Atlanta Season 4 Episode 7 Review: Snipe Hunt
Atlanta Season 4 Episode 7, “Snipe Hunt,” is a grounded, intimate affair, focusing on defining Earn and Van’s relationship with solid performances from Donald Glover and Zazie Beetz.
Never has there been a less surrealist outing as Atlanta keeps us firmly secured in reality for 30 minutes of a quiet family drama. Well, except for the “snipe” Lottie caught. That moment is pure, unadulterated Atlanta. Besides that, we see Earn at his most honest and vulnerable as he endeavors to convince Van and Lottie to move to LA with him.
EARN: What’s so great about Atlanta that you can’t leave it behind?
It’s lovely to see the series keep an eye on our leading players’ futures, especially since there are only three episodes left. The show seldom leans into a concrete, overarching seasonal narrative, and something tells me this will change in the coming installments as we bid farewell to this crew.
One of the contributing factors to this episode’s level of intimacy is not only the grand, scenic scope of Earn, Van, and Lottie’s surroundings but the fluid camerawork, too. The cinematography is bursting with long shots to evoke a feeling of intrusion, as if we’re spying on this family from afar. It works.
Additionally, the outing doesn’t rely on physical affection to convey intimacy. We don’t even see Earn and Van kiss. Of course, you can’t expect full-on sex when you have a six-year-old present. However, we don’t need evidence of their love via their physicality. Through poignant, hard-hitting dialogue and tender character work, we already feel that love between them.
VAN: I’m afraid that it’s about you not wanting to be alone when you get there and that you’re scared of that. I’m not just your security blanket.
Glover delivers one of his best performances of the series (although nothing can beat “The Homeliest Little Horse” — that has “Emmy award winner” written all over it). He injects Earn with such depth of feeling and nuance while keeping his performance simple. He becomes a conduit for Earn to speak to Van from his soul. Glover doesn’t employ fancy acting tricks; he’s simply honest on camera. And that’s where the magic happens.
Beetz is no acting slouch, either. She’s always a generous scene partner, often stealing the show from Glover, LaKeith Stanfield, and Brian Tyree Henry (“Tarrare,” anyone?). Beetz mines the depths of Van to uncover her truth, and it’s beautiful to watch as she acknowledges her love for Earn and allows herself to embark on a new adventure with him.
For the majority of Atlanta‘s run, the state of Earn and Van’s relationship was always a murky, gray shadow. Its complexities kept us invested, but “Snipe Hunt” sets the record straight. Their love for each other was always evident. Thankfully, this episode paints a vivid picture of what that love entails in a beautifully intimate, heartwarming setting. Glover and Beetz have always harbored easy onscreen chemistry, which undoubtedly helps.
EARN: Do you think I just see you as Lottie’s mom? Do you not realize how in love with you I am?
“Snipe Hunt” is different than your standard Atlanta fare, but its narrative swings and creative deviation from the norm are what make it work. It’s grounded and raw while showcasing a gorgeous family at their most comfortable. Its intrinsic warmth is like a cozy blanket on a brisk autumn day.
Stray Observations:
- The opening of this outing is reminiscent of Season 2 Episode 4, “Helen,” when Earn accompanies Van to a German festival she attended as a child. They’re also driving at the start of that episode.
- “Snipe Hunt” might be the only Atlanta episode without the show’s signature title card. They like to conceal the word “Atlanta,” but it doesn’t pop up anywhere this time. It’s rather fitting since Earn and Van talk about leaving Atlanta for LA.
- The description for “Snipe Hunt” mentions that Libra men are “the worst.” Funnily enough, Donald Glover is a Libra.
- Austin Elle Fisher, who plays Lottie, is going places. She’s such an intelligent actress. Her eyes spark with mischief and brim with a maturity you seldom see in one so young.
- As one who’s been on the receiving end of the snipe-hunting joke, the fact that Atlanta brought the imaginary creature to life is brilliant.
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.