What I’m Watching: Underground (Season Finale)

Underground: Season 1, Episode 10 “The White Whale” (B+)

This was one of the most eventful season finales I’ve ever seen, and it’s hard to know what season two will look like with so many characters dead and in such different circumstances. The most startling and unexpected change is certainly Tom’s death at Ernestine’s hands. He seemed far too casual about the idea of taking Ernestine with him to D.C. when he’s still married to another woman, and of course it couldn’t make up for the fact that he strung up her son and gave a campaign speech above his dead body. Stringing him up was a fitting execution, though Ernestine’s fate may be even worse now that his vindictive wife has decided to sell her and raise James as her own. The plan that John and Elizabeth hatched with Rosalee and Noah was brilliant, and the vengefulness with which John killed Marshal Risdin was frightening. Leaving August to die wasn’t a smart move, but it seems that his decision to kill other slave catchers has now led to his imprisonment by a character I’m intrigued to see more of in season two, Brigid Brannagh’s Patty. Ending the episode with Rosalee having a picnic with William while Noah sat in jail staying strong was very powerful, and Rosalee’s vow to go back was inspirational and exciting. This show turned out to work a lot better than I ever expected, and I’m glad that I stuck around and got to see it all play out. I don’t know what’s in store for season two, but I’m intrigued to find out and I hope that this show gets some well-deserved awards attention when the Emmy nominations are revealed this fall.

Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Rosalee