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Amid the Black Lives Matter Movement, HBO’s Lovecraft Country, written by Underground’s Misha Green and produced by Jordan Peele is one of the most compelling series on TV. The show follows Atticus “Tic” Freeman (Jonathan Majors), who returns to his hometown of Chicago after getting a strange letter from his father, Montrose (Michael K. Williams).

In the letter, Montrose informs Atticus of his hidden family legacy in the Massachusetts town of Ardham. Along with his beloved Uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) and an old high-school friend, Letitia “Leti” Lewis (Jurnee Smollett), Atticus embarks on a journey to find his father and this alleged legacy. However, what he finds is something much more sinister.

Warning: Spoilers for Lovecraft Country follow.

This is Atticus’ hidden family legacy

Lovecraft Country is set in the 1950s in the years following World War II and at the height of the Jim Crow era in the United States. On their quest to find Montrose, Atticus, Leti, and Uncle George find themselves in a “sundown town” hunted by murderous racists.

Just when they think the monsters are going to get the best of them, they are saved by a mysterious whistle. As day breaks, they stumble across a massive mansion and are greeted by Christina Braithwhie (Abbey Lee), the daughter of the manor’s mysterious owner and her lover, William (Jordan Patrick Smith).

As things get even stranger, Atticus realizes that he is the descendant of a 19th-century wizard, Titus Braithwaite. Titus was killed when Atticus’ ancestor Hannah, an enslaved woman who had been raped and impregnated by Titus, burned down the manor and fled. In the present day, Christina’s father Samuel Braithwaite (Tony Goldwyn), the leader of “Sons of Adam” has rebuilt the manor, but he lures Atticus to Ardham because he’s Titus’ direct descendant. He needs Atticus to cast his horrible spells.

Samuel shoots Uncle George to force Atticus to submit

When Atticus uncovers Samuel’s evil plan, he, Montrose, Uncle George and Leti try and escape the manor and Ardham. However, Samuel and his wizardry catch up with them. In an effort to make Atticus submit to being his magical vessel, Samuel shoots Leti and Uncle George.

Though Samuel heals Leti when Atticus submits to him. Uncle George is left to suffer from his wounds until after the ceremony is complete. Unfortunately, by the time Atticus is able to flee from the manor, Uncle George has possibly died from his injuries.

Atticus runs out of the crumbling mansion to see Montrose clutching George’s lifeless body.

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Uncle George might not really be dead

Atticus is more powerful than Samuel will ever be, but he does not know how to use his powers. With the Braithwaites seemingly trapped in the mansion, he also has no one to guide him. Therefore, from what we know so far, it looks like Uncle George might really be dead.

However, Lovecraft Country is based on the novels of  H. P. Lovecraft. If we’re examining the source material, Uncle Geroge has a lot more to do in this story. Also, we doubt someone as talented and revered as Courtney B. Vance would sign on to a series for just two episodes.

Lovecraft Country airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

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