Donald Glover’s ‘Atlanta’ Finishes Another Strong, Thoughtful, and Rewarding Season

If you’ve been hesitant to dive into Atlanta, the signature show that was created by Donald Glover with frequent starting, writing, and directing credits from him as well, it’s time to make the jump. Three near-perfect seasons in, the show has only got more funny, wild, and meaningful since its 2016 premiere. Since season 3 ended last month, here are all the things you need to know about the show.

A perennially broke man occasionally living with his daughter and ex-girlfriend decides that his next career move will be managing the underground rap career of his cousin, known in Atlanta as Paper Boi. Along the way, he and Paper Boi’s associates navigate the life of hustlers and experience all the surreal craziness that the city throws at them.

Main Cast:

• Donald Glover - Earn Marks

• Brian Tyree Henry - Paper Boi (Alfred Miles)

• Lakeith Stanfield - Darius

• Zazie Beetz - Van

Directors:

• Hiro Murai (Barry, Station Eleven)

• Ibra Ake (Black Is King)

• Donald Glover

Writers:

• Stephen Glover

• Janine Nabers

• Taofik Kolade

• Francesca Sloane

• Jamal Olori

• Ibra Ake 

• Jordan Temple

• Donald Glover

• Stefani Robinson (What We Do In The Shadows)

From white men saying the 'n-word' to meeting up with Migos to Teddy Perkins (if you know, you know), Atlanta's first two seasons had already made a name for the show in the field of unique comedy. Despite a throughline in the plot with the dealings of Paper Boi and Earn, Atlanta has never been afraid of finding completely separate areas to explore in a kind of heightened reality. Donald Glover, during the first season, even compares it to Twin Peaks, and the comparison is not far off. With the reliance on surreal moments to define Glover's observations of the world, Atlanta is a one-of-a-kind effort.

The third season of Atlanta is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 97%. This is tied for last among the three seasons, if you can believe it! Atlanta Season 3 is mostly set on a Europe tour, but the show never stops subverting both the viewer's expectations and the entire direction of the show. For example, the season premiere is a fictional retelling of the Hart family murders, where a white couple killed themselves and their adopted black children in 2018. With a grounded story and more than enough diversions to satisfy fans of the show's weirdness, this new season is another rousing success equal to its predecessors.

Rating: 9/10

★★★★★★★★★☆

All episodes of Atlanta can be viewed on Hulu. Enjoy!