Black on White on Fire is about Sam being leaped into the body of a black medical student during the 1965 Watts riots, while engaged to a white girl.
The episode's pure intensity from start to finish, with top notch acting by all parties. I particularly love when Susan's father tells Sam that even though he may not ever physically harm Susan, that his brothers would and that he could not stop it and that he would be responsible, which is entirely true. However because it's Sam and not Ray, he cannot feel guilt here and his objective is to keep the two of them together. Which is the basis for the show, Sam leaps into the past to right what once went wrong. Ray likely felt guilt because he loved her and probably broke it off to keep her safe, but in turn wasn't there to protect her. Sam knows what he has to do and won't let anything get in the way of his mission. Loved it.
Al: I think she's right, Sam, I think he wants to be a martyr. Sam: Is that right, Lonnie? You want to be a martyr? Lonnie: Me, a martyr? Oh, hell, man, Watts is full of martyrs. They don't need me to join 'em. Sam: Then why? Lonnie: I'm tired of talkin' about 'why'. Sam: Tired or scared? Lonnie: I ain't afraid o' nothing. Sam: Except living.
The episode's pure intensity from start to finish, with top notch acting by all parties. I particularly love when Susan's father tells Sam that even though he may not ever physically harm Susan, that his brothers would and that he could not stop it and that he would be responsible, which is entirely true. However because it's Sam and not Ray, he cannot feel guilt here and his objective is to keep the two of them together. Which is the basis for the show, Sam leaps into the past to right what once went wrong. Ray likely felt guilt because he loved her and probably broke it off to keep her safe, but in turn wasn't there to protect her. Sam knows what he has to do and won't let anything get in the way of his mission. Loved it.
Al: I think she's right, Sam, I think he wants to be a martyr. Sam: Is that right, Lonnie? You want to be a martyr? Lonnie: Me, a martyr? Oh, hell, man, Watts is full of martyrs. They don't need me to join 'em. Sam: Then why? Lonnie: I'm tired of talkin' about 'why'. Sam: Tired or scared? Lonnie: I ain't afraid o' nothing. Sam: Except living.