Black Lightning

:

Season 1
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 232 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 105 out of 232
  2. Mixed: 36 out of 232
  3. Negative: 91 out of 232
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User Reviews

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  1. GarvielLoken
    Jan 17, 2018
    0
    Summary of the first episode:
    90% bashing white people for persecuting blacks, whites this, whitey that, quote from the episode "all black people are victims", we get a white racist cop brutality scene beating a black guy....
    What else happened in the pilot.... uhhhhh..... Oh, yeah.... at the end of the episode the main character has some sparks show on his eyes for a second. End    Summary of the first episode:
    90% bashing white people for persecuting blacks, whites this, whitey that, quote from the episode "all black people are victims", we get a white racist cop brutality scene beating a black guy....
    What else happened in the pilot.... uhhhhh.....
    Oh, yeah.... at the end of the episode the main character has some sparks show on his eyes for a second.

    End credits.
    Watching this was a waste of my time and a waste of internet bandwidth.    … Expand
  2. ozymandias79
    Jan 18, 2018
    3
    So all white cops are a**holes. Forget serve and protect if you're a white cop. You can make a "black" superhero show without jamming the perils of racism down peoples throats. Watch Luke Cage instead of this garbage. Oh yeah, it's okay to be white.
  3. D0v4hk1n
    Jan 17, 2018
    0
    Don't be fooled by the 80/100 "official" score. No official outlet would dare give this less than 50% for obvious reasons.
  4. HirakaiKo
    Jul 20, 2018
    3
    I can't get over the fact that his wife and daughters don't recognize him simply because he's wearing goggles. I mean....seriously. Other than that, I'm halfway through the season and every white person in the show is racist apart from one character. I'm not even kidding. It's pretty annoying and I'm not even white lol. But hey, it means critics have to give it a positive review, and asI can't get over the fact that his wife and daughters don't recognize him simply because he's wearing goggles. I mean....seriously. Other than that, I'm halfway through the season and every white person in the show is racist apart from one character. I'm not even kidding. It's pretty annoying and I'm not even white lol. But hey, it means critics have to give it a positive review, and as per usual, critics don't do what they're meant to do and actually critique, instead deciding to praise the pandering.

    On the upside, I really like the actors, especially the main. They've surprisingly done a better than usual job of fleshing out relationships in this series, as opposed to Luke Cage/Iron Fist etc., where they're kind of tacked on as an afterthought. The downside is that the storyline itself is not as strong as the others, and the relationships can't carry the show - add to that the annoying political undertones and it's just a disappointment.

    Perhaps they tried to do too much with this show, they try to tackle racial issues, same-sex relationships, systemic racism, while also having a good completely make-believe superhero show - and in attempting to tackle all of these things at once in one single show where they didn't all fit, they ended up failing on all fronts and achieving nothing. I feel they'd have been a lot better off just doing two things well, build on it and try to tackle another next season, something like that. But doing it all at once was overambitious and it comes across as obnoxious.    … Expand
  5. critic411
    Apr 12, 2018
    0
    One of the most blatantly racist shows on TV today; Enough people have already pointed out examples so I won't bother but this show is riddled with them. Why is this necessary? The show segregates blacks and whites ala 1960s. They should have ignored race completely and made this a good show regardless of color! They are taking a huge step backwards and should be ashamed.
  6. Skeletor71
    Jan 23, 2018
    2
    This could have been done a lot better. Like Luke Cage for example. But this was just too much of 'good' thing. Of course the critics are gonna love this, but we know better now than to listen to them.
  7. Mircutio
    May 4, 2018
    0
    From the opening scene to the last episode it was a SJW paradise. Not to mention all the negative black stereotypes you could imagine, this show really should be offensive to everyone. How about we make TV great again.
  8. Is4U2P
    Jan 18, 2018
    0
    This is an average show at best and starting off it will pit Barry Allen's Flash against Black Lightning because one is a cop and the other seems to only have bad experiences with the police.

    Sorry, but this needs to be more even and stop leading the ideal that all white cops are racist, it just does not live with the arrowverse and I would love to see this character in future crossovers.
  9. hellpitt
    Jan 22, 2018
    3
    sadly the series was advertise as a Super Hero series...and so far I saw him attacking police officers and destroying police vehicles... we see him as a Black person in a city or town that apparently only has Black people, everyone in his life is black...no diversity... we only see other ethnic groups like white people as the bad guy or the "Evil Police" or a Chinese Store ownersadly the series was advertise as a Super Hero series...and so far I saw him attacking police officers and destroying police vehicles... we see him as a Black person in a city or town that apparently only has Black people, everyone in his life is black...no diversity... we only see other ethnic groups like white people as the bad guy or the "Evil Police" or a Chinese Store owner oppressor... OMG guys... how bad was this? very very bad.… Expand
  10. runeborsjo
    Jan 29, 2018
    3
    I don't understand the near-universal acclaim in the press - I suspect that too is driven more by politics than content. To me, this is the weakest of the DC shows on The CW. Much like Supergirl, it's more concerned with identity politics and firsts than telling a compelling story. People need to stop comparing this to Luke Cage - which is actually a good show.
  11. McTonyC
    Oct 28, 2018
    0
    This show is terrible from A-Z, I can't understand how this has a 98% on Rotten while Iron fist has like 19 ... This show has to be the worst i have seen out of all of them. CW/ABC/NETFLIX. The theme song sucks, the suits are tacky, super cheap looking, the actors are absolutely terrible, Tobias has to be the most generic albino actor possible, if he can even be called an actor... the plotThis show is terrible from A-Z, I can't understand how this has a 98% on Rotten while Iron fist has like 19 ... This show has to be the worst i have seen out of all of them. CW/ABC/NETFLIX. The theme song sucks, the suits are tacky, super cheap looking, the actors are absolutely terrible, Tobias has to be the most generic albino actor possible, if he can even be called an actor... the plot holes are massive starting with episode 1. Watching that episode felt like i missed a whole prior episode or even season. We're introduced to characters like we're supposed to know who they are and their past with black lightning ... Also the contrast between the hero / principal is non existent, he is the same, looks the same, acts the same .... The viewers are constantly shoved in their face and reminded that " this is a black show, my super hero is black " type of **** Luke Cage made me vibe at every episode craving for more, this show is so terrible i can't even finish episode 8.… Expand
  12. nilsy
    Jun 8, 2018
    2
    Race politics aside this is just a horrible story with bad actors, it does have a good filming quality in the camera works and lighting and the clothes and backgrounds are eye candy.

    It takes its self very seriously but its story is more silly fun but it tries very hard to be serious throwing away the only thing it almost hit by mistake. Black tv show creators needs to learn how to    Race politics aside this is just a horrible story with bad actors, it does have a good filming quality in the camera works and lighting and the clothes and backgrounds are eye candy.

    It takes its self very seriously but its story is more silly fun but it tries very hard to be serious throwing away the only thing it almost hit by mistake.

    Black tv show creators needs to learn how to HIDE that ur a racist.
    Can understand how the official reviewers didnt call wolf, its one of those infected questions which you just dont want to be associated with on either side.    … Expand
  13. Timesseven
    Aug 3, 2018
    3
    As a black person, I'm not too thrilled with how they did this series. Lesbian sex, underage drinking, marijuana smoking, black gang members, corrupt white cops... damn. It's like they threw every negative stereotype in the book into this show. While I applaud the fact that it strays from the common CW superhero show, it doesn't mean that it made it a good show. Using lemon juice withAs a black person, I'm not too thrilled with how they did this series. Lesbian sex, underage drinking, marijuana smoking, black gang members, corrupt white cops... damn. It's like they threw every negative stereotype in the book into this show. While I applaud the fact that it strays from the common CW superhero show, it doesn't mean that it made it a good show. Using lemon juice with cereal (instead of milk) deviates from the norm, but that doesn't make it a good idea.

    I love how one reviewer on a different site asked why the black superheroes are always trying to save a city while the white superheroes are saving the world. Why black superheroes are always dealing with drugs and gang violence while white superheroes are dealing with space aliens and extra-dimensional threats. Sorry to say that BL falls right into the stereotypical category... again.

    This show would have been much better if they used Static Shock. Now THAT would have been great to see.    … Expand
  14. Subsided16
    Mar 13, 2018
    0
    Incredibly Racist, every white cop is a terrible person and of course the super racist leader is a white guy....oh and the protagonist has a white servant.
  15. SunOneElse
    Apr 10, 2019
    0
    When i first watch season 1, i had a hard time getting through it, because even though it had a strong super hero plot that followed a successfull father trying to find the right thing to do to keep his family safe and keep himself safe, the recuring generic antagonist of the series appears to be the white cops.

    the cops arnt just dirty, they arnt just paid off, they are vast majority    When i first watch season 1, i had a hard time getting through it, because even though it had a strong super hero plot that followed a successfull father trying to find the right thing to do to keep his family safe and keep himself safe, the recuring generic antagonist of the series appears to be the white cops.

    the cops arnt just dirty, they arnt just paid off, they are vast majority just plain racist. if a white person appears in the show, with exception to Black Lightnings Foster day, you can bet they are portrayed as a racist.

    its distracting to try to watch a show that is constantly telling you that "white people are inherently racist unless they know you."

    I was excited to see that season 2 had come out, i started watching it and within the first minute, white cops were beating a black man. so i turned it off.    … Expand
  16. wjaz
    Dec 10, 2018
    0
    Being from the former Soviet Block, I am very familiar with propaganda. The movies had generic plots and familiar characters, whose traits we've learned to expect: good homely Russian girl, brave Polish or Georgian guy; they fall in love, while tractors in the background harvest wheat. But alas! their community is under attack from Americans or Germans (presented as deft spies who are alsoBeing from the former Soviet Block, I am very familiar with propaganda. The movies had generic plots and familiar characters, whose traits we've learned to expect: good homely Russian girl, brave Polish or Georgian guy; they fall in love, while tractors in the background harvest wheat. But alas! their community is under attack from Americans or Germans (presented as deft spies who are also raging psychos). Those heartless Capitalists continue to plot and scheme, causing accidents and procuring acts of violence. Our heroes are initially uninterested, but they slowly come into age and realize that they must protect their community/identity/nation/party etc.

    Black Lightning is basically the same propaganda fare.
    I braved it until episode 6, cringing from time to time.

    But I gave up when a concerned father came to his daugher to cheer her up after someone's been mean to her and said, in a solemn voice: "Sigh... You know, Jen, a cultural aftershock of slavery was that sometimes when one black person gets ahead, another feels like it ruins their chances. So they lash out..." Right. It's the whiteys' fault.
    At that moment, the milk in my coffee went sour and I decided that I don't need this bullcrap in my life.
    Terrible.    … Expand
  17. belgian001
    Oct 22, 2019
    0
    all whte people are racist and corrupt and ****
    this show is racism against white people
  18. dragonne1950
    Jun 23, 2021
    0
    Has anyone noticed the great preponderance of anti white sentiment in Black Lightning? Bad guys are all white except James Remar who was evil now turned good guy. All the good guys are black and even the black bad guys are seen to be better than the white bad guys. i thought bad was bad and evil was evil. almost all the cops are black except for the two white crooked cops and the USHas anyone noticed the great preponderance of anti white sentiment in Black Lightning? Bad guys are all white except James Remar who was evil now turned good guy. All the good guys are black and even the black bad guys are seen to be better than the white bad guys. i thought bad was bad and evil was evil. almost all the cops are black except for the two white crooked cops and the US Government (all white guys) are bad . Sorry i'm not buying it. This is like a bad BLM Show. Sorry if this is a Marvel comic, you've lost a fan guys.… Expand
  19. Hides-From-Sun
    Sep 15, 2020
    3
    It would've been a good show, but it's spoiled by the amount of SJW garbage they throw at you. No good cops, all whites are racist, blacks are treated poorly by the evil white male etc.. If they focused less on skin colour and more on creating a good story, it would be getting better reviews.

    It needs to stop trying to divide people with this BS. There is only one race, the human race.    It would've been a good show, but it's spoiled by the amount of SJW garbage they throw at you. No good cops, all whites are racist, blacks are treated poorly by the evil white male etc.. If they focused less on skin colour and more on creating a good story, it would be getting better reviews.

    It needs to stop trying to divide people with this BS. There is only one race, the human race. Skin colour doesn't matter, we're all equal. All this propaganda does is just fan the flames. Sad.    … Expand
  20. Markkay
    Jun 3, 2021
    0
    This show was trash. Cram race down your throat every minute. Black on black violence, every white person is evil. That is all this show is about. Can't forget poor and I mean real poor acting and horribly written. Show is a big yawn. Good that it was canceled. Shouldn't and didn't deserve a second or third season.
  21. Artjunkie
    Jan 1, 2023
    0
    Oooouch, Can someone turn off the Political pandering? So many have said it so to keep it simple… warning: Forced racism is advised
  22. Dk1982
    Jan 25, 2023
    1
    Wow this show is disgustingly racist towards white ppl. Just absolute trash garbage tv. The acting is definitely sub standard low budget actors

Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Best TV Season of 2018
19
#19 Most Discussed TV Season of 2018
33
#33 Most Shared TV Season of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Troy Patterson
    Mar 30, 2018
    70
    The violence does not rank as gratuitous because, as an action show, Black Lightning very much needs it. The hero’s own fight scenes can feel restrained, even cramped, perhaps because he devotes a lot of energy to anguishing about violence begetting further violence, and also to fretting that his return to duty will jeopardize a chance to reconcile with his ex-wife.
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  2. The Lincoln Journal Star
    Reviewed by: Jeff Korbelik
    Jan 29, 2018
    75
    The main storyline involves a nefarious crime lord, played by Marvin “Krondon” Jones III, whose gang, The 100, is terrifying the city, but it's Black Lightning’s journey into social issues--the character quotes Martin Luther King Jr. at one point in the premiere--that separates him from the rest of the superhero pack.
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  3. The Daily Beast
    Reviewed by: Ira Madison III
    Jan 17, 2018
    80
    The series juggles police brutality, systemic racism, black youth culture, gang violence, and black parenting with aplomb, and all topics feel entirely new to The CW but also necessary for the network, where it can be paired with an equally pulpy series like Riverdale.
    Read full review
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