Underground Review 1×02: War Chest

Episode 2 shines a glaring light on the outcome of the decisions we make.

We think the show is about slavery, but it’s not. This episode helps us understand that everything that happens to us is about decisions, the decisions we make and those that are made for us. What is life but the outcomes of the choices we made through the journey of our lives. Noah (Aldis Hodge) gathers the men together and presents them with the idea of running. Moses (Mykelti Williamson) tells the group about the song his wife deciphered. They understand that the river is the Ohio, which is six hundred miles away. At this point, the men must make a choice without knowing how they’ll achieve the end game…run or stay.

“Go in a slave, come out the other side a free man.” – Moses

Tom Macon (Reed Diamond) is a northern boy trying to embed himself into the southern culture. His father-in-law didn’t think him worthy. Tom made a decision to prove him wrong. He said he learn how to do three things well: grow cotton, manage slaves, and being a good southern man. In his bid to be a senator, he continues to make decisions to present himself as an example of a good southern gentleman. He also allows others to make decisions for him. Ernestine uses her powers to persuade her Master to do her bidding. Never underestimate a woman with an agenda to save her children. The writers do an excellent job of allowing us to see the weakness behind Tom’s façade of power.

We begin to see some of the reasoning behind August’s (Christopher Meloni) choices. A wife in the hospital and debts building up makes it easy to justify action that one might not make under different circumstances. August also has his son to think about. His son brings a bit of humanity back to August. There are things that we might be willing to do but it’s not okay for our children. August seems to have a conscience that he continues to push back to allow him to do the things he has to do to take care of his family. He’s our wildcard. We don’t want to like him, but he makes us think he’s redeemable.

Turnabout is fair play!

“Never trust a man who whips his own.” – Moses

There’s never been a statement truer. Man…Cato (Alano Miller) better hope we never pass in a dark alley. He walks into the meeting when Noah was convincing the others to run. He makes a comment that he might have to reconsider running after seeing the others. He continues to cause trouble by catching Noah in compromising situations and keeping him on edge. But oh the sweet taste of payback! Noah tells him about the plan to steal the gun. When they are at the dance, Cato is very surprised that he’s the beef cake that is called on not Noah. Seriously, the look on his face was priceless! Alano Miller plays the villain flawlessly. He is truly the man you love to hate.

Totally unexpected! Kudos to the writers and director for giving us something that made us do a double take and smile! Elizabeth (Jessica De Gouw) and John (Marc Blucas) Hawkes end up in some seedy hotel to meet Mr. Steele. Surprises lurk behind every corner. Runaway slaves shipped themselves in a crate to freedom. The slave catchers came looking for the slave. So, fast forward a bit. The best turnabout ever! Instead of the slaver catchers getting the runaway, they end up getting arrested!! Now, if you want to know more, you’ll just have to watch the show. But seriously the best scene in the whole episode.

Suzanna Macon (Andrea Frankle) is so drenched in ignorance that it’s hard to feel anything but sorry for her. Like any good southern woman of her time, she holds on to ideals that she knows aren’t true. She’s a figure head with no real power so she lashes out to those who make easy target. She chastises her own daughter about her piano playing. She taunts Ernestine (Amirah Vann) about sending her son into the fields. Maybe she targets Ernestine because she has a feeling that her husband is sleeping with her. Or maybe she was just born a bitch. When Ernestine has Tom in the palm of her hand (pun intended), a feeling of satisfaction washed over you. YES!

“As women we only have our beauty and our talents to keep them (men).” – Suzanna

Life is acceptable until we begin to question and evaluate our actions.

The characters in the Underground begin to question their situations. It’s hard to accept your reality once you understand there’s an opportunity for something better. Slave who’s ready to run is like an alcoholic hitting bottom. You finally understand any option is better than your current situation. Rosalee’s understanding unfolds like a flower that blooms in the darkness. She realizes she’s not like the other slaves and she’s definitely not free. She’s trapped in a world where she doesn’t belong anywhere. This makes her want to connect. Our hearts ache for her once we realize the loneliness she lives in. But then she finds Noah…or actually Noah found her.

Who can imagine the desperation of someone willing to ship themselves in a crate to reach freedom. Two weeks they spent in the crate to escape slavery. When the crate is opened, the man is holding the dead female. She stopped breathing. They risked their lives and now the slave catchers are there looking for him. He has to evaluate his situation. Did he come all this way to give up? If he turns himself in, it’ll jeopardize the whole movement. Everyone would go to jail for aiding the slaves.

“Only thing worse than a runaway slave is those that aid them.” – Mr. Steele

Moses has to make the decision to run, but he’s a family man. He has a wife and a daughter. How does one decide whether they can leave the ones they love behind in an unbearable situation? We know that when they run the slaves left behind will be punished for the runaways. What kind of a man leaves his family behind? Not Moses. Moses is determined to take his family with him. It speaks to the character of the man he is. The writers anchor Moses as the foundation of the family lead by his spiritual belief. It makes his character trustworthy and comforting. It’s interesting to see the differences between Moses and August, two men fighting to do what’s right by their family.

Final Verdict: The characters’ reflection on their lives and situation make us evaluate the outcomes of history and where we are today.

Episode 2 makes us think and question. The characters of the show have to take stock in their situations. We learn more about who they really are and why. Some characters draw us to them because we can see ourselves in them. We understand their struggle to identify with something, their need to be loved, and their right to equality. The show is driven with emotionally charged scenes. Waves of anger, sadness, and triumph runs through our veins as we watch.

August Pullman still wins the most interesting character award. We learn about his wife who’s in the hospital, which we don’t think mean she’s in for some minor surgery. We can see this person who can lied and kill also has love for his family and a conscience. There’s pain in his face when his son turns from him after seeing him murder a runaway slave. As much as August chases after slaves, he has a black man he seems to trust very much, enough to let him basically raise his son. August’s character is written with depth, varying dimensions, and complexity. Him, Rosalee and Ernestine are running a close race for favorite character.

Again the music connects us and tells its own story in this show. How appropriate was the Weeknd’s Wick Games to end the show?? He song projects the turmoil of the characters. As in the song, our characters are looking for deliverance from their pain. Wicked Games speak to a breakup and a broken heart trying to find satisfaction, something to ease the pain he’s feeling. Each of our characters are trying to find that same place of peace, to no longer have to feel the pain. Whether the pain is slavery, living a lie, wanting to belong, or just wanting more, everyone is on a journey to something different and hopefully better. But we also see that some pain is like a drug. Some will never be able to break from its grasp no matter how hard life becomes.

We applaud the cast, writers, and production for creating a thought provoking and entertaining show!

Questions, Comments, and Concerns:

• Noah looks at Rosalee like a hungry mountain loin that’s ready to devour her. Too hot!
• What is wrong with August’s wife? Was he like this before she became ill?
• OMG! How hot was that seen with Ernestine and Tom????
• Could the cotton industry survive without slave? Question asked during this episode.
• Who cheered when Rosalee went to the dance?