TV Show review
Review basis: 4 seasons, 58 episodes · through May 24, 2021
January 16, 2018 · 45 min · TV-14 · Ended
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Black Lightning follows Jefferson Pierce, a Black high school principal with electric powers, who returns as a superhero to fight gangs threatening his family and neighborhood. His two daughters also gain powers and become heroes alongside him. The Pierce family, all Black, deals with corrupt police and a government agency that experiments on people with powers in their community. Anissa, the older daughter, is a lesbian superhero whose relationship and activist work show up often in the story.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Black Lightning.
Woke representation / casting
The show stars an all-Black lead family. Both daughters gain superpowers and fight as heroes. Anissa is shown as the first Black lesbian superhero with a girlfriend and their relationship plays out on screen.
Woke political dialogue
Some characters talk about racism, police problems, and government actions against people in their neighborhood. The talk stays mostly tied to the story and family.
Identity-driven story themes
The story centers a Black family protecting their community from gangs and outside threats. Anissa's life as a lesbian and activist gets regular attention.
Western institutional / cultural critique
A secret government group runs experiments and locks up people with powers from the Black community. Corrupt police and later martial law are major problems in the story.
Woke character or canon changes
Production
Not relevant.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
A few viewers online called the show propaganda or too focused on race and politics. No big news stories or campaigns treated it as pushing woke ideas.
Creator track record context
Salim and Mara Brock Akil made shows about Black families and lives. Producer Greg Berlanti has pushed strong LGBTQ stories in other work. Writer Keli Goff has done political writing on race and gender.
