In my interpretation, Darius was smiling in the end because he saw that judge Judy wasn't thick, which means that his friends were real and that's why he's happy
well he also got upset because a white woman predatorily stole a piece of nigerian culture he introduced her to, driving a real nigerian family out of business as white people often do
I think Darius is much more than comedic relief. He's like the only one that sees both sides and is in tune with the weird and strange nature of things that happen. Hes like a trip sitter
100% agree and trip sitter is the perfect description for him. You can even make the case that Darius is arguably the main character when you look at the show as a whole.
I see it as a sad ending for Darius. In the previous two episodes we see where Earn, Lottie, Van, and Al are heading, and they've all found peace. They've all dealt with their trauma and fears. Darius throughout the show was shown to be the one that accepted the realities they all faced while others denied it, but now we see that it is also a defense mechanism. Darius accepts everything as it is, but that's because he cant tell the difference between real and fake.
Definitely hear you on that. Darius has always been a “it is what it is” person. I thought the finale was important for his character cause it showed him living in the moment and finally appreciating the present with his friends instead of thinking of the past or what the meaning of life is. I’m satisfied thinking Darius’ endgame is finally embracing life in the moment, even if it is under certain circumstances.
But see that's the thing, to a point Darius can tell thanks to his anchor (thicc Judge Judy) but a lot of the time he just appreciates the now "now" because fighting to discern what is and isn't real takes up too much time....time he knows all too well that's limited.
The thing that I loved about Darius is that he was never as phased by the weird incidents/events that happened in the series compared to the other characters. He’s so comfortable with absurdity.
@@ourtwocents Yes, I got a huge stoner vibe from him too. Like a psychedelic user hippie type of vibe. Anyway, definitely one of the most interesting characters in the whole show.
This ep is not only dedicated to Darius but, it also explains the series in a way. It all makes sense..on how Darius is, how he carry’s himself..the art of being at peace or not letting things bother him and his process of thinking. We’ve been under the impression unexplainably this is how he naturally is. But to our reveling, he’s been under the impression that’s he’s not even in reality but in a pod dream all this time while we’ve been the audience at home watching. Hence why the series has so many unexplainable, random but understanding events.
Then if you restart the whole show after the finale, the Deja Vu line makes complete sense, its like everyone does the same thing over again like that one other line in another episode "If i had to do it over again i would"
I think with his smiling at the end and everything, it means that he’s currently LIVING the dream. He was able to push through all of the ways his life could’ve gone wrong or being stumped by his struggles, but he pushed through it all and is living a good and whole life.
The true beauty of the ending for me is that it doesn't matter either way. If Judge Judy is: a) thick - then what happened prior is inconsequential and he'll wake up momentarily or b) not thick - all of the prior is real and he gets to enjoy another memorable episode living and growing with his friends. any consequences that could follow don't matter in this moment, he's fully present and happy (as you pointed out). And honestly I think that message is reflective of life at large. Atlanta as a whole has been a fun-house mirror reflecting an absurd, distorted image of life back at the viewers as a way to process and understand it; to exaggerate the borders of our constructed reality to point to the arbitrary nature of those borders. And whatever your interpretation of the ending reflects something about your personal life experiences, beliefs, and values as a person. Regardless, it all amounts to the same premise: whatever happens in life, it all works out in the end. Racism has not always existed and as a self-destructive ideology it will not always existed. In Kendrick's words, "We gon' be alright."
In the beginning of the episode, Earn walked in front of the screen which prevented Darius from seeing thick Judge Judy. Earn and Paper Boi point to the screen but it’s a Popeyes commercial, not thick Judge Judy. It has that Inception “totem” concept. We only see Darius’s thick Judge Judy totem work once in the middle of the episode. Not the beginning or the end.
Was really interesting to see this take on the finale and the whole show in general. Never really thought of Darius as the main character until you pointed how some aspect over the top aspects of the show would encourage thinking this may all have been a dream.
Appreciate you RKO! Glad I can help you look at the show from a different lens! Never thought of it too until the finale had me rewatching episodes and thinking about certain moments.
Great video Chris! I agree with everything, the Atlanta Finale will live on forever! Something that I never really thought of until this vid is Darius being the main character, I never thought of it like that. But the show being filled with surrealism and trippy moments his character is the epitome of that. Arguably the signature episode of the whole entire show is Teddy Perkins and that is a Darius episode.
Appreciate you very much king! Glad I can help you look at the show in a different lens brother. But everything you said is pure facts too. Teddy Perkins really is hall of fame television. Plus, Darius’ hat in the finale mirrors the Goofy hat too. 👀👀👀
Honestly I think the whole show was kind of a dream. Now that doesn’t mean events in the show didn’t happen but I think the show is actually Darius looking back at these moments with his friends since they have left Atlanta and how he feels about the world around him in the tank. Maybe every episode was a appointment to at the tank. I don’t know it was just how I’ve looked at it since watching the finale. But regardless of what the finale means this show was truly something special.
Man this is one of the saddest endings to a show. I never get sad from these shows but watching the show and darius being my favorite character and building a weird connection with him because you truly never know with him, is he gonna do something crazy or is he there to help his friends when their going through their own struggles. I think also if it was all a dream, I’d Earn, Al and Van even real people. Is darius so far gone in his grief that he’s created a whole different life? I mean to see how good of a person darius was in the whole show and then at the end see all of his demons made me sad. We thought we had known darius the real time… but we didn’t 😢.
Agreed man 😔 he’s the most tragic character while also being the heart of the show. Thankful we got to experience a character like him though and shoutout to LaKeith for playing him beautifully too. PS. Enjoy Wemby on the Spurs!
@@ourtwocents yeah man I wanna watch everything that lakieth is in now!!! Such a good actor! Thanks man so excited for Wemby! Hopefully he’ll dominate!!
Glad the thumbnail did that for you man! Happy to hear that and that you enjoyed it truly. Really was a phenomenal show but I’m glad we caught it when it was on!
My interpretation is that the whole episode is a dream, but not the whole series. I think the whole story line of this episode takes place after Earn, Van, and Lottie have moved and Al might be doing his own thing in his rap career or at the safe farm. If Darius was the only person of the main cast to stay in Atlanta, then the finale would be about him. I’m sure someone could go further in trying to explain why he’s doing therapy and who the lady at the pharmacy could represent, but I don’t wanna go full on MatPat. Great ending, overall.
I liked the surrealism and the oddities throughout the Atlanta series. I believe Darius was still in his Dep tank at the end, I think all of the imagery in the show was giving us insight on traumas that Darius carries and included intrusive thoughts he has (ie: picking up his friends at random and magically having popeyes already prepped for them. It was surreal, yeah he could have known they were craving Popeyes, but how would he have? I think it was a fantastic show that explored popular hollywood rumors, the black experience in the South, and what its like to rise to fame with friends who have each other's best interest. I think people wanted more of an action show or hbo style but I think Glover gave the viewer just enough for the -real aspect of surrealism to come through and be bearable. Great break down and thank you for the video!
Perfectly said! I had all the trust in Gambino to bring it home tbh. Shout out to FX for letting him do his thing too. Thank YOU for the comment! Appreciate you!
The pink Maserati(idk how to spell a car don’t come for me) scene is such a classic Atlanta scene for me now. Just seeing all of them together smiling was just contagious.
I feel like there are moments in the show that cant possibly take place in reality. The invisible car, the mall, the woods. But darius isn’t in two of these. It makes me think that this is all actually a dream.
Something I haven't seen anyone point out is that Darius mentions he goes in once a week, the same schedule Atlanta typically follows. We see Atlanta every week because Darius is living there once a week.
It’s crazy to think of but it makes so much sense seeing how surreal the show is. Kinda sad to think about as well since it’s a bit of a coping mechanism for Darius.
This is the only show where i had to google or watch review videos on each episode. It is the only show i will rewatch all the season. I hope Child Gambino and the director make any series or at least a movie on the scene of Atlanta
I hear you! I think down the line they’ll do something but not like a regular reunion like most shows do Gambino, his brother and Hiro are way too smart and creative to not make something crazy unique.
Darius is definitely one of my favorite characters from any show, ever. Just one of the most brilliant characters ever written into a show, and what a brilliant show to be in. Atlanta is part of my life now, I'll keep coming back to it every few years.
I feel Darius is living in a reality where his grief doesn't let his mind distinguish from what's real and what's fake. On the outside he seems happy, but on the inside he tries to create his own world where he still sees his family as being there as a defense mechanism to bar him from the horrible reality that he faces in the real world hence why he says he goes to the deprivation tank once a week for theraputic relief. I also feel a similar connection to Darius and the boy character from Childish Gambino's because the internet screenplay. The two characters have experienced similar situations in their respective stories. Could this be Donald Glover continuing on with that story or is Darius another interpretation of the boy character but in an alternate reality?
Definitely in my list of favorites too! I’m just happy they finished it off strong cause it solidifies it as Hall of Fame television. But I’m happy you loved it as well!
I know Thomas Flight has some on his channel as well! Just search up Atlanta video essay and I’m sure a few will pop up. Maybe down the line I’ll do another one cause you’re right, whole series deserves a video in itself.
Great review! There’s an interview where they mention the finale was written as a regular episode and a staff writer or someone suggested they save it for the finale instead and they loved the idea and ended the show with it
Thank you so much! And yeah I read that they were thinking that! Tbh can't imagine another episode as a finale so I'm thankful they stuck with this one.
The fact that Darius knew to save his peers and have the chicken they all were looking forward to eating; to me points to astral projection. As if he was there at one point in his lifetime while in the tank, he knew exactly what was expected of him. He couldn't save his friend or brother, but he was able to save his current friends. The Dep Tank gave him an opportunity for redemption and the revivision of a part of himself he felt removed from "wild and free Darius," no longer anxious Darius.
*LONG THEORY BELOW* I believe Atlanta (the city in this series) is an allegory for purgatory and this show as a whole is Darius’s simulated purgatory and, as the audience, we follow his perceived remembrance of his real life and the lives of his best friends before he went into his own purgatory (whether that be he’s in the tank, he’s sleep, he’s dead, or neither is up for interpretation still). Revisit season 1 episode 1, the scene with Earn on the bus talking to Ahmad White. Earn: “Are there people on earth that are just here to make it easier for the winners?” Ahmad: “Actual victory belongs to things that simply do not see failure. Let the path push you like a broken branch in a river's current” is this not the same philosophy we’ve seen Darius follow the entire show? Especially the final scene of that finale, the face Darius makes isn’t one of relief or fear, it’s acceptance. Whether real or fake, he perceives that moment no different and sees neither option as a bad thing. This makes him the victor and the broken branch yet thru the whole show we’re seeing the POV trials and tribulations of characters (Earn, Al, Van) whose entire existences in essence are to provide comfort or joyful experiences for Darius (the winner in this situation) in his own earth/purgatory simulation. Shidd in the first scene of the first episode Darius had Deja Vu of Ahmad White’s dog and this the same Ahmad White you only know from your dreams lol (iykyk). Rewatching the series is great for connecting certain dots to the finale (or completely reaching which is still fun too lmaooo)
This ending is great, it’s the most Atlanta ending I think they could’ve gone with. I remember reading an interview that Donald Glover wouldn’t be against doing a holiday special in the future, and I fully hope we get that. This show was so good I wish we had more
1000% agree! And yeah, I wouldn't mind like a one off special or even like a Super Bowl commercial or something like that. But yeah, wish we had more too!
Part of me wants to think the day was real and Darius is just happy to be in a real moment where his friends/loved ones won't simply disappear once he wakes up ... Another part of me thinks that everyone is actually gone by now, and he's still in the tank.. but he smiles because his friends aren't really gone.. they're just on the other side (they all separately were ready to leave ATL), and he's going to join them (in the beginning and in the end he says he'll catch up with them, but he really means "I'll catch up in life"). He knows they're not there with him to get into shenanigans on the daily, but they didn't leave him, it's just a part of life.. and that realization makes you smile because nothing gold can ever last, you have to just appreciate the moment while you can and if it was good one, it'll stick with you long after it comes and goes..
To be fair, I believe the show abandoned having a plot due to how busy the schedules of each actor became. The ending to me is open ended for a return. A show like this can come back in 15 years if they wanted too. It's a special ending for sure not my favorite but it works.
Yeah, I could easily see that. They’ve all become superstars imo and they’re in so many projects so good for them! Wouldn’t be surprised if they do something small down the line as a reunion and knowing Glover, it’ll probably be unique. I think this type of ending fits the world Glover and the writing team built tbh.
@@macaronitony4084 Bruh if he was to that, I would lose it. But if was to do that will it be the same characters and actors or something completely new
Hmmm I took it as a unique way of highlighting how different Atlanta is becoming to them after coming back from Europe - which was a theme in season 4.
@@ourtwocents yeah good point, I just felt that it wasn't a strong enough theme or event for a finale episode, definitely unique but there has been situations the show similar to this that are handled better
@@jabyalex7868 Ithink it makes more sense when you view the sushi place as a metaphor for the show as a whole and how it was being received or ignored - the writers/creators tried to make something black made and black owned that was trying something new, a new fusion of flavors, but the whole time the customers (audience) just wanted something more 'authentically black' like the chicken joint across the street. Hence why when the cast goes to Europe the real life audiences complain that it 'doesnt feel like Atlanta'. I thought it left a lot to think about
Just think he kept flipping over in the dep tank, imagine he drowned and he’s stuck with his friends forever as he’s dead, now he can be with his family who have also died and the family he finished it with
4:42 I think this is a great video but it’s missing an all important black perspective as part of the thesis of the show is essentially about absurdism and how for these characters and Atlanta absurdity arises as they try to understand their place in the world. Especially when they’re just people trying to be people in a world that often treats them as something else this episode stands as a great ending because we never know how Darius reconciles his place in the world. I don’t know if Darius is just avoiding his pain as much as he’s only allowed to confront certain things when he’s literally cutting out the outside world that projects a lot on him as we all did watching him as comedic relief etc. Paired against the adventure of the rest of the group and the speech they’re given, the show is saying something particular about Darius’ life that isn’t really his own. He’s damned regardless of whether judge Judy is thick or not
All my life I was super introverted and lived inside head. Almost to the degree that my life felt like I dream. In the end I realized that I had to make a choice because I couldn't live in between two realities. In the end its all for you to decide to continue to live in the dream or make the dream real. I think thats what it means. 🤷
i think the final 2 seasons settled enough of the plot lines that the finale didn’t have to cover ground. Earn and paper boi are successful and moving up same with Van! so the final episode was just a good bue because everything that usually is resolved in a finale has already been explored. we saw paper boi living his farm life. we dont need it resolved we just needed a farewell which this was a perfect one!
Don’t know why but the lady in the drug store. Something felt off about her and when I saw her hair it reminded me of Darius’s beard. What if it was himself reminding him deep in his deep dream about his anchor. Such a ducking great show
I remember reading a comment saying that she’s like a version of Darius’ mom and that she’s picking up medicine for her sick son (which parallels with Darius’ brother who is shown to be sick as well) Just so many layers on top of other layers
I thought the sirens meant that the cops were coming for him…but tbh I don’t think so, how many times have we heard sirens in the background for no police to come.
The reason I don't like the Atlanta finale is because so much random strange stuff happens in Atlanta always, the finale doesn't feel like a send-off. It feels like what otherwise would have been another regular episode, and for the finale, that's absolutely criminal
I could see where you're coming from but I think the random strangeness of the finale kind of fit the Atlanta ethos. I think the final season in general brought closure to all the characters so I didn't really need the finale to have a crazy send off but I definitely hear you.
whatever it is... its allowed us to enjoy and make our own meaning of the moment. similar to perception of "reality"... our perceptions paint our reality and thats our freedom.
Assuming you're talking about the episode with Al on the farm. Great episode especially the ending when he's facetiming with Earn and Earn says Atlanta isn't going anywhere so I see where you're coming from. I'm just glad that 3 of the last 4 episodes focused on closure for all the main characters tbh.
@@ourtwocents That's the one! I think it was the best episode of the series BY FAR. That one scene at the end when he just killed the animal and hops on the phone with Earn to act chill like nothing happened is one of the funniest scenes I've seen acted
were the three women in the tea room different ages of one person? I felt like the women looked the same but at different ages. considering he woke up 3 separate times may be a thing? I dunno but I was analyzing that last night.
I agree tbh The sirens and music choice doing it for you is dope cause everyone just points to his smile being the deciding factor of him being in reality. Been bumping the final song since the finale aired for a minute now tho ngl
In my interpretation, Darius was smiling in the end because he saw that judge Judy wasn't thick, which means that his friends were real and that's why he's happy
Yeah I agree with that as well. Pretty dope that they came up with something that's up to interpretation though!
AND THATS WHAT IM STICKING TO❗️❗️❗️❗️
Me too
wait, so paper bois carrer was real or ne never became a sucessful rapper?,
cope lmao
Realising that Darius got upset about the jollof in season 3 because it was something he shared with his brother got me 😓
Wowwww
Man that hit home now that you bring it up 😔
@@ourtwocents it hit me like an hour after the finale while I was lay in bed 😭😭
well he also got upset because a white woman predatorily stole a piece of nigerian culture he introduced her to, driving a real nigerian family out of business as white people often do
And possibly madr by his mom 😢
Omg I never thought of that
I think Darius is much more than comedic relief. He's like the only one that sees both sides and is in tune with the weird and strange nature of things that happen. Hes like a trip sitter
100% agree and trip sitter is the perfect description for him.
You can even make the case that Darius is arguably the main character when you look at the show as a whole.
Absolutely, of course.
just watched another essay on that hahaha
he’s v deep
literally the best way to describe him
The fact that they was able to turn thick judge Judy into something serious is amazing
Legit unreal and I can’t believe how well it worked. Shout out to her for allowing it cause I think they asked her in advance if it was cool.
I see it as a sad ending for Darius. In the previous two episodes we see where Earn, Lottie, Van, and Al are heading, and they've all found peace. They've all dealt with their trauma and fears. Darius throughout the show was shown to be the one that accepted the realities they all faced while others denied it, but now we see that it is also a defense mechanism. Darius accepts everything as it is, but that's because he cant tell the difference between real and fake.
Definitely hear you on that. Darius has always been a “it is what it is” person. I thought the finale was important for his character cause it showed him living in the moment and finally appreciating the present with his friends instead of thinking of the past or what the meaning of life is. I’m satisfied thinking Darius’ endgame is finally embracing life in the moment, even if it is under certain circumstances.
@@ourtwocents yea it's a bitter sweet moment
But see that's the thing, to a point Darius can tell thanks to his anchor (thicc Judge Judy) but a lot of the time he just appreciates the now "now" because fighting to discern what is and isn't real takes up too much time....time he knows all too well that's limited.
No I don't think so the ending smile seemed like he was finding peace imo
The thing that I loved about Darius is that he was never as phased by the weird incidents/events that happened in the series compared to the other characters. He’s so comfortable with absurdity.
Absolutelyyy
I think him being him helped drive the plot forward at times too.
@@ourtwocents Yes, I got a huge stoner vibe from him too. Like a psychedelic user hippie type of vibe. Anyway, definitely one of the most interesting characters in the whole show.
Because he can’t tell real and fake the entire time the shows been on
This ep is not only dedicated to Darius but, it also explains the series in a way. It all makes sense..on how Darius is, how he carry’s himself..the art of being at peace or not letting things bother him and his process of thinking. We’ve been under the impression unexplainably this is how he naturally is. But to our reveling, he’s been under the impression that’s he’s not even in reality but in a pod dream all this time while we’ve been the audience at home watching. Hence why the series has so many unexplainable, random but understanding events.
Perfectly said bro
He’s definitely a character who should be studied in film classes imo!
Then if you restart the whole show after the finale, the Deja Vu line makes complete sense, its like everyone does the same thing over again like that one other line in another episode "If i had to do it over again i would"
Wow didn't even notice that. Solid catch bro! More layers sheeesh
I think with his smiling at the end and everything, it means that he’s currently LIVING the dream. He was able to push through all of the ways his life could’ve gone wrong or being stumped by his struggles, but he pushed through it all and is living a good and whole life.
Perfectly said brother
I’d like to think that’s the case since he’s the goat and deserves happiness.
The true beauty of the ending for me is that it doesn't matter either way. If Judge Judy is:
a) thick - then what happened prior is inconsequential and he'll wake up momentarily
or
b) not thick - all of the prior is real and he gets to enjoy another memorable episode living and growing with his friends. any consequences that could follow don't matter in this moment, he's fully present and happy (as you pointed out).
And honestly I think that message is reflective of life at large. Atlanta as a whole has been a fun-house mirror reflecting an absurd, distorted image of life back at the viewers as a way to process and understand it; to exaggerate the borders of our constructed reality to point to the arbitrary nature of those borders. And whatever your interpretation of the ending reflects something about your personal life experiences, beliefs, and values as a person. Regardless, it all amounts to the same premise: whatever happens in life, it all works out in the end. Racism has not always existed and as a self-destructive ideology it will not always existed. In Kendrick's words, "We gon' be alright."
In the beginning of the episode, Earn walked in front of the screen which prevented Darius from seeing thick Judge Judy. Earn and Paper Boi point to the screen but it’s a Popeyes commercial, not thick Judge Judy.
It has that Inception “totem” concept. We only see Darius’s thick Judge Judy totem work once in the middle of the episode. Not the beginning or the end.
Wowwwwww
Nah that’s crazy - I’m still learning about stuff from the finale months later
Good analysis bro!
@@ourtwocents Peace and love, appreciate you. There's definitely a lot to digest.
Atlanta was the friends we made along the way
This comment always makes me laugh… but you were supposed to say… “ maybe Atlanta was the friends we made along the way”
I know this way supposed to be a joke, but in a way, it actually makes sense.
Was really interesting to see this take on the finale and the whole show in general. Never really thought of Darius as the main character until you pointed how some aspect over the top aspects of the show would encourage thinking this may all have been a dream.
Appreciate you RKO! Glad I can help you look at the show from a different lens! Never thought of it too until the finale had me rewatching episodes and thinking about certain moments.
I was convinced this is Darius world once he said it was a simulation by the pool.
I didn’t realize this video had under 2k views. damn this is really high quality and entertaining as well as intelligent and thought provoking
Appreciate that very much king! Comments like that makes making the video worth it man - means a lot. Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video Chris! I agree with everything, the Atlanta Finale will live on forever! Something that I never really thought of until this vid is Darius being the main character, I never thought of it like that. But the show being filled with surrealism and trippy moments his character is the epitome of that. Arguably the signature episode of the whole entire show is Teddy Perkins and that is a Darius episode.
Appreciate you very much king! Glad I can help you look at the show in a different lens brother. But everything you said is pure facts too. Teddy Perkins really is hall of fame television. Plus, Darius’ hat in the finale mirrors the Goofy hat too. 👀👀👀
Couldn’t agree more. Man, I miss this show so much.
I’m happy they didn’t drag it on though.
1000% agree. They probably coulda gone on for a bit but they ended while on top so I'm not mad tbh.
Miss it every single day 😔
Honestly I think the whole show was kind of a dream. Now that doesn’t mean events in the show didn’t happen but I think the show is actually Darius looking back at these moments with his friends since they have left Atlanta and how he feels about the world around him in the tank. Maybe every episode was a appointment to at the tank. I don’t know it was just how I’ve looked at it since watching the finale. But regardless of what the finale means this show was truly something special.
Man this is one of the saddest endings to a show. I never get sad from these shows but watching the show and darius being my favorite character and building a weird connection with him because you truly never know with him, is he gonna do something crazy or is he there to help his friends when their going through their own struggles. I think also if it was all a dream, I’d Earn, Al and Van even real people. Is darius so far gone in his grief that he’s created a whole different life? I mean to see how good of a person darius was in the whole show and then at the end see all of his demons made me sad. We thought we had known darius the real time… but we didn’t 😢.
Agreed man 😔 he’s the most tragic character while also being the heart of the show. Thankful we got to experience a character like him though and shoutout to LaKeith for playing him beautifully too.
PS. Enjoy Wemby on the Spurs!
@@ourtwocents yeah man I wanna watch everything that lakieth is in now!!! Such a good actor!
Thanks man so excited for Wemby! Hopefully he’ll dominate!!
wow I’m speechless, this was a great analysis and I’m really glad I took the time to watch it.
Thanks so much Josephine! Honored to have this type of reaction 🙏
one of the best finales on television
Couldn’t agree more 🫡🫡🫡
Incredible analysis man, appreciate it from one fan to another
Appreciate you king 👑
That means a lot man thank you
The thumbnail of this made me finally finish this season. Incredible show. I’m gonna miss it but like you said, it isn’t going anywhere.
Glad the thumbnail did that for you man! Happy to hear that and that you enjoyed it truly. Really was a phenomenal show but I’m glad we caught it when it was on!
My interpretation is that the whole episode is a dream, but not the whole series. I think the whole story line of this episode takes place after Earn, Van, and Lottie have moved and Al might be doing his own thing in his rap career or at the safe farm. If Darius was the only person of the main cast to stay in Atlanta, then the finale would be about him. I’m sure someone could go further in trying to explain why he’s doing therapy and who the lady at the pharmacy could represent, but I don’t wanna go full on MatPat. Great ending, overall.
I liked the surrealism and the oddities throughout the Atlanta series. I believe Darius was still in his Dep tank at the end, I think all of the imagery in the show was giving us insight on traumas that Darius carries and included intrusive thoughts he has (ie: picking up his friends at random and magically having popeyes already prepped for them. It was surreal, yeah he could have known they were craving Popeyes, but how would he have? I think it was a fantastic show that explored popular hollywood rumors, the black experience in the South, and what its like to rise to fame with friends who have each other's best interest. I think people wanted more of an action show or hbo style but I think Glover gave the viewer just enough for the -real aspect of surrealism to come through and be bearable. Great break down and thank you for the video!
Perfectly said!
I had all the trust in Gambino to bring it home tbh. Shout out to FX for letting him do his thing too. Thank YOU for the comment! Appreciate you!
@@ourtwocents I agree, it was such a creative and interesting show that kept me locked in. Thanks for reading my essay haha 😹
Thank you for shedding light on this brother 🤟🏽
Gotchu king 👑 Appreciate you very much for watching my guy!
This is an amazing analysis man. Please keep making content like this. Definitely have a subscriber!
That means a ton Cam! Thank you so much king 👑
And more content like this is on the way don’t you worry 🤝
The pink Maserati(idk how to spell a car don’t come for me) scene is such a classic Atlanta scene for me now. Just seeing all of them together smiling was just contagious.
I feel like there are moments in the show that cant possibly take place in reality. The invisible car, the mall, the woods. But darius isn’t in two of these. It makes me think that this is all actually a dream.
Something I haven't seen anyone point out is that Darius mentions he goes in once a week, the same schedule Atlanta typically follows. We see Atlanta every week because Darius is living there once a week.
I caught that too, makes you wonder if he was in the tank when he seen the dog with the Texas and had Deja vu
Yeah the first scene in the show hits insanely different now.
It’s crazy to think of but it makes so much sense seeing how surreal the show is. Kinda sad to think about as well since it’s a bit of a coping mechanism for Darius.
I'm real happy with this ending. I'm real happy with the show. I really really like it
Couldn't agree more Carter! I miss the show every day.
This is the only show where i had to google or watch review videos on each episode. It is the only show i will rewatch all the season.
I hope Child Gambino and the director make any series or at least a movie on the scene of Atlanta
I hear you!
I think down the line they’ll do something but not like a regular reunion like most shows do
Gambino, his brother and Hiro are way too smart and creative to not make something crazy unique.
Ending and the beginning tie in so good chefs kiss
Darius is definitely one of my favorite characters from any show, ever. Just one of the most brilliant characters ever written into a show, and what a brilliant show to be in. Atlanta is part of my life now, I'll keep coming back to it every few years.
I feel Darius is living in a reality where his grief doesn't let his mind distinguish from what's real and what's fake. On the outside he seems happy, but on the inside he tries to create his own world where he still sees his family as being there as a defense mechanism to bar him from the horrible reality that he faces in the real world hence why he says he goes to the deprivation tank once a week for theraputic relief. I also feel a similar connection to Darius and the boy character from Childish Gambino's because the internet screenplay. The two characters have experienced similar situations in their respective stories. Could this be Donald Glover continuing on with that story or is Darius another interpretation of the boy character but in an alternate reality?
Lord I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest but it’s nuts to think about when you put it like that
One of my favorite if not my favorite episode of the entire series, loved it.
Definitely in my list of favorites too! I’m just happy they finished it off strong cause it solidifies it as Hall of Fame television. But I’m happy you loved it as well!
@@ourtwocents yeah I think it was a great finale as well.
I agree, as a self proclaimed movie buff, I consider this one of the best show finales I’ve ever seen. Definitely made you feel something.
Thanks for making me cry, just when I didn't think I could appreciate Donald Glover's mind any more...
Sorry Ben 😔
But I’m glad I could assist you in more Glover appreciation! He truly is a defining voice in this generation.
someone needs to make a video essay covering the whole series
I know Thomas Flight has some on his channel as well!
Just search up Atlanta video essay and I’m sure a few will pop up.
Maybe down the line I’ll do another one cause you’re right, whole series deserves a video in itself.
Darius does the deprivation tank EVERY WEEK!! so everything was a dream from Darius?
👀👀👀 Wouldn't be surprised! The rewatch gunna hit different tbh
Great review! There’s an interview where they mention the finale was written as a regular episode and a staff writer or someone suggested they save it for the finale instead and they loved the idea and ended the show with it
Thank you so much! And yeah I read that they were thinking that!
Tbh can't imagine another episode as a finale so I'm thankful they stuck with this one.
Goat analysis for a goat show 🫡
Appreciate you king! 👑
Thank you for making this!🤘🏽
Thank you for watching it!!
This is a great analysis! Excellent man.
Appreciate you! Thank you so much!
This was such a great essay on such a brilliant show. Well done!
Appreciate you Kaleb! Means a lot! 🫡
One of the great shows of all time... and one of the great finales ever. 🙏🏼🥰
The fact that Darius knew to save his peers and have the chicken they all were looking forward to eating; to me points to astral projection. As if he was there at one point in his lifetime while in the tank, he knew exactly what was expected of him. He couldn't save his friend or brother, but he was able to save his current friends. The Dep Tank gave him an opportunity for redemption and the revivision of a part of himself he felt removed from "wild and free Darius," no longer anxious Darius.
*LONG THEORY BELOW*
I believe Atlanta (the city in this series) is an allegory for purgatory and this show as a whole is Darius’s simulated purgatory and, as the audience, we follow his perceived remembrance of his real life and the lives of his best friends before he went into his own purgatory (whether that be he’s in the tank, he’s sleep, he’s dead, or neither is up for interpretation still). Revisit season 1 episode 1, the scene with Earn on the bus talking to Ahmad White. Earn: “Are there people on earth that are just here to make it easier for the winners?” Ahmad: “Actual victory belongs to things that simply do not see failure. Let the path push you like a broken branch in a river's current” is this not the same philosophy we’ve seen Darius follow the entire show? Especially the final scene of that finale, the face Darius makes isn’t one of relief or fear, it’s acceptance. Whether real or fake, he perceives that moment no different and sees neither option as a bad thing. This makes him the victor and the broken branch yet thru the whole show we’re seeing the POV trials and tribulations of characters (Earn, Al, Van) whose entire existences in essence are to provide comfort or joyful experiences for Darius (the winner in this situation) in his own earth/purgatory simulation. Shidd in the first scene of the first episode Darius had Deja Vu of Ahmad White’s dog and this the same Ahmad White you only know from your dreams lol (iykyk). Rewatching the series is great for connecting certain dots to the finale (or completely reaching which is still fun too lmaooo)
Darius is what is defined as somewhere in between of a genius and psychopath. And i love it.
This ending is great, it’s the most Atlanta ending I think they could’ve gone with. I remember reading an interview that Donald Glover wouldn’t be against doing a holiday special in the future, and I fully hope we get that. This show was so good I wish we had more
1000% agree! And yeah, I wouldn't mind like a one off special or even like a Super Bowl commercial or something like that. But yeah, wish we had more too!
Deep. Thank you brother
Thank YOU. Appreciate it very much!
Part of me wants to think the day was real and Darius is just happy to be in a real moment where his friends/loved ones won't simply disappear once he wakes up ...
Another part of me thinks that everyone is actually gone by now, and he's still in the tank.. but he smiles because his friends aren't really gone.. they're just on the other side (they all separately were ready to leave ATL), and he's going to join them (in the beginning and in the end he says he'll catch up with them, but he really means "I'll catch up in life"). He knows they're not there with him to get into shenanigans on the daily, but they didn't leave him, it's just a part of life.. and that realization makes you smile because nothing gold can ever last, you have to just appreciate the moment while you can and if it was good one, it'll stick with you long after it comes and goes..
Just beautiful.
Great video, you have a great way of speaking
Thank you very much Jimi! Means a lot king. 👑
@@ourtwocents No, thank you for the great video, excited to see what you make next!
@@ourtwocents No, thank you for the great video, excited to see what you make next!
this was a great video! cheers 🌟
Greatly appreciated thank you so much! 👑
To be fair, I believe the show abandoned having a plot due to how busy the schedules of each actor became. The ending to me is open ended for a return. A show like this can come back in 15 years if they wanted too. It's a special ending for sure not my favorite but it works.
Yeah, I could easily see that. They’ve all become superstars imo and they’re in so many projects so good for them! Wouldn’t be surprised if they do something small down the line as a reunion and knowing Glover, it’ll probably be unique. I think this type of ending fits the world Glover and the writing team built tbh.
I’d like to think it was a dream but he’s waking up on the day of the very first episode if that makes sense you know like a foreshadowing dream
Atlanta was amazing! Can't wait to see season one of "LA"
LA?? Donald Glover making another show called LA
@thedon1485 who knows. It's my theory of him moving from Atlanta to l.a
@@macaronitony4084 Bruh if he was to that, I would lose it. But if was to do that will it be the same characters and actors or something completely new
This show just talks to me man. Idk why just some feeling i can relate too
Im with you brother
Beautifully done!
Thank you so much Joia!
Love your channel name, bro.
Appreciate you Blake! Thank you!
And it DEFINITELY taught us about Florida Man. 🤦🏿♂️
The whole episode should've been Darius centred with the sushi scene cut out completely, it felt like an add on
Hmmm
I took it as a unique way of highlighting how different Atlanta is becoming to them after coming back from Europe - which was a theme in season 4.
@@ourtwocents yeah good point, I just felt that it wasn't a strong enough theme or event for a finale episode, definitely unique but there has been situations the show similar to this that are handled better
@@jabyalex7868 Ithink it makes more sense when you view the sushi place as a metaphor for the show as a whole and how it was being received or ignored - the writers/creators tried to make something black made and black owned that was trying something new, a new fusion of flavors, but the whole time the customers (audience) just wanted something more 'authentically black' like the chicken joint across the street. Hence why when the cast goes to Europe the real life audiences complain that it 'doesnt feel like Atlanta'. I thought it left a lot to think about
Great video and I love your take ion the finale
Appreciate you king!
damn so these random plots episodes make more sense now bc sometimes you dream like u watching a movie with people that u dont know
This finale got inspiration from my favorite movie of all time Inception...i loved it
Just think he kept flipping over in the dep tank, imagine he drowned and he’s stuck with his friends forever as he’s dead, now he can be with his family who have also died and the family he finished it with
Sheeeesh
Tragic and beautiful - the thought of that got me kinda emotional
this made me cry man
4:38-4:45 that’s a bar bro, so real
Ay I appreciate you king! Means a lot🫡
Darius jumped into the Matrix, America. Also, Judge Judy is in fact thick. We are all in it 👁️🗨️👃🏽👁️🗨️
childish gambino is a great writer
Couldn’t agree more Evil. My guy really is a Swiss Army knife!
Darius was always my fav character from the start the last episode had me going crazy this show is 2 good 💯
Ending reminded me of Inception in a way, when he looked at Judge Judy without us getting a answer.
4:42 I think this is a great video but it’s missing an all important black perspective as part of the thesis of the show is essentially about absurdism and how for these characters and Atlanta absurdity arises as they try to understand their place in the world. Especially when they’re just people trying to be people in a world that often treats them as something else this episode stands as a great ending because we never know how Darius reconciles his place in the world.
I don’t know if Darius is just avoiding his pain as much as he’s only allowed to confront certain things when he’s literally cutting out the outside world that projects a lot on him as we all did watching him as comedic relief etc.
Paired against the adventure of the rest of the group and the speech they’re given, the show is saying something particular about Darius’ life that isn’t really his own. He’s damned regardless of whether judge Judy is thick or not
All my life I was super introverted and lived inside head. Almost to the degree that my life felt like I dream. In the end I realized that I had to make a choice because I couldn't live in between two realities. In the end its all for you to decide to continue to live in the dream or make the dream real. I think thats what it means. 🤷
Amazing video man
Thank you Boba Fett!!
The same kind of ending like the sopranos, Donald Glover understands cinema and is a genius in that realm, HANDS DOWN.
i think the final 2 seasons settled enough of the plot lines that the finale didn’t have to cover ground. Earn and paper boi are successful and moving up same with Van! so the final episode was just a good bue because everything that usually is resolved in a finale has already been explored. we saw paper boi living his farm life. we dont need it resolved we just needed a farewell which this was a perfect one!
It was all a dream, I used to read word up! magazine 🎶
Don’t know why but the lady in the drug store. Something felt off about her and when I saw her hair it reminded me of Darius’s beard. What if it was himself reminding him deep in his deep dream about his anchor. Such a ducking great show
I remember reading a comment saying that she’s like a version of Darius’ mom and that she’s picking up medicine for her sick son (which parallels with Darius’ brother who is shown to be sick as well)
Just so many layers on top of other layers
@@ourtwocents that’s also a gnarly theory. And it kinda fits. I hope we never find out though, this show will live rent free for the rest of time
*Great analysis*
Appreciate you Godfather 🫡
Thank you king!
I thought the sirens meant that the cops were coming for him…but tbh I don’t think so, how many times have we heard sirens in the background for no police to come.
Thank you for this amazing video man.
Thank you so much for watching!
Of course it was a dream... There was an invisible car from the first episode 🧐
The reason I don't like the Atlanta finale is because so much random strange stuff happens in Atlanta always, the finale doesn't feel like a send-off. It feels like what otherwise would have been another regular episode, and for the finale, that's absolutely criminal
I could see where you're coming from but I think the random strangeness of the finale kind of fit the Atlanta ethos. I think the final season in general brought closure to all the characters so I didn't really need the finale to have a crazy send off but I definitely hear you.
Amazing video, amazing show
Appreciate you!!
Great breakdown
Appreciate you king! Thank you!
Darius was dead living out ‘Jacob’s ladder’
The streets won't forget Atlanta just like they won't forget Jay Jay Okocha with that PSG jersey.
The scene with his brother was so hard to watch.
Had me in tears the first time I watched it 😔
Beautifully acted and written
This whole series is potentially Darius in the tank
Darius is happy to be out of the tank for good instead of thinking he was out of the tank then thick judge judy comes...
his music is also amazing
Darius might be one of the greatest and most complex characters ever created
whatever it is... its allowed us to enjoy and make our own meaning of the moment. similar to perception of "reality"... our perceptions paint our reality and thats our freedom.
and that was my two cent... sorry ill leave but great analysis and perspective bro!
😂😂😂 nah you’re good! Brilliantly said btw and appreciate you!!
Damm bro
I'm def gonna go rematch Atlanta now with this is mind that Darius is the main character.. damn thats deep
Enjoy it brother!
Definitely hits differently on the rewatch for sure...
Imma be honest, the second to last episode was its true finale. Much much better
Assuming you're talking about the episode with Al on the farm. Great episode especially the ending when he's facetiming with Earn and Earn says Atlanta isn't going anywhere so I see where you're coming from. I'm just glad that 3 of the last 4 episodes focused on closure for all the main characters tbh.
@@ourtwocents That's the one! I think it was the best episode of the series BY FAR. That one scene at the end when he just killed the animal and hops on the phone with Earn to act chill like nothing happened is one of the funniest scenes I've seen acted
Earn, lottie and van died when they went camping trying to cross the river...Al died at the farm...
wow.
No
Doubt .. black excellence
Absolutely ❤️
were the three women in the tea room different ages of one person? I felt like the women looked the same but at different ages. considering he woke up 3 separate times may be a thing? I dunno but I was analyzing that last night.
i just think his part of that episode is a dream. not the entire show
That’s fair. Could definitely see that being the case!
I wanna point out that at the ending the sirens and the music choice hinted to me that he was finally back in reality idk tho🤷🏾♂️
I agree tbh
The sirens and music choice doing it for you is dope cause everyone just points to his smile being the deciding factor of him being in reality. Been bumping the final song since the finale aired for a minute now tho ngl