Washington Black 'A Soaring Steamfunk' Watch Quip: WHERE TO WATCH: Hulu [8 episodes]

GENRE: Fantasy, Adventure, Family, Coming of Age, Romance

SUMMINATION: Chronicling the 19th-century coming-of-age adventures of George Washington "Wash" Black, an 11-year-old budding genius, and his experiences creating a steamfunk world in an oppressive, daunting time while discovering his brilliance with the embracing of a systemic support of makeshift family, friends, and love along the way.

MUSING: See..Black folks can carry other fantasy stories too!!😇 Based on the 2018 novel book of the same name, by Esi Edugyan, this series was a beautiful tapestry rich with Black Diaspora history wrapped in a warm blanket of light steamfunk magic and brilliance. I had my qualms at first, but I let them go and enjoyed the story for what it gave. Every actor in this series shined (S/O to Tim Ellis, aka our former Lucifer), however, my favorite interactions with our young male leads (Earnest Kingsley Junior [older Wash] /Eddie Karanja [Younger Wash]) were absolutely with Sterling K. Brown (as Medwin Harris), Sharon Duncan-Brewster (as Anne), and our two indigeious actors featured later in the series (IMDB aren't crediting them oddly). I also adored the brief but impacting story we get with Kit (Shaunette Renée Wilson).

The challenges and stakes for our ML stressed me out in worry for him (I loved that the character himself was NOT given the annoying child trope), and that made me love the narrative of this story. You felt the protection around our ML as a child. This baby had a village, for real, especially when villains start kicking up that mess...hard!

I'm glad some folks whomst I thought would turn into skanks did not though. Good times. 😆

Watching this series felt familiar to my spirit as a writer of fantasy and made it so much a joy. My con with the story is just a personal thing that goes into what I feel is an exoticism with colorism that really wasn't necessary, only because the historical context was ultimately period story troping. But it is what it is, and for that particular character, the author felt a need to create that character in that descriptive way and background. (a point gets to stay with that character only for adding to the Dispora narrative in sharing another island's POV...albeit very brief).

Moving on, I highly recommend watching and supporting this series. [Episodes 7-8 were my favorite and worked my eye sockets.] Also, check out the book.

Honorable Mention: I loved recognizing all the actors in this, I was pointing like Leo D. Ya'll betta get that money!

RATING: 5 out 5 compasses 🧭🧭🧭🧭🧭

If you enjoy Steamfunk, check out my novella short, 'Oni's Tears':