Black Lightning: The Book of War: Chapter Three: Liberation
As the season hits its end, the battle kicks into high gear on the streets of Freeland. At the risk of using a cliché, things really will never be the same for the show after this episode.
As the season hits its end, the battle kicks into high gear on the streets of Freeland. At the risk of using a cliché, things really will never be the same for the show after this episode.
There have been a lot of developments this season, as Obsidian Tech prepares a whole new (virtual) world, Lena remains convinced she knows what’s best for everyone whether they agree, or even know, or not, Lex runs the DEO, and everyone else tries to adapt to the various changes wrought by Crisis.
They’ve drawn on a few different sources for story ideas of Batwoman. A lot of the ideas have come from the Bat-Family or various Gotham-based characters or situations, but they’ve also gone a little further afield.
The threat of the Markovians has been lurking for quite a while now on Black Lightning. Things are much more in the open now, and matters are coming to a head.
The Legends have been through a lot in their years of adventuring, but in this episode they have several new challenges: fatal illness, one of history’s greatest conquerors, a big secret about someone who has been around for a while, and the directorial debut of Caity Lotz, AKA Sara Lance/White Canary.
Last episode ended with the shocking death of Poison Ivy, the triumph of the Joker, and things looking horrible for the crew. Now they need to figure out how to get back on top in “The Final Joke.”
Team Flash has been through a lot of changes, and now they’re dealing with the world changing around them. Aftereffects from the Crisis are a recurring theme of this episode, as are changes in general.
One thing I’ll give the DC/CW shows credit for is doing some impressive research. I was familiar with Gravedigger from the World War II era comics. What I didn’t actually know is that there have been three characters using that codename in DC’s books, and this version, played by the immensely talented Wayne Brady, sort of combines the first and third.
I’ve had a few episodes with the writing and choices on Supergirl at times. This week’s episode both proved to be of better quality, and showed that the work environment must be pretty good. A lot of characters who have left the show come back for this episode, and that’s not something you see a lot.
After the Crisis, and then the strangeness of the Alice/Beth affair, Batwoman and company could use a change of pace. “Normal” doesn’t really apply in Gotham most of the time, but something with lower stakes and less emotionally wrenching at least would be good for the heroes.