The Underground Railroad
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It connects us all.
I never seen my own blood before.
I felt something … when I was bleeding … something like he always talks about … the Spirit.
It didnt stay with me … What if I cant find it in me again?
What if … he cant find it in me?
Burns red-hot and then lights mine.
Our boy wants to grip the Spirit in his hands instead of listening to its call.
This episode shows us Arnold tightening that grip.
The two are not alone, however.
Arnolds inability to feel the spirit within himself leads to him testing the waters in other people.
), is dropping lit matches down a well because I wanted to see it.
Like your daddy always say.
I wanted to see if its in me.
(I was ready to walk away from the show here!
No more Ridgeway!)
Thankfully, Mack survives, only breaking his leg.
But Ridgeways actions here are despicable.
He is testing the waters (and testing Black peoples relationship to the Great Spirit, too).
After the Mack incident, Arnold fixes his attention on a nice jacket at the local store.
The store clerk scoffs at his request to put it on his dads credit.
Outside, he sees a man in a similar jacket.
He knows where a runaway would be hiding.
The man pleads and begs him to leave his baby be.
Arnold strikes him in the head with a branch and calls for the other catchers.
He looks into the babys face, the camera gazing into Arnolds, close-up and lingering.
Arnold isnt regretful hes pleased.
He takes his money to the store.
The whole experience awakens a new level of destruction in Arnold.
But think about it: Maybe thats the real Great Spirit.
If youre meant to be free, then you are free.
And if youre meant to be in chains, then youre a n- - - - -.
He interrogates Annie on her opinions about enslavement, but Ridgeway Sr. dismisses her before she has to answer.
Later that night, Arnold hears his dads clanging, the hammer striking and shaping the iron links.
He offers to help, but is refused; he hands his father a package: Here.
Brand new coat for you … its got silver buttons on it, pure metal.
But his father already has a coat, and doesnt need a nicer one.
Ridgeway Sr.: Man like me aint got no need for such finery … Why dont you keep it?
Arnold: I already got one just like this.
Ridgeway Sr.: Well, look at you, son.
(He smiles weakly.)
Thats a mighty fine thing.
I love this final exchange.
Its as if to say,All this for jackets?For money?
Its a great damning of Arnolds character and motivations.
The Caboose
Chapter 4: The Great Spirit was written by Adrienne Rush.
The song played in the closing credits is I Want to Be Ready by Kool Blues.
Whos the worst, and why is it Arnold Ridgeway?
Tombstone detail: Emma Jane Ridgeway 17931816.
Meaning she passed when she was 23, likely when Ridgeway was young.
Ridgeway causes so much hurt in this episode.
Im so heartbroken for Jeremiah and his baby.
He takes his jacket off to cover his son before Ridgeway strikes him.
Have mercy on my child.
Young Ridgeway: How come you call him it?
Chandler: Why not?
You know what kind of family this is … Youre my son, your mothers son.
kindly dont break my heart.
I wonder how often this is expressed in the contemporary American moment.
He didnt grow up in a household where slavery was supported.
The sound of Ridgeway Sr.s clanging of the iron links recurs throughout the episode, blending into the score.
The clanging drones on like a train whistle.
Having a flashback episode for Arnold Ridgeway feels like achoice.
Theres a way that it feels risky, having a lead character of a white slave catcher.
Its presented nebulously within the show, and we dont learn how Sr. came to encounter it.
