It can’t touch the historical, Academy Award-winning “12 Years a Slave.”
It’s ain’t comedic a la Quentin Tarantino’s 2012 flick “Django Unchained.” (Recall, the “D” is silent.)
It’s not going to hit high-water marks as the groundbreaking, eye-opening, award-winning “Roots” TV miniseries based on Alex Haley’s novel did in 1977.
It is “Underground,” Hollywood’s latest take on the railroad that spelled freedom for many American slaves, and for many others sounded the death knell.
The WGN America TV series begins Wednesday night and stars Aldis Hodge, whose Macon, Ga., field slave character is named Noah, Jurnee Smollett-Bell as a house slave named Rosalee, and Christopher Meloni playing a conflicted father-bounty hunter named August. (Hint: August, a white man, knows the way North.)
“Underground” nonetheless is another look at America’s slave era and the salve, if you will, of the courage to escape to by land and by sea, by hook and by crook.
Life, liberty and the (sometimes deadly) pursuit of happiness.
A pre-Civil War, pre-Emancipation Proclamation story, “Underground” exposes some of the early cracks in foundation of slavery.
Critics’ reviews and commentaries cover the spectrum, and Essence.com offers this interesting takeaway: “In a modern era of hate-driven presidential campaigns and rampant police brutality, Underground celebrates a group of fearless and defiant Black people who refused to accept the status quo in the face of racial oppression and slavery. Talk about timely.”
It’s worth noting then that time could prove to be a good thing and a bad thing for “Underground,” which is a 10-part series.
While initial curiosity might draw viewers who are a bit tuckered by the election debates and political coverage, “Underground” will have to carry a mighty, mighty punch to push viewers into watching it again and again and again.
• Deborah Simmons can be reached at dsimmons@washingtontimes.com.
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