'Atlanta' Episode 3, Season 1 Review

Image from 411Mania

By Darian Scalamoni

            I have to start by saying I apologize greatly for not knowing that there was a second episode of the new FX series, Atlanta after what I had thought was the single episode premiere of the series. I will go back and watch that episode for my own enjoyment but for you guys, I’m here to review what is episode 3 of the rookie season of what in my opinion is one of the best on television right now.

            Though the first episode drills the message of the show across to the viewer which is a perfect melting pot of drama, comedy, music, culture and everything else wrapped into one, this episode is filled with more comedic moments, clearly with the title of the episode. Being titled “Go for Broke”, the episode showcases how broke Earn is. Throughout the episode, he is trying to do well by his ex, Van and wants to take her to a nice dinner to try and make up (and maybe have a place to stay), but he is incredibly broke. After the check comes in, Earn realizes he definitely can’t afford the meal he just ate along with the meal that Van ate, he contacts his rapper cousin, Alfred to throw some money on his card for him. While this is happening, Alfred and Darius are supposed to be completing a drug deal with some Mexicans, who turn out to be the furthest thing from Mexican. The two concurrent storylines are almost mirrored because the expectations of all those involved goes south when they’re not what they originally intended.

            Earn has a plan with only $100 to his name, he would take Van to a quality restaurant that features very affordable, happy-hour drinks and good meals for a better price. What Earn doesn’t know is that ownership of the restaurant has changed and the quality of the food and drinks are top-notch, so much so, that Earn is rude and anxiety filled throughout his time with Van. On the other side, Alfred and Darius have gone into a drug deal with a mindset that they’ll just have a simple money for drugs transaction but things begin to go down another road when the guy they’re meeting up with to get the drugs says that the spot where the switch will happen has since been relocated. Once Alfred and Darius arrive, they witness a murder which is shown with dark humor and so casually that it seems like it’s right out of a Coen brothers film. The show has been able to perfect these types of scenes though and the two men look visibly nervous and unprepared for what would follow.

           Though this week’s episode was filled with more humor than the first episode, the show still set the tone with that authentic feel of Atlanta, Georgia. You feel immersed within the setting of the show feeling scared for the characters and hoping that they can be successful. Yet, you understand that most of the time, that’s not the way life works. With an ending that saw Earn saying that “Champagne’s the worst” it makes the audience think, maybe it’s just a taste that they haven’t acquired yet because they haven’t received the level of success that they want? Only time will tell for Earn, Alfred and Darius.

8.5/10