04x08 - The Book of Ruin: Chapter Three: Things Fall Apart

[bunniefuu]

[Lynn]

Previously on Black Lightning.

[Gambi]

That small cluster of energy particles.

It's gotta be her.

I'm going up there.

[Lynn]

Even if that cloud is Jen,

your body would not be able to absorb that kind of energy.

[Jefferson]

Because I'm so close it's like I can hear her calling to me.

[Gambi]

At least in concept,

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

[Jefferson]

Then Jen walks out.

[Jefferson]

How do we turn her back?

[Gambi]

Turn her back?

It's a miracle she survived at all.

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

[Khalil]

Would a traitor get you the ballistics from the Mayor's k*lling?

Notice anything unusual?

They're still in the casing.

- What the hell?

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

So a meta did it?

- Where are you with Val?

- [Lynn]

I just got her blood results back.

[Jefferson]

So she's a meta working for Tobias?

How do we find out what her power is?

[Lynn]

We'd have to create a meta-booster and inject it into someone.

[Jefferson]

Okay, great.

Do it.

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

[Gambi]

What is it?

[Lauren]

It's called an energy field emitter.

Wait a minute.

Power.

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

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.

[Lauren]

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

Ooh, okay.

We agreed to tell them after the trip, right?

They're gonna be pissed we didn't tell them sooner.

I know it.

All right, well, there's only one way to find out, right?

Okay.

- Uh, you ready?

- [Grace]

Mmm-hmm.

Okay.

[both chuckle softly]

[cr*cker pops]

Surprise!

- [all cheering]

- Welcome to the family, Grace.

So I might have put a call in ahead.

Surprise, baby!

You are incredible.

I had to get you.

Come on now, make a speech.

Grace, my love, my heart.

It has been one crazy year.

And truth is, we'll probably have many not so great years.

If we are lucky, we'll have each other to spend those crazy days together.

I love you so much, Grace.

- Welcome to the family.

- [all applauding]

I love you, too.

Thank you guys so much for this.

- Welcome to the family, Grace.

- And I wish we told you sooner.

No, you did what you needed for each other.

That's what marriage is.

Anyways, I'm still mad y'all didn't take me with you to Akashic Valley.

I could have tested out my new look.

The only test you need to be worried about is the SAT.

Harsh.

[banging on door]

[Jefferson]

That doesn't sound good.

No, no, no, I got it.

[banging continues]

Can I help you?

Special Agent Kevin Mason, FBI.

Mr. Pierce, we have a warrant to search this house.

Is there anyone else inside?

My family.

Whoa, whoa.

No one comes inside till you tell me what this is all about.

[g*n cocking]

Mr. Pierce, step aside.

I'm not gonna ask again.

Okay, so it's like that, then.

I'm instructing you to step aside.

-- How could they think I embezzled money from Garfield?

The first thing we have to do is focus on clearing your name.

The government froze my bank accounts.

My assets.

It has to be Tobias, Jeff.

Think about it.

He's trying to destroy your legacy.

Yeah, that's not gonna happen.

Gambi and TC are at the Sanctum right now, diggin' into this.

We'll find a way to hit back at Tobias.

Well, I'm close to uncovering Val's meta powers.

[Black Lightning]

Yeah.

Good.

If we can prove she was the meta that k*lled Mayor Black, her only way out will be to name Tobias as the man who ordered the hit.

This all goes away.

Yeah, I'm handling it.

Yes.

Of course.

Look, I wanna apologize about the way things went down the other night.

I'm sorry.

- Are you?

- Yes.

I never meant to jeopardize your sobriety.

I'm sorry if you took it that way.

Apology accepted.

You and Jen seem to be getting back to your old selves.

Well, it's early.

Jeff, I've run every test that I can.

I'm still waiting on the results of one, but it's only going to prove what we already know.

That little girl upstairs is our daughter, and the sooner you accept that, the better.

[sighs]

So hard not to light them up.

Having to stand there and let them completely destroy my room.

That's why we work on restraint.

It doesn't come naturally.

Nothing comes natural anymore, even dealing with the face I have to walk around in.

What if I never get used to it?

Come on.

Give it time, Jen, okay?

And can you at least try to find a bright side in all of this?

I mean, it won't be a new face for long.

What?

Think about it like buying a great pair of heels.

Your stride, it be a little bit different the first few times around in them, right?

[both laugh]

Girl, walk that walk while you can.

- You're crazy.

- Okay.

Kids at school are already talking about Dad's embezzlement charges online.

Made the evening news, huh?

As if my first day back wasn't already gonna be hard.

Well, don't think about asking Dad if you can miss school.

We already know the answer to that.

[sighs]

Come on, Jen.

No.

One thing that has not changed is that you're a Pierce.

And Pierces handle anything that is thrown at them.

You gonna be good.

Okay?

Okay.

[laughs]

Wow.

I thoroughly enjoyed that, Val.

Glad I could provide it for you.

What else you got?

Monovista's behind schedule on the delivery with no new ETA.

This can't happen.

Monovista has to deliver on time.

I could drop by Bates' office, help motivate the process.

Okay, Red.

Your initiative is noted.

Be my guest.

One more thing, sir.

Dr. Stewart?

Her role in your plan is as crucial as any, and we haven't heard anything from her.

Are you sure she's on track?

What you don't know about Dr. Stewart is, her finest quality when it comes to her work is she leaves no stone unturned.

And we're using that attribute against her.

The best part is...

she has no idea.

For the last time, you are going to school.

Now let's go over your backstory one more time.

Name is JJ Stewart, Jen's cousin on her mom's side.

Big m*llitary family.

Tired of being an army brat, Pierces offered to let me stay with them in Freeland so I could finish school in the States.

How's that?

That'll have to do.

You've gotta go.

Okay.

I wish I could be there with you.

Hey, guys, what's up?

Hey, TC.

What are you doing here?

I can't let you go to school alone on your first day.

They like to pick on the new kid.

Believe me.

Boy, please.

I am still the Queen of Garfield if I wanna be.

Okay, well, the Queen of Garfield is about to be late, so, come on, come on.

[door closes]

- [typing]

- [machine beeping]

[typing continues]

- Is this a bad time?

- Not at all.

Sorry about that.

Finalizing plans to acquire a stockpile of promethium.

For the family suits to protect against the new DEGs.

I know what "acquire" means.

Just be careful.

You wanted to talk.

It's about my sobriety.

I've come a long way in the last year, but not quite far enough.

You're being too hard on yourself.

No.

It's true.

I can acknowledge that.

But it's why I need your help.

I'm listening.

This vial...

contains meta powers belonging to Tobias's attorney, Val.

Jeff and I believe it's possible she k*lled the mayor...

but we need to know what her powers were to confirm that.

And you need a non-meta host?

And I don't wanna risk being triggered.

Say no more.

Am I supposed to feel something?

Well, you might feel a delicate sensation just under the surface of the skin, like waves of energy pushing into your tissue, and then it happens simultaneously...

and you become the feeling.

But it might be different for everyone.

I don't feel anything.

Something's wrong.

It's not working.

Hey, man.

I'm sorry to ask you here on such short notice.

I need to show you something.

I figured it's the kind of thing you tell a man face-to-face, with it being your father's house and all.

This can't be happening.

Well, half the neighborhood got one.

I'll look into this.

You and your kids aren't goin' anywhere.

- You don't have to.

- It'll only be a couple of hours.

No, really, Jefferson, it's fine.

Look, I know you've got a lot on your plate right now.

Besides, tonight I pick up the keys for our new house.

What?

That's great.

Yeah, I had no doubt you were gonna turn things around.

Yeah, and to think I owe it to a man I had no intentions of voting for.

I'm not following you.

The albino dude.

Tobias Whale?

Yeah.

He stopped by your dad's house earlier with a developer.

Some business about a hospital they plan on building on the land.

Well, part of the deal was relocation funds for families like mine.

So...

[school bell rings]

We still have time for a grand tour before lunch.

Don't be cute.

I gave you your first tour of this place.

And that's the point.

It's poetic.

Look.

- [cell phone chimes]

- Hold on.

There's a video going viral of Lightning opening a can on the Freeland PD.

The people love when I do my thing.

Yeah, I've been meaning to ask you.

Have you been having any abnormal side effects since the transformation?

Or just been feeling weird at all?

Please let Uncle Gambi know, for the last time, I feel fine.

I told him it wouldn't work.

Only weirdness I'm dealing with today are all the Jen questions.

What have you been telling everyone?

That she joined an nunnery.

You can't be serious.

What?

The sisters are desperate for more sisters.

I'm just trying to get the word out.

Yeah, no.

I said she took an opportunity to study abroad.

They all bought it.

Well, that is a crying shame.

Principal Pierce out here preaching about positivity.

Meanwhile, he lines his own pockets with the money that we, the students, earned.

Man, we outperformed every other public school in Freeland and we gained the community support.

That money belongs to us and we demand justice.

- Is Montel serious right now?

- Yes.

Yo, you need to k*ll that noise, dawg.

[scoffs]

So you support Principal Pierce?

We don't even know if he did it.

But I see all you care about is bein' an online activist.

I'm sorry, Mr.

Refresh-My-Memory, who are you again?

I'm nobody.

Just know you're trying to ruin a man's name to get clout.

It's not cool.

Yeah, nice talk, man.

- Loser!

- Dork.

Hey, I can introduce you.

Nah, I got it.

[imitating]

"Nah, I got it." Hi.

Hey.

I just wanted to say thanks for what you did.

Don't even mention it.

I just can't stand this goofy cancel culture thing we live in.

- You're new here, right?

- That obvious?

In your case, it is.

I don't remember seeing you.

I'm JJ.

Eriah.

The Pierces are actually my fam.

- Hence the gratitude.

- So you know Jen?

We're cousins on her mom's side.

Word, that's dope.

Well, how you likin' ol' Garfield so far?

Getting better by the minute.

I could show you around if you want.

Really?

That would be so great.

I've literally been lost all day.

All right.

Let me see your schedule...

Thirsty.

Ah!

Boom!

Looks like we got band class together.

Cool.

Well, lead the way.

[school bell rings]

When exactly do they plan on building this hospital?

I am fully aware of how eminent domain works.

I don't want to challenge the appraisal.

It's my father's house.

I don't wanna sell it at all.

Yeah, sure, I will hold.

Again.

You know, forget this.

Who was on the phone?

Nobody.

Dad, I know I'm going through a lot with the change, but don't hide things to protect me.

City plans on tearing down your grandfather's house and putting a hospital in its place.

Can they do that?

Well, legally, yeah.

But they have to pay you for it, right?

That's sort of what the phone call was all about.

Get that bank.

Not like we use the house anyways.

Your grandfather worked hard to purchase that house, and he handed it down to me, and I wanted to hand it down to my kids.

You know...

Generational wealth and all that.

Anissa don't want it.

You see how she's living.

And if being popular worked for the Kardashians, then I am set.

It's the principle of the thing.

Your grandfather, a Black man, managed to own something that he wanted to hand down.

I'm sorry this is happening, Daddy.

You haven't called me "Daddy" in years.

Gotta change up every once in a while.

Yeah, speaking of change.

How did the first day of school go?

Not too rough, I hope?

It wasn't rough at all.

Kids were protesting for you.

It was cool.

Well, that's good to hear.

Kiki, hey, girl, it's been a minute.

- [laughs]

- Okay, I see you, Dr. Pierce.

White coat and everything.

It is so good to see you.

What brings you in?

Marvin's gon' be a daddy.

I'll be weeks tomorrow.

That is so beautiful.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

One of the tests they're offering came back abnormal.

Abnormal how?

Doctor said that the test show markers for cystic fibrosis.

Which will be taken care of this evening with a simple outpatient procedure.

Can I talk to you in private?

Yeah, sure.

Okay, look, I won't keep him long, but you make sure you tell Marvin I said hi, okay?

Will do.

It's so good to see you, Kiki.

Bye.

Why did you just lie to her?

We can't just fix cystic fibrosis.

We can now.

The facility partnered with Monovista.

Their medical division has discovered a way to isolate chromosome seven.

You're kidding.

You're saying a full removal of the CFTR gene mutation?

- Yes.

- What?

That's cool, right?

I mean, cutting edge gene editing.

How the hell am I just findin' out about this?

Well, to be honest, I don't think anyone has.

Pregnant patients with the diagnosis get flagged and then referred to Monovista for treatment.

Speaking of which, I should get back to your friend.

- Yeah.

Go ahead.

I'm on my...

- I'll see you later.

[clears throat]

[Lauren]

I think that should do it.

We extended the emitter's energy radiance to miles for final simulation.

Before long, you'll have one of these in every major city across the country.

Providing sustainable energy for millions of Americans.

Only one thing left to do.

[machine beeps]

[machine error message plays]

It's not working.

Should I run a quick diagnostic?

Would Nikola run a diagnostic?

[keyboard clacking]

[beeping]

It worked!

Congratulations.

Wait until Mr.

Bates sees this.

Mass production, here we come.

You're gonna need a lot of promethium for that.

What you have here won't even begin to cut it.

- Already covered.

- Really?

Well, before we get too far ahead of ourselves, we should celebrate.

Yes, absolutely.

In the mood for Italian?

More than you know, Peter.

[chuckles]

I'll make us a reservation.

[alarm blaring]

Wait...

Do you want me to go check that out?

It's my special cooling system.

I'm the only one with access.

Well, if this thing overheats, it'll go up like an A-b*mb.

It's probably nothing.

Give me a few minutes.

[Lauren sighs]

Sorry about that.

False alarm.

Shall we go?

I'll take that as a yes.

[woman on radio]

All units, please be advised.

We have a - in progress.

Officers in pursuit

heading north on MLK Boulevard on th Street, northwest.

You know, it didn't have to be like this.

Tell me where Blackbird is, and I won't k*ll every last member of her resistance.

Startin' right here.

Ready when you are.

[Ishmael chuckles]

You know, for what it's worth...

you'll die an honorable man.

[grunts and sputters]

[device beeping]

[Ishmael]

Yeah.

Come out, come out, wherever you are.

[Grace]

Thanks again for stopping by to check on me.

And for the extra calories.

[Jen laughs]

No problem.

If anybody threw me a surprise party, I'd be hella mad.

[chuckles]

Why?

I need to be party fly.

There's always pictures.

You're hilarious.

But let me check on you.

How'd it feel to be back at Garfield?

Good.

I love my schedule.

Finally got a music class.

You know, the thing about shape-shifting, you learn to read body language quite well.

And yours is telling a much different story.

So out with it.

Students were protesting my dad's embezzlement charges in the halls.

[sighs softly]

That's horrible, Jen.

He devoted his life to Garfield and they turned on him.

Well, not everybody.

This guy spoke up for him.

Your body language is now screaming "crush."

- [Jen laughs]

- [Grace]

What's that like?

Believe it or not, perfect.

I guess JJ's more his type.

Who cares what his type is?

You focus on feeling comfortable in your own skin.

I think I'm getting there.

- His approval shouldn't be why.

- Definitely not.

But I do like him.

All right, just take it slow.

I wouldn't be too quick to trust this boy.

[cell phone chiming]

Yep.

I'm sorry, hold up.

[crowd cheering on video]

[sighs in exasperation]

[crowd cheering]

[man in crowd]

Yeah!

Tobias!

Whoo!

Yeah.

Leave it to Freeland to turn this into a party.

[crowd laughs]

Maybe it's because we're up so big in the polls, yeah?

[crowd laughing]

[Tobias]

As many of you may know, Freeland is suffering from one of the worst economic hardships in recent history.

The homeless epidemic is at an all-time high.

Local businesses are closing down all over the city.

[man]

That's right.

And what's this I hear about Garfield High?

Have you guys been following the news lately?

I think Principal Pierce has been arrested on embezzlement charges.

Don't quote me on that because I haven't been briefed.

But it sounds terrible.

[crowd booing]

[Tobias]

It's no secret that Freeland has fallen from grace.

But I tell you, the best part about gettin' knocked down...

is you have the chance to come back stronger and better than ever before.

[crowd clapping]

[Tobias]

That starts with leadership, the kinda leadership my campaign is built on.

Tonight I plan to share something with you that I think is gonna be a big win for Freeland.

But first, there's someone I'd like you to meet.

[woman]

Who do you think it is?

[man]

Who do you think it is?

This is Marcel Payton.

Marcel happens to be a teacher at Garfield High,

and before today,

Marcel and his lovely children were homeless,

but I was blessed

and fortunate enough

to change that.

[crowd cheering on video]

Be sure to check offshore accounts for identity theft.

Swiss, Cayman Islands.

Yes, sir.

Are you okay, Jeff?

Tobias said some pretty nasty things back there.

- Did you expect different.

- [TC]

I got something.

A dozen transfers from the education fund into both of your daughters' trusts.

No middleman.

How is Tobias doing this?

It's beyond devious.

It's like you, actually, kinda...

I mean, I know that you didn't, but according to this, you kinda did.

Hey, I picked up some food on my way back.

- Why don't we take a break?

- No, Not now.

Keep going, TC.

[Lynn]

Take it easy.

Something's wrong.

I can't hear anything.

Your powers aren't working?

Are you okay?

Do you feel light-headed?

I'm fine.

I'm fine, I just...

I can't talk to the system.

Okay, well, do it manually.

We're close.

I don't know how to do that.

- Perfect.

- Jeff.

Let me see if I can do it from this other terminal.

Has anything like this happened before?

Never.

[rhythmic beeping]

Wait, they're back.

They're back.

[TC breathing heavily]

And they're gone again.

I'm sorry, guys.

I don't know what's wrong.

Oh, my God.

TC's powers are dormant because I injected Gambi with Val's meta-booster.

Jeff, light it up.

Nothing.

I think Val is a nullifier.

A what?

That explains why I didn't feel anything.

A nullifier's power stops other metas from having powers.

If what you're saying is true, we need to find the Mayor's k*ller fast.

Tobias is in possession of the single greatest thr*at to our family in Val.

[Jen]

I'm bad luck.

I always knew it.

You're not bad luck, JJ.

I've been in band class for two days and the school decides to cut the entire music program?

It's me.

I'm sure of it.

Hey.

Nah, we gotta do something about this.

I mean, we gotta fight it.

We can't just let them kick us to the curb like this.

What if we tried raising the money?

How?

This is gonna sound crazy, but I might know a way.

I'm all ears.

[sighs]

You can never be too certain.

Oh, my God.

[breathing heavily]

[cell phone dialing]

[cell phone vibrating]

Jeff.

[Jefferson]

Hey, I saw your call.

So, the test prove we were right about Val?

[Lynn]

Yeah.

Um, so far.

That's...

That's not why I called.

[Jefferson]

Everything okay?

Fine.

I just wanted to let you know that I'll probably work late tonight.

[Jefferson]

Oh, okay.

Well, I'm headed back to the Sanctum now.

[Lynn]

Have you slept?

Has Tobias?

[Lynn]

Fair enough.

- I'll see you tonight.

- Okay.

[call ends]

[Thunder]

All right, TC, I'm in.

Copy?

I'm here.

[Thunder]

The drive is in.

Go ahead.

Do what you gotta do so we can get out of here.

[Grace]

What exactly are we looking for?

[Thunder]

A chart on Kiki's cystic fibrosis procedure.

[keyboard clacking]

[rustling]

[Grace]

I think we've got company.

[Thunder]

Are you sure you heard something?

[Grace]

Positive.

[Grace]

And this company is not the friendly kind.

[metal clinking]

- [Ishmael grunts]

- [Grace grunts]

[Ishmael grunting]

[Grace grunts]

- [Ishmael grunts]

- [Grace groans]

[Thunder groans]

[Thunder grunting]

[metal clinking]

[Thunder screams]

[Thunder breathing heavily]

We all have to breathe sometime.

[Grace]

Hey!

- [Ishmael grunting]

- [Kn*fe stabbing]

[Grace shouting]

[Thunder grunting]

[Ishmael straining]

- [Grace yelps]

- [Thunder groaning]

- [Grace yelling, grunting]

- [Ishmael grunts]

[Grace]

Who is this maniac?

[Thunder]

Beats the hell outta me.

[metal clinking]

[Grace and Thunder yelling]

Who I am is of no concern to you when you're hit.

Yeah, we'll see about that.

[Grace grunts]

- [Ishmael grunts]

- [Thunder groans]

- [Thunder screams]

- [Ishmael grunts]

- [roaring]

- [Ishmael groans]

[cloth ripping]

[leopard gnashing]

[can spraying]

[leopard growling]

[leopard grunts]

[leopard growling]

[both breathing heavily]

[door closing]

Shapeshifter.

Noted.

[motorcycle revs]

[Bates grunts]

[Bates]

Are you out of your mind?

You can't walk in here and hit me.

I need your attention.

Then you say, "Excuse me," you animal.

[Red]

We need an update on delivery, and you're not takin' our calls.

Tell Tobias I don't work for him.

Now get out before I have security throw you out!

Throw me out?

So, you like golf?

Let's play.

Come on.

[whirring]

[pinging]

What do we have here?

You saw the club.

We gotta keep an eye on Red.

He's lookin' like the Mayor's k*ller.

- I'm on it.

- [panel beeping]

The b*llet from Shakur could not have retained any magnetic residue.

I'm only able to get a reading because he's using an abundance of power right now.

[Bates gasps]

[groans]

Whoa!

What happened?

Where'd the signature go?

He must have stopped using his powers.

We can't lose him.

I'm going after him.

Hold on, hold on.

I think you misunderstand the purpose of my visit.

[whirring]

[Bates breathing heavily]

It's ready.

I swear to God, the emitter's ready.

We just need a few more days to run some final tests.

Tobias will understand.

Please don't k*ll me.

[Red]

You have hours to deliver the emitter or that b*llet will have your name on it.

[Bates breathing heavily]

The b*llet trick is Red's calling card.

Yeah, he's definitely the Mayor's k*ller.

[computer beeps]

[TC]

Oh.

[TC exhales]

[TC sighs]

How is it lookin'?

k*ll order is still active,

but the test isn't finished, so, fingers crossed.

What are you gonna do with that?

Well, it's just in case.

In case what?

Khalil will be helpless during this procedure, and even though our connection is secure, it ain't invisible.

- Someone's gotta stand watch.

- [g*n cocking]

- Heads-up.

- Heads-up.

[sighs]

So, you think this is gonna work this time?

[TC]

I sure hope so.

You have no idea what it's like to walk through a digital door in your head and the first thing you see is Painkiller.

I just ran.

[laughs]

Yeah, we know.

And I remember when my biggest fear was making sure I didn't lose a track meet in front of Jen.

How is she?

Not good.

Her dad is being investigated by the FBI.

You're kidding.

[TC]

Embezzlement.

He thinks Tobias Whale is behind it all.

Of course it's Tobias.

He won't stop until Mr. Pierce is in prison.

And I haven't found anything that will clear his name.

It's like the evidence doesn't exist.

If this is about money, I used to collect for Tobias.

I can help.

[laughs]

Yeah, right.

Bro, you are not even good at video games.

You're no hacker.

Just leave it to me.

Don't worry about that.

I have my ways.

[sighs]

All right, let's get on with this.

- [Grace]

Ooh, that's it.

That's it.

- [Thunder groaning]

[groans]

Ooh.

I got something for him the minute Uncle Gambi finds his ass.

Don't you mean "we"?

No, babe, I'm sorry.

This is personal.

He tried to k*ll me.

But we stopped him.

Thank God you shifted when you did.

Like you said, "On our toughest days,

- we count on each other."

- [chuckles softly]

[Gambi]

How's the leg?

[clears throat]

It's fine.

Listen, what do you have on him?

Not much.

He's known as Ishmael.

Could be an assassin, maybe a contract k*ller.

What's the difference?

One belongs to a secret order.

The other either works independently or for a criminal organization.

If we're lucky, it's the latter.

Tell me about it.

Look, he had counters for every move we made.

If he's some kinda fanatic or some...

Regardless, he clearly reconned you and tracked you.

- The question is how.

- [Thunder]

I don't know.

Who knows?

But if he's huntin' us, he could be huntin' the entire family.

[Grace exhales nervously]