The first two seasons of Donald Glover’s FX comedy series have zero skips.
Alfred’s roommate, Darius (LaKeith Stanfield), is always along for the ride.
Van (Zazie Beetz), Earn’s sometime-girlfriend and the mother of their child, generally seems skeptical.
Harold House Moore and Donald Glover on ‘Atlanta’.
“The Jacket” (season 1, episode 10)
Don’t make us choose!
The twist ending is a gut shot, though.Darren Franich
20.
Conversely, Earn’s flailing broke-ass date with Van makes for ace cringe comedy.D.F.
From left: Takeoff, LaKeith Stanfield, and Brian Tyree Henry on ‘Atlanta’.Guy D’Alema/FX
Plus, there’s a hilariousEmmy Award-winning turn fromKatt Williams.
Chancellor Agard
18.
Isn’t that the point?
LaKeith Stanfield and Donald Glover on ‘Atlanta’.Guy D’Alema/FX
Meanwhile, Earn’s rambling swords-and-puppies caper with Darius was LaKeith Stanfield’s star-making moment.
Alfred’s non-performance for an office full of disinterested cubicle drones is a wholeTwilight Zoneepisode in under 30 seconds.
Mainly, though, this rambling and overstuffed outing is historic for the Paper Boi acoustic rap cover.
Donald Glover and Zazie Beetz on ‘Atlanta’.Guy D’Alema/FX
“White girls love that s—,” deadpans Darius.D.F.
“Money Bag Shawty” (season 2, episode 3)
What is authenticity?
Is rival rapper Clark County (RJ Walker) an industry plant?
Donald Glover and Lucius Baston on ‘Atlanta’.Quantrell D. Colbert/FX
Meanwhile, Alfred and Darius have a hilariously chilling encounter with Clark County.
It also reminds us thatAtlantameanders with purpose.
The whole transgender-themed debate segment might make “B.A.N.”
Donald Glover and LaKeith Stanfield on ‘Atlanta’.Guy D’Alema/FX
is also the episode where a cartoon sugary-cereal commercial turns into a horror-satiric look at police brutality.
Anecdotally, this could be the most controversial ofAtlanta’s narrative experiments.
Predictably, no one ever explains the footprint on the ceiling.
Khris Davis and Donald Glover on ‘Atlanta’.Guy D’Alema/FX
“Value” (season 1, episode 6)
4.
The people in lockup around Earn could practically be a sitcom ensemble until things turn shockingly violent.
Unfortunately, though, some fans recognize the rapper while he’s walking home alone and mug him.
Donald Glover and Michael Vick on ‘Atlanta’.Guy D’Alema/FX
Thankfully, he does, and he emerges from this ordeal changed.
“Champagne Papi” (season 2, episode 7)
NoAtlantaparty is ever just fun.
All directed with a woozy after-hours flair by Amy Seimetz.D.F.
Donald Glover and Brian Tyree Henry on ‘Atlanta’.Guy D’Alema/FX
Under Murai’s direction, every shot feels menacing and meaningful.
Donald Glover on ‘Atlanta’.Guy D’Alema/FX
Donald Glover and Zazie Beetz on ‘Atlanta’.Guy D’Alema/FX
Mary Kraft and Brian Tyree Henry on ‘Atlanta’.Guy D’Alema/FX
Bryan Tyree Henry and Austin Crute on ‘Atlanta’.Quantrell D. Colbert/FX
Alkoya Brunson as Young Earn and Abraham Clinkscales as Young Alfred on ‘Atlanta’.Guy D’Alema/FX
Robert S. Powell III and Brian Tyree Henry on ‘Atlanta’.Guy D’Alema/FX
LaKeith Stanfield, Donald Glover, and Brian Tyree Henry on ‘Atlanta’.Guy D’Alema/FX
Aubin Wise and Zazie Beetz on ‘Atlanta’.Guy D’Alema/FX
Brian Tyree Henry and Donald Glover on ‘Atlanta’.Guy D’Alema/FX
Brian Tyree Henry on ‘Atlanta’.Curtis Baker/FX
From left: Gail Bean, Zazie Beetz, Danielle Deadwyler, and LaKeith Stanfield on ‘Atlanta’.Curtis Baker/FX
Donald Glover as Teddy Perkins on ‘Atlanta’.
