‘Atlanta’ Just Dropped Its Funniest Episode in Years

[Editor’s Note: The following review contains spoilers for “Atlanta” Season 4, Episode 4, “Light Skinned-ed.”]

In Season 4, “Atlanta” isn’t simply transferring again to its titular hometown; it’s staging a comedic comeback.

Earlier than attending to the chic silliness in Episode 4, simply take a look at what we’ve seen to this point: The premiere opens with Darius (LaKeith Stanfield) delivering an beautiful, well-deserved dig on Marshall’s, earlier than spending the remainder of the episode being stalked by a (racist) girl steering a slow-rolling scooter. Alfred (Brian Tyree Henry) goes on a scavenger hunt run by a useless man. Tracy (Khris Davis) makes his triumphant return as a bossy receptionist (in what seems to be a reasonably spectacular secret efficiency). Earn (Donald Glover) has to stroll out of a gathering after a co-worker utters the gloriously oblivious phrase, “I simply completed that ebook. It gave me an actual paradigm shift on how issues won’t at all times be as they appear.” Even Van (Zazie Beetz), who’s sadly scarce from the ultimate season, squeezes in just a few quips at a haunted Atlantic Station.

“Atlanta” at all times has and at all times might be humorous. Whether or not the jokes are darkish or foolish, they’re nonetheless baked in, however — even in comparison with the fretful “Robbin’ Season” — Season 3 drifts from nervous laughter to only plain nerves. In a manner, a way of unease is becoming. Who’s not somewhat additional fearful once they’re away from dwelling? Unhealthy goals (“Three Slaps”), dangerous journeys (“New Jazz”), dangerous meals (“Tarrare”) — to not point out the pointed commentary in many of the penultimate season’s one-off episodes — all of them forged a pall on the group’s madcap journey; a pall that’s extra noticeable within the gentle of Season 4 and particularly in Episode 4, “Gentle Skinned-ed.”

Author and govt producer Stefani Robinson, who injected welcome vigor into the Season 3 finale (by way of Alexander Skarsgård’s bikini briefs and Van’s “Amélie”-esque reinvention), pens her first episode of Season 4 — one befitting the creator of Jackie Daytona (she’s a author and E.P. on “What We Do within the Shadows,” as effectively) and writer behind “Atlanta” episodes like “Barbershop” and “Juneteenth.” “Gentle Skinned-ed” makes a worthy successor, each in its self-contained story and uproarious laughs. Earn and his household are on their method to church — specifically, his mom, Gloria (Myra Lucretia Taylor), his aunt, Jeanie (Michole Briana White), and his grandpa (Bob Banks). Earn’s father, Raleigh (Isiah Whitlock, Jr.) skips out, selecting as an alternative to take some me-time on the mall, which turns into its personal little misadventure.

From the second Raleigh drops a simultaneous “hello and bye” to his spouse and son, Episode 4 gives one pleasant shock after the subsequent. Gloria informs Earn of her secret plan: to “steal” grandpa from her sister. Then, with out hesitation, she does simply that: dashing away as quickly as Earn and Jeanie step out of the automotive for church, with the previous man nonetheless within the again seat. (The look on Earn’s face when he realizes his mom is about to ditch him — priceless.) Jeanie, a girl as controlling as she is judgmental, quickly latches onto Earn, suspecting he knew his mom’s plan, and even follows him to a recording session with Alfred the place she berates them each. (Earn and Jeanie’s one-word dialog — “So.” “So…” “So?” — would make Meisner proud.)

The following cellphone calls between Jeanie and her siblings, then Jeanie and the cops, infuse the episode with pathos. (Gloria’s fragile relationship together with her father is named out, then bolstered.) However simply while you assume issues could decelerate, the comedian rhythm retains tempo. There’s little beats, like the way in which Alfred and Earn sit down on the sofa, mirroring their shared frustrations over getting caught in a large number. There’s thrilling cameos, like Katt Williams, again for the primary time since his Emmy-winning visitor flip in “Alligator Man.” And there are nice traces: “You may’t kidnap your personal dad,” Uncle Willy tells his determined sister. “I don’t have time to clarify it to you proper now, however the phrase ‘child’ is in it, so mathematically, it’s unimaginable.” And all of it — very a lot together with Grandpa’s mistaken perception that he’s been “in Egypt” for 2 weeks — is buttressed by the telling reactions of Earn, Alfred, Willy, and Aunt Pearl (Teresa L. Graves), captured with loving precision by director Hiro Murai.

Isiah Whitlock Jr. in “Atlanta”

Man D’Alema / FX

Facet word: I really like how Jeanie, Willie, Pearl, and Gloria are all framed the identical manner of their respective areas — visually connecting the 4 siblings — however their conduct and environment distinguish their disparate personalities. Whereas Willie cooks burgers (presumably for his household/friends), Pearl folds laundry (for her circle of relatives), and Gloria sits together with her dad in a crowded mechanic’s ready room, Jeanie is just captured alone, shouting more and more determined accusations. (Even when Murai’s digital camera strikes nearer, there’s an empty chair behind Jeanie, or Alfred and Earn are stored out of focus — like when the previous raises his hand to politely request she not name the cops.)

Talking of the beleaguered cousins, they lastly notice their solely manner out of this mess is to depart Aunt Jeanie behind — bodily and emotionally, at the least for a short while. Raleigh conveyed as a lot to Earn earlier that day, when his son referred to as for assist from the church toilet: “I’ve been coping with this household for 30 years, you’ll be OK for in the future,” Raleigh says, whereas having fun with his “me time” with a relaxed shoe-shine. “I’m positive you’ll do the fitting factor.” Historically, that might imply sticking by your loved ones — even when your aunt is to this point off the deep finish, her personal siblings admit to hating her — however for Earn, it’s the other. Relatively than dealer peace or await all of it to blow over, he bows out, goes to dinner, and enjoys time with the household he really cares about. He’s simply following his dad’s lead, even when Raleigh may solely comply with his personal recommendation to this point. (He averted the household drama, however couldn’t keep away from the mall drama — I appreciated the hat, although!)

“Gentle Skinned-ed” attracts curious parallels between Earn and Raleigh, particularly of their ongoing quests for respect, however that’s a dialog for an additional time. Episode 4 ends prefer it started: on fun. Everybody goes to observe a Redbox tonight — a lot to Grandpa’s delight — whereas passing round their free basket of bread. Gloria acquired her dad again, Raleigh acquired his new cellphone, Earn hung out together with his of us. For the Marks household, all’s effectively that ends effectively. For the “Atlanta” viewers, Episode 4 is a rattling good time during. Extra please.

Grade: A

“Atlanta” Season 4 releases new episodes Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on FX, which can be found the subsequent day on Hulu.

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