The Underground Railroad
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The community of Griffin, South Carolina, is a strange one.
White folk and Black folk walk along the same streets in fancy clothes.
Theres a building called a skyscraper that has an elevator and looks like it touches the sky.
It seems so different, so much more promising, than the land Cora and Caesar left in Georgia.
But what if Cora and Caesar arent in a rush to leave?
Both are given beds of their own to sleep in and Cora is allowed reading lessons.
(Cora hasnt just run away shes wanted for murder.
He wants to know not only her every move, but her everythought.
With Ridgeway on the hunt, a clock is ticking.
Maybe we should stay, Caesar says to Cora, seated away from the other partygoers.
Well always have to pretend, he continues, [theres] too much behind us.
He leans in for a kiss but it doesnt quite land.
Theyre taking my babies!
Put another way, They killing us.
Cora and Caesar flee to Sams house to inform him as much and ask when they might escape.
There are things happening here … dark horrific things, Caesar tells him.
How could you not know, Sam?
Having missed the train Sam mentioned, they have to wait for the next one.
Unfortunately, in the meantime, Ridgeway and Homer show up in Griffin.
Im so damn sorry.
Ridgeway finds his way to the mens dormitory, where he finds Caesar mid-shave.
Theres a moment when Id hoped Ridgeway wouldnt recognize him, but Caesars very particular eyes give him away.
as she waits for the train.
I am a soldier.
I have seen worse sights than this.
Its a frustrating good-bye, lacking the intimacy that the pair deserves.
Yet another thing taken from them.
But when Cora demands to be let on, he obliges, gleefully shouting, All aboard!
and the two take off.
The Caboose
Chapter 2: South Carolina was written by Jacqueline Hoyt and Nathan C. Parker.
The song played in the closing credits is the Pharcydes Runnin, from their albumLabcabincalifornia.
Thuso Mbedu plays Coras startled reactions to the whip so well.
Not the probable ex-master Mr. Fields saying FUBU!
Coras yellow dress is a visually stunning change in tone.
Caesar: But when we danced, all of a sudden I saw our future.
Cora: One kiss and youre talking about babies, huh?
One night they carried me into the woods.
Its not her mothers fault, but we see the complexity of Coras trauma.
