Ep 3. Part 3

Part 3 of Roots (2016) takes viewers deeper into the lives of the enslaved Africans and their white masters. The episode focuses on the relationship between Kunta Kinte and his owner, Waller. Kunta Kinte refuses to succumb to Waller’s demands and continues to assert his identity as a Mandinka warrior. As a result, he receives a series of brutal punishments that leave him injured and traumatized.

Meanwhile, Kunta’s daughter Kizzy is growing up in the Waller plantation and is tasked with serving her white masters. She befriends a boy named Noah, who shares her African heritage and becomes her confidante. Their relationship is tested when Noah is violently punished for daring to speak out against his oppressors.

As the years pass, Kizzy becomes a young woman and falls in love with a young man named Chicken George, who is a slave in another plantation. Their love is forbidden, but they continue to meet in secret. Eventually, Chicken George is sold to the Waller plantation and Kizzy’s dreams of being with him are shattered.

The episode also introduces viewers to Tom Lea, a cruel and sadistic white man who takes delight in humiliating and torturing his slaves. One of his slaves, a woman named Belle, attempts to protect her son from his abuse and is severely punished for it.

As Kunta Kinte continues to resist his enslavement, he inspires other enslaved Africans to resist as well. A group of them band together to plan an escape, but their plans are foiled by a traitor in their midst.

Part 3 of Roots (2016) is a powerful examination of the brutality and resilience of enslaved Africans in early America. The episode does not shy away from showing the horrific realities of slavery, but it also celebrates the strength and determination of those who fought against it. Through the character of Kunta Kinte, viewers are reminded of the importance of preserving one’s identity and refusing to be broken by oppressive systems.