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
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Buy on
Stream On
Stream On

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. grrlclimber
    Feb 20, 2018
    9
    A creative and refreshing play on the TV hero market. I've been reading some insanely racist and unimaginative reviews of this amazing series. This is good TV and great contribution to the TV superhero franchise.
  2. Smaxi
    Feb 17, 2018
    9
    Black Lightning is great and is everyone on the show. The only distraction is the excessive publicity given to a rival superhero who I think is no better.
  3. kronus72
    Mar 12, 2018
    8
    The storyline for this show is awesome. I love how it shows character development as well as reflects community issues relevant to today era. My only issue with the show is how stiff Balck Lightning is. Everyone else is moving around and fluid but once he puts on the suit, he becomes stiff like a board marching and pivoting like he's in the military. Hell, Terminator has more flexibilityThe storyline for this show is awesome. I love how it shows character development as well as reflects community issues relevant to today era. My only issue with the show is how stiff Balck Lightning is. Everyone else is moving around and fluid but once he puts on the suit, he becomes stiff like a board marching and pivoting like he's in the military. Hell, Terminator has more flexibility than this guy. He has potential, just let him loosen up and stop being so stiff. It takes away from the show leaving room for him to be killed off due to no one liking the main character. Look at what happened to Blade. The show died because no one could see anyone but Wesley Snipes as Blade. He was loose, fast, and flexible. This guy, well, I covered that.… Expand
  4. Landomax
    Jan 25, 2018
    9
    While I did find this promising, didn't think I should come back for a second episode till the youtube clips of the public happily greeting Black Lighting as he enters a door to kick some bad guy asses. And after watching the episode I have to say it's picking up pretty nicely.

    Don't let the sour taste of CW's other shows ruin it for you (minus Legends of Tomorrow which I can make the    While I did find this promising, didn't think I should come back for a second episode till the youtube clips of the public happily greeting Black Lighting as he enters a door to kick some bad guy asses. And after watching the episode I have to say it's picking up pretty nicely.

    Don't let the sour taste of CW's other shows ruin it for you (minus Legends of Tomorrow which I can make the same argument about and trust me is good). The realistic take is quite interesting and so far had done a fair job not screwing up on any sides. The actor of Cress Williams is doing a surreal job as depicting his character as the "Black Jesus" as the show described. The villains are again realistic mob bosses and gangs and if the comics are to go by, have the potential to be really memorable adversaries. The daughters' plotlines do need to pick up, though. As for the superhero itself, cool martial art moves but need to explore the lightning powers a bit more. And hope we get a few metahuman thugs or badass normal adversaries to challenge the hero.

    Overall and again, a good series that I feel can be much enjoyable if it doesn't follow CW's other shows' mistakes.    … Expand
  5. Thechinaman
    Mar 21, 2018
    9
    this show is about a familly superhero who is trying to bring justice to his town by taking down the criminals, i love it
  6. Behemoth1993
    Jan 18, 2018
    8
    So let me be the voice of reason in these series of reviews because it seems like a lot of reviewers have inequities and a typical ignorant mentality. This show just like dear white people, luke cage, and blackish are all meant to show the struggles of everyday African Americans from the upper echelons of society or the lowest. Reality is that these topics are so hard to talk about forSo let me be the voice of reason in these series of reviews because it seems like a lot of reviewers have inequities and a typical ignorant mentality. This show just like dear white people, luke cage, and blackish are all meant to show the struggles of everyday African Americans from the upper echelons of society or the lowest. Reality is that these topics are so hard to talk about for some people because they themselves help perpetuate the issues being talked about. Now off of the politics and shutting down the "build that wall" hat wearing Caucasians commenting on the show for being black.

    Reality is that this show is part political statement and part action superhero show. Both are well done and show some of the more extreme sides of dealing with adversity, crime, and I guess superhero situations. The shows pacing is a bit off and makes it feel a bit rushed in just the first episode. You really don't get a feel for your surroundings and the detail of the environment that surrounds you, but this doesn't necessarily deter from the show. It is filled with some bad ass action, great movies and likable and even malicious characters. The main villain is awesome and his physical appearance is a metaphor for the issues that African Americans have to deal with on a daily. I personally love this show because it shows a more ghetto and darker side of dealing with crime than even luke cage did and that for me shows the missing piece of the veritable puzzle.

    I lowered this rating from a 10 to an 8 because again the pacing feels a bit rushed, my wife disagrees but she can write her own review. I personally think this will be a fruitful step forward towards more African American superheroes, woman heroes, and even Hispanic heroes and diversity is what makes superheroes great. Different powers make impossible odds possible, what makes the Avengers amazing just like the justice league is that everyone's unique abilities work in tandem to overcome a uniquely difficult problem and one's weakness may be a another's strength. I tell you this to both reiterate that the ones voting this down are obviously riddled with inequity and ignorance and also that this show uses this for further plot development. If you think this is just one African American man with powers beating peoples asses than prepare for further ass whoopery because the diversity thing translates into further story development.

    Watch it, go in with an open mind, and stop being ignorant.    … Expand
  7. OscarTheGrouch
    Jan 20, 2018
    7
    I liked it.

    For all the negative reviews regarding the racist white cops: it was actually a white and a black cop that pulled him over the first time on a flimsy basis. So not just a white person. The 2nd time at the club the cops actually had a good reason to stop him considering he had blood on his clothes and was leaving a crime scene. And most of the bad guys in the first episode    I liked it.

    For all the negative reviews regarding the racist white cops: it was actually a white and a black cop that pulled him over the first time on a flimsy basis. So not just a white person. The 2nd time at the club the cops actually had a good reason to stop him considering he had blood on his clothes and was leaving a crime scene. And most of the bad guys in the first episode are black....so how exactly does this series in any way say it's not "ok to be white"? I'm white, I felt ok. Meh.

    Ignoring the overreaction: Black Lightning gives a new dynamic to the CW superhero-verse by giving us a superhero in a family situation with him living with his daughters. I thought the casting is well done and the actors do their job very well. The fx looked more than ok, and the fight scenes were simmilar. It also gave a good explanation why we haven't seen the character before in the 'Arrowverse' for him having a reason to not have donned the costume for years.

    Though I felt they went a little overboard with him not wanting to be violent or do anything against it (somebody pulls a gun on his daughter, and after overpowering him he just says to the perp there are cameras around so don't be dumb? Really?) but apart from that and the costume, which I'm guessing will look even worse in the daylight, I thought it was a solid first episode. Not great, but solid.    … Expand
  8. Authority
    Jan 17, 2018
    9
    This is the most weighty of the CW superhero shows. It's hard to say how it will progress after only a single episode, but so far the situations appear to be grounded in a hyped reality with the superhero element added on top. The superb acting adds greatly to this effect. So many of the performances feel real.

    There is a strong vigilante element to Black Lightning. Pain is dealt out.    This is the most weighty of the CW superhero shows. It's hard to say how it will progress after only a single episode, but so far the situations appear to be grounded in a hyped reality with the superhero element added on top. The superb acting adds greatly to this effect. So many of the performances feel real.

    There is a strong vigilante element to Black Lightning. Pain is dealt out. Collateral damage occurs both unintentionally and intentionally, and not necessarily only to those 100% in the wrong. "Do the ends justify the means?" look to be a central theme to complicate its story. This is a show with a refreshing edge that should earn its audience.

    P.S. I thought the lit up lighting bolts on the costume were too much and out of touch with the style of the show.    … Expand
  9. cherold
    Feb 2, 2018
    8
    This series is about a reluctant superhero trying to balance family life and heroics. Black Lightning is torn between duty to himself and his family and duty to the greater good. It's an easy decision to make when it's not yours, but how many of us, even with super powers, would risk our lives daily?

    The angst is nicely balanced with the action. Meanwhile, one daughter has super powers    This series is about a reluctant superhero trying to balance family life and heroics. Black Lightning is torn between duty to himself and his family and duty to the greater good. It's an easy decision to make when it's not yours, but how many of us, even with super powers, would risk our lives daily?

    The angst is nicely balanced with the action. Meanwhile, one daughter has super powers of her own, and has none of her dad's angst (so far).

    The series is successful both as a family drama and as a superhero movie. So far it's one of my favorites of the superhero genre (although it's no Legion).

    You'll see a bunch of really harsh reviews here that mention that there's a white cop who pulls over the black protagonist early on for no good reason. Some people are outraged about the portrayal of this even though it's well documented that cops pull over black drivers more often than white people.

    This is a series mainly focused on a vicious black gang, with the black superhero also being thwarted by the nice but ineffectual black cop, so if someone is obsessing over the five-minute scene with the white cop then they have an agenda. And that agenda is to slap down any series that even hints that black people might not always be treated quite as nicely as white people in America. They *should* be outraged that the cops pull over black drivers more than white ones, but no, they're just upset that a show takes a couple of minutes to point the fact out.

    Unfortunately these troglodytes are dragging the user score way down. Assume that if no Trump voters or **** trolls were posting reviews that the score would be 8 or 9.    … Expand
  10. Slovenmind
    Feb 18, 2018
    10
    I reluctantly watched this as I don't like most of DC/Warner Bros tv series out there. Talking loath DC shows format. But the first 2-3 shows were pretty damn fine and I loved it, granted it could have been more realistic or had more of a connection like Netflix show (aside from Iron Fist). There is a certain format prime time shows needs in comparison to Netflix. shows Most ofI reluctantly watched this as I don't like most of DC/Warner Bros tv series out there. Talking loath DC shows format. But the first 2-3 shows were pretty damn fine and I loved it, granted it could have been more realistic or had more of a connection like Netflix show (aside from Iron Fist). There is a certain format prime time shows needs in comparison to Netflix. shows Most of (DC)which I get bored with and move on. Legends of Tomorrow is good for a few moments but nothing driving it like this show, which is the acting alone is strong and connectable with me. Sadly it's weak point is it Soap Opera setting, like Arrow they are well off, with too perfect careers/lifestyle, instead of being more middle class, they come off as high class private school $$. Which is okay as they don't overindulge in that fact like Arrow does. It so avoids cheesie cast/plot like Supergirl l(there are so many issue there they messed up) and totally get right Black characters drive and casting(Jimmie Olsen in SuperGirl was unforgivable, not that he was black, but they made him handsome and not geeky/weak). The Flash problem was;or is the need to add character for an ensemble team, instead of going on it alone and self discovery. That said I have enjoyed the show but fear the SOAP OPERA elements with emerge as his Daughters powers emerge and the show engulfs lesser plot lines. GRANTED the villains are top notch so far, although they kill them way to quickly at first, it sort of fits. The lesbian daughter was also well played but could have been more realistic is some areas. My biggest issue is there is no middle ground for the black characters, either you are well to do, or struggling criminals. Luke Cage was more connectable on that front maybe. All in all I don't mind it, the character actors and acting is way above average for this genre. The connection or moments between sister is so cute, the connection between them as parents and daughter show heart and warm. Yes they play up dramatic issues, but never to the point of boredom, they move on. I do wish they had some older relatives in the show... that old school shame. I would give this an 8 for the first few show, but instead give it a 10 to offset the zero scores, this show is maybe 6 at worst but maybe 7-8 score. Especially from reviewer who know nothing of what they speak of. For now I like the show but Doubt it will be so in future episodes if things get dragged on. Oh the white tailor guy who builds his suits could have been Asian or South Asian, so yeah big miss and negative on that one and the character was soooo not needed.… Expand
  11. yves_sj
    Jan 21, 2018
    8
    The first episode really got my attention during the whole time. Between the CW superhero series this one is by far the one that I liked the most
  12. TheGreatest190
    Feb 19, 2018
    10
    The people hating on this show are mad about the portrayal of white cops. While I do admit they could have done a better job on that department the rest of the show is good. It’s more grounded and grittier than other CW DC Universe shows. Also while lightning punches look weird at times, the overall action is pretty good. In all honest I would give this show probably like an 7.8-8/10 butThe people hating on this show are mad about the portrayal of white cops. While I do admit they could have done a better job on that department the rest of the show is good. It’s more grounded and grittier than other CW DC Universe shows. Also while lightning punches look weird at times, the overall action is pretty good. In all honest I would give this show probably like an 7.8-8/10 but because people are hating I’m giving it a 10/10. Also for the people in the reviewes who keep on saying this is another marvel show, please stop reviewing superhero shows for the rest of your life. This is a DC Universe character not Marvel.… Expand
  13. joaolmelo
    Jan 17, 2018
    10
    É um show extremamente bem escrito, bem atuado e bem dirigido. Após muitos desapontamentos com as recentes séries da DC produzidas pela CW, Black Lightning mostra que é um produto diferenciado e que todos deveriam assistir. Adorei.
  14. dooku321
    Jan 23, 2018
    10
    Layered and complex with characters that transcend typical superhero cardboard cutouts and form into real people but with beyond human abilities. Show has a duality of the real world and the forces pulling from all directions and a superhuman world where right and wrong coexist in a tenuous partnership
  15. Hype2x
    Jan 16, 2018
    10
    A great and freshing superhero tv show in this age of Superhero tv mash. It's unique in terms of unique, and has good performances by its main characters.
  16. bb12
    Jan 18, 2018
    10
    Good show, has a good story line. Only thing I think it should change or add is the cast. It would be good to add other races, like Indians, Asians, or Hispanics/Latinos.
  17. Sirum
    Jan 24, 2018
    10
    Don't be fooled by the Trump supporters swamping the comments, this is a great show with plenty of promise.
  18. Mila100
    Jan 21, 2018
    10
    Has much more depth than the typical show the CW, best of the superhero shows by far. A really fun and easy watch regardless of the deeper issues it tackles.
  19. MadamExpert
    May 29, 2018
    7
    It took some time for me to start watching the series, but I’m glad that I did. Black Lightning is developed by Salim Akil and the DC Comics it is based on was created by Tony Isabella. It has everything you expect of a old super-hero television series, but what stand out on this one is the social aspects that reflects the currently US community, and it shows the implications of being aIt took some time for me to start watching the series, but I’m glad that I did. Black Lightning is developed by Salim Akil and the DC Comics it is based on was created by Tony Isabella. It has everything you expect of a old super-hero television series, but what stand out on this one is the social aspects that reflects the currently US community, and it shows the implications of being a hero/having powers and trying to have a “normal” life and a family, in Jefferson Pierce case a retired super-hero.… Expand
  20. tichmarie
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    It's really disappointing to read the reviews and see that so many people have interpreted this show as being anti-white. In reality, it's pro-black in the sense that Jefferson, the hero of the show is motivated by a deep desire to improve the black community he lives in. He is the principal of a majority black school because he wants to help the kids of his community grow up to beIt's really disappointing to read the reviews and see that so many people have interpreted this show as being anti-white. In reality, it's pro-black in the sense that Jefferson, the hero of the show is motivated by a deep desire to improve the black community he lives in. He is the principal of a majority black school because he wants to help the kids of his community grow up to be well-adjusted and prosperous members of society and not fall into the hood lifestyle. He is also driven by a desire to curtail "The 100", an ever-spreading and powerful gang that preys on the community. Bad guys in this show come in both black and white varieties.

    This show is just as much about the struggles black folks face in their own community amongst themselves as it is about the long-term effects of systemic racism. In fact, one scene that epitomizes this is when Anissa yells at a drug dealer outside the school for selling dope to his own people. Another example is when the lead character's daughter is blasted on social media by some girls at her school for being a "Black Becky" (a derisive term for a black girl who acts white) and her father talks to her about the legacy of slavery and how that has led to a culture of intra-group competition wherein black folks who are successful and climb the social ladder are sometimes ridiculed by other black people. Nowhere does this tv show imply "white people this is all your fault you should feel bad" which seems to be the message some people are taking away. Nor is the show attempting to elicit pity. It's just how it is. Systemic and individual racism are still vey much a part of the black experience in America. If anything, this show is a call to action. It says we still have work to do.

    This show is complicated and encompasses a wide range of social issues. The main character Jefferson struggles with how to protect his family and his school from the surrounding gang violence. There is a growing drug epidemic that is spilling over into his school. His daughters are coming of age and dealing with the struggles of womanhood, relationships and identity. Him and his wife are attempting to repair their marriage which has historically come second to Jefferson's efforts to help others. Although Jefferson is a successful black man married to a successful black woman and living in a nice neighborhood, he is not above being stereotyped, which we see at the beginning of the show when a cop pulls him over because he matched the description of a robber (and by description I mean black).

    I like the police scene at the beginning because it challenges the mistaken view many people hold (and I myself did when I was younger) that you can success your way out of racism. Unfortunately, it's just not the case. I for one am glad that this show doesn't tip-toe around the very real issues of racism, classism, violence, and drug abuse in black communities. Why should it? For the people calling out the lack of diversity in the cast, recognize that this story is specifically about a black community and the challenges they face. The existence of this show is diversity period. But it also makes sense story-wise as most black people in the US live in black neighborhoods and attend predominantly black schools. I love the fact that this is unabashedly a black narrative.

    Right now we're planting the seeds that will grow into the future and inform the next generation of entertainment. Let's celebrate the birth of another black superhero instead of saying that this show's protagonist should be more like Luke Cage or Blade or Black Panther. No, Black Lightning doesn't need to be more like those 3 other black superheroes that happen to be the only ones that have been mainstream so far. Just like Arrow and Flash and all the other modern-day superheroes don't need to be more like Batman or Superman. Black Lightning has his own story and it's a great story. (Imagine if you found out your high school principal was a superhero)

    I would absolutely recommend watching this show. Sure, it has flaws, and you may occasionally feel uncomfortable when you're watching it because it's violent and shows things about human nature (and our country) that are painful to acknowledge. But at it's core, it's a great story about a guy who just wants to help his community and be a good father and husband, and is trying to figure out how to balance it all. And I think we can all relate to that.    … Expand
  21. Pomba
    Jan 17, 2018
    10
    O piloto foi maravilhoso e a série tem tudo pra continuar numa crescente e se tornar a melhor da CW.
  22. GeneralZod4
    Dec 24, 2018
    10
    A jump of quality for the series of superheroes. The version we know of Jefferson in this series is taken directly from the latest versions of the character in the comics. He is a character who despite his considerable superpowers, (absorption and expulsion of electricity), has never felt completely comfortable in his role as a masked hero, and has focused on another form of heroism, hisA jump of quality for the series of superheroes. The version we know of Jefferson in this series is taken directly from the latest versions of the character in the comics. He is a character who despite his considerable superpowers, (absorption and expulsion of electricity), has never felt completely comfortable in his role as a masked hero, and has focused on another form of heroism, his work as a teacher. 'Black Lightning' is not a superhero origin story, we know Jefferson retired nine years ago. It is a story as a hero is forced to return to a position of vigilante that he had decided to abandon for the sake of his family, and that is a novelty. Well acclimated, well interpreted and with a use of aesthetics and black music very unprejudiced and playful. A single fault is the apparent lack of lack, for now, of the villain, Tobias Whale. The evil mafia boss and his lackeys are less threatening now than the society the Pierce family faces. But in the pilot it is mentioned in passing that we live in a world where metahumans are not unknown, so we may expect many and varied surprises in this regard.… Expand
  23. Mako45
    Mar 5, 2019
    7
    I like the show and characters in it. The girls are cute, and Tobias doersn't play. Lol. The only thing that kills it for me, is when they talk about race or throw anything racial in there. I just want to enjoy a good superhero show where everyone is human, and superhuman and trhat's it. Luke Cage was a fantastic show and when they cancelled it, it killed my head.
  24. CryHavoc
    Jan 31, 2019
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I am a 56 year old male and I remember the original; Black Lightning comic books. I selectively watch CB superhero shows. I watch the Flash and The Gifted and BL but I don't watch Arrow or Supergirl). I long ago got tired of the goody two shoes CB people and opted to read indie comics instead.

    Pro: The show treads on some dark territory and all is not goodness and light. Humans will always be imperfect and shows that accept that do better than those that don't. The antagonist is well chosen and you have illegal experimentation that crosses the line... it kind of parallels what is happening in the real world. BL has more than one five year old playing with matches and there will be consequences for that...

    Con: If this show was the opposite of what it is cast and people wise, there would be calls of 'RACISM!" far and wide. Even the one white guy helping BL is flawed beyond belief and the roles of the other token Vanilla Wafers are either as brutal cop, Law Enforcement Nebbishes or bad guy/gal nebbishes. There is a white scientist helping the antagonist now... does she realize that she will be killed off? Past the guy helping BL, if you are white on BL, you are dead and deserve it... for being white. This mindset permeates the whole show and gets old very quickly. I was called on a white CB character using one epithet against one black person (who shot at my CB character first) so there is no justification for 40 minutes of the opposite per BL show.

    The show also has its fair share of stupid. When Khalil is there in the hospital, why didn't he give a sworn affidavit then? He would have implicated TW for his own death and as being behind the HS attack not to mention TW's drug business. He could have given the police enough to send it to the feds but it is much better for ratings to milk the human pathos for all you can. Also, when does the younger daughter get a disguise? What morally ambiguous hero would let TW have free reign to cause trouble?

    As for the antagonist, he is a smug little a*****le that is winning way too much as of late. He needs to be knocked down a peg or two. Finding his latest thugette/enforcer as a frizzled burnt out husk in his office would be good. (Courtesy of the younger daughter... who can have angst over the killing later). Maybe have some of that beard burnt off?

    Conclusion: While BL needs to stop with the white nebbish crap and being SJW Central, it is dark and ambiguous enough to watch.    … Expand
  25. DunyG
    Mar 15, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I greatly love the first half of the season though I felt like it got pretty confusing in the second half because it introduced Martin Proctor and for a few episodes Tobias Whale wasn't present (though it made since because he was injured). Lala had some interesting scenes but it was confusing that he was revived but season 2 explained it pretty well so I give this a pass. I didn't think Martin Proctor or Kara Fowdy were interesting antagonists at all, but Tobias Whale makes up for those two being weak and uninteresting. I find Tobias Whale to be very well written and I loved most of the scenes he was in. Of course, I can't forget Syonide because she is super badass and awesome. Khalil's story is the start of something good and the later seasons really turn him in a very interesting direction. On the topic of Lala again, I still think he's cool but his revival was a little sudden for me and I was unsure about his second death until season 2. You may be asking if the dialogue and emotional moments are good, and my answer is that I very much believe so. The CGI is decent and for a show like this works well enough. Overall I think this season was a great start for a TV show. In my opinion season 2 and 3 are much better and have better newer villains (though I still love Tobias).

    EDIT: This is a DC show, not a Marvel show. MrNonono got that wrong.    … Expand

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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
  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
See all critic reviews »