Written by: Kevin Berge
It's the dark middle chapter of Atlanta where everyone has made money and found success. Real dark stuff. (Image Courtesy of: theroot.com)
Quick Take: Atlanta Robbin' Season shifts the series by changing the status of the main characters and branching out to allow each of the four leads more time in the spotlight. It is even more bizarre and unconnected in its structure, but each episode is impressively constructed to create an engrossing world.
Atlanta Review: Season 1
***This review will focus on the whole of the second season of Atlanta which will mean heavy spoilers follow. If you plan to see the show, do not read ahead as you will be spoiled on events.***
Describing Atlanta to a first-time viewer is difficult. It's a weird show that never really stays in one place. The conceit is that the series is about a guy trying to get by through managing his musically talented but business inept cousin, but that's just the background.
The second season of Atlanta showcases most clearly this is a series all about culture or, more directly, the awkwardness of culture. Episode to episode, Earn suffers because of his race, his perceived culture, or his lack of understanding of other cultures.
It's not just Earn but all the main characters who go into situations where they quickly find themselves uncomfortable. Many elements of this season are directed with a horror lens with one episode "Helen" directly inspired in its direction by Get Out, a movie that clearly had a heavy influence on the whole season.
Most clearly, this is a story about the African American community in Atlanta, but it is not trying to accurately depict that society. The world this series lives in is odd and fantastical. It is a satirical ruse, feeling almost real enough that its bizarre quirks stand out.
Sometimes it doesn't even feel like the events of the series stick with the characters unaffected by previous occurrences. There is so much insanity that it can feel like you need a map to keep track of what is real and what isn't, but the show doesn't really care much about that.
What this show cares about is representing the characters honestly with Earn, Paper Boi, Van, and Darius all reacting to these wild situations honestly. All four get their own solo episodes in this second season to shine, and each bring a unique perspective.
In fact, the whole season is built around a unique perspective that is sometimes tough to easily pin down. From the strange and captivating "Teddy Perkins" to the surreal but honest "Woods", this season goes in some weird directions that don't always add up to a cohesive whole.
***This review will focus on the whole of the second season of Atlanta which will mean heavy spoilers follow. If you plan to see the show, do not read ahead as you will be spoiled on events.***
Describing Atlanta to a first-time viewer is difficult. It's a weird show that never really stays in one place. The conceit is that the series is about a guy trying to get by through managing his musically talented but business inept cousin, but that's just the background.
The second season of Atlanta showcases most clearly this is a series all about culture or, more directly, the awkwardness of culture. Episode to episode, Earn suffers because of his race, his perceived culture, or his lack of understanding of other cultures.
It's not just Earn but all the main characters who go into situations where they quickly find themselves uncomfortable. Many elements of this season are directed with a horror lens with one episode "Helen" directly inspired in its direction by Get Out, a movie that clearly had a heavy influence on the whole season.
Most clearly, this is a story about the African American community in Atlanta, but it is not trying to accurately depict that society. The world this series lives in is odd and fantastical. It is a satirical ruse, feeling almost real enough that its bizarre quirks stand out.
Sometimes it doesn't even feel like the events of the series stick with the characters unaffected by previous occurrences. There is so much insanity that it can feel like you need a map to keep track of what is real and what isn't, but the show doesn't really care much about that.
What this show cares about is representing the characters honestly with Earn, Paper Boi, Van, and Darius all reacting to these wild situations honestly. All four get their own solo episodes in this second season to shine, and each bring a unique perspective.
In fact, the whole season is built around a unique perspective that is sometimes tough to easily pin down. From the strange and captivating "Teddy Perkins" to the surreal but honest "Woods", this season goes in some weird directions that don't always add up to a cohesive whole.
Is a TV series "jumping the couch" a new term? Or is this a play on the couch being a shark? Or maybe we're all the sharks? Yeah, I think I'm getting closer. (Image Courtesy of: geekytyrant.com)
The only real through-line this season has its "season", consistently set at a time where everyone seems to be out to steal whatever they can. Often it is just in the background, but it can play a major factor in a few important episodes of the season.
It is an interesting juxtaposition of the first season which was all about Earn trying to make money. Now he has made that money as has Paper Boi, and they need to deal with others trying to take from them. Paper Boi especially is a celebrity constantly being asked to take pictures.
Most of the conflict from this change in status is external, but these characters are all too flawed not to clash with one another as well. Paper Boi slowly realizes he needs someone other than Earn as his manager to keep growing. Earn can't settle down and respect Van enough to allow their relationship to grow.
What does it all amount to? Perhaps it is all about the disconnect that comes with growing status, an idea Donald Glover himself has to be wrestling with as his status increases. Perhaps it is a reflection on how people don't really change even if their situations improve dramatically.
It is hard to say with Atlanta because it never leaves space for reflection. The episodes are short and each focus on a different idea. Sometimes the concept is so bizarre that it makes it hard to find the idea at all. That said, it all works because the craft of the show is so strong.
Glover and his directors Hiro Murai and Amy Seimetz craft such a tantalizing landscape that it would be difficult if not impossible to avoid being pulled in. Sometimes, Atlanta is more mood than form, but nothing feels out of place. It's an impressive engaging sensory experience.
With some distance, I expect there is so much more I will uncover in my own ideas about Atlanta Robbin' Season. For now though, it was just a delightful ride with only strong episodes, adding a new layer to this completely original series.
It is an interesting juxtaposition of the first season which was all about Earn trying to make money. Now he has made that money as has Paper Boi, and they need to deal with others trying to take from them. Paper Boi especially is a celebrity constantly being asked to take pictures.
Most of the conflict from this change in status is external, but these characters are all too flawed not to clash with one another as well. Paper Boi slowly realizes he needs someone other than Earn as his manager to keep growing. Earn can't settle down and respect Van enough to allow their relationship to grow.
What does it all amount to? Perhaps it is all about the disconnect that comes with growing status, an idea Donald Glover himself has to be wrestling with as his status increases. Perhaps it is a reflection on how people don't really change even if their situations improve dramatically.
It is hard to say with Atlanta because it never leaves space for reflection. The episodes are short and each focus on a different idea. Sometimes the concept is so bizarre that it makes it hard to find the idea at all. That said, it all works because the craft of the show is so strong.
Glover and his directors Hiro Murai and Amy Seimetz craft such a tantalizing landscape that it would be difficult if not impossible to avoid being pulled in. Sometimes, Atlanta is more mood than form, but nothing feels out of place. It's an impressive engaging sensory experience.
With some distance, I expect there is so much more I will uncover in my own ideas about Atlanta Robbin' Season. For now though, it was just a delightful ride with only strong episodes, adding a new layer to this completely original series.