WGN America Underground Episode 1: The Macon 7 Aldis Hodge, Jurnee Smollett Premiere Recap

WGN America airs the highly anticipated premiere of their new original drama, Underground. In Episode 1, The Macon 7, Noah (Aldis Hodge) and Rosalee (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) plan their daring 600-mile escape from their Georgia plantation. 

As Kanye West's Black Skinhead roars in the background, Noah is on the run through the dark woods. Hiding in the shadows, Noah is caught off-guard by a barking and angry bloodhound. Noah screams in pain as the dog bites his leg and gets him captured.   

In the morning, at the plantation, Rosalee rushes across to the back, when she hears screaming The slave woman is about to give birth. Rosalee arrives in the nick of time and helps the screaming woman give birth. Unfortunately, the slave woman doesn't want to raise a child in this brutal world and drowns the baby.

Elsewhere, John Hawkes (Marc Blucas) preaches about the abolitionist movement but no one on the streets bothers to listen to him, except for one. A freed slave asks for John's help to rescue others like him. John tells his wife, Elizabeth (Jessica De Gouw), about his idea but she wants nothing to do with it. 

Chained up, Noah meets August Pullman (Christopher Meloni) on the road. August appears to be helping out a slave woman reach her destination, but in reality, he's actually a bounty hunter. August returns the slave woman back to her owner and take the reward money.

Noah finds himself in a small room with the dying slave. With little time left, the dying slave mentions he has carved out a map that leads to freedom. Using the dead man's blood, Noah gets an imprint of the carvings on a rag.

Brought back to his owner, Noah faces his master Tom Macon (Reed Diamond). Upset that he lost money bringing his slave back, Tom allows Noah to be whipped repeatedly. As Rosalee prepares to nurse his wounds, Noah reveals to her that he's been faking his limping. 

Later on, Rosalee rushes to stop an angry man from beating her younger brother. The plantation owners watch as Rosalee screams while the angry man whips her. The pain is too much for Rosalee to bear as her wrists start bleeding.

Tom offers John a position, which means moving to the South. During the party, the discussion ranges from the economy and wealth; while mocking the North. Elizabeth holds her own against Tom's wife and the other socialites, until they mention she is barren. Even though she cannot have children, Elizabeth tells her husband that this world isn't right. She agrees to go along with John's plan and asks him to refuse his brother's offer. 

Noah sets up the team he wants for the escape. Moses (Mykelti Williamson) is useful because his wife can read and understand the map. Mourning for his dead child, Zeke (Theodus Crane)'s bulk and size is full of rage. Just when everything seems to be going into place, Noah is called to the mansion. 

While Moses' wife starts singing the lyrics, Noah heads straight towards the mansion. Waiting for Noah, Cato (Alano Miller) wants to be part of his plan. Noah refuses to have him involved but Cato promises to squeal on him and make life harder for him. 

Tom Macon finally meets with Noah and Cato in his quarters. As Tom starts asking questions, Noah makes a nod to Cato; they're now working together. 

Readers, what did you think of The Macon 7?