'Black Lightning' Season 3 Episode 12 Review: Jordan Calloway's Khalil shines in an intensely emotional episode
Spoiler alert for 'Black Lightning' Season 3 Episode 12 'The Book of Markovia: Chapter Three: Motherless ID'
'Black Lightning' Season 3 is barreling on to the conclusion of its Markovian invasion story arc with Episode 12 delivering a truly emotional story that sets up what could be an amazing episode to come.
All the secrets that each of the characters have kept from the others have finally come out in the open and with that out of the way, Jefferson Pierce aka Black Lightning (Cress Williams) and his family are finally ready to end both the ASA occupation of Freeland and the Markovian invasion.
The best part of 'Chapter Three' by far was its focus on Khalil Payne / Painkiller (Jordan Calloway).
After spending all season under the ASA's control, the real Khalil is finally freed by the combined efforts of his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Pierce / Lightning (China Anne McClain) and the young metahuman TC / Baron (Christopher A'mannuel).
Jordan Calloway puts on an intense performance, playing both the suave killer side of Khalil and the kind, victimized young man that he really is to perfection.
The episode's final scene, where Khalil wakes up only to find out that his very touch can kill the people he loves, was probably one of the most heartbreaking moments we've ever had on the show.
At the end of the episode, Khalil breaks up with Jennifer and storms off to clear his head. Considering how important he is to the show, we're sure he'll be back soon enough and perhaps he could make his heroic return in the very next episode itself.
If he does come back in the next episode, Khalil could provide some much-needed assistance to the Pierces as they take the fight to Markovia. Jefferson spent most of the episode putting together a team to rescue his ex-wife Dr Lynn Stewart (Christine Adams) from the Markovians.
They're not officially called the Outsiders but they've still got some iconic Outsiders members on the line-up including Jefferson's daughters, Grace Choi (Chantal Thuy), and Geo-Force / Brandon (Jahking Guillory).
Having someone with Khalil's skillset could just about give this team the edge they need to end the Markovian threat once and for all.
'Black Lightning' Season 3 Episode 13 will air on The CW on February 10.
