Thing I love about this show is it has a through line plot which is Paper Boys rap career. But it takes a back seat (gets sprinkled here and there) and we more so explore the behind the scenes s*** that happens to these characters. It makes it unpredictable and not the typical “Oh Paper boy got a hit song, now he’s getting big co-signs, now he’s on tour, now he’s getting awards” Yes some of those elements exist but it’s only a tiny reflection off the layers they designed of showcasing the lives these characters truly live outside of the “Plot”

you seem to be looking for deep plot advancement in these episodes but “Atlanta” has never been a show that prioritizes plot. It’s all about themes and these 2 episodes worked perfectly as a pair.

On a surface level, this show seems all over the place with its random premises and one-off characters but it is actually extremely, extremely cohesive so it baffles me when people say they love this show but act so confused every time it takes an unexpected detour. those detours are a commentary on the arcs of the main characters

Take the Teddy Perkins episode. In a sense, it was very random because TP has nothing to do with Paperboi or Earn and em. but the episode used Teddy’s character to make a commentary on the effects of fame and trauma and how that effects an artist. And it ties in thematically to what we see Paper Boi dealing with throughout the series and it was explored even more 2 episodes later in the Woods episode

I feel like S3E1 is no different. Most of it isn’t about Earn and everyone else but at the same time it is. Loquareeous came from an abusive, traumatic Black upbringing. But then he is thrown into a White environment and then sees that things are not entirely different, it’s even worse in some ways

This is a parallel to the main cast leaving ATL this season and going to Europe. You’d think it would be a reprieve from the bullshit they faced back at home but nah, the f***ery is still present which we see in S3E2.
every episode is a piece of the puzzle

exactly bro. well-said

You sure? cause Earn tells the Dutch guy they were on a European tour a year before at a smaller venue. I assumed it's talking about where they were about to got at the end of s2?

Its just a year lol, not more than

Nah this is a great breakdown, f*** I didn't even look at the parallel of the first episode foreshadowing whats to come for the main characters. That s*** genius I'm not gonna lie.

This why I love the show, on a surface level its entertaining, can come across confusing to casual watchers but still entertaining. But for us fans, we really get to dissect and peal back the layers because this show is so heavy on theme and character development. And when s*** takes a detour it doesn't just say "hey we took a left because of X Y and Z" they leave it for us to figure out.

I dont think he said european tour but that they was in Amsterdam a year prior? So maybe they been in Europe for longer and then within the past year they finally hit Amsterdam?

who knows with this show lmao cus apparently Black Panther 2 is already out

This aint the first time that its been an episode in Atlanta that doesnt have anything to do with the main cast. It's plenty of episodes like that. Niggas gotta pay attention.

Niggas be wanting a generic, spoonfed, by the book, straight forward story that holds there hands smh.

Facts. I’m thinking maybe cus it was the first episode it threw some ppl off?

I know for sure a lot of folks was expecting to see an immediate continuation from where S2 left off and the gun in the airport s***. But you can’t expect s*** from Atlanta, it’s not gonna hit the generic plot points

Starting the season without any of the main characters is untraditional not surprising it threw people off

First episode wild

I was expecting to see Earn and the crew as well for the first episode but when I realized I wasn't gonna see them I got over it quickly and just focused on what was infront of me. Like you said, you never know what to expect from Atlanta.

People not understanding what the first episode has to do with the second episode gotta stop looking on the surface and look at the parallels and themes of race shared between the two episodes.

The last minute

That first episode was nuts, then learning that it actually happened was even crazier. Phenomenal start tho

Second episode was dope as well

thats a fact, a lot of the elements of this show isn't going to connect plot wise. But it will connect theme wise and further showcase the details of the characters.

It’s really just a sitcom disguised as a dramedy, like Succession

Both episodes were great

Got caught off guard with that scene with “Tupac”

When the CPS lady asked if they had one and they said no and her face was like