The Underground Railroad Season 1 Episode 10 Chapter 10: Mabel

The Underground Railroad season 1 episode 10, titled "Chapter 10: Mabel," takes viewers on an emotional journey as we learn more about the mother who started it all. The episode opens with a flashback to when a young Mabel, played by Sheila Atim, is living on the plantation with her husband and approaching motherhood. We see her day-to-day struggles living under the oppression of slavery, the fear of losing her child to the same fate, and the small joys she finds in her makeshift family.

The story then jumps to the present, where we see Cora, played by Thuso Mbedu, attempting to reconcile with the fact that her mother abandoned her as a child. Cora’s journey has brought her to Indiana, where she's discovered that her mother fled north on the Underground Railroad but died before she could reach freedom. Throughout the episode, Cora continues to grapple with the fact that she will never know her mother, but through reliving Mabel's journey, she's able to connect with the mother she never knew.

We learn about Mabel's determination to escape from the plantation and how she meticulously planned her escape with help from various characters who we have seen throughout the series. We are taken through a few of the same locations we've seen throughout the series - the almost tranquil-looking swamp and the dimly lit, tiny attic spaces - but with a fresh perspective as Mabel experiences them for the first time. We witness her courage and fear, her fierce maternal instinct, and the lengths she goes to in order to ensure her unborn child’s safety.

As we go back and forth through time, learning more about Mabel's character, the powerful emotional impact and heartbreaking truths of her story are revealed. Within the confines of a sadistic society, Mabel has had to live a life free, brave, and undeserving of her fate. We are left with a new understanding of the enormity of her sacrifice when she makes the ultimate decision in the nail-biting finale.

The themes surrounding motherhood, sacrifice, and the impacts of trauma are carried heavily throughout the episode. With the emotional weight carried by Cora regarding her mother's abandonment, the audience is left to reflect on the outcomes of oppressive systems on the familial unit. We are made to question the endless challenges of those living under such oppressive situations. The subjectivity of motherhood representation throughout the episode provides the audience the picture of how motherhood is a challenging and complex journey.

In conclusion, "Chapter 10: Mabel" is an interlude episode that pulls at the heartstrings of viewers and reveals critical plot details about the central character, Mabel. It's an introspective, emotional look into the human spirit and the lengths mothers will go to protect their children. As the season comes to a close, "Chapter 10: Mabel" ties together loose ends, sheds light on new aspects of the story, and leaves viewers with a powerful message about love and sacrifice.