My daughter? Oh, you're funny. We have joint custody, which means half of her attitude is your responsibility.
Lynn
Jeff, Anissa has not been in our custody for quite some time now. Now, I know it's hard for you to swallow, but she's not a child anymore. She's a grown woman.
[watching the news about LaWanda's death] What good did it do, Lynn? She was my student. Now, I had a fantasy, that when they leave me, their lives are better. That they could transcend this neighborhood, this city, world. Yeah, I save more lives as the principal of Garfield High than I ever did as Black Lightning.
But I could've saved her. I could save so many. I've been living a lie, living in the hopes that you and me and the girls could somehow live behind a white picket fence. A normal life. I'm not normal. Never have been! Never will be!
THERE IS NO DAMN ADDICTION! Do you remember what you said? When we discovered my powers? You said "it was a gift, a blessing from God." It's still a gift, it's still a blessing from God. And I intend to use it. Not just for the girls, but for all the other people out there, who need me.
Lynn
Jefferson, please, we are so close to putting the pieces of our lives back together.
We have a difference of opinion on that. I don't believe Jefferson was ever addicted to his powers. He was in a war to save this city and its people. And he was winning! Then he suddenly stopped, because he was addicted to you. And now look at the condition of this city and its people. It's complete chaos.
Exactly! And you need to figure out how to resolve conflict without fighting or losing your temper. And as your father taught you how to fight, he can be a big help, because, believe it or not, not everyone solves their problems with their fists! [storms off]
Look, I know I should've waited, but Joey Toledo tried to kill me over and over again and he was Tobias' right-hand man. I couldn't miss the chance to go after him. I didn't get him, though. [Lynn examines an MRI of Jefferson's brain] What's that?
Lynn
Brought a portable. Took a brain scan while you were out.
Anomalous but normal for you. If you did have a brain bleed, it's gone by now. Your powers turbocharged your recovery system. May not heal as fast as you used to, but it's still twice as fast as normal. [checks his heartbeat]
Well, it doesn't feel twice as fast. [gently touches her hands] It's good to be in your hands.
Lynn
[pulls away] Stop it, Jefferson! You're pulling me back into this mess and I don't like it! I hate this! I hate having to stitch you back together! Living in fear of turning on the news and somebody finding your body dead in the gutter!
June 28th, 1994 and October 7th, 2001. Your daughters came into this world on those days. You're an amazing dad, their anchor in this world, but you can't be if you let the air out of your soul. And that's exactly what will happen if you commit murder, Jeff, shred your soul.
No, you think I don't understand. But I had some real talk with Anissa, and I've been thinking. I realize I was mad about not always being first in your life. But Black Lightning is part of you, and I can't deny that just because I want Jefferson Pierce all to myself. This isn't me fighting with you anymore, I accept who and what you are. This is about me reminding you that you're a hero, not a murderer.
I just want you to have a normal life, free of the trials and tribulations your father and I had to go through. When he put on that suit and walked out the door, I never knew if he was gonna walk back through it again. Is that what you want for your life? Is that how you want the people who love you to live their lives?
Wait, is Dad being Black Lightning why you two broke up?
Lynn
Yeah. This life is hard, baby. That's what I'm telling you, and if you're not careful, you could lose yourself in it. When's the last time you had a conversation with anyone besides your family? When's the last time when you were on a date? When you do what your father does, what you want to do, everybody gets a happy ending but you.
The community, they fell apart mom without Black Lightning. But the people are starting to believe that they can get up from The 100 again, up from the crooked police. Look, I can finally help dad free Freeland, and I'm willing to sacrifice my happiness so that other people can have theirs.
Eventually she will go back out there, whether we like it or not. And if she doesn't have someone to look after her, she will get hurt, or worse. Training her is the right thing to do.
[Gambi starts making a suit for Anissa at Lynn's request]
Lynn
Anissa, you think I don't get it, but I do. Ever since you were a little girl, you were always protective of others. Whether it was Jen or someone being bullied on the playground, you always stood up for them. And now you want to stand up for Freeland. Just be careful, ok?
I'm sorry. No, I'm not Vixen, or Supergirl. Just mom. And you're right, I can't go what you're going through, but I can be here for you, and I am. So when you're ready to talk, you know where to find me, okay? [leaves the room and turns around at the door] Hey, I love you.
No they don't. Jefferson's like a battery. He takes electricity from the source and channels it through his body. According to this MRI, Jennifer's a generator.
Hey, right. I can make a pillow that says "my parents had sex and all I got was superpowers" [Lynn chuckles] It's not funny.
Lynn
It's a little bit funny. Look, we just need to figure out how to help you to control them. And if it makes you feel any better, I have made a little progress in isolating the gene that I think is responsible for your enhanced abilities. Suppressing it is the first step.
Black Lightning · 65 quotes
Lynn Stewart
