WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for the Season 2 premiere of Black Lightning, “The Book of Consequences: Chapter One: Rise of the Green Light Babies,” which debuted Tuesday on The CW.


If you were to ask Jefferson Pierce to rank the things he truly cares for, right behind his family would be the students at Garfield High School, where he reigns as the school's principal. At least, he used to be the principal. Jefferson made the tough choice to step down from the position in the Black Lightning Season 2 premiere episode, “The Book of Consequences: Chapter One: Rise of the Green Light Babies.”

The first season ended with Tobias Whale sending Painkiller to attack Garfield High. This led to a confrontation with Black Lightning and many students being injured in the process. Though Black Lighting's presence did help matters, the actual principal of the school, Jefferson Pierce, was missing in action.

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The local school board had a major issue with the principal leaving his students in their time of need, let alone never showing up to check on them after the metahuman battle was over with. Tonight's episode saw Jefferson questioned by the school board and his longtime friend Dr. Napier Frank. The most interesting exchange takes place between Jefferson and Napier, with the latter uttering the N-word on primetime television. If there is one thing Black Lightning hasn't shied away from, it's pushing the envelope of what viewers are used to seeing and hearing on their superhero programming.

With the school board breathing down his neck, Jefferson lets the group no he will step down from his position as Garfield High principal. In the interim, a new principal will be inserted to take Jefferson's place.

Black Lightning's alter ego has always taken pride in helping to guide Garfield's youth into adulthood. Stripping this away from Jefferson is almost as bad as taking Black Lightning away from him. If he's no longer Garfield High principal, what will he do for an everyday job? Crimefighting doesn't pay the bills, so he will need to take up another profession in the meantime. Will he stay on as a teacher, or will the producers find a new career for Jefferson? We can't wait to see how this plays out.

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Airing Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW, Black Lightning stars Cress Williams as Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning, China Anne McClain as Jennifer Pierce, Nafessa Williams as Anissa Pierce/Thunder, Christine Adams as Lynn Stewart, Marvin “Krondon” Jones III as Tobias Whale, Damon Gupton as Billy Henderson and James Remar as Peter Gambi.