WGN America's Underground Episode 8: Grave Aldis Hodge, Jurnee Smollett Premiere Recap

WGN America continues with the highly anticipated premiere of their new original drama, Underground. In Episode 8, Grave, Noah (Aldis Hodge) and Rosalee (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) continue to plan their daring 600-mile escape from their Georgia plantation. 

Back at the plantation, Tom Macon (Reed Diamond) is seen as weak because his runaway slaves are still at large. He would have  had another one missing if Sam (Johnny Ray Gill) hadn't been caught. Now Tom has to decide if he's man enough to punish Sam and teach his slaves a lesson. 

John Hawkes (Marc Blucas) visits his brother and meets with Ernestine. He hints to Ernestine that he knows Rosalee has runaway. The Reverend doesn't seem to like John but Tom wants his brother around for his political announcement. 

As they join another team of slave hunters, August Pullman (Christopher Meloni) debates with his son, Ben (Brady Permenter)  about brining in the runaway slaves. August needs the money from To Macon to pay for his overdue fees. This is about saving their home for August  but Ben knows there's another choice. 

Because Noah has been wounded, Cato (Alano Miller) and Rosalee have to find medicine to treat his infection. After breaking into a costume shop, Cato and Rosalee are dressed up fancy as they enter a doctor's house. Though Rosalee gets the key to the medicine cabinet, the duo is interrupted by the Sheriffs visit.

Cato and Rosalee hold their own as the Sheriff interrogates them. The two are lucky that the Sheriff didn't notice their real names in their freedom names. Just when the Sheriff is about to learn their true identity, the doctor comes rushing in, with news about a runaway slave.  

Noah wakes up and hallucinates about Henry (Renwick D. Scott II). Wandering around in the fog and open field, Noah finds himself fighting for his life. Just when Noah is about to give up, Henry tells him to keep going. 

August learns that his letter reveals his own property has a lot of money. As the slave hunters chase after Noah, August now has to make a decision. If August heads back, there is money waiting for him.

As Sam puts himself down, Tom has the voice of cutting his Achilles heel or not. Tom offends The Reverend but pleases Ernestine when he decides not to hurt Sam. Later in the night, Ernestine gives Tom the confidence he needs to meet with the donators. While Tom deals with his constitutes, he has his men kidnap Ernestine.  

As Tom gives his rousing speech, we see Sam hanging, with his neck snapped. The crowd is cheering as Tom concludes his speech. After being kidnapped, Ernestine has been stripped naked as she its in her box.

John visits Tom, who's upset that his brother didn't show up for his speech. Would have Tom stopped Sam's hanging if he was there? The two have nothing but hate towards each other as John walks away. 

August finally has his hands on Rosalee. With the reward on her head, he intends to bring back to Tom Macon. 

Readers, what did you think of Grave?