WATCH LOVECRAFT COUNTRY...

I was considering just writing WATCH LOVECRAFT COUNTRY... NOW over and over to convey what your television priority should be. The show is that phenomenal that I am almost stumped on how to describe its perfection. I cannot compare it to any one movie or show because I genuinely have never seen anything like it. After the first episode I remember my response, mouth agape being “I am unsure of what I just watched.” My following thought was I will without question be tuning in next week to see where this story goes. The show pulled me in so forcefully and completely that I was rushing my life away to get from Sunday to Sunday. You are fortunate because you can just binge the whole season on HBO Max. Sure you will be emotionally overloaded and out of commission for the next few days, but you will not know the pain of the wait. I will type cautiously as to not let any spoilers seep from my fingers. My purpose is to give you a foundation on which you can be grounded in the substantial substance that Lovecraft Country awards its viewers.

Lovecraft Country is an epic series consisting of historical fiction, fantasy, romance, sci-fi, horror, thriller, family drama, mystery, adventure, comedy and even has breathtaking moments reminiscent of a musical. The show takes place in 1954, in Chicago, in the South, in the future, further in the past, in space, in the imagination of our heroes, in Korea., in Tulsa, and in other times and spaces. There is time travel, sexual harassment, self-discovery and acceptance, hideous terrifying creatures your worst nightmare couldn’t conjure up, magic, segregation, the hardships of war, and crimes against humanity.

Atticus ‘Tic’ Freeman (embodied by Jonathan Majors) takes a trip with his childhood friend Letitia ‘Leti’ James (masterfully portrayed by Jurnee Smollett), and his uncle George Freeman (played by the ever-impressive Courtney B. Vance) to find his father, Montrose Freeman (played by the versatile Michael K. Williams). Jonathan Majors delivers one of the most multi-faceted performances I have ever seen. Tic confronts so much trauma and makes beautiful sacrifices in a whirlwind of unexpected circumstances. Jurnee Smollett’s performance in the 10 episodes of this show jumps off of whatever screen you are viewing her from and the spirit of Leti will inhabit your body. You might pigeon-hole the character when you first meet her, but she bursts free of those restrictions. Courtney B. Vance brings this role model riddled with guilt and secrets to life. George is the curator of a Safe Negro Travel Guide. An entrepreneur and intellectual who is dedicated to the safety of people of color while they travel through the South is an example of positive representation. The audience is made privy to the tumultuous nature of Montrose and Atticus’ relationship but our understanding of the depth of that pain deepens as you get further in the series. Montrose has left Chicago in search of insight into the family history of his deceased wife. What they find is a richer, more important history than they could have fathomed.

Though the audience is invested in the aforementioned characters, the supporting characters are expertly expounded on, expanding the viewers devotion to them. Aunjanue Ellis’ personification of Hippolyta Freeman (wife of George Freeman) is uplifting. You see a woman who has muffled her own intelligence over a span of decades, unbeknownst to herself. It is a relatable occurrence but often we do not cease the opportunity to reclaim our greatness. Wunmi Mosaku’s vulnerable portrayal of Ruby Baptiste erects the uncomfortable thoughts we try to bury within ourselves. Ruby gets to take up the spaces that she was once shut out of and then she has to make defining decisions about what she really wants and values. Jamie Chung’s performance as Ji-Ah is so layered. Ji-Ah does not understand the magnitude of her power. She is being limited by this pre-determined belief of what and who she can be. Jada Harris is unforgettable as Diana Freeman (the daughter of Hippolyta and George Freeman). Diana is thwarted with at least 3 different crippling losses throughout the show. She is an artist whose artwork is futuristic, imaginative, and simultaneously rooted in truth. Our trio would not have gotten through episode 2 and on without those four warriors.

When you think about the unexpected tribulations experienced by a group of characters, I could only equate it to the legendary travels of Frodo and his friends in Lord of the Rings. They were gravely unprepared for everything that they faced but against all odds they succeeded. If you enjoyed that journey you will gravitate to the characters in Lovecraft Country. Perchance you are intrigued by the toxicity of family dramas like American Beauty. Montrose’s disdain for Tic is reminiscent of Colonel Fitts hatred for his son Ricky Fitts. Both fathers were incapable of connecting with the sons they deemed strange or lesser than. They rejected their children because of the unattainable standards of manhood and their own insecurities. Perhaps you prefer enthralling yourself in the unpredictable nature of horrors like Get Out. Get Out was so well received because it gave horror films a much-needed culture shock. That iconic film revolves around a group of wealthy people with power wanting something from another group of people. Lovecraft Country tells the story of one particular family with seemingly unlimited influence and resources trying to strip Tic of his birthright. Chris stops the reign of terror of the Armitage’s. Tic, Leti, and Montrose’s success could procure the advancement of Black people in a way that could only exist with a little magic. If you are a sucker for a love story, I liken Tic and Leti’s devoted love to Rod and Marcee Tidwell’s commitment to one another and to their children in Jerry Maguire. She was his anchor, and nothing depicted that more than the contract negotiation scene. Marcee willed Rod not to lessen his worth and weathered every trial and tribulation with him. We are shown the start of Tic and Leti’s love story and the lengths they would go to for one another and to secure their future.

Here is the pedigree of greatness involved in delivering Lovecraft Country from paperback to the small screen. Misha Green, the creator of the show, is a critical voice to the community of creatives. She is bold, thought provoking, and poignant with the narratives she produces. Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrahams are producers on the show. I don’t think I need to spell out their accolades. The talent of the entire cast spills out of the television. Their performances are so engaging that the viewer is meeting the actors at the screen trying to collect all the brilliance emanating out of them. WATCH LOVECRAFT COUNTRY… NOW.