All language subtitles for Black Lightning s04e03.The Book of Reconstruction Chapter Three.eng

Previously on Black Lightning...

It's been a year.

But maybe it's time
you move on with your life.

I injected myself with Wendy's
powers and went out there.

You just traded one drug for another.

I'm a captain of industry
now, Jefferson.

I'm gonna take away everything you love.

You don't want to be Black Lightning,
but you're willing

to light up a couple of cops.

Freeland would be lost
without Black Lightning!

Freeland is lost!

Run, now!

What have you done with my family?

Oh, they're safe with me. Fret not.

I'll take good care of them.

Oh, Jeff.

Jeff, sit your weak ass down.

Dinner is served.

Or don't.

Who knows?

Maybe your rage will kill
your whole damn family.

That's cold.

Kinda like this turkey leg.

It's always the same dream.

What do you think they mean?

You're the one with
the PhD, you tell me.

♪ Last night I saw a superhero
he was black ♪

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

Recurring dreams can stem from

feelings of incompetence,

as the unconscious works through them.

But if you want to unravel
their meaning,

you're gonna have to put in the work.

I... I think the dream means that...

no matter how hard I
try to protect my family,

it's always gonna end in tragedy.

Things aren't like before.

Before what exactly?

Before the Freeland conflict.

Before I put everybody in danger.

Before my best friend died.
Is that what you want to hear?

Your best friend wasn't in your dream,

your family was.

Stop deflecting and
tell me what it means.

I can't be the man that I was.

He thought he could...

change the world.

I can't live with the...

decisions that I made...

being him.

Without him, I don't know who I am.

Oh, we got all of Freeland
putting in bets right now.

Your man says he'll come through,
then he'll come through.

Oh, you done good, Devonte.

This place...

is like a virtual Madison Square Garden.

Yeah, but all this costs a grip.

It's gonna be a minute
before we turn a profit.

You know what costs more?

Getting clipped by Freeland's finest.

Now...

this...

this is the way of the new world.

People placing bets through their phones

feeling like they at an event...

with no crowds to track us.

Punk ass is good.

Pay him.

But let me know when he's fighting next.

I got you.

Got Lydell in the office,
just like you asked.

You've seen better days, Lydell.

You care to explain yourself?

Lala, look what Black Lightning
did to me, man.

- I'm a damn cripple now.
- I didn't ask about that!

I asked you about why
you killed a kid...

and got Blackbird's attention.

Now, I'm gonna ask you one more time...

to explain yourself, or
we gonna play a little game

- called trip the crip.
- Whoa, whoa, whoa.

I... I... I was just protecting
your interests, man.

The kid was just collateral damage.

It was nothin' personal.

It was just business, brother.

Funny.

You know, I was thinking the same thing.

Wait, wait. I... I...

Devonte...

take out the trash.

Take out the trash!

Lightning's power in water?

Have you lost your mind?

I think I understand physics.

And I'm using only heal, no sparks.

I want to understand
Jen's rate of recovery.

Asking is too difficult?

I need to study the variables
under controlled circumstances.

Gotcha. Gotcha.

Going out, getting the
crap beat out of you,

that's a controlled circumstance?

What is wrong with you tonight?

The more I know now,

the better prepared I
can be for future attacks,

like Gravedigger.

I won't be caught
flat-footed again, Jeff.

You're not like us!

Okay? So, what happens when your...

Your observations go too far?

This is not about my addiction.

This is about protecting
our girls, Jeff.

Ten years ago, you asked me
to stop being Black Lightning.

I did.

Hypocrisy looks good on you.

I'll stop when you put the suit back on.

And stop with the pity party.

No, no. What you don't
understand is that

playing with these powers

will lead to misery.

So you want to be a weekend warrior?

Suit yourself. I want no part of it.

Welcome to the Larsen Line.
I'm Rebecca Larsen.

Tonight we have a special report

on the true cost of superheroes
protecting our city.

This so-called superhero
known as Lightning

is touted as a savior for her
role in the Freeland conflict.

But should that give her
and metas like her

carte Blanche to terrorize our streets?

I hope this exclusive video shared
with us by a concerned citizen

will provide transparency

into the damage superheroes
will wreak across Freeland.

But don't take my word for it.

I lost everything in the fire.

I've served this community 40 years.

Now, I can't afford to rebuild.

There's no such damn thing
as superhero insurance.

This Lethal Lightning and metas like her

are responsible for millions
in property damage

this city cannot afford.

Yes, Freeland may have
its fair share of crime,

but we can't let the cure be
worse than the problem.

Becky from the block
is spewing fake news.

That ain't what happened.
I saved those people.

I don't doubt it, honey,

but Lightning caused a considerable
amount of property damage.

Mom, are you kidding me?

Dad's caused way more damage
than me over the years.

Yeah, but edited news
like that you can't fix.

But they're calling me
Lethal Lightning.

Jen, you are a little OC
with your powers.

I keep telling you, if you
trained a little more,

you'd have more control.

Less property damage,

no nicknames.

Says the woman who leaves
giant cracks in the street

just by landing dramatically.

- You can just walk, Anissa.
- You know what? Nevermind.

You know what? It's bad enough
I'm arguing with your father,

I don't want to hear it from you two.

The only word I wanna hear
is an apology. Am I clear?

Yeah, you're right, Mom.

I'm gonna go check on Grace.

- Bye.
- Bye, Lethal Lightning.

That's not funny. Anissa!

I was helping people.

What that camera didn't catch
was that family I saved.

Larsen's controlling my narrative.

I know.

Like I said,

edited news like that you can't fix.

Now, put my show back on.

Put me in a coma.

You've been busy, Lauren.

Wait until you see the playground
I've built inside.

Mmm-hmm. Just what have you got inside?

The stuff that dreams are made of.

This facility is like nothing
I've ever seen before.

- Mmm-hmm.
- It's amazing.

- Are those...
- My pride and joy.

The next generation Direct-Energy Gun.

The press calls them the DEGs.

We're on the eve of market release.

They're going to save lives
and change the world.

From what I've read,

their energy output is lethal
to humans and to metas.

Are you confident they're
safe for mass market?

You think the prospect unwise?

You're showing your age, Peter.

Wine only improves with age

if the grapes were good to begin with.

I missed this.

Yes, they are lethal to
both metas and humans,

but I had the techs
install a stun setting.

Can't have local law enforcement

disintegrating civilians.

They're capable of punching
a hole through a tank,

or safely neutralizing a carjacker.

The ultimate peacekeeper tech.

Hmm?

Marcel?

Hey. I didn't expect you
back to work so soon.

Look, I, um...

I appreciate the time you gave me

to mourn the loss of my son...

but I need to work.

I have to get my kids back
from child services.

Yeah, um...

everything okay? I mean...

What happened?

Oh, this? It's... it's nothing
to worry about.

Look, I can't imagine
what you're going through,

um, but I have to ask.

You didn't get that
from trying to get back

at The One Hundred, did you?

So, Mr. Pierce,
who do you think I am?

Black Lightning?

No, I'm moonlighting
as a... As a bouncer...

and occupational hazard.

Hey, I won, though.

Uh...

I'm late. Can't set a bad example.

Right.

Here we go, babe. I got you.

I got you.

Hey, babe, I really did

something great for the community.

You know, the news are just trying
to say that metas only destroy,

but, no, I built something, okay?

A safe space.

You gotta see it, babe.

A safe space for the homeless.

And I did it without violence.

Hmm. There we go. Okay, I'm lying.

Maybe there was a little.

But, babe, the people I helped,

you gotta see their faces. You had to.

Damn, babe, you're a little
ashy today. What's going on?

Remember how I taught you
there was a thing. Hmm?

God, I miss you so much.

It's been so long, babe. I don't...

I don't even know if
you're still in there.

But, babe, if you are,

please can you give me a sign,

let me know we have a future together?

Please?

I love you so much.

No. No. No, baby, please, no.

Don't do this right now. Please.

Anissa.

Oh, my God. Baby.

Hi.

Hi, how are you?

Hi, baby.

That face means someone's in
trouble or you need my help.

Both.

Tell me you caught that lying
Rebecca Larsen last night.

Yeah, that white woman
had it out for you. Uh...

Lethal Lightning.

That bitch edited footage from
somebody to fit her narrative.

I need you to find her for me, TC.

You look mad.

Please tell me you're not gonna...

No, no. no.

I need the unedited footage
so I can clear Leth...

So I can clear Lightning's name.

Freelanders understand the truth,

I'd like to give it to 'em.

I don't know, Jen.

Why don't you just let
sleeping Larsen lie?

And why do you care what people
think about Lightning anyway?

Isn't that the point
of having, you know...

an alter ego?

No. If meta-hate like hers spreads,

it's gonna make all of
our lives more dangerous.

Please?

All right, fine.

There you go. Terry Andrews.

Don't go and do something crazy.

- Thanks.
- Good luck.

Not much has changed
since our last session.

Jeff is still sulking.

And I'm still juggling my work,

with teaching night school at Garfield.

Let's talk about that.

Elaborate on your decision

to split your time.

Rebuilding our community is...

Is paramount right now.

And while Jeff's taking a break,

- I'm filling in.
- Why?

Commitment to duty has been
drilled into me as a child.

Both my parents

proudly served in the military.

Their parents before them.

My brother John left college and
went straight into the army.

But you didn't.

Why choose the path less traveled?

Um...

It was chosen for me.

I was different.

Smarter than my brother, my parents.

They convinced me that
the military would be tedious,

and I wouldn't fit the mold.

And how did that make you feel?

Like an outsider.

Hmm.

But I guess my parents
made the right choice, so...

You're a world-renowned geneticist.

And a foremost expert on metagenics.

It's perfectly acceptable

to sort of stretch your ego here.

It sounds better when you do it.

And now, you are

teaching night school.

You see a pattern?

Jeff and the girls, they have

all these shared moments...

and experiences.

Like, my brother John and our parents.

Jeff told me,

"You don't belong.
You're not one of us".

- Hmm.
- The girls said

I was a liability.

Oh, God.

I'm trying to fit in where I
don't belong again, aren't I?

Just...

Just like I couldn't when I was young.

This is the seed of my addiction.

Isn't it?

My whole life...

I've been trying to fit in
where I clearly don't belong.

And then mastering
the fields when I did.

Just be you.

Say it aloud. Own it.

Own it.

Just be me.

Mr. Pierce. Nah, this ain't for you.

No. Mr. Pierce.

Mr. Pierce.

Lala, I'mma handle it.

What the hell is this place?

A glimpse of the future.

You're running illegal cage fights.

I'm earnin'. You're interrupting that.

Look, that man right there,

he's got a family. He's not a fighter.

- I don't want him hurt.
- Prepare for disappointment.

That man's cost me money
every night he fights.

But my ringer is about to change that.

Don't fret. My filters...

they keep the combater's
identity secret.

Place a bet and make some money.

Knowing you, it's probably
fixed. Just shut it down.

The reconstruction at Freeland
has been tough on everybody.

And everyone has a vice to feed.

I'm providing a virtual buffet.

More like lining your pockets.

It can be both.

If you was anyone else...

I would drop your Black ass right now.

But since we got history...

fight...

or get out!

Mr. Pierce.

I got next.

All right!

Mayor Black, so glad you could
make the trip at this late hour.

Well, your bodyguard left me
no choice in that matter.

Not to worry.

He'll return you back to your
nocturnal activities shortly.

I know you're aware

of my dedication to Freeland's
reconstruction program.

I'd like it to continue.

I also have an offer
for you that I am sure

you'll benefit from.

In order for it to reach its zenith,

it's gonna need a visionary

like myself, and a ton of cash.

Money like that can only be
gained through my new,

state of the art...

hospital.

Well, what with the
rebuilding of Freeland,

the city's budget is already
stretched as it is.

There's no room for a new hospital.

There is if you diverted
Garfield's budget.

It's no secret,

under Principal Pierce's leadership,

it's seen shootings, death,

and of course, its lawful occupation

which he himself defied.

Garfield is a pillar of the community.

I attended there.

As do my children, and
theirs, God willing.

Accept my proposal, Mayor Black.

And in no time,

your kids will be moving on up
to a private school in Metropolis

where they'll finally
get a piece of that pie.

Negro, please.

You think I don't see who you are?

Look, I know

we're supposed to publicly
smile together,

show unity, shuck and jive,

But there is no threat,
no bribe you can offer

that would make me tear down Garfield

and Principal Pierce.

So...

Thanks for the drink.

I'll see myself out.

Do you want me to kill him?

Not yet.

Whoa! Lightning!

Terry Andrews?

You're just a kid.

- How'd you find me?
- I tracked your phone.

You should really check
your privacy settings.

What's this about?

You sold footage to Rebecca Larsen.

What she aired about me last
night was straight up trash.

Yeah, but you gotta believe me.

I would have never given
her the footage if I knew

what she was going to do with it.

You saved me and my family

at the Freeland conflict
and at the shop.

You're my electric queen.

Kid, I need you to show the public
what really happened, okay?

- The footage. Do you still have it?
- Oh, yeah!

- But it won't help you.
- Of course it will. It's the truth.

That ain't how the Internet works.

But I'll tell you what,

I'll post you saving all those people,

and I'll tag your social media account

if I can get a selfie of
you giving me a kiss.

- Please don't push your luck.
- Oh! Okay.

Just a selfie then.

You want to fix your rep,

a selfie with the kid
you saved will go viral.

I'll follow you, you
follow me back, okay?

Monavista let you take that?

They don't know it's
gone, Nor will they.

As after we run some tests,

I'll smuggle it back
in the way it came out.

Think of it as borrowed.

You're so fired.

It wouldn't be the first time.

Now, I've learned all that I can

from the schematics I lifted.

I was hoping you could tell me more.

All right.

Okay. Let's see.

It's mostly mechanical.

There's no computer to talk to,

but it's admitting an
odd energy signature.

Must be its power source.

The schematics don't mention it by name,

so it's most likely proprietary.

Uh...

Gambi, what are you doing?

I've set it at its lowest setting.

So, don't worry, TC. I'm a professional.

That's not good for Black Lightning.

That's not good for anyone.

All bets are in.

Fight!

Yeah!

No one can beat me!

No man alive.

Yo, should I stop the fight?

He about to kill Mr. Pierce.

I don't think he will.

No!

Stay down, old man. You're done.

Don't you turn your back on me.

We're not done here.

Yeah!

All right.

This is where I grew up.

Now, I know it's, uh,
a little old fashioned,

but you're welcome to stay
until you get back on your feet.

Uh, it's perfect, Mr. Pierce.

Look, please, please call me Jefferson.

We spilled blood together.

Uh, you more than me.

You know, I...

I know you took gold in the
decathlon back in the day...

but I didn't know you could fight, too.

Yeah, well, I grew up in the
streets of Freeland, you know.

I learned a trick or two.

Fair enough.

Still, I've never seen
anybody fight like that.

I mean, especially a principal.

You, you may be the most impressive
man I know, Mr... Jefferson.

- Jefferson.
- Yeah, I almost forgot.

Oh, man, I can't accept
this. You won it.

Mmm-mmm. Lala cheated.

That's your money.

First month's rent.

Yeah.

When you're ready to talk to
child services, let me know.

I'll put in a good word.

Please do me a favor. No more fighting.

Your kids need a dad. And
Garfield needs its teachers.

So, this house will take good
care of you and your family.

Try and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Ooh, these are for you.

Oh, who are they from?

I don't know. I'm guessing Dad.

You know he likes to make grand gestures

when he realizes he's actually wrong.

Well?

It's your father inviting
me for dinner tonight.

What are you gonna wear tonight?

Oh, I have just the dress.

Your father is not the only one
that can make grand gestures.

Ah. Well, have at it.

Do I want to know where you got that?

Same way you got this,

doing things we shouldn't.

These DEGs pack quite a punch.

I'm not sure even your new
suit could survive a direct hit.

Well, here.

Go on, test it out if you want.

What if you need to suit up?

I won't. Look, I told you
Black Lightning's done.

- Jefferson...
- Freeland will be fine without him.

Honestly, it's a relief to accept that.

Well, you're awfully chipper about this.

- Have you been drinking?
- Oh, not yet.

I helped someone, Gambi.

Me, Jefferson Pierce, and it felt great.

Better than being him.

Jeff, I realize you're in
a dark place right now,

but you can't just stop
being Black Lightning.

Why not? I stopped
being Jefferson Pierce.

Look where that got me.

Gambi, I'm done.

I don't even know where to start.

Well, you can start
with being happy for me.

I'll see you around, old man.

Where you off to?

I've been sulking for over a year.

It's time I try to make
things right with Lynn.

Wish me luck.

- Bonjour, madam.
- Good evening.

I believe I have a reservation
in the name of Pierce.

But of course. Your party awaits
if you would follow me.

Thank you.

Dr. Stewart.

Please do me the honor
of joining me for dinner.

Girl, don't act like I don't know you.

Or would you rather the
fine people of Freeland

know about your family's
extracurricular activities?

Please sit.

I rented this whole place just for you.

Forgive my ruse.

But I knew you wouldn't attend
on my account alone,

so I kept my note vague.

But please, feel free to order
whatever your heart desires.

I'd rather break bread with Judas.

Fair enough. Though I'd be remiss

if I didn't recommend the cognac shrimp.

Dr. Stewart, or may I call you Lynn?

I need a favor.

One only you could afford me.

I'll never do anything for you.

I expected that.

But the favor is not for me.

You may not know,

but my sister was diagnosed
with ALS at a very young age.

She was cured through nefarious
medical experimentation,

but the nasty side effects became
too much for her to bear.

I promised a cure.

Even though she's no longer
with us, I'm a man of my word.

You're a monster masquerading as a man.

Mmm.

I recently learned that a
very close friend of mine

was also diagnosed with
this horrific disease.

And I can't bear to watch her
suffer like me and my sister did.

There are other geneticists
in the world.

None like you. You're the best.

And I'm willing to pay for the best.

If you agree to focus all your
research on finding a cure,

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

Just imagine all the good
that could be accomplished.

On top of being remembered in history

as the Black woman who cured ALS.

I know.

- Decisions, decisions.
- What do you really want?

I don't have the time or the
inclination for your mind games.

No games. Scouts Honor.

Even a broke clock tells
the truth twice a day.

Listen, I know
we've had our issues.

Especially with the rest of
that meta freak family of yours.

But, you're different.

You're not like them.

What I need is your superpower, Lynn.

What I need is you to just be you.

Please consider my offer while we dine.

Garcon, menus, please.

Damn. Damn, beat me to it.

I'm already late.

_

- What's up?
- You look like trash.

Like you've been partying all night.

No, there's always a come down

when I go to the ionosphere.

I just need a little pick-me-up.

Well, how about you stop going up there?

Absorbing that much power has to
have some type of consequences.

I'm fine. I know my limits.

Are you done with my page yet?

Lightning is officially verified
on all social media.

And you're sure it's secure?

I've been bouncing signals off
of VPNs all around the globe.

It will take a very determined
team to track it.

All right, good.

Are you sure you want to do this?

You know, once you press return,
there is no going back.

Social media is forever.

Only one way to find out.

- Right now!
- That's a lot of love for Lightning.

Better recognize.

Drop the gats and go!

- Go.
- I control my narrative now.

Miss Lying Larsen is
about to learn that.

What are you doing?

Lightning is tagging Miss Larsen
armed with the truth.

Hey!

What's going on?

Now, I told you we were
getting hitched, right?

We're getting hitched.

Now?

- Yes.
- Here?

- Yes!
- What about our marriage license?

Or witnesses?

Turns out our license is
still valid from last year.

And Dr. Morgan here, I just paid him $20

so he could spend 20 minutes
getting officially ordained.

- This is happening.
- It's true.

And in the process, I learned that

witnesses aren't required in our state.

- Who knew?
- What about your family, Anissa?

Babe, their plates are full right now.

And, this is not about them.

This is about you and me.

Now, I meant what I said

when I told you nothing
is gonna tear us apart.

And I am not giving this world
any more chances to do that.

So, yeah, this is happening right now.

Baby, you are the love of my life.

Will you be my wife, too?

A secret marriage is kind of sexy.

I thought so.

And I can't imagine spending my
life with anyone but you, Anissa.

- So you're saying yes?
- Yes! I do!

So do I.

Come on, let's do this.

Okay, um,

well, by the power vested in me,

I hereby pronounce you two wed.

- The brides may kiss.
- Oh, my God!

Oh, my God!

We did it!

We did it!

- Come here!
- Congratulations.

Uh, hi.

I'm running a little late.
Reservation for Pierce.

Your party is already seated.

I'll find her, thank you.

That's a very
lovely dress you're wearing.

I would be inclined
to buy you 365 of them,

in different colors.

- Synced and corrected by Firefly -
- www.addic7ed.com -