning to save his daughters Anissa (Nafessa Williams) and Jennifer (China Anne McClain) from trouble. In doing so, he breaks his promise to his ex-wife Lynn (Christine Adams) to retire from being a superhero for good. What Jefferson intended to be a one-time stint, however, becomes a full-time return to wearing the cape when he learns that he and his family are being targeted by the criminal organization that calls itself the 100 and the shadowy government agency ASA. James Remar, Damon Gupton, and Marvin "Krondon" Jones III join the cast as Pierce family friend Peter Gambi, police inspector Billy Henderson, and the 100 leader Tobias Whale respectively. Genre: Drama Network: CW Premiere Date: Jan 16, 2018 Creator: Greg Berlanti Exec. Producers: Mara Brock Akil, Salim Akil, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter Cast Cress Williams as Jefferson Pierce Christine Adams as Lynn Nafessa Williams as Anissa Pierce China Anne McClain as Jennifer Pierce James Remar as Peter Gambi Damon Gupton as Henderson Marvin Jones III as Tobias Whale Show More Cast News & Interviews for Black Lightning: Season 1 The Best and Worst Reviewed Television Series of 2018 by Network and Streaming Service Renewed and Cancelled TV Shows 2018 2018 TV Premiere Dates Calendar View All Black Lightning: Season 1 News Episodes 1 100% The Resurrection Air date: Jan 16, 2018 A retired superhero is drawn back into his old lifestyle when his daughter seeks to serve justice to evil-doers in the series premiere. More 2 100% Lawanda: The Book of Hope Air date: Jan 23, 2018 As the community struggles with the violence surrounding them, a glimmer of hope appears: Is Black Lightning back? Lynn Stewart, noticing the changes in the community, is also left wondering. While Jefferson Pierce struggles with his decision, Gambi urges him to take up the mantle once more and return to life as Black Lightning. Anissa and Jennifer try to deal with the aftermath of their jolting experience. More 3 82% Lawanda: The Book of Burial Air date: Jan 30, 2018 As Jefferson Pierce tries to determine if the community can survive without the help of Black Lightning, Anissa starts to come into her own. Meanwhile, Jefferson and Lynn try and figure out their new dynamic. Finally, Jennifer reveals to her parents that she has been grappling with something big. More 4 100% Black Jesus Air date: Feb 6, 2018 Black Lightning is recruited to rally against The 100 gang. Anissa investigates the new drug hitting the streets. Meanwhile, familiar faces begin to reappear. More 5 100% And Then the Devil Brought the Plague: The Book of Green Light Air date: Feb 13, 2018 An unexpected phone call unearths the long-buried need for Jefferson to investigate the murder of his father. Meanwhile, Annisa wrestles with the fact that her actions have dire consequences; and Jennifer learns the importance of controlling her temper in all situations. More 6 89% Three Sevens: The Book of Thunder Air date: Feb 27, 2018 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. More 7 100% Equinox: The Book of Fate Air date: Mar 6, 2018 Black Lightning's pursuit for Tobias continues. Anissa continues to find herself in the new normal. More 8 100% The Book of Revelations Air date: Mar 13, 2018 Black Lightning works with Anissa to help find information to clear his name. Jennifer begins interning for Lynn. Meanwhile, Gambi finds himself in a precarious situation. More 9 91% The Book of Little Black Lies Air date: Mar 20, 2018 In the aftermath of the latest killing, Black Lightning works to clear his name while also hunting down the person responsible for his father's death, and anyone else involved. Tensions remain high between Black Lightning and Gambi. More 10 100% Sins of the Father: The Book of Redemption Air date: Mar 27, 2018 Black Lightning attempts to rescue several long-missing children reveal a secret he did not anticipate, and its resulting connections. Gambi struggles to stay strong while in a compromising position. Jefferson begins to view things differently. More Show More Episodes Critic Reviews for Black Lightning Season 1 All Critics (49) | Top Critics (19) | Fresh (48) | Rotten (1) It's that real-world sizzle that gives this newcomer its snap, crackle and pop. Jan 12, 2018 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… Verne Gay Newsday Top Critic The villains are scary, the dialogue is smart, and the actors are compelling. "Black Lightning" serves a welcome jolt. Jan 11, 2018 | Full Review… Hal Boedeker Orlando Sentinel Top Critic The journey to Black Lightning fully embracing its present could be one of the year's exciting TV evolutions. Jan 16, 2018 | Rating: B | Full Review… Steve Greene indieWire Top Critic It's all pulled off powerfully and artfully by principal executive producer Mara Brock Akil (Girlfriends, The Game), who's assisted by DC impresario Greg Berlanti. Jan 16, 2018 | Rating: B+ | Full Review… Ed Bark Uncle Barky Top Critic ... it's already managed to distinguish itself not only from the Arrowverse (which includes shows like Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl), but also from Marvel's Luke Cage, the series that's usually mentioned in the same breath. Feb 13, 2018 | Full Review… Pilot Viruet The Atlantic Top Critic The escapism is augmented by a sincere attempt to tap into the social tensions convulsing the United States. Jan 23, 2018 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… Ed Power Daily Telegraph (UK) Top Critic Through a good story, a great tapestry is offered to talk about all kinds of social issues. [Full Review in Spanish] Jul 30, 2019 | Full Review… Albertini Espinof The need to get what I will refer to as "the message" out took away from what could have been an awesome pilot. Aug 26, 2018 | Full Review… Terence Johnson Le Noir Auteur This episode was really a showcase for Williams. The sequence featuring his arrest and incarceration ran the gamut of emotions without being obvious or over the top. Aug 10, 2018 | Full Review… Stephanie Holland Geeks of Color The '70s Incredible Hulk TV show established a formula wherein the Hulk was guaranteed to show up twice per episode; the best superhero shows stick to some version of that. And Black Lightning is surely among the best. Jun 26, 2018 | Full Review… Luke Y. Thompson Forbes View All Critic Reviews (49) Audience Reviews for Black Lightning: Season 1 Aug 09, 2019 cant believe a series like this exists in this day and age.. worst super hero series i have ever watched.superman wearing glasses to cover his identity was acceptable those days but this series bluffs about he wearing a stupid looking eye patch and people dont recognise him and his daughters. The series has good story line but very poorly executed and sometimes i just switch to something different bcos cant stand how it is presented. it is my personal view i am sure others could differ. sorry did not mean to hurt any ones feelings about this. I really wish they do good black superhero series. Luke is good love it. Dan N Aug 03, 2019 It was ok at best. A bit too much SJW crap for it to be really entertaining. William P Jun 18, 2019 I made it through five episodes before deleting the season pass from my DVR. I thought that the lead actor was good but the rest were awful. The acting was so poor that I found myself wanting to fast-forward through most of the show. I was a fan of the 70s comic and this was a huge disappointment. Harvey M May 19, 2019 Terrible writting and acting , storytelling is almost boring, some good cgi effects here and there,the show comstantly promotes in every way black people stereotype. 1 star just for the effort. Chris K May 12, 2019 This is way too woke, especially for me, the villain is a Donald Trump ripoff and the sisters are so unrelatable it almost made me quit watching. Chocolate B Mar 30, 2019 This fresh IP of a series feels like it is an over reaction of racism, and manipulating characters to do their ultimately intended purposes. It had an interesting point and scenes and emotional moments that where worth something. The directing style is too simple and it gets boring real fast. The acting was mostly off, and the only scenes when the acting was worth something it was repeated to a time when it became repetitive. The music was one of the best parts in the whole series, which was original and really well paced. The plot was too simple and event less at times and to complex at times which made it hard to understand and to keep up with it after the slow paced events. Overall it's an above average series at best, but maybe in the future without all the exaggeration and senseless plot and average acting it can be a lot better. Gábor D Mar 21, 2019 Terrible. They simply destroyed the good comic that arise in 1977. This TV series is racist and seems be more focused in the political agenda of the writers than in the continuity of the story of the comics. They destroyed the main character and reinforced a lot of stereotypes of black people. The costumes are ridiculous, the parallel stories sound like a teenager soap opera and they reinforced all time the separation between black and white people!!! So sad! Mar 19, 2019 I'm here for Anissa sooo yeah... Lorena B Mar 11, 2019 Watched one episode and drifted off. Finding a lot of netflixes newer output..off putting! Eamon F Jan 28, 2019 Talk about "don't judge a book by it's cover." This show is incredibly well done once you make yourself get past the title and posters. I was surprised to see the audience reviews so low. When there is a big gap in reviews like this I generally don't find myself on the side of the critics, but I am totally with them this time. A+ My only criticism has to do with the the primary villain, Tobais Whale. In a show that was otherwise surprisingly well acted, Whale was so cliche and the acting so cheesy that any scene with him in it was jarring. ...and the intro song. Although obviously on the nose intentionally, it is still lame. James L See all Audience reviews News & Features 150 Erotic Movies Ranked worst to best! 2019's Most Anticipated 63 movies coming up this year 200 Essential Movies Chosen by RT staff! 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