03x04 - The Book of Occupation: Chapter Four: Lynn's Ouroboros

[bunniefuu]

[Jefferson] Previously on Black Lightning...

[Odell] The Markovians are on the outskirts of Freeland and they are marshaling their forces.

If you help me with this...

Whoa!

...you can go home.

[in Russian]

[all yelling]

How close are you to finding a cure?

I'm making progress.

These people are depending upon you to save their lives.

-You need to fix this. -I know!

[Williams] What is your function?

[Painkiller] I'm a biological weapons system.

[choking]

-I picked this up a few moments ago. -[growls]

[Anissa] That's Grace.

So, if you're trying to find somebody who doesn't want to be found, how do you go about that?

Depends on the person.

Grace?

I missed you.

I missed you, too.

Damn.

I'm Jamillah Olsen, and I'm here at the perimeter where ASA commandos have Blackbird cornered, in response to reports that she freed several suspected metas from the ASA.

[grunts]

The Markovians want to capture or k*ll as many metas as possible.

What do you want me to do?

Your target is the data farm up ahead.

-I found it. -Now, take it out.

[grunting]

[upbeat jazz music playing]

Lab log, day six.

Fatalities from the meta virus with Ebola properties continue to grow.

As the foremost medical expert on metahumans, people are counting on me, and...

I'm failing.

I'm failing... and I'm so tired.

[hospital monitors beeping]

[gasping and groaning]

[Lynn] All I know is the chemical structure of the meta virus is similar to a chemical compound found in both Green Light and the meta vaccine.

Call it fatigue, but I...

I find myself staring at the Green Light, wanting to ask it questions.

Then something occurred to me.

Without exception, Green Light patients have shown a notable boost in brain activity.

So, in theory, if I was able to remove the drug's psychoactive addictive properties, rendering it safe for consumption, I could literally make myself smarter.

I used a technique on Green Light similar to what's used to extract THC from marijuana.

I tested it on myself in micro doses.

But the results left no doubt.

A significant increase in focus.

Plus, exponential gains in my ability to process information.

[chuckles]

It's working.

So, I am working around the clock, because if I can't contain this outbreak, every single meta, including my entire family, could die.

-[indistinct radio chatter] -[music playing on radio]

♪ Trash men didn't get my trash today ♪

♪ Oh, why? Because they want more pay ♪

♪ Buses on strike want a raise in fare ♪

♪ So they can help pollute the air ♪

♪ But that's what makes The world go round ♪

♪ The ups and downs, the carousel... ♪ What's all this?

Checkpoint.

Not a big deal.

Lots of changes while you were away.

It looks like a w*r zone.

Pretty much.

Here you go.

And don't worry, Odell has us registered as non-metas.

[music continues]

♪ Wall Street losin' dough On every share ♪

♪ They're blaming it on longer hair ♪

-[rebel] Yo! Get 'em up! -Dad!

[soldier] Take 'em down!

[Jefferson] Oh! Get down!

-[g*ns f*ring] -[soldiers and rebels exclaiming]

Either of you move and I will end you.

[rebel] Die, bitch!

[soldiers and rebels clamoring]

Hey! You're overreacting.

[clamoring continues]

You okay?

Yeah, you?

Welcome to the occupation.

♪ Last night, I saw a superhero He was black ♪

♪ He said, "This is for the street Black Lightning's back" ♪

[indistinct chatter]

-[Jefferson] Good morning. -[man] Good morning.

[man] Ready?

On three, two, one.

[button beeps]

Assuming Odell has a tracking device embedded in the new suit, that will duplicate the signal, buying me some time to disable it.

This is a mobile Faraday cage.

[Gambi] Block any signal coming from the watch.

I gotta tell you, this, uh, cloaking thing is gonna take some getting used to.

Yeah.

It's not easy being dead.

I gotta stay that way until I know who tried to k*ll me.

How about you? How are you feeling?

Any residual effects from the ASA testing?

No, actually, I'm good.

Wish I could say the same for my marriage.

Butting heads over how to deal with the ASA.

You know, I couldn't wait to leave the Pit.

Lynn is going voluntarily.

Even though they're blindfolding her and driving her in and out.

It's painful... not being on the same page with your wife.

Is that what happened with you and your ex?

Job got in the way?

It's ancient history. Let's...

Let's not turn those pages.

I'll check out your suit. Set up a tracking system to find the Pit.

You figure out how to get back on the same page with Lynn.

[sighs]

Got your text.

[chuckles] Still checkin' in on me?

In a manner of speaking, yes.

Now that your father's returned home, especially under such trying circumstances, it's important that we keep this line of communication open.

Can I ask you a question? Like, for real?

As the head honcho in charge around here, why don't you just put an end to this occupation?

Because the Markovians k*lled my people.

That's not a reason to start snatching people up and lockin' them in camps.

We put people with the meta-gene in camps to keep them alive, and the Markovians put people in camps to watch them die.

How do I even know that's true?

Every search engine gets blocked by all your stupid Internet restrictions.

I could send you a link, Ms. Pierce. Encrypted, of course.

Then you can see exactly what it is we're up against.

I still don't understand why you have to lock the city down.

Ever heard of Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia, Liberia?

Things can go to chaos real quick with the wrong push, and chaos is deadly.

Good day, Ms. Pierce.

[door closes]

[sighs]

Let's open this bitch up and see what y'all brought me now.

[exclaims]

Damn!

Shut that and pick this fool's dumb ass up.

Leave the dude in there.

He'll bleed out when we roll.

[indistinct chatter]

This is Jamillah Olsen, reporting from inside occupied Freeland.

Today, I'm at Garfield High School, where students are being tested for ASA-mandated registration cards.

Only those who test negative for the meta-gene can move freely about the city.

Those who test positive will be taken to an ASA detainment facility and forced to submit to medical procedures.

[Tavon] Yo.

What's up, man?

-You gettin' in line, right? -Nah. I already got mine.

-I'll catch up with you later, all right? -Yeah, all right.

[snaps fingers]

-[Tavon] What's good? -Hey.

Another one of my trucks has been h*jacked.

Find the vermin who keep stealing from me and exterminate them.

[neck cracking]

-[metal detector beeping] -[soldier] Arms up.

All right, move along.

Next.

And to think once upon a time I was worried about metal detectors.

It's not about corner boys now.

If a w*r breaks out, we'll be really happy the ASA is here.

Wait, what? Jen!

Jen, you saw what happened at that checkpoint.

They pointed g*ns at us.

Didn't you just let the ASA experiment on you?

'Cause I'm pretty sure you did.

Why would you do that if you thought the ASA was no good, Dad?

To protect you.

That's always the reason, isn't it?

Morning, gentlemen.

Mr. Pierce.

Mind if I have a look?

[stammers] Yeah. Just lookin' at a video of...

Here you go.

Thank you.

I'm sorry.

[Tavon] It's pretty cool, though.

Yeah.

[grunts]

[chuckles]

Yeah.

-[Tavon chuckles] -Thank you.

[bell ringing]

Have a good class.

[Lowry] Mr. Pierce.

A word?

Yeah, actually, I have to get to class.

Yes, about that.

During your ASA-approved medical leave, Mrs. Wellen was permanently assigned your classes.

-[stammers] You can't do that. -I didn't.

The ASA did.

After 30 days of being poked and prodded, and taking every test under the sun, this is the thanks I get?

Oh, I'm not finished.

You've been made our new guidance counselor. Congrats.

Now, what I find most puzzling, as part of this demotion, the ASA also gave you a raise, a nicer office and a lot less work.

Now, based on that, I'm gonna assume you must have done really well on those tests.

[soldier grunting]

[Painkiller] That's all you can tell me?

At some point, death comes for us all.

And when that time comes...

And though we yearn for love, all we're left with is pain.

A person will do more to avoid pain than to achieve anything else in this world.

Knowing this, the greatest gift that anyone could ever give... is to take that pain away.

[shudders]

Lucky for you... they call me Painkiller.

I assume this is important.

You told me measures were being taken to ensure Freeland's safety. Okay.

You never said anything about martial law.

Markovians att*cked an ASA operation and k*lled my personnel.

You'd rather I sent a strongly-worded e-mail?

When I see m*llitary walking around the hallways of my high school, things have to change.

I have done everything you've asked of me.

Now, you keep troops in Freeland, fine, but this occupation is overkill.

In my experience, Mr. Pierce, there's no such thing.

Now, you continue to do as instructed, or I'll put your daughters in the Pit, run tests on them... just like all the others.

I spent my whole life trying to make these damn streets safe.

And they got me out there talking like I'm some--

Talking as the Chief of Police.

[chuckles]

[Verretta sighs]

I know you're frustrated, but when all this ends, you'll be the man who got Freeland through this.

You have the clout to fix the department, be mayor someday...

-I don't know, Verretta. -I do.

You be who you gotta be today, so you can be who you wanna be tomorrow.

Hmm.

-[Verretta laughs] -[chuckles]

[sighs]

Major.

The ASA is commandeering this station.

Escort these prisoners to lockup.

Agent Odell assured me this station would remain under my command.

And now, I have orders that say otherwise.

[sighs]

Until further notice, this location is a clean camp to keep suspected metas as far away from the meta virus as possible.

How the hell are we supposed to do our job, huh?

What...

What do you expect us to do?

You can start by clearing out your office.

I'll be using it for the duration.

And as always, Chief Henderson... we appreciate your cooperation.

Mmm-hmm.

[soldier] All right, stop that vehicle.

[cell phone chimes]

-[sighs] -[cell phone chimes]

[journalist] The Markovian government continues their reign of terror with their strategic assaults on Sudan, stripping them of resources, and k*lling, with extreme prejudice, women, children and non-m*llitary personnel.

While the United Nations condemn their actions, currently, no aid has been allowed entry.

This is a very violent and incendiary situation.

[shudders]

[Richard] Closest thing I ever had to powers was drivin' a city bus.

It's the job I started one month before I got married, 38 years ago.

Thirty-eight years of marriage?

Now, that is a super power.

Well, hopefully, this will slow the virus down, giving us enough time to come up with a vaccine, get you home to your wife.

You have any kids?

Three of 'em.

Two boys and a girl.

Plus grandkids.

My youngest one, my daughter, Olivia... she's set to get married in a few months.

I even like the fella, not that I'll ever admit it.

[Lynn chuckles]

[voice shaking] I'm sorry.

[breathing heavily]

None of this seems real.

I still can't believe I'm dyin'.

Hey. Don't give up on me, okay?

'Cause I'm not giving up on you.

[breathes deeply]

[inhales]

[breathing heavily]

[man] All right, load it up.

[Gina] I'll pay the three stacks this time.

But when we're talkin' the same weapons at twice the price, that mess ain't gonna fly.

It's supply and demand, and I got the supply.

[thuds]

[distorted] If you don't drive off, you won't have anything.

I ain't got no beef with you.

Then I suggest you leave.

[all clamoring]

You can't be using my name and symbol, and then you go off sh**t' up ASA checkpoints.

I don't take orders from you.

Your boss did not approve of that.

Now, you lucky the result was just gettin' locked up.

They could have been k*lled.

"By any means necessary."

Don't go quotin' Malcolm to me.

You don't like the way we doin' things, talk to the boss.

Oh, I plan to.

I'm sorry.

Uh...

I thought this was Anissa Pierce's place.

It is, Mr. Pierce.

I'm Grace.

I recognize you from her photos.

Nice to finally meet you.

[chuckles]

Please, come in.

Thank you.

I'm not really sure when she'll be back, but it shouldn't be too long. [chuckles]

Can I get you something to drink?

Uh, no. I'm fine. Thank you.

[door opens]

[Anissa] What... Dad? Hey, what's up?

Wait... she knows about Blackbird?

A person I've never met?

Look, she only knows about me, I swear.

Thunder, too?

[softly] Yeah.

You have put our entire family in danger.

Dad, I trust Grace with my life.

Oh, until you throw her outta your bed and find someone else!

Okay, I don't know where any of this is coming from, but I'm not gonna stand here and be yelled at by you or anyone else!

Oh, why, 'cause you're Blackbird now?

Runnin' around, showin' off, throwin' tanks?

[groans]

Helpin' people has never been enough for you! No!

No, you gotta be famous!

Live in a fancy loft, paid with... the drug money, I take it!

Runnin' around sprayin' that ridiculous logo all over town!

So, what are you, jealous?

And that logo, that's not even me!

That's the insurgents using me to inspire hope.

You know, something Black Lightning used to do?

Do you have any idea... any idea what I've been through for this city?

[screaming]

-Don't hurt us! Please don't! -Hey, Grace, it's okay.

He's not gonna hurt you or me. I promise.

What the hell was that?

You need to leave... now.

-Anissa-- -Dad, no. Listen to me.

This is my house.

And right now, you're not welcome in it.

Leave.

Can I sit down?

[inhales]

I need you to know that my dad would never hurt me.

He's overbearing and he has had a hard time seeing me as an adult.

But he's no thr*at to me or to you.

Okay?

I never wanted you to see this.

Not ever.

Not this piece of me.

There's still so much you don't know.

[sighs]

Maybe less than you think.

Shay Li Wylde.

How do you know that name?

My Uncle Gambi.

He has access to things that most people don't.

-I know about you losing your parents... -[scoffs]

...and you livin' on the streets.

How you were kidnapped and--

Sold for sex against my will.

[scoffs]

I told you I was broken.

I can't believe you'd wanna be with me knowing all that.

Well... believe it.

Anissa, this would be a lot for anybody.

Grace, I told you, we're in this.

Me, you, the leopard.

-That old guy. All of us. -[chuckles]

It's one big party up in here.

It is not your beautiful face or this fine-ass body that I'm in love with.

Now, don't get me wrong, if we're taking votes, -this form is by far my favorite. -[chuckles]

[chuckling]

But it's not even about that.

It's you, Grace.

Your heart.

Your soul.

Your essence.

That's what I'm in love with.

Just you.

[softly] It's okay.

Hey.

Hey.

Wow. I haven't seen you look this bad since med school.

That was exactly the warm welcome I was hoping for.

[sighs] Sweetheart, that's not what I meant. You just...

You look really, really tired.

You want me to run you a bath?

No. I'm just here for a few minutes to grab some things.

I have to get back. I'm synthesizing a vaccine.

[stammers] What?

[distorted] What? You're gonna stay there again tonight?

[watch ticking]

Babe, we need to talk.

[stutters] I have to get back.

Okay. Look, I... [sighs]

[distorted] I just think that we need to get on the same page.

Look, our girls need us.

[normal] Anissa is tripping big time.

And Jennifer seems to think that the ASA occupation is actually a good thing.

[exhales deeply]

Lynn?

Jeff, are the girls safe?

Wait, what?

[stammers] Yeah, for now, I guess.

Anything that comes up, you can take care of it.

I... I need to get back.

Again with the tuna breath.

Like your salami's any better.

Of the six ASA trucks that were taken... four of 'em link back to the two of you.

-No. -[both choking]

When I want you to speak, I'll ask you a question.

That pain that you're feeling, it's neurotoxins.

I can administer at varying levels of intensity.

This was a small dose.

Now, the longer this process takes, the higher that dosage will become, until you fall into paralysis, and ultimately death.

So, shall we begin?

It's this drug dealer, Sinzell.

He pays us for the supply routes.

He's got a warehouse north of here. We're not sure where.

That's all we know. I swear.

Listen, if any of this information isn't good, I'll find you two weak-minded cowards and I'll t*rture you every day for a year before I k*ll you.

It's good, I promise.

[sighs]

Did I ask you a question?

[whimpers]

[exhales]

-People always talk about n*zi Germany-- -And for good reason.

Obviously, but look at us.

In World w*r II, we put anyone who even looked Japanese in a prison camp.

Not to mention occupying the Philippines, Haiti...

The Dominican Republic, Iraq.

There's more to the world than the US.

What about the Russian occupation in Ukraine?

Or Turkey being in Syria?

These are all happenin' right now. Today.

Yes, but unless it's on TMZ, or a Kardashian tattoos it on their ass, -nobody seems to care. -[students laughing]

What none of you are talking about is genocide.

The government comin' in as peacekeepers, trying to help.

I mean, Rwanda, Darfur...

Peacekeeping in Rwanda failed.

Like, seriously, it failed. Done!

Look, my point is maybe this occupation isn't all bad.

Maybe the ASA's here trying to protect the people of Freeland.

-[students scoff] -[Brandon] All right.

[Lowry] Hold up. Excuse me.

You have no right to do this. Do you hear me?

You have no right.

Tavon Singley, I'm gonna need you to come with us.

What'd I do? I ain't do nothing.

-No, Tavon, you stay right there. -[student] Whoa.

[Lowry] You are not going anywhere.

Sir, you need to step aside.

There's been a report of metahuman powers being displayed.

What? No, that's not true.

-That's not true! -You get your hands off--

[students exclaim]

Let's go.

[Lowry groaning]

[Lowry] Wait. Tavon, hold--

[groans]

Wait.

What do you think of your peacekeepers now?

So, they're just gonna lock him up and wait till the results come in?

There's no way in hell Tavon's a meta.

I heard someone dropped a "see something, say something" dime on him.

Got some beef over a girl.

You really believe that peacekeeping stuff about the ASA helping?

Look, I don't know. Okay?

But what I do know is Markovia's dangerous.

[Lisa] I've been hearin' some crazy stuff about them.

Like w*r crime stuff.

That's dumb as hell.

How could you judge an entire country based off of rumors?

[scoffs]

Y'all don't even know what the hell y'all are talkin' about, man.

-Oh, and you do? -I'm just saying, history is written by whoever wins.

So, unless we experience things firsthand, how do we know what's true?

Well, if it was up to my mom, I would never experience anything.

[chuckling] I really hate how they say that they want us to be better than them.

'Cause in reality, they never do.

That's real.

[chuckles]

It's okay, Doc.

-You did what you could. -[monitor beeping]

[gasping]

-[Lynn] No. -[monitor beeping rapidly]

Richard, stay with me, okay?

Richard.

-[EKG flatlining] -[exhales]

[gasps]

-[chuckling] -[monitor beeping]

It looks like you're gonna be able to walk your daughter down the aisle after all.

Hey, where's the watch?

Come here for a sec. I wanna show you this.

I was able to put a radioactive resin on the tires of several ASA vehicles.

This will allow us to track their frequently-traveled routes, narrowing down the list of locations until they lead us to the Pit.

That's great. That's great.

The watch!

What's the urgency?

The ASA snatched a student, Tavon, right out of Jennifer's classroom.

Then b*at down the principal when he tried to stop 'em.

I heard from Henderson the ASA's holding Tavon at the police station.

[Gambi] Ah.

Did you find the tracking device?

I did. Disabled it.

Oh. Great.

I wish I could say otherwise, but that suit's far better than anything I've ever built.

I could've done the same with 30 billion dollars and ten guys working around the clock, but...

It's got next-gen nanotech.

And with its increased conductivity threshold, you can generate 20% to 30% more electricity without any risk of damaging your nervous system.

The thing's amazing.

Good.

Jeff, what about your family?

Odell was very clear.

You go out on the street, they go in the Pit.

Wait.

Maybe there's a better way.

But I'm gonna need a little help.

[knocking on door]

Dad, not right now. I need to get to work.

Whatever you have to say to me can wait until later.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Look, just hear me out.

I know I'm not your favorite person at the moment, and I'm not saying I agree with all your choices...

I'm not asking you to.

Oh! Look, look... just... look.

You and I, we disagree, okay?

On a lot of things.

But I know that you care about the people of Freeland.

You don't even know the half of it.

Okay, look. Me, Reverend Holt, and a handful of other people, we started up our own Underground Railroad.

We've been sneaking metas and suspected metas outside the perimeter.

But how did you get them...

With an assist from Uncle Gambi.

[chuckles]

All these years calling you Harriet Tubman... were prophetic.

[scoffs]

Okay, Dad, stop, please.

No, I'm...

I'm proud of you.

Thank you.

Okay. Now, I need your help.

The ASA snatched Tavon, accused him of being a meta.

Now they have him locked up at the police station.

[inhales]

All right.

What do you need me to do?

[Henderson] Hey, you hanging in there?

Huh?

All right.

[Kyrie] Yo, Chief... any chance we can get some food up in here?

-Oh. What, you hungry? -Why you think I'm askin'?

You should've thought about that before you sh*t up a checkpoint.

How it feels to be an Uncle Tom?

How's it feels to be in jail?

Hey, uh, it's been a while since cell two ate anything.

It's about time for a meal.

Anything dealing with that rebel scum, including their dietary needs, is an ASA matter and well beyond your current mandate.

Hmm.

-[cell phone chimes] -[typing]

All right, Joe. Let's play some cards.

Okay, I'm in.

[distorted] Been waiting on you.

Can you see what we're up against?

Okay, we got about a dozen ASA commandos.

Maybe... ten cops, including Henderson.

The holding cell's on your left.

And the major's in the back.

Mind getting the lights?

My pleasure.

[grunts]

There. Follow that around to your left.

[grunts]

At your three o'clock.

Cells are on your right.

And the locks... now.

[Blackbird] Come on. Follow me.

On your six!

Hey. Them, too. Get them out of here.

[Blackbird] Got it. Y'all heard the man.

-Let's go. Come on, let's go! -Come on. Go.

[Blackbird] Let's go!

Say good night!

[man on radio] Sinzell, some dude's heading this way, coming up to the gate.

Tell him we appointment only.

-[men grunting in distance] -[glass shattering]

Yo, get those trucks gone. Go!

[yells]

[men yelling and grunting]

Hi.

You must be Sinzell.

[grunting]

What you gonna do? Arrest me, huh?

They don't call me when they want someone arrested.

They call me when they want someone gone.

[sighs]

All right. Straight through these trees, about a quarter mile.

The Perdi, they'll have a truck there waiting for you.

But I'm not even a meta.

Until we can prove otherwise, this is the safer way.

[sighs]

Could you at least tell my parents that I love 'em?

I got you.

Come on, y'all. Let's go!

[man] Come on.

Listen. Now that they know who you are, it's safer you leave, too.

Yeah, I would, but we gotta fight the good fight, you know?

No. No, I was here all night.

I mean, you are tracking me, right?

Isn't that what it says?

Let's not play games, Mr. Pierce.

We both know that you helped att*ck that station.

I'll say this.

Everybody gets one. This was yours.

Be certain it never happens again.

[scoffs]

Well, looks like we've arrived.

[Lynn on speaker] The results have been nothing short of remarkable.

Every person who was infected is on their way to making a full recovery.

A job well done, Dr. Stewart.

You've certainly earned a good night's sleep.

And apologies it can't be longer, but you're needed here.

Did something happen?

While your focus has been on the meta virus, several Green Light and vaccine kids have grown unstable.

Why wasn't I informed?

Get some rest, Dr. Stewart.

No. Not while people's lives are at risk.

Send me a car. Bring me in.

Very well, Dr. Stewart.

I applaud and appreciate your commitment to the greater good.

Goodbye.

She's hooked.

She doesn't realize yet, but yes.

And better yet, she thinks it's her idea.

-You're a genius. -Not really.

I only saw to it that she got a taste... of the most addictive substance on Earth.

Every time she looks at her tablet, Odell wants the phrase "Take Green Light" flashing too fast for her to be conscious of it, but powerful enough to plant the idea.

This is good.

[receptionist] Sir, it's Jennifer Pierce.

[Jennifer] If I couldn't light your ass up, this place might creep me out.

[Odell] You saw the encrypted link, I presume.

Yeah, and I kinda wish I hadn't.

Can all that stuff really happen here?

Not if I can help, and I can.

Ideally with your assistance.

You have the ability to do things your father could never do, Ms. Pierce.

Things like what?

I asked you to meet me here because I thought it'd be easier to show you.

In that bag, you'll find a perfect copy of your suit.

And I want you to put this in your ear.

And then what?

Fly straight up until it beeps.

Wait, what about the perimeter?

Already accounted for. Now... let's get you changed.

[grunts]

♪ Feel the ♪

♪ Feel the ♪

[device beeping]

-♪ You will never feel the ♪ -♪ Feel the ♪

♪ Oh, the way I do ♪

♪ Feel the ♪

-♪ You will never feel the ♪ -♪ Feel the ♪

-♪ Feel the ♪ -♪ Feel the ♪

♪ Oh, the way I do ♪

[laughing]

-♪ You will never feel the ♪ -♪ Feel the ♪

♪ Feel the ♪

♪ Feel the way I do ♪

[theme music playing]