Atlanta (FX TV Series) [Archive]

Camo

11-12-16, 12:57 PM

I started watching this the other day after seeing this thread, so thanks ScarletLion. I'm a big fan of Community and even though Troy isn't one of my favourites i do really like Donald Glover so i thought i should check it out. Watched the first six episodes and i agree it is very good. The only episode i didn't like was the last one, not because i thought it was bad; i think it was on the same level as the others it may have even had the best drama so far. It's just that i like Van alot and this episode was horrible for her so it was a bit tough to sit through. Her having to sit with this smug bitch friend who is clearly in a better situation than her and of course the ending was very well done but again tough to sit through. Think my favourite so far is either the one were Earn is waiting to be bailed out of prison or the basketball one. Both were hilarious, i particularly loved Earn being mistaken for an agent in the latter.

I'll probably make a longer post once i've watched the last four eps. I think along with Master of None this is my favourite recent comedy show; both are even pretty similar in how they mix comedy and drama. I also think Louie fans would like this.

ScarletLion

11-14-16, 06:01 AM

ScarletLion

01-08-18, 09:04 AM

Season 2 promo trailer is out. New season airs in March.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQZJxDjv7uo

Saunch

01-08-18, 10:57 AM

On the subtitle:

“Robbin’ season is the time before Christmas in Atlanta where there’s more criminal activity than normal because it’s about to be Christmas time, it’s the end of the year, there are a lot of people with gifts, there’s a lot of robberies going on because people have nice stuff at the time or trying to make money for Christmas or during that end of the year period, kind of like a vibe in Atlanta during that time.”

Saunch

01-17-18, 11:57 AM

https://youtu.be/Ac4GHlh_EFc

Saunch

03-02-18, 12:40 AM

“Alt-right Johnny Appleseed.”

I hadn’t realized how much I missed this show.

Camo

04-13-18, 10:08 AM

ScarletLion

You watching the new Season? Just wondering if it's worth posting about it here as i think you're the only other one that watches it.

Haven't caught up yet, i forgot all about the show probably due to the two year gap so i rewatched the last few of Season 1 to remind myself of how it finished. Watched the first two of Season Two last night, should be caught up over the weekend. It's definitely one of the best shows currently airing, so clever and funny and i dunno it just has the best vibe, it's often about awful things but it's totally chill 95% of the time. Interesting that this is the "Robbin' Season", all sorts of thievery so far. Kinda think Paper Boi might get "stole" from Earnest during this Season, although that may be a bit obvious as it's clearly heavily hinting at that. It's weird how much of a heavy tone the first couple of episodes had around Earnest losing him.

Anyway i'll post more once i've caught up if you and/or anyone else is watching.

ScarletLion

04-13-18, 10:10 AM

ScarletLion

You watching the new Season? Just wondering if it's worth posting about it here as i think you're the only other one that watches it.

Haven't caught up yet, i forgot all about the show probably due to the two year gap so i rewatched the last few of Season 1 to remind myself of how it finished. Watched the first two of Season Two last night, should be caught up over the weekend. It's definitely one of the best shows currently airing, so clever and smart and i dunno it just has the best vibe, it's often about awful things but it's totally chill 95% of the time. Interesting that this is the "Robbin' Season", all sorts of thievery so far. Kinda think Paper Boi might get "stole" from Earnest during this Season, although that may be a bit obvious as it's clearly heavily hinting at that. It's weird how much of a heavy tone the first couple of episodes had around Earnest losing him.

Anyway i'll post more once i've caught up if you and/or anyone else is watching.

I've not started yet. I'll get round to them this week or next. I'm just getting through Goliath, Mindhunter and have just started the new Silicon Valley. If Atlanta is anywhere near as good as the 1st season it will be ace.

Camo

04-13-18, 10:15 AM

I've not started yet. I'll get round to them this week or next. I'm just getting through Goliath, Mindhunter and have just started the new Silicon Valley. If Atlanta is anywhere near as good as the 1st season it will be ace.

I liked Mindhunter a lot, hope it keeps up its high quality in Season 1. I stopped watching Silicon Valley a few years back, don't even remember why as i was enjoying it.

The first two episodes haven't dropped at all, neither has been spectacular but it's kept up the average quality of the first season and seems to be going in interesting directions. Actually the first episode was really funny come to think of it.

ScarletLion

04-13-18, 10:16 AM

I liked Mindhunter a lot, hope it keeps up its high quality in Season 1. I stopped watching Silicon Valley a few years back, don't even remember why as i was enjoying it.

The first two episodes haven't dropped at all, neither has been spectacular but it's kept up the average quality of the first season and seems to be going in interesting directions. Actually the first episode was really funny come to think of it.

I shall report back once done. Still can't get over how crazy talented Glover is.

Camo

04-13-18, 10:20 AM

I shall report back once done. Still can't get over how crazy talented Glover is.

He was actually probably my least favourite character of the main gang in Community, well him or Brita, still liked him a lot though. Think that was more due to him being written as a played out extremely dumb character, he pulled off his sweet moments with Abed in particular incredibly well.

ScarletLion

04-13-18, 10:21 AM

He was actually probably my least favourite character of the main gang in Community, well him or Brita, still liked him a lot though. Think that was more due to him being written as a played out extremely dumb character, he pulled off his sweet moments with Abed in particular incredibly well.

I've not seen Community to my shame. But even his music and stand up is quite good.

Camo

04-13-18, 02:21 PM

Man, the Earn and Van episodes make me feel terrible. He is really really shtty to her, he clearly doesn't deserve her which is obviously the point but man it's so tough to watch. Not them all the strip club and date night episodes were fun and sweet, in the German episode he was a real POS though. She is a great person and is dealing with a lot outside of her relationship with him, obviously it's portraying a young black mother's life and her problems and i'm glad Glover hasn't made his character a saint or like accidentally wrong he's intentionally mean and petty a lot of the time, feels like how arguments actually play out so i highly commend the writing. It's so weird that his episodes independent of her he is shown as a nice, mostly good person who is trying to sort a life out for them and their daughter then it just drops you into him treating her very poorly and not seeming interested in continuing it, he doesn't seem to be in love with her while she clearly loves him which is something refreshing to see as i can't think of too many shows that portray a relationship like that for this long and it's of course very common in real life. It's also interesting how drama heavy these episodes are, usually even similar comedy-drama's still have a lot of jokes but these episodes go for almost entirely drama. There was a few light jokes in the early parts then there was the dude standing next to Van while they were playing table tennis but outside of that it was mostly serious. Guessing they are split now if so i hope Van still plays a large role, wouldn't be surprised if she gets a boyfriend (probably white knowing this show) and him being around the kid as well as Earn's inevitable jealousy and probable regret is explored. Van is a great character, think she is the best on the show probably.

Episode 3 was awesome and hilarious. That end joke killed me, "It was Michael Vick!" :laugh: Also my biggest laugh of the Season so far maybe was the other singer playing along with Paperboi's "i've got booze, we're gonna party" before saying "Yeah i don't drink, i don't drink like that but you do you", incredible delivery even though i saw it coming. Also Van genuinely got me with that redhanded thing too, that sounded so dang plausible. As soon as she said she was joking i realized it obviously comes from like a murderer being caught with red hands from their victims blood.

Camo

04-15-18, 05:18 AM

OMG, that Teddy Perkins episode was incredible, so horrifying. Have always really liked Darius so i was glad he got his own episode, definitely didn't expect something like this. Man this show is so jarring in the best way, to have this follow the silly haircut episode is insanity.

Teddy was supposed to be black, right? Unless i misunderstood, he mentioned his father being extremely strict in teaching him to play the piano then later on in the episode he is watching a video of a black guy teaching a black child to play the piano plus Benny was completely covered he could have been black. Don't remember what Benny looked like in the photo though he may have been white. Found out after the episode that Donald Glover played Teddy :eek:, so great. So many nightmare inducing moments, the ostrich egg, the blood on the piano, the basement, how graphic Benny's death was, christ. It was funny too particularly the phonecall with Paperboi and the fact that Darius had so many chances to leave but he just really wanted that piano and that the police drove away with it at the end :laugh: Best episode this season. The haircut one was so good too, Bibby was incredible, shady as hell but very convincing in that you'd probably end up going along with him the first few times at least. Best show.

Camo

04-15-18, 07:28 AM

Episode 7 wasn't great but it was solid enough, was pretty much impossible to follow the quality of the Teddy Perkins and Barber episodes. I love the idea of getting insanely high, panicking then Darius magically appearing and calming you down with his bs stories. Also i know this show isn't completely linear this could have taking place before it or a good while after it, but the idea that Darius is that calm and nonchalant after the whole Teddy Perkins situation is so great. Other than that there were some laughs here and there but it was mostly a light episode, didn't really get the point in that creepy dude thought we'd get more horror with him acting insane or something but he just disappeared and we never heard from him again.

Man, i don't think i can wait two years for another Season of this it's so good. The only upside is one year you get Atlanta then the next you get Master of None which is my other favourite ongoing Comedy not counting Nathan For You which is something entirely different.

Camo

04-20-18, 11:10 AM

Another good not great episode. The first half of the episode was alright, seemed to return to hinting at Paperboi dropping Earn as his manager. What's her name was the perfect girlfriend for Paperboi in that she was insane and really aggressive, Paperboi is supposed to be a 'dangerous thug' it's the reason he's famous in the first place not his rapping and yet he is very lazy and laid back, plus he is so unlucky of course he's going to end up tied to a nutjob. I love that we're nearing the end of Season 2 and we've still only heard one Paperboi song and it's the most generic "repeat my rapper name" song. That's obviously the joke and we've heard several people sing it to him with so many different verses to the point that it can't all be in the one song.

The second half got dark af, like i was saying Paperboi is so unlucky. His stories are an interesting examination of the perils of fame, maintaining an image, becoming public property whether he wants to or not, etc. My only problem with this episode was that it felt too short, dunno it just seemed to end really abruptly guess that's because it was split in two. Think his offering the photo at the end is more him moving away from Earn, Earn really isn't a good manager and he doesn't need to be because Paperboi doesn't want to actually do anything but that indicates he's realized he can't do this halfassed, he needs to either drop it or go all in and he clearly chose the latter, Dunno, maybe that won't happen though. Man that crazy dude still holding the knife after Paperboi moved was so disturbing.

Camo

05-10-18, 11:45 AM

Season Finale tonight :(. This has been one of the best Seasons of tv i've seen not sure what i'll do for i'm assuming two years without it if it even comes back Glover seems to move on quickly from things, hope it goes out on a high note at least.

The last episode was incredible, so many school memories came back to me. Obviously i didn't go to an American school but lots of that stuff went down in my school and he recreated a very familiar atmosphere. Young Paperboi was probably my favourite part of the episode but young Earn was great too, could absolutely see that being Donald (Donald not even Earn) as a kid especially the way he acted. Weird thing i'm pretty sure there's a very quick Zazie Beets cameo, was so jarring unless it was just someone that looked like her.

ScarletLion

06-06-18, 05:22 AM

the samoan lawyer

06-06-18, 09:47 AM

Thought I would try this out the other day. Ended up watching the first 8 episodes! Great fun and very funny. The last couple of episodes weren't as strong as the first but I liked how 8 ended.

ScarletLion

06-06-18, 09:51 AM

Thought I would try this out the other day. Ended up watching the first 8 episodes! Great fun and very funny. The last couple of episodes weren't as strong as the first but I liked how 8 ended.

Glad you liked it. The second season is more bizarre, unsettling and layered. It's truly brilliant so far.

Yoda

06-06-18, 09:56 AM

Just finished the first season last night. Pretty good. I liked it more than I expected.

I'm a pretty big Donald Glover fan, but I'd assumed from the bits I'd seen that this wasn't particularly comedic. Basically, I thought it was going to be an hour-long drama, so I was pleasantly surprised to see it was a half hour and mostly a comedy, at least if you had to choose one word to classify it. I'd heard it was kinda strange and experimental and there were hints of that in the first season, and from word-of-mouth it sounds like that gets ramped up in the second. Looking forward to it.

the samoan lawyer

06-06-18, 10:45 AM

Glad you liked it. The second season is more bizarre, unsettling and layered. It's truly brilliant so far.

did this work?

ScarletLion

06-06-18, 10:51 AM

did this work?

.

i think so

.

the samoan lawyer

06-06-18, 11:51 AM

.

i think so

.

how can you tell?

ScarletLion

06-07-18, 09:48 AM

how can you tell?

.

shall we only communicate in this manner from now on?

This is like an episode from Atlanta

.

the samoan lawyer

06-08-18, 08:52 AM

.

shall we only communicate in this manner from now on?

This is like an episode from Atlanta

.

:highfive:

WHITBISSELL!

04-08-22, 03:05 PM

Last night's episode was some ham-handed sh*t.

chawhee

04-08-22, 06:17 PM

I keep forgetting Season 3 is finally here....gotta get to it

WHITBISSELL!

04-26-22, 03:58 PM

Hmm. I don't know. I'm not really liking this season as much as the last two. I know it's targeted to a younger, hipper audience but come on.

I think it's hit that Cosby Show tipping point where as soon as it's established and enjoying success the characters start coasting and become enormously self-satisfied. I keep waiting for Earn or Alfred to start bringing on their grandfathers, all of whom are jazz musicians.

WHITBISSELL!

04-26-22, 04:02 PM

Or ... it's trenchant commentary on the perils of success. I suppose we should simply trust Glover to deliver the goods.

Eventually.

Deschain

04-26-22, 05:25 PM

I’m digging the new season. I think the only episode I didn’t like was the second one. They’ve all been great otherwise.

chawhee

05-09-22, 10:37 AM

Several episodes in and loving it. Episode 3 with the tree was hysterical

WHITBISSELL!

05-20-22, 01:41 AM

https://33.media.tumblr.com/aafbdcc7860909d40fb472846462d219/tumblr_net9eonE301s9qosfo1_400.gif

WHITBISSELL!

09-05-22, 08:03 PM

Final season premieres Thursday with back to back episodes. I think (hope) they're back from Europe and back in Atlanta.

Lotta backs in there.

Gideon58

08-29-23, 06:28 PM

https://emi9d8rzue7.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Atlanta.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1
Don't know if there's already a thread for this show, if so, please relocate it for me. Watching the pilot for this FX series that won its star an Emmy and Golden Globe playing Earn, a young hustler who, along with his cousin, Alfred, want to make it in rap. Brian Tyree Henry, Oscar nominee for Causeway plays Alfred. As the pilot opens, Earn is trying to balance his rap dream with the realities of room, board, and supporting his daughter. Lakeith Stanford, Oscar nominee for Judas and the Black Messiah also plays Albert "Paper Boi"'s, dog Darius. Very pleased to see veteran Isaiah Whitlock playing Earn's father. It's already looking like Paper Boi is going to be too much of a loose cannon for Earn to handle. Wow, one episode and our hero is wanted for murder? Yeah, I'm in.

Gideon58

08-29-23, 07:41 PM

Paper Boi was wrong to call out that video star at the police station at the beginning of ep 2. Guess Paper Boi thinks any publicity is good publicity. Brian played that cop and the selfie scene. Did Earn really ask his baby mama to bail him out? Can't believe that stranger sharing his story with Earn. OK, what the hell is wrong with Darius? What was with the salt and pepper shakers? The opening of the box of chicken looked like an homage to the case in Pulp Fiction. I think chicken place employee freaked Paper Boi out. The treatment of Toilet Water Lee was a little over the top. It's interesting that Paper Boi still has a degree of anonymity right now...not everybody knows who he is. Are we supposed to believe that the guy in jail had no idea his girl was a tranny? Why did the guy with the trans girlfriend insist on keeping Earn in the middle of his business. "That ain't gay, that's just jail."

Gideon58

08-31-23, 04:19 PM

OK, we're up to season 1 ep 3. The Kids meal argument was genius. "You only get that on commission though...you gotta sell drugs." How are you going to get mad at someone driving a car for listening to your phone conversation you're having on the passenger side? What the hell is wrong with Darius? Who names their gun? D Earn and Vanessa have the same hairdresser? How convenient that the restaurant only offers one soap priced $28.00. $28.00 for a bowl of soup? Really? Why you gonna let a guy go who owes you money and then shoot him? I find it a little hard to believe that Vanessa wasn't catching that Earn can't afford this meal. Loved when Earn tore the waitress a new one, that was awesome. That was really stupid what Earn said to Vanessa through the door, glad she recognized it. This episode was written by a Stephen Glover, is he related to Donald?

Gideon58

08-31-23, 05:18 PM

Love the title of ep4..."The Streisand Effect". Can't wait to find out what it means. Tell Earn 1972 called, they want their tie-dye shirt back. That opening scene was weird. After the last ep, I'm not surprised that Earn is no staying with Vanessa. Just for the record, I know who Steve McQueen is. And I'm not talking about the guy who directed 12 Years a Slave. Darius has a squirm worthy obsession with weaponry. I'm over this blogger Zan already. Zan seems to have something very personal against Paper Boi, I guess more will be revealed. Brian Tyree Henry was SO good in that scene with Zan delivering pizza. Earn doesn't need to be getting pissed at Darius he needs to be taking care of his own business. Didn't catch the significance of the title.

Yoda

08-31-23, 05:20 PM

"The Streisand Effect" is a sociological phenomena, worth Googling, it comes up a lot these days.

Gideon58

09-01-23, 12:32 PM

Just googled it, Yoda, thanks I get it now.

Gideon58

09-01-23, 01:03 PM

Brian Tyree Henry played that opening scene of ep 5 with that reporter. "Just cause you're dressed like a sixth grader don't make you my manager." God, what is it with Darius and weapons? And he's a terrible shot too. Paper Boi looked really out of place in that basketball game. Those shooters confronting Darius about his target had me on the floor. Looks like Earn could stumble onto some important contacts completely by accident and saying just enough and not too much. OK, that Janice is a certified psycho. "I'm gonna make sure that you die homeless." Loved the blink and you miss it cameo from Jaleel White. The fight on the court was kind of funny. Wow, Melissa really put Paper Boi in his place.

Gideon58

09-01-23, 01:30 PM

Opening of ep 6 brought us an odd peek into Vanessa's backstory that really didn't offer a lot of information. These two girls have obviously been competing with each other since they were kids. Lot of bad blood there but not sure what it has to do with this current story. Loved Vanessa's earrings. "I don't know the protocol for this, I never worked at a place where smoking wasn't encouraged." Vanessa trying to flush the weed out of her system is stupid, that never works. What's the point of buying urine? Most drug testing nowadays someone watches you pee. Wait a minute...was Vanessa trying to cook urine? Is that a thing? The cooking urine thing may not have worked out, but they justified the whole plot point by Vanessa being fired anyway. A real drug test someone would have been watching her pee. OK, the kid made up like a mime...what was that all about?

Gideon58

09-01-23, 06:12 PM

My problem with Paper Boi appearing on this Montague show at the opening of ep 7 is not so much Paper Boi's attitude about being interviewed, but why this show would want Paper Boi in the first place. OK, what the hell is going on with this episode? Somebody needs to explain to me what's going on here. Those who have watched the episode know what episode I'm talking about. I have to admit the cereal commercial was funny. Love Paper Boi laughing at Harrison. "You look like a fake Ellen Degeneres, like an Ellen Defeneres." What the hell was that?

Gideon58

09-05-23, 11:46 AM

I don't know why, but I was surprised at the beginning of ep 8 when Earn referenced The Hobbit. Loved the spilled wine on the tablecloth spelling out the title of the show. Loved the lukewarm reception at the announcement of Paper Boi being in the house. What was the point of almost five minutes of screentime watching Earn wade through the crowd on the dance floor? The guy posing with the invisible car was hysterical. Something's definitely wrong with Darius...that look he was giving that girl was creepy. Lakeith Stanford played that scene with the bouncer. Don't understand Earn...if he hates all this, isn't he in the wrong business? So this scumbag Chris was dodging Earn all night over $750? Glad Paper Boi got his money, How is Chris going to call that armed robbery?

Gideon58

09-05-23, 12:12 PM

E9- Juneteenth. The title as a tramp stamp...love it. The window fight was silly...choose your battles, Earn. "Smile, this is a celebration, not an orphanage." Like the way they revealed that Monique is Vanessa's mother because we sure wouldn't have known otherwise. Craig needs to be punched in the face. "Can we stop pretending that we aren't who we are?" Didn't really get Vanessa's little breakdown in the bathroom. "I like Craig, but I love my money." Craig doing slam poetry was so embarrassing for him. Sex in the car on the side of the road....awwww.

Gideon58

09-05-23, 12:39 PM

Ok, up to the season 1 finale already. Paper Boi pontificating on the history of sushi was pretty funny. You didn't bail me out of jail when I was in jail." Did they just shoot a guy over a jacket? "I'm really flattered that you think I could sell drugs." OK, I'm confused...he can't pay his share of the rent to stay with Vanessa, but he can afford to stay in a storage space and play with hundred dollar bills? Confusing and lackluster season finale.

Gideon58

09-05-23, 05:56 PM

Season 2 opener, here we go: OK, the opening scene...what show was that from? What IS going on with Paper Boi and Darius? Glad Glover re-thought his haircut. Loved Katt Williams as Willie...can't believe he locked Yvonne in the closet. Well, I hope we'll find out this season why every time Paper Boi says jump, Earn says how high. That's the first up close shot of an alligator I have ever seen. Very strange episode, but Katt Williams was superb.

Gideon58

09-06-23, 05:07 PM

The opening of ep 2 was an eye opener. That was messed up the way Paper Boi got took like that. why does Earn want Paper Boi to work with these people? That was funny when that guy offered to supply pictures for the office. I guess I'm a morn because I don't understand this gift card scam. Earn went to Princeton and he's living in a storage locker?

Gideon58

09-09-23, 01:30 AM

The woman who does this tweet at the opening of ep 3 had me on the floor. Love that the tweet helped the single go gold. Can't believe that waiter disrespected Earn like that. "It's gonna be less that you expected, but more than I was." A rapper who doesn't smoke or drink? Seriously? "Cause one thing you want to do when you're drunk is sit in a chair for two hours." That thing with the hundred dollar bill was really messed up. Vanessa got Earn with that "red-handed" thing. Can't believe that guy's replay when Earn asked him if he had the counterfeit marker. "Yeah, I'm talking to you, Annie Hall." 20% and a two hundred dollar minimum? Really? ":She's been under house arrests for giving illegal butt injections." Wow, who knew strip clubs were such a racket? Why is this strip club only digging into Earn's pocket and not Paper Boi's? That guy Tracy is a bum, he's got to go. Very strange ending to the episode.

Gideon58

09-09-23, 02:08 AM

Very strange opening to ep 4. How did Vanessa talk Earn into attending an Oktoberfest event? Vanessa needed to be slapped for the way she was acting with that bartender. Doiesn't Vanessa see that Earn is not feeling this? "it's the only white game I know." I'm glad that it was addressed that Vanessa doesn't like going to strip clubs because I couldn't figure out why it wasn't mentioned in the last episode. Why does this episode seem to have been made to make Vanessa look like a bitch? We can be good together when we really have to be? What the hell does that mean? An event like this doesn't have an inside bathroom? Earn seems to be as honest as he is capable of being with Vanessa, but it's clearly not enough for her. Don't really understand the hoops that Vanessa is making Earn jump through.

Gideon58

09-10-23, 12:15 AM

Paper Boi's barber made a funny opening to ep 5. Paper Boi needs to lose this barber, this guy's a moron. And how has he survived on the earth this long without someone choking him out? L\oved when Paper Boi told those boys to go to school. Really didn't catch what made Bibby hit that parked. Bibby may be a moron but he does know how to cut hair. This ep was kind of silly, but it did display the beautifully understated acting skills of Brian Tyree Henry.

Gideon58

09-10-23, 12:37 AM

Darius pulling up to a mansion in a U-haul? Nothing good can come of this. God, that guy's makeup was creepy. Who keeps a soft-boiled ostrich egg in their lving room? So someone else was watching Darius on the security camera? Darius needs to get the hell out of that house. Very strange episode. This show is beginning to lose me.

Gideon58

09-11-23, 01:19 PM

I'm giving ep 7 a chance. Do we really give damn about Vanessa and her bubble=headed girlfriends? This whole getting into the van to get to a private party was kind of creepy. Something tells me Drake isn't even at this party. I don't buy that girl being that affected by a marijuana gummie. Brandon is too hot to be true, I hope Vanessa watches her step. How did Darius get into this party and what's he doing with Nadine? If that's really Drake's bedroom, someone should have caught Vanessa by now. I had a suspicion this wasn't Drake's house but we did learn that he was not there, which is pretty much the same thing. There was an interesting moment here and there in this episode, but in the grand scheme of this show, I didn't see the point. Again, this show is really starting to lose me but I'm going to try and finish the second season.

Yoda

09-11-23, 01:22 PM

All I can say is that Atlanta is surrealist, and any attempt to watch it as if the events are all actually happening and have to make sense in some kind of believable world will definitely bounce off it, hard.

Gideon58

09-11-23, 03:54 PM

I had a feeling this might be the case because the show is starting to make less and less sense to me, but your post, Yoda, at least confirmed that what I'm starting to experience here is not something you haven't heard about this show before so, I'm going to try and stick it out.

Gideon58

09-11-23, 04:35 PM

OK, let's try season 2 ep 8 and see what happens. Are we really meeting Paper Boi's mama now? There's something seriously wrong with Darius. I'm really hating this ex-girlfriend of paper Boi's, she is so full of herself. Don't like that she's trying to separate him from Earn. Brian Tyree Henry nailed the scene where he walked on Sierra, which he should have done long before that. Who was that text from that Paper Boi received? I thought those fanboys were going to offer him a ride, not jack him, he didn't deserve that. They got his wallet, why did they feel they needed to hurt him too? The police would have been no help to Paper Boi. Did we really need to see the dead deer? Wally...the crazy guy in the woods with the chapstick...what was that about? I don't understand why he didn't call Earn or Darius for a ride right after he left the nail salon. Was Wally just a figment of Paper Boi's imagination? I did love the final scene in the bodega though.

Gideon58

09-11-23, 06:45 PM

I was kind of glad to see Paper Boi packing his piece at the beginning of ep 9. He still needs to get rid of Tracy. And apparently Earn agrees with me. I don't get what's going here...who is this woman and why they are staying at her apartment? Oved Darius' pajamas. Id on
t believe Tracy actually pushed that girl down the stairs. Paper Boi at a fraternity? No good can come from this. What happened with that girl at the pajama party was not Earn's fault, but I have to admit I think Paper Boi needs stronger management. As long as these two have been working together, Paper Boi should be doing a lot more than he is. I just realized the actor playing Tracy is Khris Davis who just starred in Big George Foreman. Was destroying their clothes really necessary? What was Earn thinking, the guy is like twice his size. There wasn't a mark on Tracy. Best episode of the season.

Gideon58

09-12-23, 01:55 AM

OK, Season 2 ep 10. OMG, remember FUBU? There was a time where you weren't cool unless you owned something that said FUBU on it. Seems a little odd we're getting childhood backstory for Earn two seasons in. Why was young Paper Boi in a uniform? Earn's going to get beat down over a shirt? Nobody wear a suit for a piano lesson. Interesting episode, but it should have been somewhere in season one.

Gideon58

09-12-23, 04:55 PM

OK, apparently I've made it to the season two finale. I'm actually surprised that Earn was still working for Paper Boi at the beginning of this episode, because he seemed very serious about replacing him after ep 9. OK, Earn is trying to get a gun to some location that requires a passport? Seriously? Why are they moving? There's something seriously wrong with Darius. How does that guy know that his cousin has more connections than black people? Could he have said something more offensive? Not sure why Paper Boi seems to trust Darius a lot more than he does Earn. The tension between Paper Boi and Earn is so palpable right now. I loved what Paper Boi said to Earn on the plane. I actually screamed when I realized they left Tracy. Not sure how Earn arranged a European tour but it is incentive enough to give season 3 a shot.

Yoda

09-12-23, 05:08 PM

There's a lot of implied jumps in time. If someone seems suddenly more famous than they were, particularly between seasons, that's just the show telling us that a lot happened between the two. But it's easy enough to trace, since Paper Boi's trajectory was clearly upwards the last time we saw him.

A lot of shows would do the formulaic thing of showing the Big Break and the celebration of same and blah blah blah. But that's been done to death, it's expected. So expected that it's jarring to see a show skip over that. But that's Atlanta. It's more interested in the stuff in between those big things. It skips over the stuff other shows build around and spends entire episodes on isolated things other shows never show at all.

Gideon58

09-13-23, 02:50 AM

Yoda, your interjections here are probably what's keeping me watching this show, not to mention a tad of morbid curiosity, so I guess we're venturing into season 3 now. OK, just what I should have expected...the opening scene of season 3 features two characters I've never seen before. Who are these people? Once again, the truth is revealed that only white people don't use a washcloth in the shower. This kid has been sent to a home being hassled by bill collectors? Amber and Gayle are insane though I don't know why I'm supposed to care I think Gayle killed that woman and I don't think this was her first murder either. OK, we had to wait 30 seconds before the episode ended to see a connection to the first two seasons, but Yoda, as Denzel said to everyone he got on the stand in Philadelphia, talk to me like I'm a five year old and tell me exactly what the hell that episode was about please?

Gideon58

09-13-23, 11:50 PM

OK, season 3 ep 2...Paper Boi is in jail in Copenhagen already. An American in Jail in a foreign country is never a good thing. Loving Darius as a blonde. There's no freaking way Paper Boi is going to wear that costume and I'm glad Earn knew that. Love that Paper Boi didn't want to leave jail til he got his lunch. OK, why did Vanessa fly to Europe but doesn't seemed concerned at all about hooking up with Earn. Still don't understand how Paper Boi ended up in jail. That was SO creepy when that guy said he would destroy Earn then beat up someone else. What's up with Vanessa?

Yoda

09-14-23, 04:53 PM

OK, just what I should have expected...the opening scene of season 3 features two characters I've never seen before. Who are these people? Once again, the truth is revealed that only white people don't use a washcloth in the shower. This kid has been sent to a home being hassled by bill collectors? Amber and Gayle are insane though I don't know why I'm supposed to care I think Gayle killed that woman and I don't think this was her first murder either. OK, we had to wait 30 seconds before the episode ended to see a connection to the first two seasons, but Yoda, as Denzel said to everyone he got on the stand in Philadelphia, talk to me like I'm a five year old and tell me exactly what the hell that episode was about please?
It's based on a real life crime story. A disturbing one (which I imagine is obvious given what happens in the episode), for that matter. Sometimes Atlanta circles back and connects seemingly isolated stories like this. But sometimes it doesn't.

It starts off as mostly a normal but surreal story about a group of people, but very early on you'll notice it'll do an entire episode around one idea, one thing in the culture, one aspect of race, et cetera. Eventually it starts doing that with little or no pretense of connecting to the existing characters, except to show us about the world they live in.

If you do continue watching, the most enjoyable way to do so is to go into every episode not thinking "what's going to happen to the characters I've already met?" but "what is it trying to tell me this time?" It always has something to say, so much that it'll do one-off narratives, if necessary, to say it.

The thing that connects the episodes is not one story or group of characters, but a style and a vibe. In fact, that's an even better way to think of it: like The Twilight Zone. None of those stories had anything to do with one another, and yet they were all linked, all of a kind.

Gideon58

09-14-23, 05:13 PM

Thanks, Yoda, I will keep that in mind as I proceed.

Gideon58

09-16-23, 02:30 AM

And we move on to season 3, ep 3. So are Vanessa and Earn not a couple anymore? Darius always seems to be offering a little too much information. What made Earn think it was important for them to meet with this Nando? would have been nice to see Darius put that Asian girl in her place. That meeting with that guy Socks was kind of pointless. I love that guy thought Paper Boi was smoking a cigar. Don't really get what these people want from Earn. This Nando is insane, our boyu need to get the hell out of there. Why did Vanessa push that guy in the pool? So earn came to this party for himself, it had nothing to do with Paper Boi? Totally feeling Paper Boi at the end. Uh-oh.

Gideon58

09-16-23, 08:56 PM

Ep 3 left me appropriately hanging so I hope ep 4 rescues me. Disappointed again, but I do like Justin Bartha. I guess we're i the Atlanta twilight zone again. That t-shirt was beyond creepy. How did she settle on the amount of three million dollars? OK, I get the whole Twilight Zone motif and everything and I'm not bothered so much by what we got here, but by the fact that the previous ep ended on a genuinely effective cliffhanger and was not addressed in the next ep at all.

Gideon58

09-17-23, 02:46 AM

OK, I'm barreling on to ep 5, God help me. OK, they just completely decided not to address the end of ep 3, which implied our boys were being kidnapped. Brian Tyree Henry and Lakeith Sanford do pretty convincing cockney accents. Something's wrong with Darius.What exactly is a "cancer attack"? Does Earn just have really bad luck or is he just not very good at what he does? When did Socks become part of Paper Boi's crew? This guy Wiley needs a serious beat down. The stage manager uncle needs a beat down too. Any idea why Sccks did that? I'm asking here because I'm pretty sure it won't be addressed on the show.

Gideon58

09-18-23, 01:02 PM

Season 3 Ep6. I guess this is going to be another one of [I]those[/I episodes. ]"Get this girl a cigarette...she's freezing." OK, I guess I was wrong. There's something wrong with Darius. Why is Earn against Paper Boi getting all those free clothes? "I haven't paid for a meal in seventy-three police shootings." Loved Paper Boi's new suit. Racism will be over in 2024? Well, that's good to know. Again, what the hell is going on with Vanessa and what was with the crazy white woman accusing her of shoplifting? "And your money is literally no good here...card only." Knew Paper Boi would hate that commercial.

Gideon58

09-18-23, 10:57 PM

Gideon58

09-19-23, 03:39 PM

Ep 8 of Season 3 on deck. " I generally like to cleanse before I go in"...what the hell does that mean? Like we think Darius is ever going to pay for anything. Only Darius would like Cats. "I made a playlist to guide the honey through us." Were those guys playing catch with a baby? If this woman hates rappers, why won't she leave Paper Boi alone? I can't remember the last time I saw an actress in fish net stockings. I can't believe Paper Boi ran into Liam Neesom. Black people tried to ruin Liam Neesom's career? Can't believe Paper Boi didn't answer Lorraine's question because he didn't know the answer. Odd, but watchable episode.

Yoda

09-19-23, 03:50 PM

Ep 7 of Season 3 is a go. OK, this is looking like one of those episodes. Another fact-based story I'm assuming? This is definitely something out of The Twilight Zone. I hope the Warners still have a car when the service is over. OK, what the hell was that?
Just making a point about culture and race, I think, since you basically have a white kid raised by a Trinidadian nanny, who subsequently adopts her culture instead of that of his parents'.

FWIW a lot of fans of the show don't like this one.

Gideon58

09-19-23, 05:56 PM

And we're up to season 3 ep 9. who is Logan Paul? Fascinated by the title of the episode because something told me it was going to be about white guys who think they're black. OMG, they referenced Golden Corral. I just ate at the Golden Corral here last week. I bet his girlfriend doesn't know his father's black. That's messed up what Mr. Lee did, so much for this kid living a lie. How can they sue? It's his money, he can do what he wants with it. How has this kid managed to hide from everybody that he's half black? I'm black and I don't know six things that mix with Hennesey. I guess we're supposed to feel sorry for this kid, but I don't because he's been hiding who he is for at least four years. His girlfriend's a bitch too. I liked the message of this episode but the flame-throwers were over the top and I didn't really buy Aaron's transition in the final scene.

Gideon58

09-21-23, 03:17 PM

OK, curious to see where we land with the third season finale. Why do we care about this woman Canice? Not feeling Vanessa's haircut. Why is Vanessa pretending to be French? "Maybe it's lie security bread, she don't feel French without it." Was that Alexander Skarsgard playing himself? Vanessa is freaking me out. "The bread was worth the wait." That scene in the museum...WTF?!? Is it possible this is a Vanessa doppelganger? Is it kind of weird that Candice's girlfriends like Vanessa? Breading and fileting human hands? Thank God, Vanessa came out of it, whatever "it" is. OMG! "And then I woke up?" Seriously? This alleged explanation for Vanessa's behavior ever since she came to Europe is kind of half-assed. Shanice just took Candice's trick? Possibly the most bizarre season finale I've seen in my entire life.

Gideon58

09-21-23, 06:23 PM

OK, let's kick off the fourth and final season. There's something wrong with Darius. Ditto the woman in the wheelchair. She's nuts. SO Earn and Vanessa are still together? Hard to tell from episode to episode. Really didn't like Vanessa's condescending tone about Amir still working at the same place for ten years. This thing with the woman in the wheelchair was stupid. You don't always get back what you give. That was kind of strange.

Gideon58

09-22-23, 05:46 PM

Season 4 ep 2. Paper Boi's favorite movie in middle school was Mulan? Has Earn always been in therapy or did he just start this? Why are we just now learning about all of these health issues for Earn now after three pervious seasons? Earn's Sasha/Princeton story was gold, beautifully performed by Donald Glover. "I love spite. It's a pure, powerful thing." OK, that publisher guy did not say her book was going to be the next Harry Potter. Like the actor playing Earn's therapist. Where have I seen him before? Why did the librarian just allow those kids to walk away like that? well, I guess it wasn't like they were in school. Wow, I can't believe Earn did that. That was mean and totally out of character for Earn.

Gideon58

09-24-23, 01:27 AM

Season 4 ep 3. Why would this be so important to a man to give up a million dollars? Wait a minute...D'Angelo made an office out of a fast food restaurant? "You're gonna be Ice Cube's best friend in Are You There Yet 5 in less than a year?" Was that Chris Colfer from Glee playing Yodel Kid? This thing with Earn and the mute security guard is stupid. Earn stayed there for four days? Was that John Hinton from Living Single playing Bunk? Loved Paper Boi's tux. "I remember it's not about what feels good, it's about what survives." That was weird. Was that really D'Angelo?

Gideon58

09-24-23, 03:13 AM

Season 4 ep 4. Isaiah Whitlock playing Earn's dad? Wonder if he'll get to use his signature catchphrase. Can't place the actress playing Aunt Jeanie. Exactly how insane is Aunt Jeanie? Katt Williams cracked me up. "I don't hate you because you're light0skinned, I hate you because you're evil," Au\nt Jeanie actually called the police? That's hilarious. I don't know why that kid was hassling Pops, but that hat was kind of cool, I wonder how much that salesgirl took him for. Well, I must be officially old, because when I was a kid we had dinner every day at 5:00 pm. Love the way the whole bread thing went right by Grandpa.. Sure we we were gonna get a "sheeeeee-it" from Isiah Whitlock in that last scene.

Gideon58

09-24-23, 07:28 PM

We're in the home stretch of this bizarre little show. Season 4 ep 5. I cracked up when Vanessa pulled onto the lot of Chocolate Studios. The actually searched Lottie's backpack? Mr Chocolate has a private office where no one is allowed in or out? Not too creepy? Did she have to be caught lying about her name to that guy? I would have lied too. This Mr. Chocolate not appearing on the set and comparing himself to God? He needs to get over himself. If I'm acting, my director better be talking to me face to face. Can't really tell if Vanessa is concerned for Lottie's welfare, or if she's jealous of Mr. Chocolate paying more attention to Lottie than her. I really didn't like what that woman backstage was implying with Vanessa. Mr. Chocolate never leaves his office? This is so Twilight Zone. Can't run a studio without ever leaving your office, sorry. This episode seems to be some sort of shot at Tyler Perry. When Vanessa demanded to the intercom that he give back her daughter and the intercom replied "No: quite possibly could have been the most terrifying moment I've seen on television in years. "She'll be Spurned Woman Number Eight when I'm done with her." That episode demanded an "And then I woke up" scene that never happened. Kind of gave me chills.

Gideon58

09-25-23, 03:06 PM

Okay, let's try season 4 ep 6. I was a little surprised to learn that Paper Boi actually watches the news. I don't know anyone who watches the news. How come this is the first I've heard of "Crank Dat" videos. I'm finding it hard to determine exactly how famous Paper Boi is at this point. "I don't want to kiss a friend for shoes." I don't know about Paper Boi leaving his house knowing someone might be in there. Loved when that guy pulled up on Paper Boi and we were hearing the guy's GPS on the audio. A shoot out in a mall? Seriously? I can't lie, it was kind of hot seeing Darius and Earn kiss. I have to admit that episode was kind of fun.

Yoda

09-25-23, 03:34 PM

Yeah, I think that kind of "weird, but fun!" thing is what it's going for almost all the time. Or "weird, but perceptive" or "weird, but had an interesting take on some cultural issue." If it doesn't land it just seems weird, but when it does, and you can just sort of be along for the ride, that's when it's working the way it wants to work.

Or maybe just watching it enough, you eventually get more on the show's wavelength? Who knows. I think maybe binging it is weirder than watching it more over time. I kind of did a mix since I was a little late to some of it, but even when I was "binging" it was, like, a season over a week, two at a time at most, etc. Might not be a very bingeable show, since so many episodes kind of just start with a new idea completely.

Gideon58

09-25-23, 03:44 PM

Let's see ep 6 was just a fluke and give ep 7 a shot. I get Van's concern, that guy was kind of creepy. There was something weird about that meeting in the middle of the road thing. Loved when Lottie suggested that Earn sleep outside. There have already been two scenes of them walking by the water but shot from other side, implying that they're being watched. Why does Earn want to cross? This is leading up to something terrifying and the suspense is killing me. I can't believe Earn was really going to sleep outside. I don't believe what Earn said about being alone in LA, what unabashed arrogance. Glover nailed that final monologue before they went to sleep. Sweet episode that turned out be nothing I expected.

Gideon58

09-25-23, 09:39 PM

And now ep 8 of the final season. Is that Chris Redd playing Thomas? Is SCAD a real school? I'm not really getting the point of this. "If there was anything we wanted and didn't have it, he would draw it." Really not feeling this theory that Goofy is really a black man. It's kind of offensive. I guess I would have to watch A Goofy Movie to really understand what Glover is trying to say here. Great to see Brian McKnight and Sinbad. Whatever happened to Tevin Campbell? OK, I've decided that wasn't Chriss Redd playing Thomas. OK, the officially ruined this when they made Thomas crazy. That was one truly bizarre episode.

Gideon58

09-25-23, 11:01 PM

Ep 9. I knew Paper Boi sold weed, I didn't know he grew it. That store clerk looked like Jason Robards. Why is Paper Boi out here and not answering his phone. LOVE that Nino Brown T-shirt, I want one. That hog attack was the most terrifying thing I've seen since DiCaprio got attacked by that bear in The Revenant. SO he's still hiding from the Crack Dat Killer? I thought he was shot in ep 7. I'm beginning to think there's something really wrong with Donald Glover...sometimes his concepts of entertainment...I don't know. I'm actually kind of looking forward to being done with this show, it's very taxing on the brain.

Gideon58

09-26-23, 12:21 AM

Well, we've climbed the mountain, a very strange, twisted and bizarre mountain and we have reached Mecca...yes, it's here...the series finale of Atlanta. I know what I want to happen in this episode, but I'm pretty sure none of it will. If anyone needs their mind replenished, it's Darius. A black-owned Sushi restaurant? Seriously? I think Darius just walked away from the love of his life. They totally got me with the London incident. I thought this sushi thing was Van's idea, not Earn's. Who is this guy from Darius' past and what the hell is jollof? Darius has a brother? As suspected, nothing I expected but it was nice to see Lakeith Stanford get more than five minutes of screentime in the finale. This show was exhausting and there is something seriously wrong with Donald Glover.