WGN America's Underground Episode 7: Cradle Aldis Hodge, Jurnee Smollett Premiere Recap

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

Back at the plantation in ruins, Tom Macon (Reed Diamond) wants James (Maceo Smedley) to work at the cotton fields. Even though he is just a little boy, the plantation workers are anxious to give him a whipping. Sam (Johnny Ray Gill) takes the punishment for James when he doesn't bring in his quota for the day.

Knowing Sam cannot take any more whippings, James pushes himself to reach his quota. While picking cotton, James manages to cut himself and bleed on the cotton. It's no more playtime between James and Tom's son, T.R. Macon (Toby Nichols).

Beyond the plantation, hunter August Pullman (Christopher Meloni) takes his son, Ben (Brady Permenter) ,to see his mother. The two find themselves at a mental institution, where she is presumed missing. August then tracks the boy's mother and finds his wife in the garden.

Ben is frightened of his mother as she starts speaking in gibberish. August then starts singing and dancing with his mentally disturbed wife. As they sing and dance, Ben can see the love they still have for each other.  

Boo (Darielle Stewart) suddenly finds herself in the arms of Elizabeth (Jessica De Gouw). Haunted by the memories of hereafter's death, Boo screams  as Elizabeth tries her best to console her. Elizabeth promises she will be there to protect her and nothing is going to happen to her.

Elizabeth is put to the test when the Marshal arrives and finds Boo. With sex on the Marshal's mind and her husband nowhere to be seen, Elizabeth allows herself to be violated. After the Marshal leaves, Boo finds Elizabeth in tears and hiding in the tub. It's just the two of them now. 

Elsewhere, Henry (Renwick D. Scott II) tries to make himself useful at Indian ground. Cato (Alano Miller) doesn't want Henry anywhere near him. Henry only finds solace when he's around Rosalee. 

The slave hunters have arrived at the Indian reservation. As the shooting continues, Noah tries to stop Henry from running towards the explosives. Sacrificing himself, Henry then throws the torch at the barrels. The blast knocks out Noah as he screams Henry's name. 

Sam pays a visit to Tom Macon and his son, asking for their help. Sam is willing to give up the money he saved up to free James. Tom refuses to accept Sam's money because he needs James in the cotton fields. Sam has to swallow his pride before leaving the room. 

With none of the adults watching, T.R. Macon meets with James. T.R. Macon promises he will make things better but it's going to take time. T.R. will not be anything like his father when he grows up. James doesn't want anything from him though; not even his candy.

Feeling betrayed and hurt, T.R. Macon runs to his father and reveals he saw Sam running too with Noah and Rosalee.

Readers, what did you think of Cradle?