03x15 - The Book of w*r: Chapter Two: Freedom Ain't Free

[bunniefuu]

[Jefferson] Previously on Black Lightning...

We have the Painkiller operating system firewalled.

[Jennifer] Khalil!

You can't keep me here forever.

I still have my mission. k*ll the Pierce family.

Dr. Blair? All you have to do is extract the base from Tobias and follow Dr. Stewart's protocols.

I watched Dr. Stewart work, but I'm not her.

[Brandon] Jace k*lled my mother.

I came to Freeland to make sure that I put Dr. Jace in the grave, right alongside her.

I should've k*lled you 40 years ago, Dr. Jace.

We're fighting on the same side now.

If Markovia wins, everything we know will cease to exist.

The Markovians now have Freeland surrounded.

Gravedigger. The United States is responsible for starting and funding the Markovian meta research program.

Their experiments activated his dormant meta gene, giving him superhuman strength, slowing the aging process, and the power to push his will onto others...

And now he's in charge of the Markovian m*llitary.

I left the formula for the meta- boost serum in Markovia.

What happens if Gravedigger can have any meta power he wants?

He'd be unstoppable.

["Am I a Good Man" playing"]

[both grunting]

♪ Am I a good man?

♪ Am I a fool?

♪ Am I weak?

♪ Or am I Just playing it cool? ♪

♪ I have a woman...

People are gonna wonder why I did what I did.

They'll wonder why I brought all this death and destruction to Freeland.

They'll wonder why I brought the pain.

[man groans]

I stopped caring about what people think about me a long time ago.

But I do still care about the truth.

And the truth is this.

The US government experimented on me almost 80 years ago, granting me abilities beyond that of a normal person.

I am officially, unofficially, the first meta.

[grunting]

[distorted] Stop!

sh**t yourself.

[straining]

[g*nsh*t]

When I first joined the m*llitary, one of the crap jobs I was assigned to was the GRS:

Graves Registration Services.

Over 70 million people d*ed in World w*r II.

The ones who weren't identified, they could bury.

On the US side, they gave that honor to us Negroes.

The colored troops.

It was backbreaking, soul- draining work, but... it was an important task.

Because every soldier, every person deserves a proper burial.

So, when I became a meta...

the name Gravedigger fit because of my history, and because I just don't figuratively bury my enemies, I literally bury each and every one of them.

No matter what they've done to incur my wrath, no matter how many of them there are, I make sure each and every one of my opponents receives a proper burial.

That is assuming there's enough of them left to bury.

[grunting]

♪ Am I a good man?

♪ Am I a good man?

♪ Am I a fool?

♪ Am I weak?

♪ Somebody tell me ♪ Am I weak?

♪ Or am I just playin' it cool? ♪

♪ You know I love her

♪ Woah, I love her

♪ And I need her

♪ Even though she do me so wrong ♪

[Gravedigger] People always thought I was crazy for doing that.

But to me it felt like the honorable thing to do.

It felt right.

What I'm about to do to Freeland feels right, too.

♪ Am I a fool?

♪ Somebody tell me Am I a good man? ♪

[Dr. Jace] We must assume that Gravedigger is injecting himself with whatever remains of the meta formula you left in Markovia.

When I gave myself the sh*t, the power lasted for an hour because of my genetic makeup.

With Tobias, it was 20 minutes.

According to this model, Gravedigger's absorption of meta powers is limited to one power at a time, lasting approximately two to four weeks per injection.

Your model doesn't account for the fact that Gravedigger is the original meta.

His genome is different from other metas.

[Dr. Jace typing]

See?

The adjusted projection suggests that Gravedigger would be able to absorb and use all of the meta formula he can inject himself with at the same time, indefinitely and without overloading.

Oh, my God.

Gravedigger is en route with a battalion of troops.

His first objective, liberate the metas that he feels are being unjustly held here in Freeland.

According to my intel, he's vowed to destroy anyone or anything that gets in his way, or refuses his offer of freedom.

His second objective is to reacquire Lynn and Dr. Jace, if possible, so that they can recreate the serum for the sick metas in Markovia.

We're not gonna let either one of those things happen.

The powers that be have decided that... losing certain municipalities would be acceptable if things were to go bad.

Wait, what does that mean?

That means that they would rather nuke Freeland... than let Gravedigger win.

The government is gonna b*mb Freeland if we don't b*at Gravedigger?

[scoffs] That won't be the official story.

They'll say it was a nuclear accident of some sort.

Freeland could very well become the next Three Mile Island.

[brakes hiss]

[engine idling]

[engine runs]

[engine idling]

[engine runs]

Get on the ground, now. On the ground.

[soldiers groaning]

[all grunting]

[groaning]

[soldiers grunting]

[soldiers continue grunting]

[growling quietly]

[grunts loudly]

[soldiers screaming]

[all grunting]

You should thank me.

If it wasn't for me, those Markovians would have k*lled you.

You ruined my life. [scoffs]

Well, I think you got me confused with Tobias.

I've done nothing but get you through the hard times, whether you realize it or not.

You're a liar.

You can't walk away from the truth, Khalil.

I'll still be here.

So, it looks like the government is not gonna help us.

The ASA are too weakened to help us.

The only people we can count on are in this room.

Is this supposed to be a pep talk? This is real talk.

Okay, we're gonna form two lines of defense.

Thunder, Grace and myself will form the front line.

Lightning, Brandon, TC, Erica will form the rear guard.

Dad, why are we in the back?

Keeping you in reserve.

Look, when the timing is right, you will tip the balance in our favor.

What are you talking about? Excuse me?

Dr. Jace k*lled my mother.

And she said she knows who my father is, but she probably k*lled him, too.

And you're working with her like everything's cool?

Look, Brandon, I know this must be difficult for you, but countless people will die if-- If what?

She k*lled my mom, and I don't even know what we're fighting about, anyway.

Gravedigger is coming to Freeland to take every meta back to Markovia.

Whether they wanna go or not. Okay, what's wrong with that?

Brandon, chill out. No.

You should have the right to choose where you live.

He plans on k*lling anyone who gets in his way and any meta who doesn't want to go.

You know what? I don't care about any of that.

I'm not doing this.

Hey, really?

[sighs]

Well, that was a good talk.

We're screwed.

["Am I a Good Man" plays]

♪ Am I a good man?

[Gravedigger] I am sure there will be some Uncle Toms who will resist my efforts.

My message to them is simple: Join or die.

You see, General Mosin wanted to create a meta army, but that's not what I want.

My objective is to free all the metas who've been experimented on, held in pods for decades and are still being kept against their will in Freeland by any means necessary.

This oppression, this discrimination, this hypocrisy by the US government ends now.

What I'm about to do to Freeland is for Freeland, and even though some people won't understand it while it's happening, my conscience is clear because my cause is righteous.

Once the dust settles and the dead are buried, I will be on the right side of history.

♪ Last night I saw a superhero He was black ♪

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

Okay, Thunder, Grace and I will att*ck along here, probing the Markovians for their strengths and weaknesses.

And then Jennifer and the younger metas will exploit those weaknesses.

Divide and conquer. Yeah, exactly.

What if they don't have any weaknesses you can exploit?

They... They will.

Look, if we don't think we can win, then Jennifer and her crew will lead a retreat from Freeland.

You okay? Yeah.

What?

[sighs]

We have been through a lot of battles together, Jeff, but this one feels different.

Different how?

I don't know, but this Gravedigger, I'm not saying he's right, but he's not exactly wrong, either.

The government, the ASA, we have done terrible things to metas.

Yeah, but, Gambi, he's not attacking them. He's attacking Freeland.

So, as far as I'm concerned, he's just as bad as the government or the ASA and he has to be stopped.

Even if you're right, we've never faced anyone quite like this.

Which is exactly why you need me on the front line.

[sighs] Jennifer. I'm the strongest meta.

Why do you have me on rear guard? I just told you.

If I wasn't your daughter, would I still be in the back?

Yes.

[scoffs] I feel like you're making me sit at the kids' table.

No, that's not it at all.

I need you to trust me that I know what I'm doing.

Can you do that?

[sighs] Sure.

[footsteps depart]

I actually agree with her.

It doesn't make sense to keep your most powerful meta off the front line, unless-- Unless what?

Unless you don't think you can b*at Gravedigger, either.

Anissa and I have some recruiting to do. I'll see you later.

Be safe, Jeff. Yeah.

You wouldn't lie to me now, would you?

[woman] Never.

He said he was a... doctor of some kind.

This means a lot to me, you know that?

Uh- uh.

[chuckles]

Make sure she get back to the O without Destiny or Lady Eve knowing.

I got you. All right.

Come on.

Things must be pretty bad for y'all to come all the way down here to talk to us lower folks.

So what can I do for you?

There's a w*r coming to Freeland. We could use your troops.

We want you to join a fight against the Markovians.

[scoffs]

Y'all want us to fight for your cause?

Come on, Lala, we want you to fight for Freeland.

Nah. I'm good.

I'm gonna leave that superhero stuff to y'all jokers in costumes.

I'm gonna focus on making sure that the folks in Freeland are eating.

There won't be nothing to eat if Freeland is destroyed.

I told you this was gonna be a waste of time.

Lala don't give a damn about nobody but Lala.

You better listen to your sidekick.

Sweetheart's sharp. Don't do it.

[Thunder] You lucky I got bigger things to take care of because if I didn't, I'd take out you and your whole crew with my bare hands.

Oh, whoa, whoa, oh!

Hold on, now.

She got a temper on her, don't she? Yeah, she do.

Them powers got you all swoled up.

Just because you're a meta don't mean you can't get got.

If I get got, it ain't gonna be by you.

Okay, hold on a minute. Now, you wait a minute.

Y'all think y'all can just come up in here and body us into doing whatever the hell y'all want us to do?

That's what they thought, didn't they? Couldn't have been.

'Cause these boys raring to blow they meta heads clean off.

I promise y'all want none of this smoke.

All right, that's it. That's enough. We ain't got time for this.

You're a businessman.

The government will turn Freeland into a radioactive crater.

Now, how you gonna do business then?

Ooh, that's a nice hustle.

But y'all two can take it to go.

So, it's like that.

Oh, yeah. It's like that.

Oh, Brandon.

How did you get past security?

Wasn't hard.

You're gonna tell me everything I want to know about my family.

Or you'll never see your family again.

So, you're back from the dead.

Indeed.

At least now we know where Lazarus has been.

You are persona non grata. You've been excommunicated.

I'm aware.

I want back in. I want world peace.

But you can't always get what you want.

Sure you can.

I know that w*r is coming to Freeland.

So does everybody else with a radio. So what?

I also know some other things.

I'm sure you know all kinds of little tidbits.

Drugging ASA agents who came to visit your establishment must have given you an endless source of chit- chat.

Facts.

One of the tidbits I learned is that you and the ASA have decided to cut and run.

If that were true, I wouldn't still be in Freeland.

[scoffs] You would if there were something here you still wanted.

Like what?

Before we talk about what you want...

let's talk about what I want. Which is?

My seat back at the table with the rest of the Shadow Board.

That's a big ask.

I doubt if you have anything valuable enough to exchange for that.

If you die in this w*r, I'll use Lazarus to bring you back to life.

I have contingencies in place, and I've made peace with my own mortality a long time ago.

For a moment, I thought you were gonna offer me something more tangible.

Like the location of the briefcase. Yes.

If I give you the location of the briefcase, I want my seat back on the Shadow Board and my cartel back in the game.

You were a competent earner for our clandestine activities.

Once I verify and acquire the briefcase, I'll put you back in business.

[machine beeps]

[whirring]

[typing]

[R&B music playing]

How you feeling, babe?

Tired. Sore.

Fighting bad guys is a lot of work. I don't know how you do it.

I just focus on the results.

Being able to rescue Terry, Anaya, and the rest of the Perdi.

That's what makes it worth it for me.

Here, take this. It'll help.

Thanks.

And for the past few months, my body's been acting strange.

Like, I don't even know my own strength. Really?

Yeah. Watch this.

[grunts]

Whoa, whoa. Babe, babe, wait.

Whoa, whoa. Watch the candles.

No, no, no. I got it.

[chuckles] See, you're breaking everything.

[grunts]

Careful. I couldn't do this two months ago.

Whew.

You know, all that shapeshifting has to put a lot of strain on your muscles.

And given your unique morphology, babe, my best guess is it's your body reinforcing itself.

Reinforcing itself? What does that mean?

I think you're evolving. Evolving into what?

That, I don't know, but your body is definitely changing.

Hey.

[sighs softly]

What?

I know you got a lot going on right now, but there's something I need to tell you.

Okay.

I'm just gonna say it. Say what?

The DNA sample I took from Gravedigger matches your DNA.

What? When I examined his chromosomes, I discovered that you and Gravedigger were related.

No. No, that's not possible.

I redid the test five times. It's a match.

Jeff, it makes sense.

The reason you, and Anissa and Jennifer are the only stable metas in Freeland is because you're related to the original meta, Gravedigger.

I... I had a great- uncle that everyone said d*ed during World w*r II.

But now I think about it, no one actually said he d*ed.

They said he never came back.

Gravedigger's your great- uncle.

I'm worried about what might happen tomorrow.

Yeah, me, too.

But you know what?

Being here with you has me all blissed out.

It's like when I'm with you, all bad things go away.

I could do this forever.

Me, too.

I mean it.

I could really see myself doing this for the rest of my life.

Mmm. I know.

Wait a minute, what are you saying?

What do you think I'm saying?

[both chuckle]

I still can't believe this is happening.

We're gonna be in a w*r, tomorrow.

Yeah, I know what you mean. We could die.

[sighs] Wow.

I just got out of the pod. There's still so much stuff I need to do.

Yeah, I've never even kissed a girl.

Really? What?

Did you just try to use the fact that we might die tomorrow to scam a kiss?

Yes. Yes, I did.

But it's true.

I've never kissed a girl.

Come on, you can't be mad at that.

It was worth a sh*t.

Oh. Okay.

Now you can die happy.

Wait, does that mean you like me? That means I took pity on you.

But does that count, though?

I mean, I wasn't ready-- You're not getting another kiss.

Am I interrupting something? No.

Yes.

Did you find Brandon? Uh- uh.

Y'all seen my dad? Mmm, he went home.

[sighs] I still don't understand why we have to be in the back.

Why are you so anxious to fight?

Because she's mad aggressive.

No, I'm not. Yeah, you kinda are.

Okay, whatever. Can I please talk to you for a second?

Yeah. Be right back.

Excuse us.

[quietly] Yo, don't you see I'm trying to do something?

TC, that girl don't want you. Yes, she do.

Can you use your powers to find Gravedigger?

[sighs] I think so.

Okay, I need to know when he's in Freeland.

Why? Don't ask me any questions.

I just need to know, okay?

Can you help me or not? Yeah, I'll help you.

[cell phone vibrates]

[Painkiller] Any time you got something difficult done.

Any time you really had to dig deep.

Any time it was life or death...

That was me that got you through it.

That's not true.

I did that on my own.

You don't even believe that.

See, deep down, you know that I'm the rage you tapped into... to make you a track star.

I'm the same rage that helped you stay up all night to get all those A's.

I'm the rage that kept you alive during those surgeries.

Spinal replacement and every last enhancement.

That was me.

Not you, me.

You're not even real.

[scoffs]

Yeah, we'll see just how real I am once I k*ll the Pierce family.

[breathes sharply]

I won't let that happen.

[sighs quietly]

You don't have a choice.

[grunting]

[bangs on door] No! No!

I'll be sure to let the Pierces know you said hello.

[Khalil] Come here!

No. No!

Hey.

Are you okay?

I don't know.

Anissa wanted us to go over and have dinner with her and Grace.

Could be our last family dinner together.

We should invite Brandon, and TC and Erica. Those kids have nowhere to go.

Yeah. Yeah, that's a good idea.

There's something else I need to talk to you about.

Is Tobias my cousin?

[chuckles]

No. Tobias is not your cousin.

I know you have a code.

It's one of the things that I love about you.

Uh- huh.

Gravedigger is potentially the most powerful meta on the planet.

He has the serum, which means he has access to every meta power.

Lynn, what are you saying?

If Gravedigger is successful, thousands of people could be k*lled.

Including our daughters.

[sighs]

You don't know that. Yes, Jeff...

I do.

You just told me you would never ask me to k*ll.

And I meant it. I... I still mean it.

But things have changed, Jeff.

If it comes down to Gravedigger or you, or our girls...

No, you said you would always protect our family.

All I'm asking you to do is protect our family.

You should get changed. Anissa's expecting us.

Hey! Hey.

Hey!

Honey, good to see you. Okay.

[Lynn] Hey, Grace. [Jennifer] It smells good in here.

What's up, Grace? Nice place.

[Anissa] Welcome. Thank you. Welcome.

[laughs] Stop.

[Jennifer] I'm gonna tear it up.

All right, get comfortable. Grace is cooking dinner.

You know, guys, given the circumstances, I just figured it be nice for us to have a home- cooked meal.

Right? Yeah.

You mean like the Last Supper?

Jennifer. It's the truth.

No, Jennifer, it's not like the Last Supper.

It's actually quite opposite.

So, Grace and I have something we wanna tell you.

[both] We're getting married!

Oh, my God! Congrats! [girls squeal]

Finally! Oh, my God. [Anissa] Thank you, sis.

[Jennifer] Congrats, y'all. Thank you.

Okay, all right, so, Uncle Gambi already agreed to officiate the ceremony... and it's happening here, tonight.

[girls chuckle]

Sit down, dinner's almost ready. [Jennifer] Whoo!

[Anissa] Get ready to sit down.

[Erica] All right.

You know that's not necessary.

Yes, it is.

[knock on door]

[door opens]

[sucks teeth]

[exhales sharply]

Living close to the earth, I see.

That's how I like it.

You know, you really could have just called.

Baby, you might not have picked up.

This way, I know I got your full, undivided attention.

You know I don't like to go anywhere without my twins.

Are you okay?

Yes.

[sighs]

Has, uh...

Lala been a gentleman?

Uh- uh.

Except for the g*n, yes.

A little bird told me that you know some information that I need to know.

And I thought you were smarter than to listen to little birdies.

Depends on the bird.

Word is... you know the identity of the last man that saw Tobias before he left Freeland.

[Lady Eve] Mmm- mmm- mmm.

And I thought we were gonna be friends.

We are friends.

And if you tell me what I need to know...

we can keep it that way.

[indistinct chatter] [upbeat R&B music playing]

Hey, can I talk to you for a second? Yeah.

I'm so happy that you found someone to marry, but... [sighs]

I have to admit, I--

It's happening fast, Mom. I know.

[sighs] I don't know anything about Grace.

All you need to know is that I love her.

Mom, look.

We are about to go to w*r.

None of us knows how that's gonna turn out.

But what I do know is that if something bad happens and I don't marry her, I'll regret it for the rest of my life.

Would you be doing this if there wasn't a w*r?

Yes, hands down.

Maybe not as soon, but yes, definitely.

Okay.

I get it.

And I couldn't be happier for you.

Or Grace.

Congratulations.

Thank you, Mom. I love you.

Hey, congrats again.

Thanks.

It must be so nice to be close to your sister and your family.

Yeah, it is.

I mean, it's not always easy, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Anissa talks about you all the time.

I admire what you guys have. I wish I had siblings.

Well, hey. Now, you do.

Yeah. I guess I do.

Hey.

Hey, Dad. Hey.

I've never had any real family, so I'm excited and grateful to be joining your family.

Thanks for accepting me. Leopard and all.

[all laugh]

Of course, of course.

[cell phone chimes]

[Baron] Jennifer. Any word on Gravedigger?

No, not yet. What are you planning on doing?

Look, just let me know when you hear something.

[video game sound effects playing]

You know, you don't have to go through all this to get the information you want.

Maybe.

This is the only way I can make sure if you're telling the truth.

'Cause if you're not...

[rumbling]

Or you just like to see me suffer, you sadistic little brat.

You did k*ll my mother.

So I'd watch how you talk to me.

♪ The sun is goin'

♪ The sun is goin'

♪ The sun is goin' down

♪ The city late at night Hit a pinnacle ♪

♪ Shinin' on 'em I rather trip alone ♪

♪ Put those on game Who didn't know the true form ♪

[rumbling]

♪ Every night I try to read your mind ♪

♪ And see what's in your eyes

♪ Let me catch up I won't waste your time ♪

♪ 'Cause all I'll ever Know is ♪

♪ In the zone In this life, arms open wide ♪

♪ In the zone, caught off And I'm floatin' by ♪

♪ In the zone In this life, arms open wide ♪

♪ In the zone, let's go up

♪ Baby, yeah, we can go up

♪ Feelin' just don't Stop it now ♪

♪ Tryna hate on us Mmm... ♪ Jeff, I think that we can disable Markovian communications--

Okay, Gambi... Gambi?

I think now's a time to just enjoy Anissa and Grace's wedding and each other's company. You're right, Jeff.

Congratulations. You've raised two amazing daughters.

Thanks.

[cell phone vibrates]

All right, this is getting a little sweet for me.

I'm gonna step out for some air.

Hey. Gravedigger just made landfall.

He's 30 klicks outside of Freeland and headed towards the perimeter.

All right. If anyone asks, you don't know where I am.

Are you sure you wanna do this? Yes, TC, I have to.

If I don't, I might lose everyone I care about.

♪ Feelin' just don't Stop it now ♪

♪ Baby, yeah, we can go up

♪ Baby, yeah, we can go up

♪ This is it

♪ This time I know It's the real thing ♪

♪ And I can't explain What I'm feeling ♪

♪ I'm lost for words I'm in a daze... ♪

[cell phones chiming]

Gravedigger's at the perimeter.

It's go time.

Wait, where's Jennifer? Jen?

[gasps]

She's not here. Oh, damn it.

Gambi, send me Jennifer's 20.

Grace, Anissa, meet me at the perimeter.

You two, you're on standby.

If you tell me where Tobias will be when he comes back to Freeland, then Devonte won't hit you no more, Dr. Blair.

Does that work for you? [groaning]

[exhales sharply]

I don't know where Tobias is.

I swear, I don't.

I would tell you.

[shushing softly]

[crying]

I almost believe you.

Make sure.

[Breathing shakily]

[Dr. Blair whimpering] [blows landing]

[Devonte] Where he at?

[Baron] Jennifer? TC.

Yeah. I don't really know you that well, but this seems really dangerous.

That's 'cause it is. That's how this works.

Sometimes you have to do dangerous stuff. Okay.

Well, be careful. Be safe.

Thanks.

And hey, if things don't work out, just tell my family I love 'em.

All right, little girl, I'm gonna say this one time.

[chuckles] "Little girl."

This little girl's about to kick your ass.

I didn't come here to fight you.

I came here to liberate all the metas in Freeland.

No, you didn't. You're here to kidnap metas, whether they want to go with you or not, and I'm not gonna let that happen.

You don't understand what's happening here.

They have... experimented on us.

They've held us in captivity for decades.

They've stolen our lives.

How can you stay here--

[groaning]

[laughing]

Okay.

I guess we're gonna fight.

[Lightning grunts]

[Gravedigger grunts]

Gambi, perimeter's going down.

We got a bogie at nine o'clock. What is that?

I'm checking now. What is it, a m*ssile?

Hold on.

Oh, my God, Jeff... that's Jen!

I got you, baby girl. I got you.

Are you getting anything?

No. No, I got nothing.

You have to restart her heart.

Shock her!

Come on, baby girl. You gotta fight! Fight!

All right, I got a pulse. I got a pulse.

Gambi, she's alive! She's alive.

Good for her.

[closing theme music playing]