04x06 - The Book of Ruin: Chapter Two: Theseus's Ship

[bunniefuu]

[Jefferson] Previously on Black Lightning...

I have to report yet another senseless death in our community, "Lightning" is our primary suspect.

It's time to remind these metas who's in charge around here.

Which is why I'll officially be naming you head of our newly-formed Meta Task Force.

So it's my fault that you're dropping meta-boosters now?

This is not about my addiction.

My sister was diagnosed with ALS at a very young age.

A close friend of mine was also diagnosed with this horrific disease.

I promised a cure.

I'll fund your new institute for the next decade.

I'm your wife.

You haven't told your family

- that we're married.

- You're right.

Your suit levels are really high.

I just came up here to clear my head, okay?

- [rapid beeping]

- Come down, Lightning, get out of there!

- Oh, my God!

- Lightning!

An expl*si*n by definition is matter turning to energy.

Jennifer shifted energy states before and survived, so it's possible, right?

I have to get those particles down before they dissipate.

I can hear her calling to me.

Our daughter is alive in there.

The particle condenser will begin to transmute the energy into matter.

- Then Jen walks out.

- She's alive.

Whoa, what the...

Seriously.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Who are you?

Where's Jennifer?

Where's my daughter?

What do you mean?

Dad, it's me.

I'm Jennifer.

Wait.

What happened to you, Jen?

I don't know.

One second I was flying...

...and the next I woke up here.

- What's going on?

- What is this, Gambi?

What did we do?

[Jefferson]

Gambi, what is this?

Where's Jennifer?

I don't know.

There must have been some kind of mistake.

What do you mean, mistake?

Where's Jennifer?

Can someone please tell me what the hell is goin' on?

All right.

But don't freak out.

[screaming]

-- That's the last test, the same result as the others.

- This is our Jen.

- Oh, my God!

This isn't happening.

- Tell me this isn't happening.

- It's gonna be okay.

It's okay, I got you.

I still don't understand it.

Maybe there was a problem with the particle condenser.

The condenser was fine, I checked.

Or was it me?

Did I do something in the ionosphere?

No, all you did was collect her energy particles.

There's nothing you could have done to have caused this.

- Was it the tests?

- Dad, the test are fine.

This is Jennifer.

She's right, Mr. Pierce, I can smell it with my leopard sense.

It's Jen.

As a shapeshifter, I can tell.

Well, then, what happened?

She has the same DNA, the same genes.

It's the genes.

Just because they share the same genes doesn't mean they would express themselves in the same way.

- Oh, my God, you're right.

- What are you talking about?

It's like identical twins.

They share the same genes, but depending on the environment, they would express themselves in a different way, like different hair color, eye color.

- Different level of disease.

- Exactly.

So something in the transmutation process must have caused the genes responsible for her appearance to express themselves in a new way.

Jen.

Wait, where are you going?

Just let her go.

Just... let her go.

It's probably best for her right now.

So what do we do now?

I'm not sure.

This is organic matter we're dealing with.

She could become unstable again and turn back into pure energy.

I suggest we take turns watching her over the next hours and make sure she's okay.

But what about her appearance?

How do we... turn her back?

Turn her back?

Jeff, it's a miracle she survived at all.

We're just gonna have to accept the fact that this is the new Jen, from now on.

It's strange, isn't it?

I remember the first time I shifted.

It's not easy changing faces.

Perenna warned me this might happen.

She said if I wasn't careful, I'd explode.

Grace, what am I gonna do?

What about my friends?

What about school?

Hey, don't worry about that right now, we'll figure it out.

Yeah, well, you're lucky.

You can change back whenever you want.

Okay, sure.

I mean, now, but there's been plenty of times when I couldn't.

So what did you do?

How did you get through it?

I focused on what was important.

Not this.

This.

It's not who you are on the outside that matters, it's who you are inside.

And deep down, you are still the same strong Jen we know and love.

Nothing's gonna change that.

I certainly don't feel like it.

You will, trust me.

[sighs]

Now, come on, your family's waiting.

Oh, baby, I'm so sorry, come here.

We're gonna get through this, okay?

I promise.

Jeff!

Jeff, where are you going?

Am I done yet?

Almost.

Not too much longer.

I thought you already verified who I was last night.

We did, sweetie, but what you went through, no one's done that before.

- We just wanna make sure you're okay.

- I get it.

I'm Humpty Dumpty, and you wanna see if I'm gonna fall apart again.

[beeping]

This reminds me of when you and Anissa ran all those tests and found out I was a generator.

I wish I could go back there now.

Well, the scans are complete.

And how are you feeling?

Any muscle aches, fever, or fatigue?

No, I don't think so.

Well, you're so tall.

Is that weird?

No, it's more of you to love.

Just let me know if anything changes, okay?

And no using your powers, and definitely no flying up to the ionosphere.

- Yeah, all right.

- No, I'm serious, Jen.

I know it felt good, but you were clearly addicted.

We don't use those things to solve our problems, okay?

Believe me, I should know.

My whole body is screaming out for those meta-boosters right now.

Dr. Stewart?

Val Seong, I'm here for my appointment.

Mr. Whale referred me.

Yes, that's today.

Uh, this is Jenni...

Um...

[sighs]

- JJ.

- JJ?

So not Jennifer?

Well, it's technically Jennifer, but I go by JJ.

I'm her daught...

Yeah, she's my niece, and I'm her aunt.

I have a daughter named Jennifer, which is why we call her JJ.

[phone dings]

Oh, that's Anissa, she's here to pick me up.

Bye, Auntie.

I'm sorry about that.

Why don't you take a seat, and let's get started with some blood work.

[exhales sharply]

In local news, One Hundred ringleader Latavious "Lala" Johnson is still at large.

The notorious g*ng boss is wanted in connection with the death of former mayor, Billy Black, who was k*lled in a sh**t between members of The One Hundred and the police.

He's considered armed and dangerous.

Authorities say he escaped an attempted...

Jeff, I wasn't expecting you.

I thought you were watching Jen.

If she is Jen.

What do you mean, Jeff?

We've been over this.

It's her.

Well, maybe it's not.

Look, I was thinking last night, maybe there's a reason I couldn't feel her energy.

Stranger things have happened.

I travel to other universes.

I fought alongside Superman.

Maybe she's a being from another dimension?

She's not a being from another dimension.

She's your daughter.

Jennifer Pierce.

And right now she needs her dad.

Fine.

I'll talk to her later.

Where are we with the mayor's k*lling?

I wasn't able to track down the ballistics...

but I hacked into a bystander's phone, and I found this.

See how he grabs the top of his head?

That can only mean one thing.

The sh*t came from an elevated position.

Lala was at street level, he couldn't have taken the sh*t.

- He was telling the truth.

- Exactly.

Now, here's where things get interesting.

I was able to analyze the footage and map the b*llet's trajectory.

There aren't any buildings in that area tall enough to match the angle of the sh*t, except this one.

So what's the problem?

It's four miles away.

That's nearly double the longest ever recorded sn*per sh*t.

- How is that possible?

- I don't know.

But I was able to pull a photo from the camera near the rear entrance to the building just a few minutes after the mayor's death.

Whoever's hiding under that hood is our sh**t.

Hey, can you turn this up?

I'm honored to be here.

Today is a great day in Freeland.

For far too long, gangs of vigilantes have run unchecked in our city...

but no more.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of the good people at Monovista International...

we now have a means of fighting back.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet the newest w*apon in our w*r for our streets, the next generation DEG.

Now, as a part of my donation to the Freeland Police Department, every man and woman in uniform will receive one of these fine directed energy g*ns.

I'm making it my mission to clean up our streets, and continue the rebuilding effort started by, my good friend, the late great Billy Black.

Which is why...

I, Tobias Whale, am proud to announce...

I'll be running for mayor.

[thunder rumbling]

Black Lightning.

Detective.

Or should I say...

Head of the New Meta Task Force?

I don't know what side you're on, man.

[sighs]

Don't get your drawers in a bunch.

- It wasn't my decision.

- Oh.

Sounds like something a traitor would say.

Oh, yeah?

Would a traitor get you the ballistics from the mayor's k*lling, like you asked?

Notice anything unusual?

- Yeah, it's still in the casing.

- That's right.

It was never fired.

- If it was never fired, then how...

- Let go.

- What?

- Trust me.

Just let go.

[clangs]

- What the hell?

- It's been magnetized.

How do you fire a b*llet without a g*n?

Magnetic powers.

So a meta did it?

Yeah, that would explain the distance of the sh*t.

You need to know, Lightning had nothing to do with this.

And she's not to blame for Lydell Jackson either.

I know.

Not that it's going to matter much.

The chief is on a warpath.

After what happened with Lala gettin' away, she's planning raids on half the damn Eastside.

She's already approved a dozen affidavits for no-knock warrants.

No-knock warrants?

She lost her damn mind?

Most people in this city are packing.

That's right.

Which is why I'm telling you...

Freeland needs Black Lightning.

Or are you gonna disappear on us again?

No, I'm back... for good this time.

- Come on.

- [beeping]

Hm.

[rapid beeping]

Come on.

- [alarm blaring]

- Shut it off.

Wait, shut it off.

Shut it off.

Five hundred feet, just like last time.

Damn it, I had a good feeling about that one.

Well... look on the bright side.

At least the DEG rollout was a success.

I've been meaning to congratulate you.

I heard Mr. Bates was thrilled.

Thanks, but we both know that was all you.

You were the one who caught the issue with the capacitor bank.

Guess I can't do anything right.

Come on, you know that's not true.

You were the one that put the stun setting in.

You gave them % more power.

Wait a minute.

Power.

Maybe that's the reason we haven't been able to extend the range on the emitter.

We've been using the wrong power source.

That would explain the problems with the voltage regulator.

Peter, you might be onto something.

It's too bad we can't use promethium like you did in the DEGs.

It's just such an incredibly rare mineral element.

Not as rare as you might think.

[dramatic music soars]

Women, who, in jealousy or anger, or out of their own corrupt passions, can change into great cats, like panthers.

- Really, Anissa?

- Wait, what?

All the movies you could've picked, and you just had to choose one that reminds me of being trapped in this body?

You right, my bad.

What would you like to watch instead?

Let's see, we got Going on .

Big.

Let's see, Being John Malkovich.

Ooh...

Freaky Friday.

Oh, my God, Freaky Friday?

- Can you imagine?

- No.

What if I switched places with Mom?

I'd be all like, "Go get our baby."

Ooh, that was good.

That's good, but it could be worse.

You could be Nicolas Cage in Face/Off.

"I'd like to take his face... off."

Oh, man.

It's really not all that bad, though.

I promise.

Now, I wasn't gonna say anything, but, girl, your skin...

Jen, your skin, it looks amazing now.

- Really?

- Yeah.

You think so?

I do kinda like the dark chocolate look.

I ain't worried about you.

You be fine.

You just gotta... just make sure you look at all the positives.

Okay?

Like the fact that you could be playin' in the WNBA.

- Shut up.

- Okay, I'm just sayin'!

I'm sayin'.

- [sighs]

- Did you see Dad's face?

- I don't know if he'll ever talk to me.

- Mm-mm.

Don't say that.

He will.

All right?

Now, you know him, he just... needs his time.

- But what if he never does?

- It's not gonna happen.

Okay?

In fact...

[sighs]

speaking of family...

there's something that I've been meaning to tell you.

Grace and I got married.

- What?

You're kidding, right?

- Nope.

- We eloped after she woke up.

- You didn't tell me?

I was gonna tell you, I promise, but I was scared.

I'm like, "What if I say something, and she falls back into a coma or she can't control her shape-shifting?" It was just a lot for me.

Oh, my God!, I have so many questions.

Did you invite anyone?

- Mm-mm.

- Did you have a bouquet?

Did you wear your Hillary pantsuit?

I didn't wear my Hillary pantsuit.

It was just us.

It was nothing formal.

It was perfect, though.

It really was.

At least tell me you went on a honeymoon.

I didn't.

What?

Come on, Harriet.

You guys are the best couple I know.

You gotta start your marriage off right, have some fun, party.

See, you know what?

You would say that.

Of course.

I don't know.

It's just...

There's just been so much going on.

And what about you?

I'm not going anywhere.

My brand-new ass will be right here when you get back.

Ready to drive me crazy.

Springbrook Baptist isn't paying protection.

Give them until Friday, and if they don't pay, k*ll them, and charge double for the funeral.

Well, well.

Lala, I was wondering you would show up.

Destiny.

That's a cute trick you pulled with the police.

I knew you'd never settle for a truce.

Didn't plan on you having nine lives, though.

Oh, I got a lot more than that.

But you don't.

Time to die.

Oops.

Guess that isn't the only trick up my sleeve.

- Who the hell are you?

- Call me Ishmael.

I'm gonna call you dead if you don't get the hell out of my way.

Make me.

[both grunting]

Bitch, don't you know I can't die?

You can...

and you will.

Over and over again, and you'll keep dyin' and comin' back until the end of time.

Still working hard, huh?

Any progress?

A little, but it's gonna take some time.

I got something that might cheer you up.

Oh, my God.

Peter, you shouldn't have.

- What's the occasion?

- No occasion.

Just thinking of you.

I don't believe it.

This is the Go board from when I b*at you.

- You recreated it from memory?

- How could I forget it?

It was the only time anybody who wasn't Japanese ever b*at me.

It was beautiful.

Wow.

A man who not only doesn't resent me for b*ating him, he celebrates it.

You're one of a kind, Peter Gambi.

No, you are.

And this is the moment that I realized it.

Peter, this is so thoughtful.

You okay?

What's wrong?

Nothing, I'm just glad you like it.

Well...

I don't know how I'm gonna thank you.

Actually, there is one way I can think of.

We're at work.

So?

This is a secret room.

I believe you're trying to seduce me, aren't you, Ms. Caruso?

Jeff, where have you been?

I've been trying to reach you.

Anissa needs to do something for Grace, and someone needs to watch Jen.

It's okay.

I called TC, they're at the house.

You can't avoid her forever, Jeff, she's your daughter.

I know.

Look, that's not why I came.

Where are you with Val?

She came in yesterday.

I just got her blood results back.

And?

Does she have ALS?

Sadly, yes.

Tobias was telling the truth.

But she also has something else.

The meta-gene.

So she's a meta working for Tobias?

What's her power, is it magnetic?

I don't know.

Why?

I talked to Detective Shakur last night.

He said Mayor Black was k*lled by a meta with magnetic powers.

Tobias just announced he's running.

So I'm thinking he had her k*ll Mayor Black to create a vacancy.

Oh, my God.

What do we do?

We have to know for sure.

How do we find out what her power is?

Well, without actually witnessing it ourselves, we'd have to create a meta-booster and inject it into someone.

Okay, great.

Do it.

I don't think that's a good idea.

Why not?

Well, after we faced Gravedigger injected with extra powers, I modified the formula so it would only work on humans.

And since I have the most experience taking it, that would make me the obvious test choice.

So test it.

Are you really saying that to me?

What about my addiction?

You've been injecting meta-boosters for months.

This is Tobias we're talking about here.

So you care more about catching Tobias than my sobriety?

That's not what I said.

It's not what I meant.

I know exactly what you meant.

You made it perfectly clear.

Get out.

- Are you serious?

- I said get out!

Well, if it isn't my very own Amy Coney Barrett.

What do you think?

- Very mayoral.

- Good.

Tell me.

How did your appointment with the good doctor go?

Everything went according plan.

Hm.

She did have someone with her, though.

A girl.

You must mean Jennifer, their youngest.

That bitch is quite the firecracker.

Actually, she introduced herself as JJ.

She said she was Dr. Stewart's niece.

I had security at the lab pull a photo.

Now, who could this be?

Katie, run facial recognition across all data bases.

Yes, Tobias.

Now, this is very interesting.

Hm.

[chuckles]

It looks like we have a new Pierce in town.

- Say cheese.

- [camera shutter clicks]

TC, what the hell, dude?

Sorry, I was just capturing you in the moment.

Why are you taking my picture?

Well, I thought because you have a new look, I can give you a new identify.

This is your driver's license photo.

Or your passport.

I haven't really decided yet.

- You can do that?

- Of course I can.

I'm TC.

All I have to do is tap into the database.

I can make you a birth certificate, get you a new social security number, whatever you want.

I heard you got a new nickname, JJ.

I like it.

It kinda reminds me of Good Times.

Good Times, the TV show.

JJ Evans?

Kid!

A dyn-o-mite!

Boy, you have got to update your references.

[phone dings]

[man]

Unit en route to Garner Drive.

We have a no-knock warrant for apartment four.

[Gambi]

Black Lightning, you copy that?

[Black Lightning]

Copy, I'm on my way.

You should go.

He may need backup.

No, I shouldn't.

My mom told me not use my powers.

Don't get mad when I say this, but... who the hell are you?

The Jen I know would never listen to her mom about going out.

Well, I don't know if I am that Jen anymore.

Yes, you are.

Don't say that.

Besides, no one knows who you are underneath the mask.

They see you as Lightning.

Exactly.

They'll just see me as some freak who destroys property and kills innocent people.

You need to see this.

Yeah, so...

A while back, these girls bullied me really bad in school.

It got to the point where...

I didn't feel like life was worth living.

But then, I saw you...

and the badass that you are.

It gave me the strength to stand up and fight.

So, thank you, Lightning.

You saved my life.

Hey, Lightning.

I just wanna say how grateful I am to you for saving this man next to me.

If it wasn't for you, he would've been k*lled by the Markovians.

We got married last July.

He's my heart and soul.

Thank you.

Hey, Lightning, guess what?

We're you this Halloween.

Check it out.

You like it?

Watch this.

♪ This the Lightning dance ♪

♪ Lightning, Lightning dance This the Lightning dance ♪

♪ Lightning, Lightning dance ♪

♪ Lightning, Lightning Lightning dance ♪

♪ This the Lightning dance Lightning dance Lightning dance ♪

Thank you, TC.

I needed that.

And you're right.

It doesn't matter what I look like, I'm still me.

And the real me is sick and tired of being babysat.

That's the spirit.

The real me is gonna go out as Lightning, show the city what she's made of.

Okay, now you're talking.

The real me is gonna light those cops up if they even think about entering that apartment.

Okay, maybe the real you needs to slow down.

The real me is gonna go out there and wreck some stuff up.

No, both youse need to sit back on the bed and sit this one out!

Jen!

Jen.

You're late.

Uncle Gambi, you scared me.

That suit's not gonna fit you anymore.

You're a lot taller now.

I am working on a new nanotech model for you.

But in the meantime...

I've got something that should do the trick.

- Just don't tell your parents.

- I won't.

Thank you.

I'll go grab it for you.

Wait, Uncle Gambi?

How did you know I'd be here?

Because that's what Jen would do.

Jen.

- This is the place?

- It's where the package came from.

Confirmed it with the Postal Service?

No, it was enough to get the warrant.

All right, whatever.

Let's get it over with.

You ready?

All right.

In three, two, one.

Someone's in the apartment.

Oh, my gosh, it's my ex.

He must have found us.

It's all right.

Get out!

I'm warning you!

[grunts]

Officer down, get him!

[woman screaming]

[panting]

[crying]

Thank you, Black Lightning.

Glad to have you back.

[siren blaring]

[officer]

Open fire.

[Lightning whistles]

Hey, fellas, over here.

[officer]

Come on, sh**t them.

sh**t them both.

High-low tactics, go.

On your left.

[wind blowing]

- Hey.

- Hey.

You mind if I join you?

Um...

Yeah.

I guess you're here to ground me for going out without permission?

What?

No.

No.

I'm...

[sighs]

I'm here to give you an apology.

You showed up for me.

I'm sorry...

I didn't show up for you.

But you did.

You risked your life to come get me in the ionosphere.

I never thanked you.

You shouldn't have to thank me.

You're my daughter.

And I'll always love you.

I love you, Dad.

Honey, I'm home.

[sighs]

Sorry that took so long.

You would not believe the line at the Szechuan Palace.

Jeez.

Anissa?

Ta-da.

[laughs]

Oh, my God!

What is that?

"Do you like it?" is the question.

Cute, right?

So this is my snow bunny outfit.

Check me out.

Okay, this is option A. Vail.

You sit down and no peeking, okay?

Okay.

And...

Option B.

New Orleans, baby.

Wow, that's New Orleans.

- That is something.

- I'll be back.

And the grand finale.

Option C. Akashic Valley.

Now it's your turn.

Pick one.

- What do you mean?

- Well, babe, where do you wanna go?

We never took our honeymoon, right?

Let's just go away for a couple a days, just us for a change.

Really?

What about your family, your sister?

I think my sister would k*ll me if we don't go away because of her.

And when we get back, it's finally time to tell my parents we're married.

Seriously?

- Mm-hm.

- You mean it?

Cross my heart.

Now, which one... do you like?

Hm.

Well, which answer gets you to take this off?

That depends.

We are going away.

Let's go upstairs.

Going so soon?

Yeah, I've got other business to attend to.

Ah, yes, I heard.

You're trying to get into the League of Assassins.

They're requiring you to k*ll meta-humans.

[whistles]

Quite the tall order.

What's your count now?

Ninety-four.

Oh.

You have been busy.

All done, ma'am.

Perfect.

It pulls the place together, don't you think?

Sure does.

You know... Lala's not the only meta that's been giving us problems.

Why don't you stick around for a while?

I'll put you on retainer.

And I'll give you a bonus for every meta that you k*ll.

- Deal.

- Good.

You can start with these.

This one.