Is Khalil in Season 4 of Black Lightning: Black Lightnings Sets Painkiller Backdoor Pilot for Season 4!
On February 8, 2021, The CW debuted the fourth and final season of the American television series Black Lightning, which is based on the DC Comics character Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning. Berlanti Productions, Akil Productions, Warner Bros. Television, and DC Entertainment are producing the season.
It is set in the Arrowverse and follows the same timeline as the other Arrowverse television shows. The season was ordered in January 2020, and filming began in October of that year, with Salim Akil as showrunner once again.
The season follows Jefferson, who is now a high school principal in his second stint as the superhero Black Lightning, as he confronts local corruption in his hometown of Freeland.
China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Marvin “Krondon” Jones III, Christine Adams, Jordan Calloway, and James Remar star as Jefferson, with principal cast members China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Marvin “Krondon” Jones III, Christine Adams, Jordan Calloway, and James Remar also returning from previous seasons.
Starting with Episode 5: “The Book of Ruin: Chapter One: Picking Up the Pieces,” Laura Kariuki takes over as Jennifer Pierce; McClain, however, returns for the series conclusion.
Cast
- Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams) / Black Lightning
- China Jennifer Pierce / Lightning (episodes 1–4 & 13) is played by Anne McClain.
- Jennifer “JJ Stewart” Pierce / Lightning (episodes 5–13; recurring) Laura Kariuki as The Ionosphere
- Anissa Pierce (Nafessa Williams) / Thunder (Nafessa Williams) / Blackbird (Nafessa Williams)
- Lynn Stewart is played by Christine Adams.
- Tobias Whale is played by Marvin “Krondon” Jones III.
- Khalil Payne / Painkiller is played by Jordan Calloway.
- Grace Choi (Chantal Thuy) / Wylde
- Peter Gambi is played by James Remar.
Also Read: No Time to Die Ending Explained: Wait, James Bond Dies? Everything You Need to Know!
How Many Episodes Are in Black Lightning Season 4?
Black Lightning Season 4 will include a total of 13 episodes.
This is less than the previous two seasons, which had 16 episodes each, but it is the same as the first.
Given that there could still be small hiatuses spread throughout the season to space out episodes, it’s unknown when the season 4 finale will air.
Season 4 is now scheduled to end in late May or early June 2021. So, given that we know how many episodes to expect, it’s worth wondering if there will be any more after the fourth season.
The Plot of Painkiller Would Have Been Continued in A Spinoff
Jefferson’s story was about how, in order to be happy, it’s sometimes essential to move on. However, the narrative of Khalil Payne/Painkiller demonstrates the difficulty of letting go of the past.
Khalil is Jennifer’s ex-boyfriend who went paraplegic and agreed to serve as Tobias’ henchman, Painkiller, in exchange for the ability to walk again. He died and was reborn as a robotic assassin recently.
In the Season 4 finale, Khalil gets the other big moment. He, too, has the kill order implanted in his brain removed in order to put his past behind. But there’s a catch: he forgets about the Pierces. Painkiller eventually eliminates the chip. It’s difficult, but it’s in his and the Pierces’ best interests.
Akil, on the other hand, had intentions to continue Painkiller’s journey. Khalil is a troubled character — a cyborg assassin who doesn’t want to be one — who was created by Akil to investigate the realities of modern African-American men’s lives.
“I really attempted to talk about the dichotomy of the African-American guy with Khalil,” Akil said. “It’s a contradiction that still exists and that we’re seeing right now, where you’re constantly striving to be an American while being reminded that you’re Black.”
“Although [Painkiller is] fighting his good side and his bad side, there’s also the idea that he’s trying to save himself from his worst self,” Akil noted in the same EW interview. Painkiller has already made the difficult decision to erase his memories of the Pierce family. It would have been fascinating to watch how his story progressed after that.
Painkiller (born March 25, 2001[1]) is a former Garfield High School student who temporarily joined The 100 as an enforcer before being killed and revived by the A.S.A. to be used as a living weapon.
Khalil is also the younger brother of the late Keenan Payne and the ex-boyfriend of Jennifer Pierce. He is the son of Kito Payne and the late Nichelle Payne.
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