5 Thoughts On Aldis Hodge, Jurnee Smollett-Bell In Underground Episode 1-5 On WGN America!

WGN America aired their original new series, Underground. This is the perfect opportunity to check out Noah (Aldis Hodge) and Rosalee (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) as they make their daring 600-mile escape from their Georgia plantation in Episode 1 to 5.

As we previously mentioned, the period drama takes place in the antebellum South as a band of plantation slaves attempt to make a perilous escape. During this time period, the slaves at the plantation risk everything for a chance at freedom. They all want to head on over to the North and escape to the Underground Railroad. Underground will also examine the lives of slaveholders, slave hunters, and abolitionists.

Check out our 5 thoughts on the first five episodes of Underground here:

5) The Pilot Had Everything!

Right from the start, audiences knew they were in for something different! The pilot, The Macon 7, opens with Noah (Hodge) on the run, whileKanye West's Black Skinhead is playing in the background! With the drums beating, notice how West's huffing and puffing plays for suspense as Noah holds his breath in the darkness.

4) It's About Teamwork!

In War Chest, Noah sets up a team to pull off the heist of an antique gun. Following the rules of heist movies, notice how Noah picks the strong man, the brains, and the lookout in the episode.

3) The Costumes!

In The Lord's Day, The wardrobe department had its best moment when John (Marc Blucas) and Elizabeth (Jessica De Gouw) arrived at the ball. Blucas wore his fancy tux and De Gouw was simply stunning in her gown.

In our MStars News interview, co-creator/executive producer Joe Pokaski dished on choosing the right track for the scene, "It's a great tool to remind everybody where they are right now. We put in modern music. In episode 3, these guys are going to have a fantastic scene, where you're in a ball and it's playing modern music."

2) I Have Made Fire!

Applause, applause for The Wire director Anthony Hemingway, who helmed the first four episodes. Planned from the start, Cato (Alano Miller) found a way to pour rum onto the cotton fields, in order to start the fire. In the swooping angles of Firefly, Hemingway captured the grand vista of the entire cotton field engulfed in flames.

1) The Death Count!

In Run & Gun, Zeke (Theodus Crane) appeared to be unstoppable as he was shot at and had an axe sticking to his back. The Incredible Hulk slowed down and lost his rage when he suddenly saw August Pullman (Christopher Meloni) and his boy. In order to protect Rosalee, Ernestine poisoned Moses' wife and slits her wrists; making the murder look like a suicide.

Underground continues on WGN America Wednesdays at 10pm.

Readers, what did you think of the first five episodes?