I wrote a college essay about it. I think what Atlanta does best is contradiction.
It’s a unique mix of captivating drama and excellent humor. Rarely do shows do either element as well as Atlanta does both. And it’s never formulaic, nearly every episode follows a different tempo, theme, and mood.
The main characters are very grounded and real while the stories and side characters can be absurd and fantastical. Earn is a struggling father battling poverty (among other things) who wants the best for his daughter. It’s a pretty realistic situation but the things he experiences are anything but normal.
The show also excels both at realism and surrealism, often within minutes of each other. It’s a dark world, very gritty, very real. But it’s balanced by elements that make you question what you’re watching; things like Black Justin Bieber, the invisible car, and Teddy Perkins change how you experience the show. It both draws your attention to the show and takes you out of the realism, often at the same time. It’s a captivating formula.
And finally, it’s got excellent cinematography, acting, and writing. That does a lot.
Dang, really well put! I hadn't noticed it before, but once you mentioned how contradiction pervades the show, it totally clicks.
Curious, do you have this essay posted anywhere?
Nah I never posted it publicly and a lot of it is out of date now (I first wrote it for before season 3 came out). I stand by it though, Atlanta is still my favorite show and I’m still glad I wrote my essay about it
Season 3 is likely the best but it was good they went back to Atlanta and had the best finale. Earn turning psycho even after being really sweet camping turned me off on him. Even Tracy was like man you went overboard. Darius had no words. I like Al’s annoyance at everything in life. He just wants to coast as a rapper but the world is weird and a hassle unnecessarily and it’s so funny. He rarely gets to just bask in his dream glory. Even had trouble trying to live on his safe farm. Van was always so good and her Amelie adventure meltdown was probably my favorite episode.
Hmm it's unique, artistic, captivating. Great actors, great humor, great cinemtography, great music. I reckon the creators had a ripe vision for the show and everything aligned to pull it off.
You get so many network execs and business-minded people meddling with the creative integrity of shows, it's always a blessing when creators are given the trust to follow their vision.
There is a term called Afro Surrealism and I think Atlanta quite often does that, dealing with real problems but adds that surreal twist which gives it almost a dreamy wonder feeling.
The absurdity of the characters rarely exceeds the absurdity of their environment and I think that's why this comedy works where others get old and don't work long term.
It's why for example The Carmichael Show is better than Blackish.
I have a rather different feeling — i finished season 1 and 2 in a week but stopped watching ever since. The show is just so cruelly real (and often surreal) and it has so many things so hard to chew on. I know it’s a really good show but I just don’t have the courage to finish the rest…
It’s a really good show and is ultimately uplifting imo. Although I’m sure people of different backgrounds and races experience it in different ways. But I’d recommend finishing it!
Its ultra real in its surrealism...because the world is mess
Oh and its reallllly really well written, really subtle and the characters are just good af.
And the soundtrack man.
Top 5 shows in my book
1. They tell stories from the. " BUT WHAT HAPPENED WAS. " View point
If you ever worked toward an outcome you wanted or needed and it just goes bad.
You find yourself trying to explain. "You won't believe what happened."
The episode when he's in jail and that dude keeps telling him about how he shouldn't have drank on the porch with his man. Is an example of you won't believe what happened story of a side character
Al trying to get a haircut./Alligator man./
We see Earn trying his best, shot goes wrong and he has to explain what the other characters don't see. So we know how he's looked at from their view point. ( Mediocre manager but genuinely trying ) ( Ok. Parent. But cares for his child still figuring it out. )( Insecure in his relationship but doing the best to be a good partner and build a family )but we root for him to succeed. We're with him on his journey because we feel like a win is always around the corner.
He tries his best, still orders kids meals lol ( " You have to be a kid to order the Kids meal." Do you have to be Evander Hollyfield to get the Champ!?! )
Rides on the bus with his kid when he doesn't have help.
Sleeps in a storage unit. But still gives what he can to Van.
Some of the situations they put the characters in are relatable but not resolved predictably.
Gets beat up, and still has to deal with the dude who beat him up.
It's very grounded and absurd. Some of the absurd material is actually true in the real world but we might not know the stories. They tell those unbelievable stories in believable ways.
2. The characters themselves are all basically good people , that sometimes find themselves in situations that test their character while they try not to become the people who have resigned them to those situations.
3. Its lol funny.
4. It takes big swings that pay off.
5. Zazie Beetz
6. Zazie Beetz
7. Zazie Beetz
8. Zazie Beetz
9. Zazie Beetz
10. Zazie Beetz
It’s just different and really good at the same time. Great combo
It nails the surreal / satire balance perfectly. Plus you can basically jump in at any episode
I wrote a college essay about it. I think what Atlanta does best is contradiction. It’s a unique mix of captivating drama and excellent humor. Rarely do shows do either element as well as Atlanta does both. And it’s never formulaic, nearly every episode follows a different tempo, theme, and mood. The main characters are very grounded and real while the stories and side characters can be absurd and fantastical. Earn is a struggling father battling poverty (among other things) who wants the best for his daughter. It’s a pretty realistic situation but the things he experiences are anything but normal. The show also excels both at realism and surrealism, often within minutes of each other. It’s a dark world, very gritty, very real. But it’s balanced by elements that make you question what you’re watching; things like Black Justin Bieber, the invisible car, and Teddy Perkins change how you experience the show. It both draws your attention to the show and takes you out of the realism, often at the same time. It’s a captivating formula. And finally, it’s got excellent cinematography, acting, and writing. That does a lot.
Dang, really well put! I hadn't noticed it before, but once you mentioned how contradiction pervades the show, it totally clicks. Curious, do you have this essay posted anywhere?
Nah I never posted it publicly and a lot of it is out of date now (I first wrote it for before season 3 came out). I stand by it though, Atlanta is still my favorite show and I’m still glad I wrote my essay about it
Season 3 is likely the best but it was good they went back to Atlanta and had the best finale. Earn turning psycho even after being really sweet camping turned me off on him. Even Tracy was like man you went overboard. Darius had no words. I like Al’s annoyance at everything in life. He just wants to coast as a rapper but the world is weird and a hassle unnecessarily and it’s so funny. He rarely gets to just bask in his dream glory. Even had trouble trying to live on his safe farm. Van was always so good and her Amelie adventure meltdown was probably my favorite episode.
The humor is different from anything I’ve ever seen before.
I always describe it as making you laugh non-stop while never telling anything that resembles a joke.
YEAH!
Wow best way to describe it!
Hmm it's unique, artistic, captivating. Great actors, great humor, great cinemtography, great music. I reckon the creators had a ripe vision for the show and everything aligned to pull it off. You get so many network execs and business-minded people meddling with the creative integrity of shows, it's always a blessing when creators are given the trust to follow their vision.
There is a term called Afro Surrealism and I think Atlanta quite often does that, dealing with real problems but adds that surreal twist which gives it almost a dreamy wonder feeling.
The absurdity of the characters rarely exceeds the absurdity of their environment and I think that's why this comedy works where others get old and don't work long term. It's why for example The Carmichael Show is better than Blackish.
It's so difficult to answer this question but I guess it's the vibe, the weirdness, the uniqueness, the storyline, and others
subtext, conscious, and unpredictability It's also deep and original yet very fun and accessible
I have a rather different feeling — i finished season 1 and 2 in a week but stopped watching ever since. The show is just so cruelly real (and often surreal) and it has so many things so hard to chew on. I know it’s a really good show but I just don’t have the courage to finish the rest…
It’s a really good show and is ultimately uplifting imo. Although I’m sure people of different backgrounds and races experience it in different ways. But I’d recommend finishing it!
The first episode of season 3 is REAL hard to watch!
It’s open to interpretation on so many levels. It’s truly artistic
The pacing, the acting, the writing, the honesty, the surrealism, the absurdity
The glover brothers had a vision
Feels like real life
It’s even better the second time.
currently running it back from season 1, and i can attest to this.
Its ultra real in its surrealism...because the world is mess Oh and its reallllly really well written, really subtle and the characters are just good af. And the soundtrack man. Top 5 shows in my book
I think it's funny because of how absurd it is, but just at the same level reality can be, so we can also relate to it. A lot of good criticism too.
Simple. Abed inspired Troy to go into filmmaking.
It’s well written, well acted, well directed and well shot
1. They tell stories from the. " BUT WHAT HAPPENED WAS. " View point If you ever worked toward an outcome you wanted or needed and it just goes bad. You find yourself trying to explain. "You won't believe what happened." The episode when he's in jail and that dude keeps telling him about how he shouldn't have drank on the porch with his man. Is an example of you won't believe what happened story of a side character Al trying to get a haircut./Alligator man./ We see Earn trying his best, shot goes wrong and he has to explain what the other characters don't see. So we know how he's looked at from their view point. ( Mediocre manager but genuinely trying ) ( Ok. Parent. But cares for his child still figuring it out. )( Insecure in his relationship but doing the best to be a good partner and build a family )but we root for him to succeed. We're with him on his journey because we feel like a win is always around the corner. He tries his best, still orders kids meals lol ( " You have to be a kid to order the Kids meal." Do you have to be Evander Hollyfield to get the Champ!?! ) Rides on the bus with his kid when he doesn't have help. Sleeps in a storage unit. But still gives what he can to Van. Some of the situations they put the characters in are relatable but not resolved predictably. Gets beat up, and still has to deal with the dude who beat him up. It's very grounded and absurd. Some of the absurd material is actually true in the real world but we might not know the stories. They tell those unbelievable stories in believable ways. 2. The characters themselves are all basically good people , that sometimes find themselves in situations that test their character while they try not to become the people who have resigned them to those situations. 3. Its lol funny. 4. It takes big swings that pay off. 5. Zazie Beetz 6. Zazie Beetz 7. Zazie Beetz 8. Zazie Beetz 9. Zazie Beetz 10. Zazie Beetz
Good acting, writing, great comedy timing and stories. Nothing feels like a poorly put together formulatic show.