Lovecraft Country Review: I Am. (Season 1 Episode 7)
In true Lovecraft fashion, Hippolyta must go to new worlds and new eras to discover something about herself on Lovecraft Country Season 1 Episode 7, “I Am.”
It’s a great deconstruction of ambition and hopes on a grand scale, where the frustration of life catching up on you helps to find the life you want the most.
The larger theme of acceptance is growing with each episode, and this episode is among the most personal and successful.
Hippolyta’s journey through space and time allows her to live the lives she’s only dreamed of, and it is the very thing that allows her to see herself with new eyes for the first time in ages.
Each trip through time, and eventually to new worlds, helps tap into the regrets she holds. She learns about herself through the power, the freedom, and the love she feels.
The strange robot alien world is simply a construct to transport her to these new places, though it is curious if this is an alternate universe or if it’s the space between spaces, the place to reach other worlds.
It’s not exactly that she regrets her time with George and Diana, as she hints at when she decides her time with Diana isn’t done with. It’s that feeling most people hold in their heart, the feeling of unfulfilled dreams and hopes that seem so possible some years before.
Society and family has limited Hippolyta from the endless possibilities and dreams she holds, and this journey through the portal is allowing her to finally experience them to a heightened degree.
While she does return back to George as one of her final trips, it’s more to have the acknowledgement of broken promises than needing him one last time.
George’s apology and acceptance that he contributed to her broken dreams is a fantastic moment, one that both Courtney B. Vance and Aunjanue Ellis hit perfectly. It’s a quiet scene, but their words hold so much regret and love behind them.
There are still those who can’t accept themselves. Montrose, in the light of day, can’t allow his closeness with Sammy to continue because he still can’t be true to himself.
It also causes more conflict with Atticus, and helps explain the beatings and fights they endured over the years. Montrose’s own pain is inflicted upon his son, and while Atticus holds onto the anger and likely always will, hopefully he can accept his father as he is.
It’s certainly a cheap shot and unbecoming how he talks to him in the hallway.
Atticus also returns from his trip in the portal with a copy of Lovecraft Country, but instead of Matt Ruff, it looks like George Freeman has written it. Maybe George is a larger key to the narrative than his death has allowed for so far.
Or perhaps the book is a lead to The Book of Names, or is the book itself. We’re left with so many questions, but at least we’re getting somewhere!
There’s also the wonder if Christina is impersonating Ruby at the Freeman home, or at minimum is looking for clues on her behalf. Though the key is missing, the coordinates may be enough, especially as Atticus is in possession of the key and the knowledge of portals.
There’s also the fact that Letitia may be pregnant, and whether this will factor in later.
Is this the only time machine in existence, and why are the police there talking about? Are they part of the lodge? As mentioned, still a lot of questions.
Charlotte Sieling’s direction of the episode is astounding, capturing the more fantastical elements with an abundance of color and always making sure the characters aren’t lost in the noise of exciting visuals.
The episode holds on Aunjanue Ellis with a carefulness, making sure that her story is told through her eyes rather than being told about her. We experience her pain and regrets, and the direction and writing make sure that is paramount.
What did you think of this episode of Lovecraft Country? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Lovecraft Country airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.
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Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.