Atlanta Season 4 Episode 3 Review: Born 2 Die
Atlanta Season 4 Episode 3, “Born 2 Die,” loses some of the momentum established in the previous outings, delivering a surrealist subplot that falls flat. That’s not to say it’s an under-par episode, but it’s difficult to see where the endgame is from here.
Alfred’s A-plot story is definitely more cohesive and solid compared to Earn’s secondary narrative. At least Al’s feels like it contributes to his potential ending for the series. In addition, “Born 2 Die” emphasizes a common throughline for Alfred in the show, especially regarding where he plans to take Paper Boi career-wise and artistically.
EARN: What is D’Angelo? We are D’Angelo. Let me experience … D’Angelo.
Whereas last week belonged to Donald Glover, this week allows Brian Tyree Henry to shine. He’s one of the cornerstones of Atlanta, a beating heart for the dark dramedy. Henry infuses Alfred with nuance, depth, and humor. He can say so much without uttering a word. His facial expressions never fail to elicit a good belly laugh.
In “Born 2 Die,” we see Al reconsider his career trajectory after being told he’s “too old” to continue rapping as he is despite coming off a successful European tour. The episode skillfully shines a light on the fickleness of the music industry and how the “next hot young thing” will perpetually take precedence over anyone cresting 30.
Meanwhile, Earn embarks on a trip to scout a new client that takes a turn for the surrealist. It wouldn’t be Atlanta without a healthy dose of surrealism. Undoubtedly, that aspect is part of what makes the show so powerful and poignant.
MAN (D’ANGELO): Since you were eight, you always had a dream where you were swimming, and below are hands grasping to reach you. You struggle to keep them from pulling you under. You fight to stay free. Why are you so certain the hands intend to harm you?
Glover’s comedic prowess is, as always, in top form here. Henry steals the show regarding reactions and facial expressions, but Glover’s delivery and timing stand out significantly.
Earn’s visit with who he thinks is D’Angelo is a metaphor for … something? D’Angelo spouts an eloquent line about Earn’s recurring dream where he’s swimming, and various hands try to pull him down. But are the hands really drawing him deeper into the watery abyss? That’s all Earn needs to know to move forward, forgoing taking this man under his managerial wing.
Even after emerging from this trippy experience ostensibly altered, Earn goes about his days as if nothing happened. Atlanta never relies on exposition, and like its penchant for surrealism, that’s part of its charm. However, sometimes we need an explanation. Unless this narrative somehow pays off in the later episodes, it’s hard to see why this B-plot is relevant.
ALFRED: How do you do it, man?
EARN: I just remember it’s not about what feels good. It’s about what survives.
That said, the moments leading up to the D’Angelo reveal are fun. Atlanta continues to provide unflinching, scathing commentary on systemic racism, particularly with how white people interact/address Black people. From the man at the beginning of the episode asking Al to teach his son how to “act” like him to the company Earn works for trying to spin a story about a white woman wrongfully pulling a gun on a Black man in a positive light, “Born 2 Die” maintains the show’s impactful, serrated-edge examination of racism.
Even when the show releases a weaker or tepid episode, you can’t deny that nobody does it like Atlanta. It’s in its own league. While “Born 2 Die” is somewhat disjointed narratively, it sets the stage for Alfred’s future, delivers plenty of the series’s trademark dark humor, and provides figurative food for thought.
Stray Observations:
- There’s a good chance that Lil Rick Moranis rapper has never watched a Rick Moranis film in his life, but someone told him he vaguely resembled the actor, so he took the moniker.
- Fun fact: for those who don’t reside in Georgia, there aren’t any Rally’s in the whole state.
- If you look up country rap artists, you’ll notice the most predominant ones are white. Systemic racism is so deeply entrenched in every nook and cranny of life.
- Yodel Kid probably died as he lived — yodeling through autotune.
- Earn’s tenacity is undeniably admirable. Waiting four days to meet a potential client in an underground bunker-type room? That sounds like a nightmare on steroids.
- NEV = Not Enough Van. It’s the final season. We need to see as much of our main cast as possible.
- Did anyone else feel like a bag of ancient bones after hearing Benny rap about anyone alive in 2005 being “old”?
What did you think of this episode of Atlanta? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Atlanta airs Thursdays at 10/9c on FX, with next-day streaming on Hulu.
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Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV, she's the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she's a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.