"Atlanta Season 4" They Finally Did It


     What have I been saying this entire time about the TV show Atlanta? Some mixture of "I really love the surreal one-off episodes but what I really feel like the show is missing is more of a focus on the main characters. And, Glover and company have practically met all of my expectations, because other than one episode that focuses on how A Goofy Movie is actually a truly black piece of media, it focuses on the main characters. I mean it's not like they're doing much, by this season everything has been established, it's just trying to wrap everything up, relatively fine.

    Look, if you remember the Piano episode involving Darius from a previous season, the entire season is practically just that, and it kind of works. From Alfred finally finding that peace and quiet that has never chosen to knock on his door on his farm, to Van figuring out how she wants to raise Lottie, this show is full of these one character focus episodes. I mean you don't really see the main cast hanging out with each other too much anymore, and that might definitely be annoying, but I think it's just because they've grown as characters.

    Speaking of growth and closure though, this show doesn't really provide too much of it. Van moves to LA with Earn, Darius questions whether or not he's tripping? I mean he's just kind of there, I still think an episode exploring how him and Alfred met would have been incredibly interesting, and Alfred has his farm. There's no grand finale, no big push to the finish line, think of this season as more of a victory lap. They've already won, they're already successful, now they're just making sure everyone knows it, this is their life, and it continues to be a vehicle for Glover to explore real issues in society.

    Look, the show is still surreal, and the plot is hanging on by a thread, but frankly this show hasn't had much of a real plot since the end of season two, and I don't really think it needs one. I just enjoy these one off episodes, they've become longer, and they use a cast that we're familiar with, which makes it easier for fans to engage and enjoy. It's basically "what hijinks is this character up to now and how are we going to make it trippy?" It's a simple formula, and one that's enjoyable for anyone who's invested enough into this show.

Final Score: 70/100

    They did the thing I wanted, so they're finally getting that vaunted 70 score I've been holding out on them for. Look it might be more deserving of that score, but I'm trying to be realistic. It's a show I enjoyed, but I wouldn't say it caused a paradigm shift within me, nor that I would really ever plan on rewatching it, but it's good, what more do you need to know? I still don't know how to describe this show if someone asked me, but sometimes a shows unpredictability and versatility can be its strengths.

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