Washington Black

Washington Black really caught me off guard-in the best way. It's got everything I love in a series: science, tech, social justice, and a little romance.

The story pulls you in and keeps you thinking. It doesn't talk down to the audience, and the characters actually feel like real people, not just plot devices. There's a depth to it, but it's still totally watchable and entertaining.

If you're into shows that mix brains with emotion and don't follow the same old predictable formula, give this one a shot. It's something different-and it works.

This is a fresh take on the slave trade period, with gorgeous cinematography, excellent acting and directing, and great character development. Without giving away spoilers, the storyline is focused on the fragile hopefulness of new found freedom, despite the constant threat of being re-captured. This series delivers a satisfying feels good element throughout. 10/10.

The themes of racism, colonisation, tribal traditions, prejudice, greed, childhood trauma, conditioning, envy, love, powerlessness, hope, science and friendship are touched upon, but it remains a fairy tale, simplified for children's eyes. If you have already outgrown the child's perspective, it is difficult to follow this simplified story. You have already realized that life is not that simple, that many things don't make sense, that reality often pulls the rug out from under your feet without any symbolism or mysticism behind it. Many who are exhausted by a system that is still not fair for everyone may be frustrated by this simplification. In this respect, you can be entertained by beautiful images, interesting actors, costumes, interesting hairstyles and backdrops, landscapes and conversations. All kinds of emotions are generated because it's about a child. It's comparable to fast food. Everything is quite nice and looks pretty, but it lacks important nutrients and somehow you don't really get full from it. And as usual with fairy tales, the story ends where life really gets going and becomes difficult, everyday life.

Washington Black is visually spectacular - Barbados, Victorian London, Moroccan deserts, icy Antarctica - the show looks like a globe-trotting epic with a massive budget. But the writing doesn't rise to the same level. The tone is oddly childish for a story about slavery and identity, and the logic often stretches belief (a child from Barbados tracked across continents in the 1800s?).

Eddie Karanja is fantastic as young Wash, and McGee adds rare complexity. It's also refreshing to see free Black characters portrayed as artists and leaders, not just victims. The love story is simple but sincere. Titch feels like a caricature, and Willard has Chuck Norris plot armor.

Gorgeous to watch. Frustrating to follow.

I am split in my review. The first seven episodes were well done and told a great story, I would give them an 8. However, the last episode felt like "damn, we took too long with the first 7, let's squeeze 3 episodes into 1 and skip all the important pieces, make it like a synopsis". Very disappointing and that episode was a 5 at best .