The second episode of Lovecraft Country, “Whitey on The Moon,” was more lore focused than its premiere and continued to develop its cast of characters and deliver strong emotional moments. While this episode was more unevenly paced than its predecessor, it was still intriguing and thoroughly enjoyable.
Our story picks up right where the last episode ended at the Braithwhite mansion where Tic (Jonathan Majors), Leti (Jurnee Smollet) and Uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) found refuge after their horrific encounter with the sloggoths and sheriffs.
They were greeted by the extremely aryan Braithwhite family, William (Jordan Patrick Smith) and Christina (Abbey Lee Kershaw) who brings them into luxury and comfort, but simultaneously wipe the memories of Leti and George from the previous night.
Both Leti and George bask in their suites, complete with showers, stylish clothes in perfect sizes and a bookshelf full of George’s favorites. Tic, though, sits solemnly in his suite, reflecting and agonizing over the previous night's events.
He seeks truth by taking his companions into Ardham where it’s unclear whether the inhabitants are pieces of the Braithwhite’s schemes or oblivious to what’s occurring. Either way, they’re quickly confronted by William who tells them about the “ceremony” taking place in which his father, Samuel Braithwhite (Tony Goldwyn) will attempt to open the gates to Eden where immortality awaits.
The first person to attempt the ceremony was Titus Braithwhite, a slave owner and wizard who was one of the founders of The Order of Ancient Dawn. In his failed attempt, he lost control, setting the original mansion on fire and left only one survivor: an enslaved woman named Hanna (Joaquina Kalukango) who is Tic’s ancestor. This means that Tic is a Braithwhite which opens up an interesting power dynamic throughout the rest of the episode.
Immediately before the ceremony, all three heroes face different hallucinations. Tic faces a Korean soldier, a woman who appeared in the last episode as the Martian princess during the opening scene. Leti opens up to an illusion of Tic where things get intimate, but as things escalate, she realizes that the hallucination has a serpent instead of male genitals and fights him off.
The most powerful illusion came from Uncle George. He dances with a dream-like remake of Tic’s deceased mother, but is cognizant that she isn’t real so he only gives her a kiss on the forehead.
Each character looks dejected as they escape their hallucinations which are being watched by a group of nameless white men. They escape and look dejected, especially Tic, but Uncle George comforts him before they continue. Eventually, they find Montrose (Michael K. Williams), but before they can escape, they’re caught by Samuel who shoots Leti and wounds Uncle George, forcing Tic’s hand to complete the ceremony.
Michael K. Williams showcases his skill as Montrose’s dejected, cynical personality clearly projects from the screen. He’s exactly how they described him, difficult, sharp but undeniably worth saving.
In the final act, the ceremony fails miserably and the entire mansion collapses. Tic follows an apparition of Hanna through the door and she looks back at him proudly before the most emotional scene occurs -- finding out that Uncle George has passed.
Whether or not that Uncle George will stay dead is unknown, but what’s undeniable is Lovecraft Country’s excellent social commentary.
The spoken word “Whitey on the Moon” is about contrasting the disregard for the dire conditions of Black Americans against the strong desire from politicians to put a white man on the Moon during the 1960s. This can be compared with the Brotherhood’s desire to use their incredible resources to escape the world instead of bettering it.
“Whitey on the Moon” was heavy on lore and exposition, but continue to build an interesting world to explore, investigate and comment on our current conditions. Make sure to tune in next week on HBO to catch the next installment of this riveting series.
