“Atlanta”: One of the best series of recent years is hiding at Disney +

At the center of the action of “Atlanta” is Earn (Donald Glover). He has one Dropped out of college at Princeton Elite University and has returned to his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. There he now keeps his head above water with odd jobs in order to pay the rent and to be able to support his on-off girlfriend Van (Zazie Beetz) and daughter Lotti.

But then Earn sees a way to get his money worries under control. His cousin Alfred (Brian Tyree Henry) is standing as rapper Paper Boi shortly before his breakthrough. And Earn thinks he knows how to make him a superstar as a manager. So he sticks to his heels. From now on, they experience all sorts of crazy adventures, strange situations and also revealing dramas together with Paper Boi’s permanently stoned buddy Darius (Lakeith Stanfield) – all within the black community of the present.

Anyone who, after reading the brief synopsis, thinks that “Atlanta” is one of those underdog stories is wrong. Nor is the magnum opus by and with jack-of-all-trades Donald Glover, also known as the musician Childish Gambio, just a comedy or a dramedy, as one hears and reads everywhere. Because with “Atlanta” everything is possible. Early in Season 1, “Atlanta” may still mostly stick to its core premise, offering a sometimes intimate look at the Georgia capital’s rap scene. But that changes more and more from season to season.

Every now and then there is even Episodes in which only one of the three main characters appears. For example, in Season 1, Alfred finds himself on a strange talk show. Later, in Season 2, he spends an adventurous day with his hairdresser. The same season also includes what is probably the most legendary episode of “Atlanta”: In episode 6, Darius actually just wants to pick up an old piano. But he gets to know a strange Michael Jackson blend who has a dark secret. If you had to give this episode a genre stamp, it would be horror.

This Game with genres becomes especially clear in Season 3 of “Atlanta”. Here Alfred, Earn and Darius are actually on tour through Europe. But four of the ten episodes are about completely different people and their stories, all of which are a crude mixture of drama and weird comedy. And then, on a drug trip through Amsterdam, Liam Neeson suddenly sits at the bar and rambles on. Season 4 is sometimes even more absurd, as the prelude already shows. In it, Alfred goes on a crazy scavenger hunt of a dead rapper, Darius is being pursued by a woman in a wheelchair, and Earn is trapped in a mall with Van in a kind of time warp. A few episodes later, the “Crack-Dat-Killer” (thriller!) and a controlling film producer (satire!) suddenly play important roles. And there is also a fake documentary about a black Disney CEO towards the end.

This may all seem very confusing at first. And that’s what happens when you don’t get involved. Rather, you have to understand each episode of “Atlanta” as a self-contained short film. Therein lies part of the genius of this series, in its versatility and unpredictability. At the same time, the series never loses sight of its thematic focus, which, despite all the absurd events, couldn’t be more serious, more topical and more important.

In “Atlanta” there is a common thread running through the whole series. It always deals with current social conflicts or everyday problems. Above all racism plays a major role in “Atlanta”. He meets the protagonists in practically every episode. Is it a group of white guys at a garden party, all lecturing Earn and Van on everything? A performance in front of racist college students. A spooky blackface tradition in Amsterdam. Or a biased employee at an airport. There’s even an episode about when a black man is black enough. As everywhere in the world, racism is omnipresent in “Atlanta” – often subtle.

But that’s not all. armed force is also a constant theme of the series. Again and again shootings break out out of nowhere, which often leave the protagonists completely unimpressed. Also “Atlanta” shows the Diversity of the life realities of black people in the USA. A stereotypical ghetto feeling like in thematically similar series and films is completely missing here. Nevertheless, the problems of the black community such as poverty and violence are present.

supposed eco do-gooders also get rid of their fat. Just like that show business. Just think of the episode with the Young White Avatars – young white people who are used as straw dolls by black rappers to win a Grammy. There is also constant ridicule of white and black traditions and mannerisms (see the weird Oktoberfest blend). And there is even space in “Atlanta” for topics such as family, love and relationships.

All of these topics are beautifully wrapped up in astute dialogue, smart metaphors and multi-faceted characters. Criticism of society is ever-present, but it never comes with a wagging finger. Rather, it is always wrapped in a cloak of irony, which only further clarifies the absurdity and pointlessness of the problems discussed here, such as racism. It often becomes philosophical, but not too demanding. Sometimes there are films or scenes that you can think about for days.

With this sheer genius, it’s a mystery to me why “Atlanta” was never really successful. But there is a consolation. The show really took off for the amazing actors career-wise. After the start of “Atlanta”, Brian Tyree Henry was seen in major films such as “Godzilla vs. Kong”, “Eternals” and “Bullet Train”. He was even nominated for an Oscar for the drama Causeway. Lakeith Stanfield, meanwhile, enjoyed success with The Black Diamond, Knives Out and Judas and the Black Messiah. He also garnered an Oscar nomination for the latter. And Zazie Beetz became a scene stealer in “Deadpool 2”, “Joker” and “Bullet Train”.

And Donald Glover? With “Atlanta” he proved once again that he is one of the most creative minds in Hollywood is. Rather, the series cemented his reputation as a genius once and for all. One can only wish that “Atlanta” gains more attention in retrospect and eventually becomes a cult series. The stroke of genius definitely has the potential to do so.

All four seasons of “Atlanta” are available on a Disney+ subscription.