Black Lighting 'Aches and Pains' Trailer

The synopsis for the next episode of The CW’s Black Lightning TV show, "Aches And Pains", suggests that the series will be taking a page from the Black Lightning: Year One comics, as Jefferson Pierce investigates the mysterious murder of his independent journalist father. The synopsis also speaks of Anissa Pierce, who just started acting as a vigilante independent of her father, realizing the price she may have to pay for her actions, as well as Jennifer Pierce learning the consequences of losing her cool and starting a fight.

The death of Jefferson Pierce's father, Alvin Pierce, has always been a defining moment for the character's history, though the details have changed over the years. In the original 1970s Black Lightning comics written by Tony Isabella, Alvin Pierce was a grocery store owner who was caught in the crossfire of a mob hit gone wrong when Jefferson was only four years old. The 2009 Black Lightning: Year One mini-series written by Jen Van Meter changed this, making Alvin Pierce an independent journalist who died when Jefferson was nine years old. The CW's Black Lightning TV show is apparently adopting the later background, with the pilot episode "The Resurrection" having Jefferson make reference to how crime boss Tobias Whale killed his father because of an article he had written.

Curiously, the trailer for the episode makes no direct mention of Jefferson investigating his father's death. The focus there is on Jennifer's fight with a classmate. The trailer also features brief clips of Tobias Whale and his assassin Syonide at work, as well a shot of Anissa apparently practicing fighting while wearing a catsuit. You can watch said trailer above, then read the official synopsis for "Aches And Pains" below.

PAYBACK IS A BITCH - An unexpected phone call unearths the long-buried need for Jefferson (Cress Williams) to investigate the murder of his father. Meanwhile, Anissa (Nafessa Williams) wrestles with the fact that her actions have dire consequences. Lastly, Jennifer (China Anne McClain) learns the importance of controlling her temper - in all situations. Christine Adams, James Remar, Damon Gupton and Marvin Jones III also star. The episode was written by Adam Giaudrone and directed by Rose Troche (#105). Original airdate 2/13/2018.

Given this information, the biggest question is what role does Peter Gambi - the local tailor who is assisting Jefferson Pierce's activities as Black Lightning - have in the death of Jefferson's father and the workings of The 100. Ignoring the questions regarding an elderly tailor having access to the gear that Gambi has and the knowledge to use it, earlier episodes have depicted him acting in a secretive manner and hiding information from Jefferson. In "Lawanda: The Book of Burial", Gambi deleted the security camera footage that revealed Tobias Whale being behind the protest march attack that wounded Reverend Holt and paralyzed star student athlete Khalil Payme. In "Black Jesus", Gambi stopped Jefferson from investigating a series of explosions which turned out to be Anissa using her powers to protect herself and her new girlfriend, Grace, from a gang of anti-LGBTQI bigots.

It's worth noting that in the original comics, Peter Gambi was the hitman who accidentally killed Alvin Pierce. The incident scared him straight, and set him to taking care of Alvin's widow and son as part of an effort to make amends for his crimes, becoming a foster-father to Jefferson Pierce in the process. It remains to be seen if this will also be the case on the Black Lighting TV series but it seems likely, given the other nods to the classic comics that the series has made so far.

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Black Lightning continues Tuesday, February 13 with "Aches And Pains" on The CW.

Source: The CW