The latest episode, Homecoming, feels like the quiet before the storm. Early in the episode, with a conversation between Peter Gambi (James Remar) and Khalil Payne (Jordan Calloway), the tone is firmly set. Their conversation revolves around Payne and his PTSD. Gambi seems to think art will be a good way for Payne to express his thoughts.

The opening scene, also featuring Gambi, presents a darker side to the character. There is much about Gambi which has not been revealed. His links to operations in Markovia are now surfacing. He regrets his role in extracting Dr Helga Jace (Jennifer Riker). If he had killed Jace when he had the opportunity, there would be no ASA or metahuman program.

The episode features a scene where Pierces sit down to dinner as a family. Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams), Lynn Stewart-Pierce (Christine Adams), Anissa Pierce (Nafessa Williams), and Jennifer Pierce (China Anne McClain) share their secrets. As the family members each confess their respective secrets, with them joining hands, there is a liberating spirit about the moment which transcends words.

Lynn reveals she had difficulty destroying her last container of glimmer. Jennifer does it for her. Anissa, even though we shouldn’t be all that surprised, tells everyone she thinks Grace Choi (Chantal Thuy) is the one for her. Jennifer’s secret, even though Jefferson already knew what she was going to say, pertained to her having worked for Agent Percy Odell (Bill Duke). Obviously, with Jefferson having played a role in Crisis on Infinite Earths, his secret is lightly touched upon.

We rarely see moments like this because, especially with the other Arrowverse shows, most of the heroes keep their most profound secrets to themselves. There is an argument which can be made that heroes such as Barry Allen / The Flash (Grant Gustin), Kara Danvers / Supergirl (Melissa Benoist), Kate Kane / Batwoman (Ruby Rose), and Sara Lance / White Canary (Caity Lotz) do this to protect their loved ones. It’s a valid point, there is no denying it.

Image Credit: IMDb.com

Whilst the episode has several strong character moments, given that we’re talking about a genre well known for its conspiracies, twists, and turns, we shouldn’t be surprised that there are a few pointers toward something looming in Lady Eve’s (Jill Scott) future. Lala (William Catlett), acting like he’s a bit big for his pants, finds himself on the wrong side of Lady Eve’s duplicitous nature. Whilst Lady Eve might be a character one instantly likes, something that speaks volumes to the way Scott presents her character, there is nothing trustworthy about her.

Lady Eve, as conspiracies go, unleashes the biggest shock the series has seen thus far. Do you recall the briefcase Tobias Whale (Marvin ‘Krondon’ Jones III) got his grubby hands on? Lady Eve gave the briefcase to Gambi. Baron / TC (Christopher Ammanuel), using his abilities with technology, opened the briefcase.

Tyson Sykes / Gravedigger’s (Wayne Brady) origin story, beginning during the Second World War, ties directly into much of what we learned during the first season. US government had a hand in what was happening in Markovia. The only reason Sykes didn’t return to these United States after the Second World War is that he didn’t want anything to do with a country that didn’t want him.

The episode sees Gravedigger, before bringing the war back to these United States killing Colonel Yuri Mosin (Thomas K. Belgrey). With Black Lightning now officially part of the Arrowverse, whilst there might be a few difficulties getting cast members to Atlanta, I can’t help thinking Supergirl, Clark Kent / Superman (Tyler Hoechlin), The Flash, Batwoman, and the Legends should play a role in the war. What’s the point of having friends if you can’t call on them when you need their help?

Next Time …