Black Lightning Season 2 Episode 11 Review: The Book of Secrets, Chapter One — Prodigal Son

This Black Lightning review contains spoilers.

Black Lightning Season 2 Episode 11

Damn, Black Lightning. I actually can’t believe you did that.

For months, Black Lightning has eschewed its more grounded elements in the black community of Freeland for superhero and supernatural matters that are sometimes not even in Freeland. It’s made for an unfocused first half of Season 2. But there was nothing unfocused or unrelatable about tonight’s episode. It dealt with the consequences of Tobias’ continued, unchecked rise to power. And it depicted the most grounded, relatable consequence of all: death.

Black Lightning killed off not one, but two recurring characters. First, we lost Reverend Holt. He died in the middle of a sermon about the importance of challenging and working outside a system that doesn’t support or value black lives, poisoned by Cutter on Tobias’ orders.

read more: Black Lightning Season 2 Episode 10 Review

Then, in the final moments of the episode, we lost Khalil. He died from the complications of having his spine ripped from his body by Tobias, his loved ones by his side.

It’s a shame to see Khalil go—not only for how it will affect Jenn and Jeff in particular, but for the loss of this character in general. We’ve seen him go through so many changes in his time on the show: from determined, sweet boyfriend to Jenn to a frustrated and in pain survivor of violence to a killer to a remorseful young man trying to do right by the people he loves.

Khalil’s redemption arc, as well as his relationship with Jenn, has been one of the most effective storylines of Season 2. His character will be missed…

Though, presumably, especially if the promo for next week’s episode is anything to go by, not forgotten. I’m not sure if I’m excited to see yet another superhero story explore the theme of the difference between vengeance and justice, but I am intrigued to give Black Lightning a shot—especially as it has always situated itself as more understandably “radical,” i.e. in favor of fundamentally changing a system that regularly perpertrates violence against people of color.

It seems like this exploration will happen next in Jenn’s grief-driven need to kill Tobias, though she isn’t the only one who may take the murderous approach when it comes to Tobias. Don’t forget that Khalil asked Jeff to promise to make Tobias suffer. Now that Khalil is dead, and Jeff feels no doubt guilty about his former student’s demise, Jeff may take drastic action.

read more: Black Lightning Season 2 Midseason Finale Review

As we’ve seen ad nauseum on other shows, superhero dads tend to have a double standard when it comes to vengeance: It’s not cool for their daughter to kill in the name of vengeance, but male superheroes often have a different standard for themselves. (Note: I hope Black Lightning doesn’t go down this path.)

While the Pierce family was holding vigil at the hospital, Gambi and Bill teamed up. In a move that, as far as I can tell, can only bring good things to this show, Henderson now knows about the lair. He’s already brought some much-needed groundedness to the Black Lightning lair. “What y’all got to eat down here?” Henderson asks, upon succombing to the plan that he and Gambi will work together to bring Tobias down. Dude’s asking the important questions. He’s basically the Felicity Smoak of the situation.

Gambi uses Henderson to do some recon of Tobias’ swanky apartment. They figure out the make and model of Tobias’ safe, only to discover that the much-sought-after MOD briefcase is not in there. I’ll let this plot distraction slide because it represented one of the many ways Black Lightning consolidated its storylines in tonight’s episode. Henderson not only hangs with Gambi, but with Tobias.

Meanwhile, Tobias joins forces with the other absolutely reprehensible person on the show: Dr. Jace. Turns out the two go way back. It was Jace who made Tobias’ anti-aging serum. By the end of the episode, Todd has broken Jace out of jail and she has joined Tobias’ villain team. Between Jace, Todd, and cutter, Tobias has assembled quite a squad. They break into the ASA’s pod facility at the end of the episode. The plan? To add some metas to their arsenal.

If Team Lightning is going to try to take down Tobias again, they better do it fast. He’s never felt more powerful.

Additional thoughts.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me.” “You were always there. I just couldn’t see you.” If you need me, I’ll be sobbing.

Not everything in this episode was depressing. We found out Anissa has a photo of Grace as her lock screen. Past that, Grace made an actual in-the-flesh appearance, showing up at the hospital to bring Anissa food and to let her know that she cares. It was pretty adorable, and reminded me how much both Anissa and especially Grace have been underutilized this season.

Jenn blowing up that racist lady’s car was pretty amazing.

Mental health therapy is back! …And is hopefuly around to stay. Jenn’s therapist is going to have to work double time in the coming months.

Tobias knows Jace. She looks exactly the same.

“Bill, you my boy … I just want to make sure, from now on, there’s no more secrets between us.” The relationship between Jeff and Bill is for sure one of my favorites on the show.

“No, I am a tailor.” Gambi takes his tailoring seriously, y’all.

“Khalil is not a car. You can’t jumpstart him.” Pretty good advice generally.

Cutter and Tobias used to be together. “What happened helped me find my true calling.”

In related, unsurprising news: Tobias sucks at apologies.

“I’m just like any other citizen of Freeland. Except wealthier.”

Jace invented the anti-aging serum! Also, she lived in Markovia for a while. Classic.

I was waiting for someone to lie under Khalil’s bed so they could actually look him in the eye. If someone I loved was dying in a bed like this one, I would have. But maybe it looked weird to film like that?

Were you surprised they killed Khalil? 

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Kayti Burt is a staff editor covering books, TV, movies, and fan culture at Den of Geek. Read more of her work here or follow her on Twitter @kaytiburt.