A new drug called Green Light grants people temporary powers. It’s also instantly addictive and its impact on Jefferson’s school is felt immediately. Elsewhere, Anissa continues to grow into her powers and Jenifer continues to struggle to accept the new reality of her life with Khalil.

This really is the episode where the novelistic approach the show is taking begins to pay off. It’s also one full of subtle shifts in power dynamic which, I suspect, are going to pay off massively in the second half of the season.

Anissa and Jenifer both have quietly very interesting weeks. Anissa is positively sprinting down the superhuman learning curve and the fact she’s bothered by just how powerful she is actually makes her more mature in approach than her dad. For Jefferson, his powers are still a combination of wish fulfilment and machismo. Black Lightning is Jefferson out of the suit and with the volume turned up, much like Batman is Bruce Wayne with the anger funnelled rather than bottled up. Anissa is… Anissa. Compassionate, determined, refusing to take any crap and refusing to leave anyone behind.

Likewise, Jenifer, whose decision this week is somehow entirely understandable, rash and brave all at the same time. The way the show is refusing to let anything have easy answers is fantastic and the ongoing struggle she has with her life versus that of Khalil, and that Khalil has with his new physicality is smartly written and deftly played. China Anne McClain and Nafessa Williams have been impressive from the start but this week Jordan Calloway really steps up. Plus, the start of the plot between him and Tobias suggests we’re getting a very nuanced look at metahumanity in this show.

But this episode is at its best dealing with Jefferson, and dealing with him as both hero and principle. His refusal to leave any of the kids behind is explored very well through Bernard’s struggles with Green Light and the way Jefferson interacts with the boy as both his teacher and Black Lightning tells us just how little difference there is between the two men. Again, much like Bruce Wayne and Batman, Jefferson is Black Lightning undercover rather than vice versa.

But the episode really shines during the scenes with Two Bits. The show has always done impressive work with Freeland as a city full of resolutely normal people and Two Bits is the peak of that plot to date. He’s more than a little crooked, but despite the awful things he’s inadvertently perpetrating, he’s still the man Jefferson knew. No easy answers, and tough choices shot through with dark humour, make these scenes pop harder than very nearly everything else in the show so far.

Verdict: Black Lightning moves, and feels, different to all its stablemates. Measured, mature, character driven storytelling it’s a show that rewards both persistence and attention and sets a high standard for the Berlanti-produced DC shows to meet. Quietly essential viewing. 8/10

Alasdair Stuart