The WORST episodes of Black Lightning

Every episode of Black Lightning ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Black Lightning!

Jefferson Pierce, who retired from his superhero persona Black Lightning nine years ago after seeing the effects it had on his family, is forced to become a vigilante again when the rise of the local gang called the 100 leads to increased crime and corruption in his community of Freeland.

Last Updated: 6/20/2025Network: The CWStatus: Ended
The Book of Reconstruction: Chapter One: Collateral Damage
star
7.18
386 votes

#1 - The Book of Reconstruction: Chapter One: Collateral Damage

Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 2/8/2021

Jefferson Pierce is still mourning the death of his long-time friend Detective Henderson. Meanwhile, Gambi is presented with an interesting opportunity. Lastly, Lynn and Jefferson are still not able to see eye to eye.

Directors: Salim Akil
Writer: Salim Akil
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Reconstruction: Chapter Four: A Light in the Darkness
star
7.18
333 votes

#2 - The Book of Reconstruction: Chapter Four: A Light in the Darkness

Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 3/1/2021

Jefferson pays Tobias a visit and warns him to stay away from his family.

Directors: Mary Lou Belli
Writer: Lamont Magee
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Reconstruction: Chapter Three: Despite All My Rage...
star
7.19
346 votes

#3 - The Book of Reconstruction: Chapter Three: Despite All My Rage...

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/22/2021

Jefferson is feeling even more lost after a frustrating therapy session. Meanwhile, Anissa continues to care for a still comatose Grace. Lastly, Lynn has a breakthrough.

Directors: Salim Akil
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Reconstruction: Chapter Two: Unacceptable Losses
star
7.20
347 votes

#4 - The Book of Reconstruction: Chapter Two: Unacceptable Losses

Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 2/15/2021

The war between the 100 and the Kobra Cartel rages on. Meanwhile, Lynn continues to be concerned about Jefferson. Lastly, Jennifer’s curiosity is piqued by a new boy at school.

Directors: Bille Woodruff
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Reunification: Chapter One: Revelations
star
7.22
305 votes

#5 - The Book of Reunification: Chapter One: Revelations

Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 5/3/2021

Black Lightning sends Gambi an SOS. Meanwhile, Lynn finds herself in some serious trouble.

Directors: Benny Boom
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Ruin: Chapter Three: Things Fall Apart
star
7.22
310 votes

#6 - The Book of Ruin: Chapter Three: Things Fall Apart

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 4/19/2021

The FBI pays Jefferson a visit. Meanwhile, Anissa surprises Grace.

Directors: Bille Woodruff
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Ruin: Chapter Four: Lyding
star
7.24
315 votes

#7 - The Book of Ruin: Chapter Four: Lyding

Season 4 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/26/2021

Gambi warns the Pierce family of a possible crisis looming.

Directors: Keesha Sharp
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Ruin: Chapter One: Picking Up the Pieces
star
7.26
339 votes

#8 - The Book of Ruin: Chapter One: Picking Up the Pieces

Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 3/8/2021

Gambi supports Black Lightning as he departs on a special mission. Meanwhile, Grace tries to persuade Anissa to let her guard down.

Directors: Bille Woodruff
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Ruin: Chapter Two: Theseus's Ship
star
7.28
342 votes

#9 - The Book of Ruin: Chapter Two: Theseus's Ship

Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/15/2021

Jefferson crosses a line with Lynn. Meanwhile, Anissa shares some important news. Lastly, Tobias makes a surprising move.

Directors: Mary Lou Belli
Writer: Jake Waller
Watch Now:Apple TV
Painkiller
star
7.36
345 votes

#10 - Painkiller

Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 4/12/2021

After attempting to bury the darker, devastatingly lethal Painkiller part of his persona, Khalil Payne has distanced himself away from everyone he knows and loves in a new city, Akashic Valley, in order to find peace... but peace never comes easy for men with pasts like Painkiller.

Directors: Bille Woodruff
Writer: Salim Akil
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of War: Chapter Two: Freedom Ain't Free
star
7.40
463 votes

#11 - The Book of War: Chapter Two: Freedom Ain't Free

Season 3 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/2/2020

After learning that Gravedigger and the Markovians are coming to attack Freeland, the Pierce family prepares for war.

Directors: Oz Scott
Writer: Pat Charles
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Resistance: Chapter One: Knocking on Heaven's Door
star
7.40
513 votes

#12 - The Book of Resistance: Chapter One: Knocking on Heaven's Door

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/18/2019

Jefferson, is torn between his loyalty to his family and his commitment to saving Freeland. Meanwhile, Anissa's commitment to Grace is deepening. Lastly, Jennifer makes an interesting discovery.

Directors: Jeffrey W. Byrd
Writer: Lamont Magee
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Reunification: Chapter Two: Trial and Errors
star
7.41
303 votes

#13 - The Book of Reunification: Chapter Two: Trial and Errors

Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired 5/10/2021

Jefferson takes Khalil up on his offer to help. Meanwhile, Lynn finds herself wrestling with what could be the biggest decision of her life. Lastly, Tobias follows through on a hunch.

Directors: Bille Woodruff
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Blood: Chapter One: Requiem
star
7.42
689 votes

#14 - The Book of Blood: Chapter One: Requiem

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/13/2018

Jefferson and Anissa work together investigating the hometown of a creepy man at the clinic and make a shocking discovery. Meanwhile, with Syonide gone, Tobias puts an increasing amount of pressure on Khalil to help fill some of the void left in the organization.

Directors: Michael Schultz
Writer: Lamont Magee
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Resurrection: Chapter Two: Closure
star
7.42
292 votes

#15 - The Book of Resurrection: Chapter Two: Closure

Season 4 - Episode 13 - Aired 5/24/2021

After four seasons, the game-changing, relevant and electrifying series comes to an end. Gambi and the rest of the Pierce family have been informed on what happened to Jefferson as Gambi managed to locate the Emitter in the Tori Mausoleum. He, Thunder, and Grace head there in an effort to destroy but must fight through the Drakestone security team guarding it to accomplish the goal.

Directors: Salim Akil
Watch Now:Apple TV
Black Jesus
star
7.42
1662 votes

#16 - Black Jesus

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/6/2018

Black Lightning is recruited to rally against The 100 gang. Anissa investigates the new drug hitting the streets. Meanwhile, familiar faces begin to reappear.

Directors: Michael Schultz
Writer: Pat Charles
Watch Now:Apple TV
And Then the Devil Brought the Plague: The Book of Green Light
star
7.44
1557 votes

#17 - And Then the Devil Brought the Plague: The Book of Green Light

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/13/2018

An unexpected phone call unearths the long-buried need for Jefferson to investigate the murder of his father. Meanwhile, Annisa wrestles with the fact that her actions have dire consequences. Lastly, Jennifer learns the importance of controlling her temper – in all situations.

Directors: Rose Troche
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Consequences: Chapter One: Rise of the Green Light Babies
star
7.45
919 votes

#18 - The Book of Consequences: Chapter One: Rise of the Green Light Babies

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/9/2018

Jefferson Pierce and his family may have survived Tobias’s attack, but they’re not out of the woods yet. Concerned for the safety of Garfield’s students, the board considers a motion to shut down the school. Jennifer struggles with her powers and her actions have unforeseen repercussions. Meanwhile, Anissa finds a new way to give back to Freeland.

Directors: Salim Akil
Writer: Salim Akil
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Rebellion: Chapter Two: Gift of Magi
star
7.45
617 votes

#19 - The Book of Rebellion: Chapter Two: Gift of Magi

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/11/2018

Jennifer separately tries to save a feverish Khalil after their narrow escape. Jefferson, Lynn and Anissa work on tracking down the pair.

Directors: Benny Boom
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Resurrection: Chapter One: Crossroads
star
7.47
298 votes

#20 - The Book of Resurrection: Chapter One: Crossroads

Season 4 - Episode 12 - Aired 5/17/2021

Jefferson realizes that sometimes, an admission of weakness can be a show of strength. Meanwhile, Tobias is focusing on an end game.

Directors: Benny Boom
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Consequences: Chapter Three: Master Lowry
star
7.47
774 votes

#21 - The Book of Consequences: Chapter Three: Master Lowry

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/23/2018

Jefferson is forced to watch as all his good work is undone before his eyes when his replacement arrives and begins implementing sweeping changes. Meanwhile, Anissa continues to play Robin Hood by stealing from one of the most powerful crime syndicates in Freeland.

Directors: Rose Troche
Writer: Jan Nash
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of the Apocalypse: Chapter One: The Alpha
star
7.48
609 votes

#22 - The Book of the Apocalypse: Chapter One: The Alpha

Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/11/2019

Lynn counsels former pod kid, Wendy, in how to live in a world that's new to her, but the fate of the other pod kids remains in doubt. Meanwhile, Anissa figures out Grace's secret. Lastly, Jefferson tries to install a superhero code for his metahuman offspring, but Jennifer insists on taking revenge on Tobias for her boyfriend's death.

Directors: Salim Akil
Writer: Jan Nash
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Rebellion: Chapter One: Exodus
star
7.49
645 votes

#23 - The Book of Rebellion: Chapter One: Exodus

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/4/2018

Jennifer's disappearance roils the Pierce family. The family discusses the best way to find her. Lynn asks Detective Henderson to arrest Khalil after she learns Jennifer is with him.

Directors: Tawnia McKiernan
Writer: Jake Waller
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Occupation: Chapter Two: Maryam's Tasbih
star
7.49
628 votes

#24 - The Book of Occupation: Chapter Two: Maryam's Tasbih

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/14/2019

With Freeland under full-blown occupation, the Pierce family gets pulled in different directions. Jefferson and Lynn find themselves at odds with each other. Meanwhile, Anissa rebels as Blackbird while Jennifer feels powerless despite having powers.

Directors: Oz Scott
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Book of Secrets: Chapter Three: Pillar of Fire
star
7.49
592 votes

#25 - The Book of Secrets: Chapter Three: Pillar of Fire

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/11/2019

Lynn works on two of the pod kids in a segregated safe room. Meanwhile, Jennifer plots revenge and Jefferson receives some interesting news. Lastly, Anissa makes a shocking discovery.

Directors: Robert Townsend
Writer: Lamont Magee
Watch Now:Apple TV