Watching “Atlanta” is like happily approaching the line for a new rollercoaster even though the ride looks terrifying and the line seems unbearably long. But you enter it anyway. And you get on the ride again expecting a different, yet still very warm, experience each time. Jolting into the throes of the unknown can be thrilling.
Across four seasons, “Atlanta” became an apex thrill. The FX series, which debuted in 2016, weaved surrealist storytelling with the rich nuances of Black culture while using Atlanta as a backdrop. On its surface, the show — created by Stone Mountain native Donald Glover and co-written by his brother Stephen — followed budding rapper Alfred and his cousin/manager Earn along their bumpy road to superstardom, with the help of their friend Darius and Earn’s on-again/off-again girlfriend Van. But the show was more than that. It artfully captured each character’s plight as they strive for a slice of the American dream in a city that’s been deemed the Black Mecca for success and creativity.
But the road to get there wasn’t seamless. The final two seasons didn’t maintain the searing momentum of the previous two. Part of the reason might be because the four-year hiatus between its second and third season that felt too long for a show so fresh and culture-shifting. Earlier this year, “Atlanta” returned with season 3, where the setting abruptly switches to Europe, departing from the show’s beloved namesake that was tightly etched into series’ narrative arc. Additionally, the often shallow and disappointing writing for Van (portrayed by Zazie Beetz) often seemed fit for a cameo instead of a character with a starring role.
Still, “Atlanta” exceeded the expectations of what television could be. And the show, which officially ended in November, uplifted Atlanta’s Black culture. Here are six key episodes that are integral to understanding the Emmy-winning series:
“Streets on Lock” (season 1, episode 2)
The mesmerizing ethos of “Atlanta” partially stemmed from its celebration and embrace of the city becoming the rap capital of the world. The first season introduces Alfred aka Paper Boi (played by Brian Tyree Henry) as a burgeoning rapper who’s ambivalent about fame while trying to sustain it. Episode two of the show illuminates the horrors of mass incarceration as Alfred struggles with how he’s perceived after being released from jail.
“Alligator Man ” (season 2, episode 1)
In the premiere for a season aptly titled “Robbin’ Season,” Katt Williams steals the show. The comedian plays the role of Earn’s Uncle Willy, whom Earn (played by Donald Glover) checks on after receiving a call that he kidnapped his girlfriend (he locks her in his bedroom because she stole money from him and wouldn’t give it back). During the visit, Earn also learns that his uncle owns a pet alligator and the pair are forced to confront their troubling relationship. Williams, whose performance led to an Emmy win, becomes the episode’s MVP mainly because he makes the unpredictable, alligator-owning uncle a likable character who warrants compassion.
“Teddy Perkins” (season 2, episode 6)
The “Teddy Perkins” episode of “Atlanta” is a television masterclass. It’s creepy, daring and evocative. In the Darius-centric episode, the show’s most capricious character (who’s played by LaKeith Stanfield) wanders on an indelible, twisted journey to acquire a piano. But when he suddenly realizes that he has to get it from a scary home and host, he can’t seem to escape. The episode is a brilliant psychological thriller that underlines themes of child abuse and the pressures of fame.
“Three Slaps” (season 3, episode 1)
The third season premiere of “Atlanta” doesn’t include any of the show’s main characters. But, even amid the long hiatus, that’s OK because the episode highlights two compelling yet terrifying narratives that are based on true stories. The first one hints at the haunting nature of Lake Lanier and the other is inspired by the tragic events that led to the death of Devonte Hart, a 15-year-old Black boy who — along with is other siblings — was reportedly killed by his white foster parents in 2018. “Three Slaps” reminded viewers of the show’s knack for using folkloric storytelling for social commentary.
“The Homeliest Little Horse” (season 4, episode 2)
“The Homeliest Little Horse” finds Earn at his most vulnerable and most spiteful. The episode centers Earn’s profound therapy session where he experiences a breakthrough that reveals why he dropped out of Princeton. Episode two of the show’s final season displays a very tender side of Earn, and it offers a lush and heartwarming exploration for understanding a character whose ambitious desires often get the best of him.
“Work Ethic” (season 4, episode 5)
“Atlanta” was an integral aspect of pop culture while also critiquing it. “Work Ethic,” which satirizes the work and career of Tyler Perry, is a shining example of the show’s grandiose opinions. What starts as Van and her daughter Lottie’s visit to Chocolate Land (a spoof of the Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios) evolves into an apparent jab at the esteemed director, his impact on the Black community and the necessity of supporting all Black art. But the mockery of Perry (from a figure like Glover, whose relationship with the Black community is equally complicated) is less divisive and more thought-provoking, challenging viewers to reflect on their own perceptions of him instead of immediately siding with the show’s thesis.
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