And with that, we come to the end. Or, not entirely as there is still a single episode left, but this definitely felt like a series finale. I'm not sure what the final episode will be about, but I am going to go out on a limp and assume that it will be another "standalone" episode about someone we've met or heard about before. Most likely Cora's mother and her escape. But for this episode, I'm willing to go as far as to say that this is the series' real finale, and if that's the case, this show has been brought to a magnificent finish. For eight episodes, I was following these characters on their journey, very fascinated and curious to find out where they were going. What was the point of this entire show? Was it going to have an "end" and give Cora that life that she'd always been dreaming of? Some of those questions were answered here, while others are some that we'll have to make up ourselves. If anything can be said about this episode, though, it's that it was a riveting hour of television that brought all the emotions to the table and proved how fleeting and fragile happiness can actually be. It puts the lid perfectly on Barry Jenkins' journey with this show and sends out a striking plead for everyone to be better and not let division come between us. It's a master at work if there ever was one, and it makes for some intense watching material.

If the previous episode told us anything it's that this happiness and the freedom of these people was never going to last. The society that they had build for themselves came crumbling down on top of both themselves and the intervention of outsiders. It's a scary image of what happens to peace whenever its interrupted, both by people who wishes to destroy it, but also by people who wishes to change it. It's a fight that can never be won. Jenkins isn't afraid to show us the reality of that and provides a scathing image of violence and its impact.

This is a big climatic duel between a lot of the characters and shows the brilliance of Jenkins' character work. As always, he gives multiple layers to all of his characters and makes them fully in control of their own actions. In this episode, the character of Mingo comes into play and is portrayed as the hero of his own story. Making sure that these characters have a voice that won't make certain people cover their ears is important, and Jenkins gives a voice to every single character, no matter how much they may disagree with the point he's making.

It also brings the characters of Cora and Ridgeway to the point of their face-off, which we've all been expecting since the very beginning. And instead of doing the obvious and repeat the scenarios we've already seen; Jenkins takes the moment to show a shift of power between the two. Showing the controlling hand belonging to someone else. He crafts powerful images, both literally and metaphorically. The character of Cora has proven to be a strong character over her journey, and the end that Jenkins gives her is much more satisfying and truthful than any other I could think of.

I'm not sure that it'll be possible to disclose how brilliant this show is. Ever since its premiere, it has shown to have a knowledge of storytelling that far outdoes that of other shows like it. Jenkins is a master of his craft, and he utilizes all his abilities to tell the perfect story. Sure, it's based on a novel, and that's the story that's being told, but Jenkins' eye and heart is in every single detail that we see throughout. He won't do anything half and finds a way to use everything he has at his disposal to ensure brilliance.

No one can ever tell me that Barry Jenkins doesn't know his stuff, because with "Chapter 9," he continues to take it one step further. It brings satisfying conclusions to many aspects and gives the audience room to think about possible scenarios for the future, some of which may come to pass in the finale.

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The fantasy genre features imaginative and often magical worlds, characters, and events. It explores realms beyond the boundaries of reality, featuring elements such as magic, mythical creatures, supernatural powers, and fantastical settings. These stories can take place in entirely fictional worlds or blend fantastical elements with real-world settings.

Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

The history genre features recounting and analyzing past events, societies, cultures, and historical figures. This genre aims to provide insights into the development of civilizations, the causes and consequences of historical events, and the impact of individuals and ideas on the course of history.

The war genre features armed conflicts, both historical and fictional, and the experiences of individuals and groups involved in warfare. This genre explores the physical, emotional, and moral challenges faced by soldiers, civilians, and others affected by war.

Cora’s presence as a fugitive ignites tensions amongst the Valentine community. Just as she was beginning to make this her home, chaos reigns.

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Joel Edgerton, William Jackson Harper, Aaron Pierre, and Thuso Mbedu in The Underground Railroad (2021)

Chapter 9: Indiana Winter

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