Late coming back to the thread here - but I agree - there were entire episodes and scenes that didn’t advance the plot at all and were nothing more than propaganda. Hence, I won’t be buying this series on DVD. It is probably why the long term ratings were less then spectacular.
That character you discuss goes back in time in the next episode and meets Harriet Tubman has his worldview rattled by how strong a person of faith she is. They were very respectful of faith in that particular episode.
Thanks for the update. The PC was all too much for me.