So, imagine this for a second (warning: Community reference inbound): After Pierce Hawthorne’s timely/untimely passing, Troy Barnes receives a boat in his will. He is instructed by Pierce from the great beyond to sail around the world, and so, we see the last of Donald Glover’s fantastic portrayal of Troy Barnes; but whatever happened to the character?
When I watch Donald Glover’s performance in this show I just can’t help but imagine that our main protagonist, Earn, is just Troy Barnes all grown up. It’s certainly not true, but it makes me happy so LET ME LIVE.
In all seriousness though, this show doesn’t get NEAR enough credit for how creative, hilarious, and well crafted it really is; this is a television spectacle by all means.
SYNOPSIS: Two cousins navigate the underground rap scene in Atlanta.
(But trust me, there’s a lot more to it than just that).
The amount of layers at play throughout this entire season - and even more so in season two - is truly impressive. There’s a level of surrealism that makes it all very fantastical, sometimes you feel like you’re on acid while watching this. But, the social commentary at play here is unmistakable as well, but it’s tucked into the story so well that it’s never overabundant; actually, it’s usually hilarious.
Everyone in this show is giving their absolute all, and you can tell they all are really enjoying what they’re doing. Brian Tyree Henry and Zazie Beetz are the two standouts for me, but Laekith Stanfield gives my favorite performance by him in this show. He plays the character that seems to be the only one who understands all the surreal happenings in the show on another level; it’s like he’s enlightened or something, and I love it.
Despite the surrealist aspect of this show, there’s something so grounded about it. When Earn (Donald Glover) takes Vaness (Zazie Beetz) out to dinner with only $96 in his bank account in “Go for Broke”, there’s something so intense about that; but, it’s juxtaposed with Brian Tyree Henry (Paper Boi) and Lakeith Stanfield (Darius) literally doing a drug deal with the MIGOS. It’s just insane.
The soundtrack of this show is just as eclectic as its surrealist execution. From Shabazz Palaces to Micael Kiwanuka; this show has an impressive arsenal of music that never feels out of place, and is always surprising.
The world-building and atmosphere of this entire season is so effortlessly implemented into each episode. With episodes like “The Streisand Effect”, where you can see the sweat dripping off the characters’ faces as they make an odyssey around the ins and outs of the city, to “The Club” where a hot and stuffy environment makes for a claustrophobic and near maddening experience.
“B.A.N.” was an episode that when I first watched it, I actually could not believe what I was seeing. The way it navigates its subject matter without stepping over any lines is smart and subversive, and I just KNOW Donald Glover had a blast making that episode. The idea of a Trans-racial black teen who thinks he’s a 35 year-old white man from Colorado: ABSURD and hilarious.
What this show does best, is how it goes from a hilarious social commentary focused episode like the aforementioned, to a grounded character drama episode like “Juneteenth”. Somehow though, this episode manages to be one of the most character driven episodes, while also sneaking in that social commentary just the same. It’s on the nose in the best way possible, and the way it’s all written is impressively creative and honestly inspiring.
My favorite celebrities are often ones that have extremely broad and eclectic talents. Take Donald Glover for example, I love the music he makes. He's a fantastic actor, and a brilliantly creative mind when it comes to writing and directing. The same could be said about Bill Hader, but TRUST me, we’ll get to that later. As a creator, it’s inspiring to see an artist who isn’t tied down by just one medium of entertainment.
This first season doesn’t have a weak episode (and let’s be honest neither does season two). It’s a subversive, unique, and honestly funny as hell look inside race, social status, and so many more things all at once. The performances are top notch, and it’s endlessly surprising. I could watch this show for 100 seasons and never get tired of it, truly. It’s one of my favorite shows ever, and I can’t wait to talk about season two.
9/10
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