There's a new secret brewing on Black Lightning Season 3 Episode 6. (Shonda won't be able to keep this one quiet for much longer!)

Anissa's run-in with Painkiller didn't just leave a casualty in its wake: Painkiller inflicted her with the poison too. Her metahuman abilities fought against the toxins, but they weren't strong enough to resist them completely.

Her brush with death exposed some familiar flaws for the character in an otherwise tense episode.

What are you doing, Anissa?!

After making a huge reckless move with Tavon, now was not the time to make another one. She should've learned the life and death consequences from her mistakes by now.

Being inflicted by a life-threatening toxin wasn't something that she should've kept to herself.

If her time was precious and ticking down, that time could've been spent with family and finding a cure instead of leaving behind a surprise video message. Like, doesn't her family deserve a heads-up? Or, better yet, the woman she loves and who she promised to be truthful to?

If you’re seeing this, it means I didn’t make it. And I’m okay with that. Really, I am. Because I know my sacrifice … it meant something.

Anissa

• Permalink: Because I know my sacrifice … it meant something.

Anissa once again showed her stubbornness and unwillingness to let others in. Both as Thunder and Blackbird, this has been a trait that has grown with her character development throughout Black Lightning's series run.

The character consistently thinks that she can do it all alone. However, without Gambi and Grace's intervention, Anissa would've died. This "miraculous" cure wouldn't have been possible if she had not shared with Gambi.

Anissa needs to have an epiphany soon and practice what she preaches about collaboration. She's lucky this time worked out for her; otherwise, it could've blown up in her face.

Speaking of Grace, Anissa keeping the truth from her true love was a problematic relationship development.

The couple entered the second phase of their romance with the promise of being open and honest. They overcame all the hurdles of their powers and alter egos; there shouldn't be anything holding them back.

Yet, why not give Grace the warning of the toxin? Grace wasn't going to spill to Lynn or Jefferson if Anissa had told her.

Grace: Anissa, if we’re really trying to do this and we’re really trying to make this work, you have to trust me to let me in. I’m not a porcelain doll; I’m not going to break if you lean on me.
Anissa: Hey, hey, babe, I know that. And when I need to lean on you, I will. I’m just … I’m just still recovering from my run-in with Bruce Lee’s brother. That’s all.

• Permalink: I’m not a porcelain doll; I’m not going to break if you lean on me.

Creating another secret only put the couple in danger yet again and emphasized the dishonesty they had moved past.

Grace and Anissa is one of the most romantic relationships on Black Lightning. Their passion heats up the screen and they've got a soapy dose of drama to keep us hooked. But, they've got to shake off their couple flaws if they ever want a chance at survival.

Lynn is underestimating her situation with Tobias. She might have him locked up in the prison, but he has way more leverage on her now. Especially since she supplied confidential information Agent Odell would never want to be released.

Tobias will no doubt use those files to blackmail her once again. Or, even worse, supply those details to Dr. Jace if his former ally conducted a rescue mission of the facility.

Though, the one benefit of their scenes together was the start of their fun and feisty partnership.

Tobias acted like a child who had a juicy secret and wanted to spill, but he liked teasing Lynn first that he knew something. It was a very "spider-meet-fly" moment; even with Lynn having the power, Tobias exerted his control. He can't wait to drop the bomb about Issa!

Their dynamic has been a fresh addition to Black Lightning Season 3. There is a ton of sparks in their good doctor/evil patient storyline that you can't ignore. (Pun intended!)

In her effort to protect Jefferson's secret identity, she put herself deep in the line of fire. She did anything to protect her loved ones. Which, weirdly enough, contradicted how she treated Jefferson this chapter.

Lynn's addiction to Green Light has been a frustrating character journey to follow!

Sure, we can blame her recent irrational and erratic behavior on the drugs. However, Green Light has also amplified her character flaws, like her stubbornness, her resentment of Black Lightning, and her narrow-sighted ambition.

Her consistency has wavered a lot over the last few weeks.

Lynn: You look tired, Jeff. Long night?
Jefferson: Okay, so you heard?
Lynn: That Black Lightning nearly killed two ASAs commandos and then Zorro’d a lightning bolt onto the side of a building? Yeah Jeff, I heard. The whole downtown heard.

• Permalink: Yeah Jeff, I heard. The whole downtown heard.

Here, in particular, she went from loving her family/protecting them to moving out of the house and abandoning them in one chapter alone.

I'll be excited when Lynn gives up the Green Light completely because she'll stop pushing everyone away for solo missions and let people in.

(Sound like someone we know? *Cough* Anissa *Cough*)

Jamila becoming the new Truthteller of Freeland was a great decision by Black Lightning.

Her character had already developed into the unofficial broadcaster of the town, but with this added role, it now gives her character a greater purpose. And, a connection for her skills that positively fit within the plot of the show.

Joining the insurgency puts her in danger, just like Deputy Chief Henderson and the other members. However, this move continues the positive trend on Black Lightning Season 3 of utilizing all secondary and minor characters in the main plot.

Jefferson made a lot of positive strides after some questionable moves in recent weeks.

One of those such decisions was admitting his fault in Tavon's death. In the review for Black Lightning Season 3 Episode 5, I chastised his seriously bad move for wanting Tavon back in Freeland since it made no sense! But, I'm happy that he acknowledged the error of his ways too.

Jefferson overcame his pride to ask for forgiveness. His decision put Anissa and Tavon in danger, and while he can't go back to fix things, he at least said the right thing that showed all his emotions.

This sense of self and humility was a positive change for Jefferson that I loved a lot! We haven't seen this side of Jefferson in a long while.

Let's hope the warm and understanding side of Jefferson returns more often.

Though, that nice side will definitely not be for Agent Odell. Did you see the daggers Jefferson and Odell were staring at each other? (Odell, you in danger girl.)

When Jefferson finally stood up to Agent Odell and threatened him back, it was like the heavens opened up with glorious light and angels sang "Hallelujah!" This confrontation was the moment we've all been waiting for.

Agent Odell: Mr. Pierce, you don’t want to make an enemy out of me.
Jefferson: That’s funny, Agent Odell. I was about to tell you the same thing.

• Permalink: Mr. Pierce, you don’t want to make an enemy out of me.

For weeks now, Jefferson made compromises and excuses to enable the ASA control, but it was only a matter of time before the operation overstepped their boundaries. Black Lightning is finally standing up the enemies in Freeland, and it all started with a few little words.

Did the Markovian climax at Club 100 seem like an after-thought?

With everything going on surrounding Anissa's sickness, this conflict slipped right in at the end to tie together Jefferson and Agent Odell's latest tension. The gunfight felt random and out-of-place.

Don't get me wrong, it's great that Agent Odell got his comeuppance and that the teleporter/Dr. Jace returned, but the fight was rushed! Let the action flow naturally throughout the chapter before ending on a cliffhanger.

The impromptu fight in the armed truck was a nice action-filled surprise. But, the tension didn't build up for a satisfying finish overall. The attention was squarely placed elsewhere.

Last Thoughts Lightning Round:

• Gambi is Black Lightning's version of Bruce Wayne. Seriously, he has a gadget for everything! (The underground sensor came pretty handy.)
   
• Gambi recognized Khalil first before Anissa did after fighting him face-to-face? It's so unbelievable, but it's true.
   
• Randy's power sounds amazing, but it could be dangerous in the wrong hands (i.e., Dr. Jace). His path to revenge might be his downfall.
   
• Lynn hid Wendy's and Erica's files from Tobias. Was this her contingency plan to strike against him with two powerful metahumans just in case?
   
• No matter what the rhyme or reason, a funeral is not the right place to conduct an interview.

Now, over to you, Black Lightning fans!

What did you think of "The Book of Resistance: Chapter One"?

Will Grace forgive Anissa for hiding the truth from her? Did Agent Odell survive his gunshot wound? Will Tobias blackmail Lynn for any other favors?

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.

Justin Carreiro was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.