Atlanta

The dialogue, the script, the chemistry of the characters. Amazing. The dynamic of the characters is broad. I feel invested. I actually feel like it's true life. I'm from Baltimore and it reminds me of conversations with friends when I was younger. Darius is seriously my favorite character... everything about the guy. I'm still laughing about the gun shop scene. (dont think that's considered a spoiler)

That was my review but they are making me fill more space. Just know that this is my FIRST review.. I think they deserve it.

Not many words here but I rave about this show to everyone.

Here's my 10th line.

Atlanta, created and written by the multi-talented Donald Glover presents an intriguing, dynamic chemistry between an enigmatic Earn Marks (Donald Glover) and the stern, hostile, hood-driven city of Atlanta. A college drop out, Earn Marks seems to be living life at the bottom of a pit; a broke father, estranged by his parents and engaged with an absurd relationship with a girlfriend who mothers his daughter (unclear) - everything seems bleak. However, when news breaks out that his cousin Alfred 'Paper Boi' Miles (Brian Tyree Henry) is now the new hot rapper on the block, Earn drops everything he is doing to pursue the job of being Paper Boi's manager.

Even after having watched 3 episodes of the TV show, I still find it tough to pinpoint exactly what genre this absurdly riveting series falls under. While it pushes towards the drama section, the show is ridden with comedic bits. From the cinematography, to the acting, to the script, so far I have nothing but praise for Atlanta. Moreover, I cannot understate the rounded quality of the characters, to which I cannot end this short review of Atlanta without mentioning Darius (Keith Stanfield).

The eccentric nature of Darius is precisely exemplified by the first meeting between Earn and Darius in Episode One (The Big Bang): Darius holding a plate of cookies, wearing a cooking robe and a bandanna, with a knife ready to attack in case of an intruder. Even though he is consistently under the influence of cannabis, from time to time, Darius exudes of intellectual and spiritual wisdom. As in Episode Two (Streets on Lock) when speaking about the violent altercation of the previous night, Darius explains "As humans we are always close to destruction, life is (selfish) but a series of close calls… I mean how would you know if you were alive, unless you are willing to die."

The TV Show Atlanta is an avant-garde in the African-American film industry and seems to be following the same footsteps of top quality shows like Power and How to Get Away With Murder. Donald Glover has created a grabbing story which only begs for more.

This show was the first in years where I planned to watch it when it aired despite me setting the DVR to record it. The same way people geeked out on Game of Thrones, this show just struck my funny bone with the obvious situational humor and subded dark tones intertwined in it all. The basis of the show is about a upcoming rapper set in modern day Atlanta and his cousin who wants to be his manager. But what makes the show great is how the story is told. The storyline works like a drama but the perspective works like a comedy. This is much like the movie and show Parenthood; the storyline is not really a comedy but misery loving company can be funny. Atlanta works out the same way with the plot filtered through the lens of dark humor seen in Married with Children and Curb Your Enthusiasm. The show is well acted, well written, surprising, engaging, and most important it is funny.

What can be said about Atlanta that hasn't already been said? This show has had so much hype surrounding it and it has lived up to all that hype and then some. Yes, the first two seasons were better but even some of the bad episodes in these last two seasons were still pretty good. My only complaint about this show is how long it took between seasons. It was 2 years between seasons 1 and 2 and 4 years between season 2 and 3. That means in over 6 years we only got 3 seasons, but at least we got them. Donald Glover is one of the most in demand people on the planet. He's at the top right now with both his acting and music careers. Seriously, is there anything Donald Glover can't do?

Season 1: 8/10 Season 2: 9/10 Season 3: 8/10

Can't wait for more.