Black Lightning Season 3 Episode 5 Review: Requiem For Tavon
Justin Carreiro
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Superheroes make bad decisions, too. During all the battles between good vs. evil, even the good guys falter along the way.
Jefferson took the cake with his decision about Tavon on Black Lightning Season 3 Episode 5.
His push to get Tavon back to Freeland will be one decision he'll regret for a very long time. Seriously, what a bad move!
By now, the citizens of Freeland know how dangerous it is to defy the ASA's rules. Jefferson knew, especially after experiencing firsthand while being held in quarantine.
So, why would he think it was a great idea to smuggle Tavon back into Freeland?
Anissa/Blackbird mentioned plenty of times the danger involved bringing innocent citizens out of the barrier. She even got attacked on a few occasions, like Black Lightning Season 3 Episode 1. But, it was all worth it because it was safer outside of the town instead of being in it.
Tavon may not be a metahuman, but his life would be better outside of the occupation and away from the accusations. He had his freedom, and the Purdi camp seemed to be a thriving homestead to survive.
Tavon never would've died had Jefferson not made a push to bring him back to his parents. Tavon's parents would've rather had him safe and alive outside of the barrier than dead by the ASA's hands.
All of it could've been avoided. The battle against Painkiller, on the other hand, would've still happened since he caught onto the barrier's irregularity to find Blackbird.
Painkiller is getting a lot more brazen as the weeks come along.
He would have killed his team members had Agent Odell not shown up in time to stop him. Granted, the officers started all of the fights, but Painkiller needs only one touch to incapacitate everyone. He did it with the officer, and he successfully did it this time with Tavon.
Painkiller: “Five-point Exploding Heart” technique. Take five steps and boom!
Officer: Are you serious?
Painkiller: [Laughs] No. No, I’m not serious. Downloaded Blackbelt Theater last night. I mean, what’s knowledge without a little culture. Am I right?
[The officer falls to his knees and chokes on the venom]
Painkiller: Oh? That’s right. My venom coursing through your veins right now must make it difficult for you to think.
While the heroes lost the advantage of sneaking people out of Freeland, they at least know now about his toxic ability. Blackbird, Black Lightning, and Gambi were unprepared for Painkiller's toxin, but the encounter will prep them for the next time.
Gambi needs to develop an antidote that will stop it. Blackbird was equally matched against Painkiller during their fight; if he delivers one toxic attack, it could all be over.
Gambi did save the day in one regard during Anissa's return mission: he and Grace diverted Agent Odell's suspicions of Blackbird.
Having "Anissa" appear at her apartment while Blackbird was on a mission helped to create a sliver of doubt in Agent Odell's mind. Even if his intuition is telling him otherwise, he will have to justify and explain his doubts when there isn't any proof.
Grace: Stay. I have a bad feeling.
Anissa: Hey, I am meta-fabulous! I’ll be fine. Okay? Come here.
[They kiss]
Anissa: Alright, you two have fun.
[Anissa leaves to get dressed]
Gambi: Say, do you wanna see some of Anissa’s baby pictures?
Grace: Yeah!
Based on how Agent Odell looked up the stairs during his visit, he still doubts Anissa.
Blackbird and Thunder have similar enough powers, the same build, and Anissa is from the Pierce family, which has superhero members ready to fight for good. Someone who fights like Blackbird is trained and well-experienced. All the pieces add up.
Agent Odell isn't stupid; he's a cold and calculated megalomaniac. He's going to make an attack against Blackbird and feign ignorance to Lynn/Jefferson when the truth does eventually get revealed.
If that is his goal, he better make it soon because the tide is turning against him.
The death of Tavon riled up an entire school, and now with the brutal beating of Jefferson Pierce, the town will no doubt be full of energy and anger. Freeland's resentment against the ASA has grown and grown throughout Black Lightning Season 3, what with the raids and one-liner quips being thrown out.
The scene during the police press conference was the perfect example of the animosity. Even those who tried to keep the peace in an honorable way were being marked as traitors and enabling the oppressors.
They say that, “In every revolution, there is one man with a vision.” I thought that was Black Lightning. But after being here, I think the only way to save Freeland is if humans and Metas work together side-by-side to stop the ASA.
Tavon
Deputy Chief Henderson didn't deserve tomatoes being thrown at him for trying to do his job.
But, based on how quickly the students and citizens revolted, Freeland seems prepped ready to fight. Deputy Chief Henderson was right about Jefferson and Tavon; they lit a spark that could change everything.
Hopefully, Freeland bands together through the insurgency to take their town back. The ASA has held control for too long, and if they so easily took Tavon after he was cleared nearly a month in advance, they're willing to do anything to hold their power.
Jennifer's position is still too ambiguous to determine where her loyalties lie. She's seen the truth about the ASA/Agent Odell, but she gladly took his help to get revenge on the officers who beat up her father.
She has to remember that Agent Odell can't be trusted, regardless of what gifts he gave her (i.e., the new suit) or how he faked concern with her.
Plus, after how his organization killed one of her friends, it's clear they show little regard to anyone with or without powers. With Randy coming clean to her about his powers, she has to start thinking rationally and the best options for all her friends and family.
The same goes for Lynn as well. Her drug-fueled determination and nightmare gave her all the warnings she needed to put her and her family first in this partnership with Agent Odell.
By her giving Tobias a dose of his serum, that solved how the kingpin was going to survive for another day.
Lynn: This is the MB4 serum that made you the monster you are. Augmented strength, eternal youth, all here in this syringe that I’m about to plant into your body.
Tobias: Then why give it to me then?
Lynn: Because now you work for me, you miserable bastard!
[Lynn plunges the syringe into his arm]
There's no way Tobias was going to leave the TV in an anti-climactic farewell, like being a prisoner by the ASA. His death would need to be in the flames of glory and one final standoff.
Lynn may think she's calling the shots to create the vaccine, but Agent Odell might have further use for Tobias. He won't give up a powerful asset so easily if it meant needing them again in the future.
Just look at his manipulation of the Pierce family!
Last Thoughts Lightning Round:
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Grace and Gambi developed such a cute friendship so quickly! They need more scenes together.
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Henderson deserves a lot of credit for biding his time and dealing with the negative reputation dished out by the citizens of Freeland. He led the insurgency this entire time and did good for the city, without them even noticing.
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Called it! I knew Randy had to be a metahuman. Though, him absorbing Jennifer's powers came as a surprise.
- Aniyah has to let it go already. Blackbird heard her objections, but the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
Now, over to you, Black Lightning fans!
What did you think of "The Book of Occupation: Chapter Five"?
How will the insurgency fight back in Freeland? What powers does Randy have? Will Agent Odell honor Lynn's wish to kill Tobias?
If you missed the latest episode of Black Lightning, you can watch Black Lightning online via TV Fanatic. Come back here and share your thoughts in the comments.
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Justin Carreiro was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.
