Original subtitles

[Medwin Harris] Previously on Washington Black...

-[connector clicks] -[fire whooshes]

-[body thuds] -[Christopher "Titch" Wilde] Wash!

You've scarred the boy for life.

-You could have killed him. -I did no such thing!

[Titch] Perhaps father wasn't so mistaken having you locked up.

At least it kept others from harm's way.

I heard somethin' earlier today.

Big fella come in on the ferry lookin' for a Black man.

[Moose] Calls himself George Washington Black.

-[John grunting] -Oh, hey, John.

Mm! Hey, Jack, can you please buy me a little bit of rum?

Put a little fire up in my belly?

-I'm sorry, John. -You stay away from him.

[♪ tense music plays]

Medwin?

We've decided that you shall marry.

[Tanna Goff] We're both dreamers.

Can't we dream up a different world?

[♪ swelling romantic music playing]

[John Willard] The only one to get away.

Why all that coin for a runaway?

That's what happens when you kill a white man.

[♪ dramatic music playing]

[insects chirring]

[owl hooting]

[♪ gentle music playing]

[Wash sighs]

Ah, I can tell by that smile, you enjoy yourself.

-Oh, Miss Angie. -[both laughing]

She was pleased to see you?

-She was very pleased. -[both laughing]

-It was amazing. -[footsteps approaching]

-Oh, Medwin. What's-- -[Medwin] No.

I'm gon' ask, you gon' answer.

You got a white man's blood on your hands, island boy?

-How-- how did you-- -I said-- what the hell did I just say?

You gon' do the answering.

Medwin, wait. Ju-- Wait.

Look, I ain't gon' lose sleep

over no slave master gettin' the bad end of the deal.

But if this true, it mean more danger for all of us, okay?

It's a different kinda hunter.

He ain't gon' leave till the job is done,

and you, son, you are the job.

-So, if you still hidin'-- -I'm not hiding anything.

I... I just, um...

[breathing heavily] I-- I just don't know.

[♪ melancholy music playing]

You're safe here.

You're safe with us.

[softly] Okay.

I'll tell you everything about Barbados.

And why I had to leave.

[♪ epic music playing]

[♪ tense music playing]

[animal chittering]

Thank you.

Something I should have mentioned upon my arrival.

Father's dead.

From our solicitor.

[♪ somber music playing]

[paper rustling]

You withheld this deliberately.

You lying, duplicitous wretch.

Is this your revenge?

The details are in the letter.

He asked that Erasmus come back to London to sort the family affairs.

And who is to run Faith?

Titch.

[Erasmus laughing]

I need some air.

[door slams shut]

[footsteps approaching]

Your father...

[whispering] I'm sorry, Titch.

[Titch sighs]

[♪ melancholy music playing]

[Philip snoring]

♪♪

What are you doing?

[Young Wash panting]

A lie. This family doesn't exist.

[♪ melancholy music continues]

-[machetes thwacking] -[horses grunting]

[George Washington "Wash" Black] [quietly] Like Anansi.

[Emilie] [quietly] Like Anansi.

Let us take a little walk, George Washington Black.

[♪ tense music playing]

[birds squawking]

I've always loved this walk.

Mother and I did it often.

A refuge for both of us away from Father and my brothers.

I was never the same after her death.

So often, I'd wish I had left with her.

Erasmus spoke of a belief you lot possess,

that you will go back home once you're dead.

Do you believe it?

My elders believe.

[Philip sighs]

[♪ ominous music playing]

[bird cawing]

[sighs deeply]

This is the place.

We're almost the same, you and I,

ridiculous as that may seem.

Both under Erasmus' boot,

both of us slaves to his charity,

both without real family.

Perhaps I burden you unduly. People are cruel.

And that cruelty crushes those like us to nothingness.

Leaving us alive only enough to scream the entire time.

A life of unending pain.

[rifle cocking]

[♪ music intensifies]

Shall I set you free, Washington?

Wouldn't you be grateful if I sent you on your exodus?

[♪ ominous music playing]

No.

I wish I'd had your bravery as a child.

[sniffling]

[sighs] Know this, boy.

Titch will hurt you.

This won't go well for you after.

-[gunshot] -[Young Wash gasping]

[softly weeping]

Listen.

The weight of that pain...

is like the devil on your back.

-Can't shoot it... -[sniffling]

...stab it, or... punch it.

You can only try to let it go.

[♪ melancholy music playing]

How?

[Wash sobbing]

[continues sobbing]

They'll never touch him again.

[Wash continues sobbing]

[footsteps thudding]

[door opens and closes]

[dock workers chattering]

[worker] Okay, suppertime.

-[insects chirring] -[dog barking]

-[door opens] -[heavy footfall]

-[Wash sighs] -I just checking on ya.

[chuckles] Thank you.

Is there any word from Medwin about the hunters?

He's still lettin' his network know to keep eyes out.

Those hunters move, he'll find out soon enough.

[sighs] The network. And this safe room.

There's so much about Halifax I don't know.

Last stop for people coming north for freedom.

Sometimes, we have to hide those people

from the monsters who come chasin' after 'em.

Hm.

Did someone else do this before Medwin?

John.

Yes, that John. [chuckles]

He wasn't always the man you know today.

Sometimes Medwin blames himself,

thinks he could have done something different.

When Medwin first step off the ferry...

John was like the mayor of this town.

He took Medwin in.

[bar patrons chattering]

[John] You got any work yet?

Place to lay your head?

How it your business either way?

[chuckles]

Go see Marston on the docks, first pier.

He'll get you started.

Why this Marston be so inclined to do that for me?

My wife, she always say folk gotta take care of folk.

So, I do.

It's a good town. Make you some coin,

and when you need a room, I run the boarding house.

-Buy you one? -No.

I don't touch that stuff, but thank you.

You ain't got nobody, do you?

I don't need nobody.

Well, you in the right place to fix that.

Name's John.

[John] Payday at the docks tomorrow.

I want you to handle it without me this week,

gather those late rents while that cash is still hot.

[horse whinnying]

I can't do this forever.

Folks is always gon' need someone to lean on.

I never did thank you proper.

You gettin' sentimental on me now?

Means the world, John.

-The way you look after me. -Mm.

The way you looked after everybody comin' north.

Well, always gotta have somebody watchin' out for folk.

Keep an eye on that door, keep that wolf

from sneakin' in back, tearing us all apart.

Maybe it's your turn next.

[chickens clucking]

-Who gettin' sentimental now? -[laughing]

Besides, you can't quit watchin' till we get your family up here.

All y'all my family.

That'll keep my heart until they get up here.

[♪ uplifting music playing]

[bar patrons chattering]

[♪ melancholy music playing]

They're gone.

Slave patrols set bloodhounds after 'em.

They ran in the river. And they never came out.

My Ann, I... I used to be able to feel...

her hand on my heart.

And my baby girl, Ellie,

man, and she weren't but knee-high when I come north.

[crying] My babies.

[sobbing]

[♪ ominous music playing]

[slurping]

[knocking]

You wanted to see me?

[♪ ominous music continues]

[keys jingling]

This your room now.

Don't you judge me, boy.

[giggling]

Hey, hold on one sec.

[safe door creaking]

[clicking tongue] Goddamn you, John.

[♪ ominous music continues]

[fist thuds]

[bar patrons chattering]

Look like you cleaned us out.

So, what it gon' be, John?

You lookin' out for folks? Or you gon' drown in that?

[John coughing]

[grunting]

♪♪

-[fire crackling] -[dog barking]

[John coughing]

[people chattering]

Medwin? What's-- What's wrong?

I can help. I-I can help.

I'm still me, man.

You see that, right? I'm still me!

-[insects chirring] -[people chattering]

-[maitre d'] Evening. -[Tanna] Father.

[patrons chattering, laughing]

Why are you late?

I simply wasn't ready in time, Father. Please forgive me.

[Mr. Goff] A dozen of your freshest oysters.

[waiter] Yes, sir.

-Mr. Goff? -Yes?

Of the Royal Science League?

I found your book captivatin'.

-Well, join us, please. -I'd be honored.

Are you a-- a fellow marine biologist?

I wish I were talented enough to be a scientist like you.

-[chuckles] -No, no.

My associate and I are involved in an investigation.

Oh, look. There he is now.

[♪ ominous music playing]

Is this your daughter?

[Mr. Goff] Yes, it is.

Tanna, let me, uh, introduce you to, uh...

What did you say your name was?

The lady puts me in mind of a rumor

fillin' the sidewalks and streets this fine evening.

Apparently, a white woman claiming to study bioluminescence

was out in a rowboat along the cove with a Black boatman.

The very heights of impropriety.

Can you imagine?

No, I cannot.

And this Black boatman. I wonder.

You must know where we might find him for a nice boat ride.

[♪ tense music playing]

Goodnight to you both.

-Father-- -This is London all over again, isn't it?

I will not have it, Tanna!

[birds chirping]

[Tanna] Father, please let me explain

-about last night-- -Tanna, Tanna, please just...

Just... listen.

[fire crackling]

[sighs]

After your mishaps in London, whispers began, doors closed.

I was ostracized from certain circles.

And the financial impact of that was not long in coming.

It was a crushing impact.

Your marriage to McGee is vital to our survival.

-Our survival? -Yes.

Our coffers are depleted to the degree

that we are now solely reliant upon Mr. McGee's generosity.

[♪ somber music playing]

Father, I beg of you--

This is our last and final option.

The engagement announcement has already been printed

in today's newspaper.

We cannot back out now.

Then I will bear the weight.

Good girl.

[whispering] Good.

[♪ somber music continues]

[sighs deeply]

[Wash] Engaged to be married?

[sighs] To Mr. McGee?

Same one who own the docks.

[exhales sharply]

I...

So, it's true. [scoffs] Why couldn't she tell me?

[Miss Angie] People often have a hard time acceptin' their own truth.

[Wash] We never had a chance, did we?

[sighs] I should have listened to you and Medwin.

Jack...

-What you want me to do with this? -Burn it.

Burn it.

[birds chirping]

[sighs]

[knocking]

Miss Angie? I didn't expect a delivery today.

That's not why I'm here, Miss Tanna.

[birds chirping]

So, he knows?

-How is he? -Like you'd imagine.

He must think awfully of me.

I love that boy.

And his pain breaks something inside of me.

Mm.

God, his face never leaves my eyes.

[chuckles] His voice never leaves my ears.

Birds of a feather, you two. [chuckles softly]

He said something very similar.

Even so...

I have no choice.

My father says I'm to wed Mr. McGee.

[Miss Angie sighs]

I brought you somethin'.

He wanted to burn it, but I wouldn't.

[♪ gentle music playing]

I know that boy.

His feelings for you haven't changed.

His situation is complicated. And trouble follows him.

How so?

It is not my place to say.

Be better if you hear it from him.

Could you get word to him?

I have a better idea.

-[door opens] -[footsteps approaching]

I'd rather be alone, Miss Angie.

[Tanna] Jack?

[Wash] What are you doing here?

Well, that's the very question I wanted to ask.

Why didn't you tell me you're in trouble?

Why didn't you tell me you're engaged?

This marriage, it's not so simple.

In London, my father lost opportunities because of his mongrel child.

Well, how dare they speak of you that way.

Well, it was a secret they only found out about

because I chose to stop hiding it,

to be myself, to live in my own skin.

But in this world, that only meant...

we would lose everything.

I am so sorry.

Truly, I-- I am.

Halifax was supposed to be a fresh start.

And this marriage to McGee, a means to secure our future.

My future.

But it is a lie.

I won't live a lie anymore.

-Whoa. What are you saying? -That I will make another choice.

[♪ gentle music playing]

Tanna, Tanna, you-- you don't know what you're choosing.

-My life is-- -Is what I choose to be a part of,

no matter what shape it takes.

[Wash sighs]

I still have my truth to tell you, but...

Well, then, tell me.

[Wash exhales sharply]

[sighs]

I changed my name when I came to Halifax to hide.

It's not Jack Crawford, it's...

[sighs] It's George Washington Black.

George Washington Black?

The one the hunters are looking for?

It's the reason I had to flee Barbados.

But the hunters, they-- they found me,

and-- and they hold me responsible for the death. But I--

-I d-- I did not kill anyone, Tanna, I... -No. You--

You don't need to explain to me.

What? You're not upset with me?

How could I be?

When we've both been living double lives?

[scoffs]

[chuckles]

My everything is better with you.

[chuckles] My everything is better with you.

[♪ romantic music playing]

[insects chirring]

[banging]

Hey.

Oh, John. Wh...

It's time to go, Jack.

What?

Them hunters, they about close enough to smell you.

Medwin got a new plan. He needs you.

Come on, now.

-[Wash] Where does that go? -[John] Somewhere safe.

-Watch your head. -Yeah.

[♪ tense, dramatic music playing]

[John] Come on, it's just up ahead.

-[dog barking] -[♪ tense music playing]

[door creaking]

Come on, come on, come on. Come on, let's go.

[Wash] [panting] What is this John? What...?

[whispering] Where's Medwin?

[Miss Angie] Wash?

[♪ tense music playing]

Oh, no.

[breathing heavily]

[♪ tense music continues]

[Wash] John, where are we?

Come, come on. Come on.

C-Come on, now.

Well, where's Medwin?

-[♪ dramatic music playing] -[Wash grunting]

[blows thudding]

-[kick thuds] -[grunts]

[both grunting]

-[grunting] -[punching]

John! John, help me!

-[Mouse grunting] -[Wash groans]

Be useful! Earn your damn coin.

Tie him up! Company's on the way.

-Where's my damn money? -You'll get it when he gets here.

John? Who are they waiting for?

Tell me who's coming! John!

[♪ ominous music playing]

[door creaking open]

[door closing]

[footsteps approaching]

[breathing heavily]

The burn, right where Erasmus said it would be.

You've grown, Mr. Washington.

Why are you doing this?

I'm here to set things right.

[metal scrapes]

You didn't think you would get away with murdering a white man, did ya?

No, but I didn't do anything wrong.

I d-- I didn't kill Philip.

[Willard] You have a date with the hangman, Mr. Washington.

Then, I will finally close my book.

For now, think on this as you ask why.

You're a threat, Mr. Washington.

[♪ tense music playing]

Who you are, who you desire to be.

And such a threat must always be countered.

[door bangs open]

-[gun clicks] -[Willard] Harris!

-[gunshot] -[hunters shouting]

-[♪ dramatic music playing] -[gunshot]

-[Mouse yelling] -[gunshots continue]

[Wash gasping]

[Wash] Medwin?

[panting]

Wait, the third one? Willard, where did he go?!

I clipped him. Must have crawled outta here.

[coins rattling]

That there-- that there is mine. That's mine.

-That's mine. -You did this for money?!

You the one did this! Bringin' trouble down on all our heads.

-I didn't do what they said, John! -That ain't never mattered!

Goddammit.

-[coins rattle] -I said that's mine!

-What, you choosin' him over me? -You the one made a choice!

-Medwin? -[Medwin breathing heavily]

[Medwin] Take this and get your things out of the church.

Go to Miss Angie's shop.

Go on now, island boy!

You gotta go.

[Medwin breathing heavily]

[♪ solemn music playing]

[door opens and closes]

That wolf don't always come like you expect.

Sometime he be one of your own, sneakin' in.

-Just like that boy. -Nothin' but good in that boy.

[scoffs] No matter. He gone now.

It's just me and you. Right, Medwin?

And you know them white boys got some more coin on 'em.

[chuckles] We take it.

We tell the law the-- the boy done did this,

and we use that money to fix up the boarding house.

We take-- We take care of folks. That's what we do.

Just like the old days. [sniffling]

-[Medwin weeping] -Oh. It's alright, son.

It's alright.

Oh, we've been through a lot, huh?

Here. Let it out.

Come on.

[♪ melancholy music playing]

[Medwin sobbing]

[Medwin] Somebody gotta look out for folk.

Somebody gotta watch that door. [sniffling]

Make sure the wolf don't sneak in the back,

tear us all apart.

But what if he already here?

[sniffling]

He one of us.

-[knife stabbing] -[John grunts, gasping]

[♪ heart-wrenching music playing]

[knife clatters]

[Medwin sobbing]

[John groaning]

[Medwin whimpers]

-[John groans] -I'm sorry.

-I'm sorry. -[John groaning]

I'm sorry, John.

I...

I-I get to see them again.

-My... my family. -Yeah.

[♪ heart-wrenching music continues playing]

[Medwin crying]

[sniffling and sobbing]

[♪ whimsical music playing]

♪♪

[♪ music fades out]

[♪ fanfare playing]