Hero Report: Black Lightning Continues To Soar as we grade it and others

Black Lightning is easily one of the standout shows of 2018 and of our new weekly segment — the Hero Report.

The CW has had difficulty maintaining a specific tone throughout their shows and it’s refreshing to see something thrive as it subverts the typical tropes. Meanwhile, two of the other Arrowverse series stumble with uneven outings while ABC continues to showcase one of the most ambitious seasons of SHIELD yet.

Supergirl – “Fort Rozz”

Season Three of Supergirl has been refreshing for Arrowverse viewers because it’s maintained a high quality throughout these past eleven episodes, unlike the other shows. This week is no exception because “Fort Rozz” continues exploring some of the complex themes that the series introduced in the beginning of the season.

Kara needs to travel to the prison she thrust into space back in Season 1 but has to bring along a team of misfit heroes since she will be powerless next to planet with a red sun. Of course, the planet is toxic to any men, which gives the show an opportunity to showcase its roster of female characters. Alex has to sit this one out but Imra, Livewire, and Psi all get to tag along with the mission of discovering more about Reign.

“Fort Rozz” does a lot to heighten the threat Reign poses but it does flounder in one area: the heroic death of Livewire. Brit Morgan has long been a standout on the show and it’s sad to see her go especially after showcasing how enjoyable she is in “Fort Rozz”.

Hero Report Grade: B+

The Flash – “The Elongated Knight Rises”

It’s been an emotional roller coaster being a fan of The Flash, and this current storyline is definitely one of the low-points of the series.

“The Elongated Knight Rises,” highlights a key problem that the series has had since the first season, introducing new characters. While Ralph has been fine as a supporting character, having him take the lead this week isn’t a great payoff and it only works if viewers suspend belief that this guy would step up to the plate compared to any of the other heroes.

If Central City needed a speedster why dispatch Wally so soon? Or at the very least, someone could call Jesse to step in for an episode. “The Elongated Knight Rises,” wasn’t the worst episode of the season but it definitely points the show in an unwelcome direction. At least Jessica Parker Kennedy returned this week and it looks like The Flash might be getting a new resident in the form of either a West-Allen daughter or granddaughter.

Hero Report Grade: B-

Black Lightning – “Lawanda: Book of Hope”

There’s a boldly unique voice that Black Lightning has captured in only its first two episodes, and it’s almost shocking that a show on the CW can be so in tune with social issues.

The Arrowverse as a whole has struggled this year, and keeping this series separate was one of the smartest decisions the executives made. “Lawanda: Book of Hope,” highlights just how different this show is from anything else on the network. After Jefferson saved his two daughters last week, he’s confronted by the brutal reality he’s been ignoring thus far: his city is dying.

LaLa’s prostitution ring is back open within only a few hours and parents at the school are no longer put at ease by the principal’s speeches. When Lawanda, the mother of a girl forced to work for LaLa, makes it her mission to take the gangster down, Jefferson steps in. Unfortunately, he’s too late because she’s shot point blank in a cold murder that finally inspires Black Lightning to hit the streets again.

Now that the infamous hero is back, and LaLa is murdered by his boss/Jefferson’s nemesis Tobias, Black Lightning is about to heat up.

Hero Report Grade: A

Arrow – “We Fall”

Arrow fans seemed to have separated in recent years, between people who like Olicity (and Felicity by extension) and those who do not. For people in the former category, “We Fall,” is probably a pretty enjoyable episode full of family scenes.

However, for those who could not care less about the father/son drama, this episode is a huge letdown. Part of what made last season so effective was how intimidating Prometheus was and a return to a grittier version of the Green Arrow fans initially fell in love with. It isn’t the worst thing to explore Oliver’s home life, the problem is spending so much time on it and allowing the rest of this season fall by the wayside.

Cayden James has been underwhelming since his introduction, and this week it just continues to get worse as the season progresses. It would have made more sense to let Black Siren take over as the main villain because she would make a more compelling foe for the heroes to face. Also, why are Rene and Dinah being so rude to Team Arrow? They betrayed the team, not the other way around, and it feels weird that they should be the ones riding a high horse.

Hero Report Grade: C

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D – “Best Laid Plans”

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Time travel is a tricky thing to pull off on television (look at The Flash), but Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has actually done a pretty good job this season. “Best Laid Plans,” mainly deals with the time loop that Fitz discovers the team is trapped in. Is there any way to stop the destruction of Earth?

Coulson is all for going back in time and once again trying to prevent it from happening but it seems like the team has already tried this multiple times in different timelines and keep ending up with the same result.

On the Zephyr, Mack and Yo-Yo discover that Kassius has rigged the entire vessel with explosives which means he could end the human at any point during one of his tantrums. Luckily, the team is on top of things so when he does make an attempt to destroy everyone, he only gets rid of his inhuman army and the terrigen.

Since Daisy has dispatched Sinara, things are definitely looking down for Kassius at the moment. However, it’s revealed at the end that the blue villain has a seer of his own, could Raina be making a return?

Hero Report Grade: B+

Next: 25 Best Superhero Television Shows Of All Time

Tune in next week to see how we grade each show, and if they’ve improved or gotten worse as the season moves forward.

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Hero Report: Black Lightning continues to soar

By Kelly Shanaphy | Jan 28, 2018