Atlanta
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Flashbacks arent a tool thatAtlantaturns to often, or ever.
Thats what the show does better than anything else on television.
All of that preamble is to say that FUBU is a masterpiece.
It simply cant be overstated what an achievement this episode is.
Which, implicitly it is, by merit of its existing at all.
But thats not all that this episode gives us.
Over the course of a couple days, were able to surmise the entirety of Earn and Alfreds childhoods.
Given this snippet and what we already know, were able to construct their lives.
Instead, I was deeply invested in the authenticity of Earns shirt.
Inconceivably, I cared about FUBU.
The episode begins by introducing us to Earn and his mother in Marshalls.
Weve only met her once, and weve heard of her several times throughout the course of the show.
Their relationship has accrued layers in the years since.
We now know that its complicated.
From there, over the course of two days, were shepherded through Earns world.
He goes to school.
He deals with bullies, he flirts with his crush, a kid asks to copy his homework.
He hasnt accrued the residue that the years ahead have waiting for him.
For this kid, at this time, whatcouldbe more important?
A chunk of the episodes weight comes from its handling of Earns daily minutiae.
Theres the incessant harassment from Earns peers, depicted as an expected part of his day-to-day situation.
There are allusions to parental discontent overMr.
There are the OutKast posters in Earns bedroom.
Theres the young woman (Denisha!)
whos confrontational with the teacher (while rocking a Baby Phat sweater!
), only for their ensuing discussion to act as a soundtrack for the classroom.
There are heckling boys, who are both the episodes primary instigators and also responsible for heightening its atmosphere.
Its all a part of Earns childhood, the foundation for his life as we know it.
Its how he came to be.
Neither of them goes after one another, but theyre dragged into the conflict regardless.
Theyve finally found Johnny, who can decipher their jerseys validity offhand and calls bullshit on Earns ware.
(Isnt that another trope?
A young man whos built an entire persona off of one perceived skill that he surely cant have?)
But then, as ever, Al comes to the rescue.
When the kids stare each other off, theres a beat of uncertainty.
But pitted directly against Als word, Devin folds, and is immediately derided.
And what does Earn do with this newfound deliverance?
He runs despite the young woman who stops him to hand her his number.
He runs despite the dap he receives from one of the friends whod stayed in his court.
The emotions play across his face: relief, resignation, and discomfort.
The silence is that palpable.
The Glover brothers Donald directing, Stephen writing simply could not have gotten it more right.
Earns and Als mothers are waiting for them at home.
Theres another FUBU jersey on his bed.
We cant help but ask if that ones real.
They dont need to say it.
We dont need an explosion to feel it all.
And they still wont probably.
It could literally tip the scales for the next five to seven years of your life.
With this episode ofAtlanta, plenty of viewers found themselves privy to a world they hadnt known.
Even more found themselves reflected, deeply, for the very first time, without compromise or judgment.
You cant help but be thankful.
