Atlanta, to me, is one of the most realistic portrayals of poverty I’ve seen. Media always uses poverty as a short part of their run, as a “humble beginning,” or as a “sad part,” or a flashback or something. Atlanta, on the other hand, really explores the experience of being broke as fuck. Doing anything you can, just to stay alive and safe. Feeling like you’re letting down everyone in your life. And even when you get an opportunity and things start to look up, there’s this constant brutal terror that it’ll be taken away from you and you’ll be left in the dust. It’s nice to see, refreshing.
And its this insidious silence about it too, you see homeless people out sleeping rough, but that's only the tip of the iceberg, far more people: couch surf, sleep in their cars, in their motor homes, in shipping or storage containers, at family/friends places. Poverty destroys you. Some people just never get given the opportunities and connections others do, worst part is when the privileged don't even accept they are privileged.
The saddest part about this comment is how frighteningly accurate it is to how my life has pretty much been going. Way too many ups and downs to the point where when things are going too good, I get paranoid and self sabotage without fail.
@@carloscordova7873 that part. the desperation that comes with the feat of losing is all consuming &affects every decision u make.. sometimes it helps get u in the pocket.. other times it cripples u &kills your ability to pull the trigger when u really need to.
@@skullsaintdead there are homeless and then there are homeless. No one in Atlanta is homeless. The homeless we see in California are lower than anyone in Atlanta could possibly be.
i love atlanta because of how... regular (for lack of a better word) it is. i feel like a lot of the episodes don't follow typical tv structures. they're just a nice little insight into how each character responds to their world, with the bonus of great social commentary.
Glover is one of the rare modern celebrities that really deserve to be labeled as "artist" imho. He acts, he raps, he writes, and he adds such an unique vibe to everything he does, while still being relevant to the current events.
He truly is. He GETS things on a level that's so perfect. Watching this show I just can't believe how ON his portrayal of the South is. I know it's Atlanta specific, but the South has this like, sometimes dreamlike, sometimes threatening vibe that I've never experienced anywhere else in the country, and I've NEVER seen it accurately portrayed anywhere on screen. Atlanta does it. Everything, down to someone having a gator in their house, to those bizarre barters that Darius makes, that all feels perfectly reasonable.
Atlanta is basically a conscience hip hop album transitioned under the spectrum of a TV show about black politics in America. My favorite show of all time right now.
It really speaks to the experience of regular people who happen to be black. So its universal and can still speak to the black experience without the regular tropes.
Chandasouk he’s been getting in shitty situations since he got robbed by the drug dealer in the beginning. Really been struggling to adapt to what he wants with the whole rap game. Teddy Perkins was probably my favorite episode though, that was just an unexpected work of art.
Ruben Avalos that Teddy episode was beautiful and tragic because of what Darius said about Stevie Wonder. It did make me feel some empathy for him, and his son.
Its hard to pinpoint exactly what genre this absurdly riveting series falls under and that's what makes it so damn good. It's undeniably poignant, honest, and refreshing. And its not bound by the arguably tired conventions of television nowadays. Teddy Perkins, Money Bag Shawty, The Jacket etc. So many episodes that are already classics. Atlanta breaks the mold.
Rob W the genre is drama. What makes it stand out is that it features a world where black is accepted an part of the norm...when it comes to those cool commercials. It's what he wishes for in THAT area. What we see is life...as could happen to anyone..however specific to black people, but more specifically to THIS black group. The message isn't that al black people are like this. It's not their choice to be where they are...they are trying to get out. But it's life. They just need to survive while there, thoughnworking to get out. But within the opportunities given or not given. It's black drama that doesn't forcefully point out the race problems as something to force you to talk about. It's to show you...the end. Like he s tsted, he wanted them to FEEL black. To experience it.
It's so strange that this and legion are some of the best shows on TV, yet they do poorly in ratings. Shoutout to fx for letting these groundbreaking shows continue.
Ladies keep up the EXCELLENT work!!! Watching Robbin Season was so interesting especially because I couldn't automatically guess where the narrative was going. The way you peeled back the layers of what we thought the show was going to be in contrast to what it actually is was so dope. Particularly at the 13min mark when the show could've just been a black version of Entourage but is so much more. Also, the way you broke down how ATLANTA is a reflection of real life was spot on. Understanding and insight don't give you deliverance from your problems. That line hits the nail on the head.
@@kp1x yeah breaking bad and better call Saul both have that in common. You follow Jimmy, Jesse or Kim through the worst fucking days of their lives and it's horrible. Even Walt you get to sympathize in some episodes on how alone he's made his life even though he does despicable things. Atlanta is like that too. It really pulls you into the psyche of the characters and makes you feel what they're feeling. You can relate to Earn, Zan, and Al in most of the episodes. I think Darius is a bit more of a wildcard but in the Teddy Perkins episode you get to be in his shoes a little more.
By far my favorite show on tv. Every episode gives you something to digest. Whether it’s a commentary on spending money frivolously and the discrimination that comes with being black and trying to spend that money, a commentary on the rap industry or a look into the life of Michael Jackson, this show brings it every damn week. Fantastic characters who are funny yet flawed, gorgeous cinematography and amazing quotes. I can’t praise this show high enough. The wait for season 3 is already agonizing.
I think you misinterpreted Al's regret for changing barbers, When Al first sat down he asked for his usual and kept repeating this line when his barber asked what he wanted. But when he sat with the new barber that line wouldn't work. Al actually doesn't know what haircut he gets so when the barber asked him for the specifics he did not know. His old barber did and that's why he regretted the decision. Its something that happens a lot when people switch from their usual barber.
Also it demonstrates the level of bs he's willing to put up with out of loyalty. It's a GREAT way to foreshadow his conflict with replacing Earn later because he does replace his barber so we know that Al WILL drop Earn if it gets bad enough.
The way I look at it is the potential duality of Al’s career path. He has constantly talked about “staying real”, whereas staying real has put him in a lot of dangerous and potentially fatal situations. This parallels with Bibby and all the bs he has to deal with to get the end product that he wants. The new barber could represent the “easy way” as in becoming fake and more detached from reality as celebrities so often are. It could be that Al realizes that the easy way isn’t going to get him the end product he thought he wanted, and that dealing with the hardships is worth it in the end. But idk just my thoughts
I still feel like it was kinda dumb because you can literally just ask them to show you a menu of haircut pictures to choose from. When you see your haircut, you simply ask the barber what it's called and then get your haircut.
It's not just about Atlanta, its about Black America in its entirety. 'Atlanta' itself is used because I believe it's the centerfold of what being "black" is.
I feel like Atlanta is being shown through the minds of these 3 characters it can almost be 3 separate shows (bear with me) we see that each character is so different and they’re going through there own problems that they could very each have there “own show”, but Donald Glover does a great job molding all of them together. Having episodes where it’s only Al or Earn is a representation of each being able to have their own show from their perspective.
Abu Dhabi it's crazy that on set donald was tryna find something random that they could just off the wall be talking about in that scene and he just said " fuck it .. bojack " and at the same time the shit that tracy said is an accurate description of the show atlanta itself and earn's character ( except for the daughter part , to an extent i think id have to ponder more on that ) .. that's wild like i just realized dis
I absolutely love Atlanta, it’s one of my favorite shows after boondocks because it’s so authentic, black, humorous and just regular… Not too much is happening and yet it’s still entertaining and realistic. I have yet to find a show like it and I was able to finish watching this show so easily, I still rewatch episodes because it’s just that good. They need more shows like Atlanta on TV for sure.
Thank you for covering this amazing show...it’s so full of subtle, poignant details that really make you think. I’m glad more people are openly appreciating it. 👍🏻💕 your channel is wonderful. Thank you for all your hard work every week.
I’m still trying to wrap my head around the Teddy Perkins episode. 🤔 This is the only show I tune into live...commercials and all. Everything else I catch on Hulu or Netflix.
you girls make me so proud to be a girl! well done on the phenomenal & tactful analysis of this series (nick, i see you too. dont worry. i appreciate your contribution) 😭
Amazing work ladies and Screen Prism team! I appreciate the work you do. Your videos are always thought provoking and exceptionally analyzed. Thank you!
I thought the end of barbershop was a humorous moment where Paper Boi had been going to his barber for so long and getting the "usual" he didn't even know what to ask for from the new barber.
I just started watching this show a couple days ago, and this is one of my newest favorite shows because it keeps it shows reality in it's true form. Big fan.
the story is overall amazing from the STORY itself, the world, the actors, the characters, the cinematography, locations, and directing, everything from pre-production to after the final product.
Atlanta is probably the best show of all time. It looks to expose some hard realities in beautiful and entertaining ways. *everything is so masterfully written and executed it blows me away everytime i watch. If you like to ponder about the inner workings of life, this show is what you've been looking for.
You know I mostly hate these types of videos because I think most of the time people read into much on something that suppose to be as it is and nothing else. I truly liked this videos because it isn't those videos
Hhhhh. It is funny how each person's eyes and ears are tunned in different. I love this show Atlanta. But I watch it through the eyes of a 47 year old divorced Spanish guy, living in South of poor Spain. I feel identified with the show. I see what happens in this show is same down here. It is about race but also economic and social life style and what you see and hear in your day to day.
I think Al's hobo's mind manifestation of his father how he probably envisions him to look and act like. Remember earlier he dreamed about his Mother scolding him and then I think his minds idea of his father teaching him to do better.
The more I think about that scene, I see that character as less of a hobo and more of Al's "come to Jesus" moment. He had to decide if he really wanted to live the "reality" he was speaking in his records.
Nice analysis! I've recently been turned on to this show and have to say it's become a bit of an obsession. I have binge watched both seasons twice. Easily the best thing I've seen on tv since the Boondocks.
(warning rant incoming) okay so B.A.N. is definitely my favorite episode simply because the fact that they mad le it look like a episode of on of those morning news/talk shows complete with their own commercials. When it changed into that first commercial I didn't realize for a second that it was still the show and it blew my fucking mind. Also I liked how when Al and the other lady( you don't remember her name either) agreed the host was trying to make them fight each other because that makes for better t.v. I think that's clever.
I absolutely love Atlanta, it is unapologetic and unflinchingly real and yet somehow it still manages to be funny, this show does make you feel what it is like to be black in america in a very nuanced way, I love how unique it is with its structure and how meandering the narrative is.
nice analysis esp of tropes awareness, playing into them and then disengaging from them. all that is isn't and what seems not to be is, like Earn being homeless-ish. I relate both to Earn and Van, now if only I'd let go of that chip on my shoulder...My friends are like Van's , 'in it' and I in a different world trying to get it together. Yep, PTSD, so true. for me, not from being black but indigenous Mexican. thanks for closing the gaps in my understanding of the show, I feel caught up.
