Underground

By no means is this a bad show. Binge worthy, even. But the historical side is awful. There are surely some cliches, some eye rolling lines given, but not a single historically accurate piece of clothing or behavior. The main female lead abolitionist alters between 1890 California elite and 1930 Berlin. On the whole, it's ok

Underground is a classic escape drama with an historical look at the U.S. in the pre-Civil War period. There is a wealth of interesting characters on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line, including a pair of brothers, one of whom is a slave owner (Reed Diamond) and the other who is a new-born abolitionist (Marc Blucas). The focus of the drama is on seven slaves who escape and try to go 600 miles from Georgia to Kentucky.

The series has all sorts of twists and turns, and the action switches back and forth from the slaves on the run, to the plantation, to the abolitionists. Along the way we get a good picture of life at the time.

The music and photography are superior, and the acting is very good. It's really hard to single out any one of the many wonderful actors who contribute to the story, some of whom play minor roles (Johnny Ray Gill, Mykelti Williamson) and others who are featured throughout (Christopher Meloni, Amirah Vann).

This is an excellent mini-series and I'm looking forward to the next season.

Although there are things about the show that are hard to watch, I recommend this show to all races, colors, and creeds. But because I am black, I implore other black people to take notice of this show. Yes, the black people of the show are slaves, but the characters and the writing make me proud of where we came from (in this country). They show the skills, craftsmanship, and innovation that black people have always possessed. They also show the compassion that some white people had toward the plight of slaves. What I like most about the show is how it makes me feel about black people. Looking at the news today, it's getting harder and harder to imagine that we were once a great people. Books can be and are written on the how, why, where, when, and what state black people are in today, but for an hour I get to imagine an uprising of "NO MORE!" and watch respectable black characters---and that is rarely seen on TV. Keep up the good work and congratulations on being picked up for next season!!

The premise is great. The underground railway, the people that escaped slavery and those that helped and hindered them. This is an era and perspective little explored on tv. Unfortunately, it is treated too much like a teen drama (even some of the cast is familiar as such). Over loud and nonsensical music choices have you reaching for the volume every few minutes. It is sanitised and silly rather than gritty and engaging. The shame is that tv drama is many people's only exposure to history - and this is not teaching the viewer anything. It is moderately entertaining though and well acted for the most part - just watch with the sound down!

This series is, by far, the most historically accurate depiction of this topic shown on prime time television--I'd dare to say--ever! What I appreciate most is that it explores the complexity of the institution of slavery, specifically encompassing the interpersonal relationship dynamics that existed between everyone involved in the atrocities of slavery in America--master/slave/overseer/mistress/slave hunter/advocates, the list goes on!

I recommend this show to EVERYONE! It angers, empowers, explains, and opens the doors to conversation about SOOOOO much. If you care anything about TRUE American History, watch this series...and READ! :)