Possibly one of the greatest TV shows of the last decade is Atlanta (2016-2022). The comedy-drama’s basic premise only partially conveys the surrealist, anthology, horror and socially timely nature of the show, vital to its longevity and excellence. IMDB’s description reads: “Earn and his cousin, Alfred, try to make their way in the world through Atlanta’s rap scene. Along the way, they come face-to-face with social and economic issues touching on race, relationships, poverty, status and parenthood.” This is all very true. However, I will outline for you what makes this show much more than its description implies. 

The show’s creator, Donald Glover, pulls from real-world experience to create, at points, the funniest moments you’ll see to some of the most challenging. In particular, the experience of being a black person in America is an undercurrent throughout almost every episode, and Atlanta portrays this through its surrealism, sometimes taking the focus off the main cast of characters or throwing them into bizarre and often uncomfortable situations. 

I went in expecting a typical storyline, where we see Alfred (Brian Tyree-Henry) as he navigates the music industry, watching his rise and struggles along the way, but what we watch pushes this premise to a sub-plot position. Instead, we are presented with episodes like ‘Woods’ or ‘Tarrare’, that pull us into the psychological spaces these characters obtain. In ‘Woods’, Alfred is forced to run into the woods and hide there, but seemingly cannot escape, he keeps going and going, with little to no end in sight. There have been many interpretations of this episode: a mental breakdown, Alfred facing death, etc. The episode is dedicated to Tyree-Henry’s late mother, and the episode opens with Alfred dreaming of his mother, deepening the episodes’ themes. This episode is both beautiful and heartbreaking, and it’s one of the key reasons why I love this show. It is in constant conversation with the world through either its commentary on life in America or through the actors’ own lives.  

Atlanta is unafraid to go against expectations and push viewers to an emotional state they wouldn’t anticipate. The creative progression throughout each of the four seasons led to a complex, one-of-a-kind experience that I cannot recommend enough. The show is available on Disney + currently. It’s not something you want to miss out on. 

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