Black Lightning has chosen his side on Black Lightning Season 3 Episode 8.

He's not playing the nice guy to the ASA any longer. Jefferson took a stand that sent shockwaves through the streets of Freeland. And dare I say, "Finally!"

We've needed Black Lightning to step in and take back the town from Agent Odell. There's a new war brewing ... and it's electric.

The tipping point in a battle doesn't always look like a monumental moment from the outside. In the case of "The Book of Resistance: Chapter Three: The Battle of Franklin Terrace", this fight started over an apartment.

However, Mrs. Shepherd's action of standing her ground ignited change within the community. If that decision was what turned Jefferson over to the side of the insurgency, we all owe her a debt of gratitude.

After everything Jefferson witnessed and experienced these last few months, it was only a matter of time before something had to give. Jefferson couldn't keep the peace forever and play the middleman between the ASA and the community.

Plus, after they brutally attacked him, he didn't owe Agent Odell anything!

Black Lightning could've stopped the occupation and the ASA agents a long time ago. He's a super-powered metahuman who could shock his enemies, but he bided his time to keep the peace. We as viewers waited until Jefferson saw the light to do something.

Well, there's no more time to waste. I cheered when Black Lightning got involved because with him on the insurgency's side, he can win back the town and make up for all the lost time.

Based on his fight at Franklin Terrace, he flexed his electric powers with ease. None of the ASA agents stood a chance once Black Lightning dished out a healthy dose of electric justice.

And, with Thunder by his side, their dynamic duo made me miss their days working together during Black Lightning Season 2. (Keep Thunder around, please!)

Black Lightning: We ain’t leaving.
Commander Williams: Fine. Then just die!
[They shoot electricity at each other]
Commander: Williams: You don’t want to dance with me. I have your powers and the finest tactical training on earth.
Black Lightning: Yeah, right. The thing is you have a lot of electricity coursing through your nervous system right now. I’ve got this suit to protect me. You don’t, Meta!
Commander Williams: I see your point.
[Commander Williams collapses]

Permalink: You don’t want to dance with me. I have your powers and the finest tactical training on earth.

His fight against Commander Williams, on the other hand, ended in a whimper instead of a bang.

The commander was supposed to be this all-powerful metahuman who could mimic powers, and the TV series teased this epic battle between the pair. But once again, another villain underestimated the electric powers of Black Lightning. Williams collapsed like he was more of an annoyance than a legitimate threat.

I expected more from Williams.

Maybe he'll learn from his mistake and prepare with an equally powerful suit for his next attack? Just imagine how dramatic that battle will be.

Speaking of battles, the Thunder vs. Painkiller brawl was everything I hoped for and more.

Anissa got the payback any superhero wishes they could get against their enemy. She learned from her mistakes and was prepared to fight Painkiller on her terms. He wasn't ready at all for the satisfying dish of karma dealt his way.

I think Thunder would go better with Black Lightning. Don’t you?
Gambi

Permalink: I think Thunder would go better with Black Lightning. Don’t you?

Black Lightning stepped up with the fight choreography. They showed Thunder the love with a dynamic fight that got better and better with each maneuver.

And there's something about a fight scene that causes the enemy to be thrown through a wall that makes me smile.

With Khalil's identity being revealed, do you think Anissa will tell Jennifer?

I'm on the fence because she knows how powerful that revelation could be on her sister's life. Neither Gambi nor Lynn revealed the truth, so this fact might stay a secret for a while. Though, these types of things come out.

If anyone was going to tell Jennifer, it would be Anissa.

The best course of action would be not to do it because Jennifer will go out searching for him. Khalil won't resist hurting her as Painkiller, so she should stay away from him for a while.

The characters on Black Lightning take Gambi for granted. Seriously, he's always there to save the day or perform one of the necessary tasks when they're unable to finish the job.

Without Gambi's help, Anissa never would've been cured on Black Lightning Season 3 Episode 7, Lynn wouldn't have escaped the ASA, and the group wouldn't have been able to access the radio tower here.

Even new acquaintances acknowledge Gambi's effectiveness for the heroes. Barron knew he could trust Gambi to make a positive change that would help the entire town. That sincere vibe radiated off him.

He's the secret weapon for Black Lightning.

Hopefully, sending out Truthteller's message outside of the barrier will spark a change for the country. Freeland needs help; there's only so much they can do from the inside.

Jennifer and Brandon's friendship is blossoming into a potential new romance.

Did you see the sparks during their hangout at his place? Their earlier animosity formed into a mix of genuine care and sarcasm.

Black Lightning is setting up the rise of a love triangle; whether they think it has lasting power or not. Jennifer wouldn't have brought up Khalil to Brandon if wasn't going to play a part in the future. And especially now since Painkiller is alive and working for the villain.

Brandon: I’ve been looking for Dr. Jace ever since.
Jennifer: And now you’ve come to Freeland to kill her?
Brandon: Probably sound like a terrible person, huh?
Jennifer: No, actually, I get it.
Brandon: You do?
Jennifer: Yeah, look, when Khalil was murdered, all I could think about was revenge. I wanted to kill the person who did that to him; make them suffer the way he suffered. And to be honest, I still do.

Permalink: Yeah, look, when Khalil was murdered, all I could think about was revenge.

Learning more about Brandon's backstory created an arc that will come to a head once he meets Dr. Jace face-to-face. He has a reason for justice and that blind rage could lead him into trouble. This could all reach a point where he either wins or dies in his pursuit of killing Dr. Jace.

We can't ignore his earthquake temper. Jennifer won't be able to stop him with her powers, so unless she talks some sense into him, this rage is foreshadowing his turning point.

Lynn's interaction with Tobias should've been her wake-up call. What are you doing, Lynn?!

I've discussed in previous Black Lightning reviews that Lynn's recent wave of irrational decisions has majorly clouded her judgment. Due to her addiction to Green Light and academic research, she's making reckless choices that hurt everyone in the process. And Tobias is manipulating her like a puppet on a string!

Tobias: Don’t be naïve, Dr. Stewart. You know exactly what the ASA is gonna do with those Metas once you’ve stabilized them. Just look at the roster you gave me: super strength, accelerated healing, and my favorite, camouflage. Seem like weapons to me.
Lynn: I’ve heard it all before.
Tobias: Oh, really? From whom? Wait … you don’t mean Black Lightning? How interesting. Guess he is smarter than I thought.

Permalink: You know exactly what the ASA is gonna do with those Metas once you’ve stabilized them.

When she contemplated freeing Tobias and giving him the cloaking ability, I audibly gasped and my jaw dropped.

She wouldn't be foolish enough to free him, right? There's no way. None. She couldn't.

I'm glad that she talked herself out of it, but given a bit more time, it wouldn't have been surprising if she had done it. Encountering the ASA's secret vial room of Green Light preyed on all the fears Tobias planted in her mind. His narrative suited the facts and the addiction only heightened her worry.

Lynn's character development has reached an unpredictable stage. We don't know what she'll do and that unpredictability could cause trouble for the people around her, let alone herself.

Let's hope that leaving her bag behind will be the cold turkey that brings the old Lynn back.

While I disagree with Gambi's rushed escape (seriously, he couldn't wait for a second to grab the Green Light cure?), that split decision might be the best thing to happen to Lynn. No excuses, no easy access to Green Light, and no research distracting her. Lynn finally has to face her demons going through withdrawals.

It's looking like a brand new day of no Green Light. The cleanse is the best dose of common sense and reality that will hopefully snap Lynn out of her spiral.

Cross your fingers, Black Lightning fans!

Last Thoughts Lightning Round:

Jefferson and Henderson knew about Mrs. Shepherd selling weed when they were kids, right? That's a strange fact to know about your elementary school teacher.
We need to see more of Barron! His power is so cool and he could become a protege for Gambi if he wanted to help.
Does everyone in the insurgency already think Thunder and Blackbird are the same people? If not, how has nobody put the pieces together?

Now, over to you, Black Lightning fans!

What did you think of "The Book of Resistance: Chapter Three: The Battle Of Franklin Terrace"?

Will anyone answer Jamila's broadcast message? Could Lynn be detoxed from Green Light during her time away from the facility? What will Anissa do with her information about Painkiller?

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.