I could be imagining it. It could be the cinematography it could be the acting. But theres this ever so subtle change on Al's face from fed up to absolute heart break.
I was speaking to a friend recently about Paper Boi and how the actor has so much range and didnt just stick to playing roles like this. But still, his performance in this show and more importantly, this scene of this episode is his best performance. Opening up to Wiley before this saying he feels like a fraud in the industry and doesnt enjoy it anymore. Only thing I didn't understand for certain this episode was why Socks took the phone 😅
such a weird episode. season 3 unfortunately made me stop watching Atlanta. felt like they took it way too on the nose and lost some of the subtlety. maybe one day I'll kick the can on season 4.
There's a fire on the mountainside I can see the smoke arising The ocean blues, they already do They say the tide is turning [Chorus] I swear I saw the other side I never needed less Because I don’t need more I don't want more [Verse 2] You were my mirror and my best friend We used to be one and the same But now my hero's gone and left me herе To play this evil game [Chorus] I swear I saw thе other side I never needed less Because I don’t need more I don't want more
If anyone is interested , the Chords: (As far As i can Tell. Works to sing on for me + guitar is tuned a half step down ) Verse 2 Times : Bb A7 Dmin Hook: F E Amin F/C Esus4 into E But Feel free to explore different variations ( specially on upper Extensions im Not too Sure ) and corrections are Always welcome
Also this episode made kind of made me realize how long-term songwriters feel when they hear their work in artists, years later. Wondering who that person was who originally wrote this 15 years ago.
This entire season made me catch my breath. Simply exquisite. And after a second viewing I realized that just like Season 2 was about "Robbin' literally and metaphorically, this season is about ghosts. Seen and unseen.
Currently watching “Loch Henry”: the new episode off Black Mirror and I rushed over to this video to confirm if this was the same face and voice. Brilliant, brilliant actor.
This song knocked me off my seat. Al's reaction. Brian Tyree Henry is an incredible actor. This whole show. The season. It's as good as anything gets. Afro-surrealism and its depth of profound beauty is art in its purist form. This is evolution and I am in love. Donald Glover, Hiro Murai, the whole cast and everyone involved, thank you for enriching my life. Peace and Love!
there is a fire in the mountainside I can see the smoke rise the ocean blooms already does they say the tide is turning i swear i saw the other side I never wanted less because I don't need more I do not want more you were my mirror, my best friend we used to be one and the same but now my hero is gone and left me here to play this wicked game i swear i saw the other side never need less because I don't need more I do not want more of you
If you strip away all of the surrealist elements, my interpretation is that this interaction is the peak of Paperboi’s career. A lot of Atlanta demonstrates the actual workings of the music industry, the difficulty in staying relevant and the eventual flame out of your career. Al mentioned earlier in this episode that he didn’t even really see him as a rapper, but because he made success off of it, he’s come to terms with being viewed as a rapper solely for the rest of his life. He needs the phone, because the phone reminds him that he actually has the potential to create good art instead of industry rap schlock. In this scene, Al realises in Wiley’s song that he has actually succeeded as an artist. He connected with a person from an entirely different world of his own through his music, and despite the flame out of his career and the eventual end to his money, he has done something significant. That’s why he is able to move on from the phone in the end
So for someone like me who's blind to the subtle messages, what was the point of this? In the episode I was so confused about why this kid knew the phone number and everything about him.
He's not real. He's just the personification of PaperBois repressed feelings. He knows everything about Paper Boi because he is him. It's also possible the song he had on his lost phone was this song.
^This isn’t true and actually breaks the rule of surrealism on the show. He is real. Multiple characters including the dude who works at the stage interacted or knows this person. They intentionally hinted he may be a ghost or a fraud or a person online who stole the song or an obsessed fan. However, it turns out to be a fan with an immense spiritual connection who had a similar life to Al including coming up with a song one day. He really wanted to meet Al because he had to share it. Meaning this goes from crazy fan to unrealistic bond which scares Al because it’s like looking into a mirror. He’s a reminder of his ghostly past and the inner “white” person. Al built himself to be a stereotype as PaperBoi but he really wants to sing like Riley did. And Riley as a fan gives Al the song because he knows more than likely it’s a bond. The other white guy who actually stole the phone doesn’t want Al to change and that’s why he tosses it. Another interesting detail is if Al takes time to listen to his “real” fans then he can be his “real” self and they’ll still accept him whereas “fake” fans just like the “fake” image he is now. TLDR: kid is real. They have spiritual connection which is why he knows song.
I saw this episode right after a horrible divorce period around July. I was shocked, just stared for a while and listened over and over again for at least two weeks. While losing your best friend, also seeing her turning into a really awkward stranger is taking its toll. This song was the final nail in that coffin and started a restoration period. In that regard, I really owe the show owners my deepest thanks. Donald Glover, Brian Tyree Henry and Sam Blenkin, thank you for this scene. It got me work for a better life, alone. Thank you.
I dont know who you are brother/sister but I'm just going through this right now, I'm going through a divorce and I feel like I've lost my best friend from the past 10 years, I didn't want any more or any less I was happy with her and us but she wasn't, she left me, just watched this episode and couldn't stop myself from bursting and immediately something in me wanted to work on myself and become the best possible person I could be, so I never have to feel this again. if you see this I would love to hear how everything has gone for you ?
