If Twitter responses are any indication, The CW has new hit on its hands with Black Lightning.
The first episode of Black Lightning, which introduces audiences to the gang-ridden town of Freeland, a town that once had its own superhero, Black Lightning. Nine years later, Jefferson Pierce is retired from being a vigilante, instead focusing on improving his community as the principal of Garfield High School.
His older daughter, Anissa, is a politically-active medical student who also teaches at his school. His younger daughter, Jennifer, is a scholar student-athlete with a rebellious streak. And he’d very much like to get back together with his ex-wife, Lynn, who left him because the strain of being married to a vigilante became too much.
But when Jennifer and Anissa are kidnapped by gangsters, Jefferson becomes Black Lightning once more to rescue them. But more than that, Jefferson realizes that Freeland needs Black Lightning to fight the crime and gangs that have taken it over in his absence.
Addressing relevant social issues like racial profiling and gun violence, Black Lightning features a mostly-black cast with a mostly-black writers’ room. It’s clear that the show is coming from a genuine place, and Twitter is reacting to The CW’s first black-led superhero series.
A perfect pilot
SERIOUSLY THOUGH, GUYS. @blacklightning IS GENUINELY AMAZING. This show deserves all the hype, all the recognition, and the commitment. I don't know how @BLWritersRoom did it, but they delivered a perfect pilot. P E R F E C T. So excited for next week. #blacklightning #perfection
— Nisha (@Amazonrhinos) January 17, 2018
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Blessed
A retired black superhero getting back to work & protecting his daughters.
This delicious ex-husband/Ex-wife/still friends relationship.
Family dynamics.
Obvious evidence of black writers.
Dope music.
A fantastic hour of television.
We are so blessed #BlackLightning pic.twitter.com/bNMPBLScUd— Rayanne Mudikani #GetLit (@N0ChoiceToMake) January 17, 2018
Calling out double standards
"Why is #BlackLightning a vigila
nte, but the white people with powers are heroes?"
I see you @rolandsmartin… pic.twitter.com/87O3KuRivR— James Brown (@JayB_124) January 17, 2018
I’m just overwhelmed
WE GOT US A POWERFUL BLACK FAMILY #BlackLightning pic.twitter.com/CK3cVd6U7z
— justin (@JUSTlNW) January 17, 2018
Finding inspiration
#BlackLightning is pure Malcolm X: “Be peaceful, be courteous . . . but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.” .
— Ali (@TvvitterGod1) January 17, 2018
Get lit
LATAVIUS and MALIK. This show is so black. #GetLit #BlackLightning pic.twitter.com/2tq5ZNL8lb
— Black Girl Nerds (@BlackGirlNerds) January 17, 2018
Do the damn thing
As I watch @chinamcclain @NafessaWilliams @CressWilliams do the damn thing on #blacklightning pic.twitter.com/9BhXuzxtxJ
— _Danae_ (@laughs_all_day) January 17, 2018
So much popcorn
Me the entire episode! #BlackLightning was so lit! pic.twitter.com/ySPHraCbMY
— EazyBreeeezy (@BleuWint) January 17, 2018
On the aesthetics
Oh my god, seeing Jefferson’s powers in action is G O R G E O U S. #BlackLightning
— Bre (@dust2dust34) January 17, 2018
Yes he did
What did #BlackLightning do?
THAT.
HE DID THAT #GetLitpic.twitter.com/wygzGEIpoD
— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 17, 2018
And don’t forget words from the writers and cast of the series:
THANKS TO EVERYONE ON THE EAST COAST FOR WATCHING!! AND FOR MAKING #BlackLightning trend #1 on twitter 2nite! Hope u all will tune in next week! Tweet u later (9pm sharp) West Coast tweeples : )
— Black Lightning Writers (@BLWritersRoom) January 17, 2018
OH SNAP YAAALLL ALREADY TRENDING #1 WORLDWIDE!! #BLACKLIGHTNING !!!!! @CressWilliams @NafessaWilliams @ChristineAdams @TheCW pic.twitter.com/ITr2YskR8D
— China Anne McClain (@chinamcclain) January 17, 2018
East coast! We truly appreciate the love!! Trust me when I say there is more black girl magic to come. @blacklightning
— Christine Adams (@ChristineAdams) January 17, 2018
Thanks to all of you who watched and are watching #blacklightning Those of you who haven’t seen… https://t.co/lOLRX5RqY5
— Cress Williams (@CressWilliams) January 17, 2018
This is the third time I've seen this episode and I've loved it more each time. Thank you, Salim and Mara and Cress and James and Christine and China and Nefessa and Marvin and Damon. My heart grew more than three times larger with each and every scene. Love you all madly.
— Tony Isabella (@thetonyisabella) January 17, 2018
From fans to the creator of the comic, it looks like Black Lightning is a bona fide hit.
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