Episode 2 of "Washington Black" commences with Jack, alias Black, dashing towards Titch with urgent news of Philip's demise. The duo is consumed by anxiety regarding Erasmus' impending reaction. Jack implores Titch to assist him and Kit in evading Erasmus' wrath, yet the reality dawns upon them that they cannot bring Kit along. In haste, Titch and Jack amass their belongings and scurry towards the summit where Titch's ingenious contraption awaits.
Concurrently, Erasmus dispatches his staff to summon his siblings, who soon stumble upon Philip's lifeless body. The men raise the alarm, their cries echoing just as Titch and Jack prepare for takeoff. With mere moments to spare, Jack leaps onto the cloud cutter, and they soar into the sky.
Upon awakening the subsequent morning, Jack's senses are serenaded by the melodic songs of dolphins. Titch navigates the cloud cutter above the vast ocean, his eyes sparkling with the thrill of finally taking to the skies. Jack, though sharing in the exhilaration, cannot shake off his concerns for Kit's welfare. To divert his thoughts, Titch invites Jack to lend a hand in steering their aerial vessel.
Meanwhile, Tanna and her father await McGee's arrival with a mixture of anticipation and dread. Tanna remains steadfast in her opposition to the marriage, believing their scientific endeavors should take precedence. Elsewhere, in the church, Angie is hurt by Jack's omission of a monumental secret. Medwin, seeking redemption for his failure to save another in the past, whisks Jack to the church basement, hoping to provide him temporary refuge.
Jack's mind wanders back to their flight with Titch. A sudden storm wreaks havoc, causing the cloud cutter to crash into a pirate ship. To Jack's surprise, the Black individuals aboard are free men and women who take umbrage at Titch's presumption of their enslaved status. Furthermore, they are incensed by the damage inflicted upon their ship by Titch's contraption. Consequently, they apprehend Titch while warmly embracing Jack into their fold.
Aboard the ship, Jack forges a bond with Barrington, a former slave. Barrington quizzes Jack on his allegiance to Titch and elucidates the ship's rules. He imparts wisdom, urging Jack never to surrender but to always stand his ground and fight back.
He is deeply impressed by Jack's prowess in drawing, an admiration shared by the other pirates. They entrust him with the task of immortalizing them in portraits and, in return, impart to him the subtle art of negotiation. However, the harmonious atmosphere aboard the ship is soon clouded by undercurrents of trouble. The Captain, nursing a shattered heart, finds his attention divided and scattered.
As days turn into weeks aboard the ship, Jack covertly endeavors to care for Titch, who languishes in captivity. The pirates insist on Titch mending their motor engines as a precondition for his freedom. Titch, ever cautious, cautions Jack against placing his trust in the unscrupulous pirates. He reveals that they had stolen the ship from the West India Concern, with the Royal Guards hot on their trail.
Meanwhile, Jack cherishes his moments on the deck with Barrington. He strives to persuade Barrington to grant Titch, if not full freedom, then at least a brief respite in the fresh air. Their discourse drifts to Dahomey, their homeland, evoking nostalgic memories.
Back in Halifax, Jack confides his fears to Angie. She responds by revealing the engagement of McGee and Tanna. Yet, Jack harbors unresolved feelings for Tanna and seeks Angie's assistance. She readily agrees to convey a message to Tanna and arrange a rendezvous at Preston's Cove.
In a nostalgic flashback, Barrington, moved by compassion, decides to grant Titch a taste of freedom and escorts him to the deck. There, Titch engages the co-captain in conversation and offers to broker a deal for their goods. He proposes they sail to Virginia, America, promising to reach out to an old acquaintance for assistance.
Regrettably, the Captain harbors a different plan. Despite the potential risk of provoking the Spaniards, he is bent on returning to Cuba. He has already started using Jack's writing skills to forge the necessary papers for selling their contraband. Later, the Captain solemnly warns Jack that love has a way of altering everything.
Theodora, realizing that the Captain's broken heart is putting their lives in jeopardy, orchestrates a coup. During the tumultuous uprising, Barrington sides with the Captain and is subsequently exiled with him. Jack is heartsick as he bids farewell to his newfound friend. As Barrington departs, he advises Jack to seek out a more worthy mentor.
In Halifax, Jack and Tanna finally meet at Preston's Cove. Their date is a tapestry of laughter and joy as Jack takes Tanna out on a boat to witness the mesmerizing bioluminescence. They share their dreams, with Tanna confessing her aspiration to become a music composer. She is touched by Jack's considerate gestures and kind words, feeling like he is the first person to truly see her for who she is. Jack, however, is surprised to learn that Tanna does not feel free or in control of her destiny. Their enchanting evening is abruptly interrupted by a soldier, who warns Jack to stay away from Tanna. To shield Jack, Tanna invokes McGee's name to deter the intrusive soldier.
The incident compels Jack to conclude that his future cannot intertwine with Tanna's. As he begins to walk away, she reaches out, drawing him back and querying why they cannot conjure a realm beyond their current constraints. Under the soft glow of the moon, their lips eventually meet in a tender embrace.
Elsewhere, Medwin finds himself in the company of Billard at a local establishment known for its exclusive clientele, White's bar. Billard, unyielding to fear, asserts his determination to apprehend Washington Black before hanging up his hat for good. Intrigued, Medwin inquires into the significance of Black. Billard unveils the starting revelation: Jack has taken the life of a White man.
