Black Lightning Season 3: Is The Greater Threat The Markovians Or The ASA?

"Black Lightning" is back on the CW for a season 3. "Book Of Occupation" and has had three episodes thus far.

Black Lightning is missing from Freeland. Some say he is dead. Others say he has abandoned the city. Freeland is now under the control of Commander Carson Williams. He can mimic any meta's powers he comes in contact with. Martial law was declared because the mysterious Markovians want all the meta kids for an army. Remember, a bunch of metas escaped custody at the end of last season. Now the ASA is busy rounding them up and putting them in detention centers. Police Chief Henderson (Jefferson's friend) does what he can but his hands are tied with the military taking over. There are obviously lots of similarities between the ASA rounding up metas and the US governments' current immigration policy as it relates to children being separated from their parents.

Black Lightning is being held at a facility with other metas. He was supposed to be released after 31 days but he and Lynn are forced to say for their own protection...or so they say. Jefferson is sporting a full beard and mustache. I like the look. He also now has enhanced powers (even without his suit).

Black Bird has taken Black Lightning's place as the protector of Freeland. She's actually Thunder/Anissa in a different outfit with a voice changer It seems more comfortable than her original one (but reminds me of Regina King's outfit in the "Watchmen" promos.

The ASA says the Markovians are the problem. At first I didnt believe they even existed but we have seen a number of soldiers and talk of "spilling American blood". We still dont specifics because we only know of them through the ASA. The ASA might be an even greater threat...but time will tell.

Jennifer is still struggling with her powers. She has to discharge them or she says it "hurts", Gambi is still around working on tech stuff and trying to be an uncle to the girls (since their parents are temporarily away).

Tobias was captured at the end of last season and is being held by the ASA. He is aging rapidly because he doesnt have the serum that slows down the aging process. Evil agent Odell is trying to figure out the whereabouts of the briefcase. We still dont know what is in it. Lala has the briefcase and wants to use it to lure Tobias. Just a reminder that LaLa cant be killed. We see yet another guy fill him full of bullets only for him to pop up a few minutes later. I really like Lala! I hope he gets more air time.

Issa is a meta who can get people to tell the truth. Odell sends him to talk to Tobias but it doesn't work. Poor kid. Issa cant be allowed to tell anyone what he knows about Odell either. So he poisons his lunch. Harsh! Next Odell exposes Tobias to concentrated UV light (which of course is very bad since he's albino). Tobias' skin starts to blister immediately.

Khalil/PainKiller is also back. The ASA has brainwashed him and turned him into an assassin. His first assignment is to kill his mother. He completes his task without hesitation. I did enjoy the scene where Painkiller talked about all the martial arts he had mastered. Khalil is another great addition to the show.

And just when you think Grace is gone for good, she resurfaces. Anissa tells her she loves her regardless of if she's a leopard or an old man. Then she promptly turns into an old man... pretty funny. Anyway, looks like these two kids are going to try to make a go of it. How will Grace react to Anissa's double life? Stay tuned. And the reporter that Anissa had a one night stand with, took the news way too calmly. I'm assuming she's not as mentally healthy as she seems.

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). Three episodes into season 3, "Black Lightning is off to a good start. I still think the ASA is a bigger threat than the Markovians but we'll see. I'm also very glad that Lala, Tobias,Khalil and Grace are back. They are great supporting characters to the Pierce family (who continue to be the heart and soul of the show).