User reviews

Now, this was more like it. I've been critical of the fractured storytelling in previous episodes but a few aspects have pulled together in this penultimate one.

Leti (Jurnee Smollett), Atticus (Jonathan Majors), Montrose (Michael Kenneth Williams) and Hippolyta (Aunjanue Ellis) head back to the observatory as Christina (Abbey Lee) tells them that only the book of names, which disappeared in the Tulsa riots, will have the spells required to lift the curse on Diana (Jada Harris). Hippolyta's newly acquired knowledge and powers mean that she can fix the time machine and use it to send the others back to Tulsa but once there, Montrose hatches a risky plan to fix part of him that's been broken for a long time.

For the second time this year, I'm transported to the Tulsa riots of 1921, somehow it's even more intimate and horrifying this time, as we see several moments made Montrose into the shame filled, violent man he became. Through experiencing them with him, Atticus gains an understanding about his father that he didn't previously have. Leti meanwhile has the new horrific experience of being inside the Freeman family home as it burns to the ground, with her powers protecting her.

As I mentioned, the plot strands from previous episodes are starting to be picked up again now. Hippolyta's odyssey has paid off, with her having the ability and skill to play a key part in saving her daughter. The totem placed by Ruby in Captain Lancaster's office is finally paid off too, as we understand that the spell that has kept him alive (Frankensteined with the use of black bodies) is no longer working. The plot issues have been my only drawback with "Lovecraft Country" for these past nine weeks, as performances, visual effects, tone and themes have all been spot on. Perhaps it's all coming together at just the right time.

This week's episode of Lovecraft Country, titled Rewind 1921, is a time-traveling episode that has Atticus, Letitia, and Montrose traveling back in time in an attempt to save Diana.

Rewind 1921 is an emotionally powerful episode. The episode belongs to Montrose who walks through 1921 Tulsa entirely teary-eyed and dumbfounded watching the historical tragedy enfold before him. Should he stop it and risk changing the course of history in the process?

I am reminded of the old joke of how black people should never mess with time travel. It was psychologically terrifying watching Atticus, Letitia and Montrose walking through the Tulsa streets, turning any street corner knowing that any white rioter rampaging through town could shoot them on the worst night of racial violence in American history.

It's still early to say as there is one final episode left in the season, Rewind 1921 might just be my favorite episode of Lovecraft Country. The balance between story and its pulp genre play was perfect this time. That balance has unevenly tipped over too many times for fun's sake, which has been the show's biggest fumble with its storytelling. Rewind 1921 is what the 7th episode I Am, also a time traveling episode, should have been. I wish every episode was to the quality of this one.

Bring on the finale...

This episode was very emotional and powerful, do not miss it.

This is the first time in a very long time that I've watched a show and said "oh sh-t!" out loud. Last weeks episode and this episode really go hand in hand. I love the science fiction and how they bring it to life. Some might complain about the special effects but it fits this type of show. Usually I'd complain about that too but this show is too good to complain about such things that can be easily overlooked because of the amazing production.

Love that this show gets better with each episode!

Really hard to watch and imagine but really enjoyable

The emotional scenes in this episode were perfectly accented by the spirited reading of a poem and incredible operatic singing. I wore headphones to more fully experience the sounds and cried while grasping their meaning. The reader of the poem did an incredible job bringing the words to life. I had to review because someone felt the exact opposite way. I was blown away and this is my favorite episode so far. Superb acting all around, and it brought forward all the real losses from the Tulsa riots.

5 out of 5 stars.

Three characters travel back into the past to retrieve something but it does become one powerful emotional journey that will test them all. It was exciting. Emotional. And well driven adventure.

The show started promisingly and then progressively spiraled into a disjointed series of esoteric events.

But Rewind 1921 is a tightly wound, well-structured, deftly-executed winner. The performances are all pitch-perfect, and the writing and direction are top drawer.

No matter your opinion of the show as a whole, this episode is exceptional and can be viewed all on its own. Highly recommended.

The show finally decided to get its storytelling together, and gather pace, it is too bad they decided to add some excruciating poetry and music at the most crucial moments, that completely took me out of it.