The Underground Railroad
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I wish I knew the root of it.
It sticks with her, echoing later as she imagines aiming a gun at him.
Royal means it innocuously, but theres an ignorance to it.
Cora responds, You born free, aint you?
He hasnt experienced half the horrors that Cora has.
These absences have accumulated.
Of course Cora carries them with her.
You came all this way on the railroad?
Yeah, Cora answers, And left behind all those peoples.
He pries open a trapdoor behind the house and the wind echoes from beneath.
It has a gravity to it like none of the stations prior.
Royal explains that it aint made for a locomotive … the tunnel gets too small.
Theres a handcar a few miles in but its likely never been used.
I wanted you to see how it fits together.
Frustrated, she leaves abruptly.
The episode is full of vibrant colors, an expansive palette we havent seen before in the series.
Its a system that, for a time, has worked.
Brother Mingo represents one side of the philosophical dilemma the compound debates across the episode.
But while this dilemma is burning underfoot, as Cora describes it, its just another obstacle to her.
But this episodes interest in romance is refreshing.
Royal tells her that once Rumsey started reading, he knew shed be running off.
Hasnt been but a month and you already know my ways and means, Mr. Royal?
Its nice, also, to see her flirt to see a lightness in her.
They walk close together, almost brushing ever so slightly; Royal makes Cora laugh.
You real pretty like that.
When you smile, you know, Royal tells her.
I mean, you pretty anyway, but boy when you smile like that.
I mean you pretty anyway, but boy when you smile like that.
And she looks so happy!
Cora, Im asking you.
You do what you want, she responds, No need to worry about me.
Cora returns to the cabin, not feeling up to chatting with Sybil and Molly.
She returns to her room with a headache, her head filling up with thunder.
And then she has a nightmare.
Its nightmare logic shares some of Coras anxieties about the railroads own mysterious logic.
But Ive pivoted towards being more intrigued by the move than put off.
Im not finding a Cora Randall in here, she explains.
In order for us to move you forward, we are required to confirm your testimony.
Then, he begins to literally echo things hes said to Cora before: May I have this dance?
They dance and cry in each others embrace.
How long this gonna last?
Long as you need.
When she wakes up, she seems to have decided its time to share her story.
She walks to Royals empty cabin, but is told that hes gone.
He left while she was dreaming, and she doesnt know when hell be back.
The Caboose
Chapter 8: Indiana Autumn was written by Jacqueline Hoyt.
The song played during the credits is Groove Theory by Hey U, off the eponymous albumGroove Theory.
Its a sweet gesture!
He spits after, leisurely on his plot of land.
The blacksmith telling Cora How should I know [when Royal will be back]?
I look like his mammy?
It was harsh and Im still offended.
Also when Georgina corrects Cora about using the term pickaninny hasnt Cora been through enough!
Royal: Now in Indiana we got rules, we got law and order.We know how little that means!
Only places to run from.
Reading Railroad:The Black Notebooksby Toi Dericotte.
