Like two reviews have mentioned this is based on a true story. The story of this episode is inspired by the Hart family murder suicide . Look it up its tragic . This is brilliant episode . This episode reminds me of Teddy Perkins and Woods . Its a pretty dark episode but with a happy ending . There is no main characters in this episode other than Earn at the very end . The episode is set from the point of view of a kid who ends up being put in a foster family and shows the struggles he has to deal with . This episode shows just how broken the foster care system is and the living standards kids have to deal with . 9/10 Excellent episode.
26 Reviews
This hurt
saullodanielle18 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I hated watching this episode. It was so uncomfortable and rough and that was the point.
It's based on real events. You want to interfere. You want it all to stop. You want to hug the boy so hard and tell him he's worth it. You want all those children that survive and see this boy be the hero they needed, even though it never happened. This was more suffocating than Terry Perkins, and that's saying a lot. It was also completely independent of the characters. Atlanta mixes reality and story so well, and it's always a punch to the gut witnessing it. And incredible. Again, such talent. I'm constantly in awe of Donald Glover.
It's based on real events. You want to interfere. You want it all to stop. You want to hug the boy so hard and tell him he's worth it. You want all those children that survive and see this boy be the hero they needed, even though it never happened. This was more suffocating than Terry Perkins, and that's saying a lot. It was also completely independent of the characters. Atlanta mixes reality and story so well, and it's always a punch to the gut witnessing it. And incredible. Again, such talent. I'm constantly in awe of Donald Glover.
Don't listen to the idiots hating on it. They're only doing it because it's cool to hate things that are undeniably great.
reynoldswraptpe26 March 2022
I get why Glover called this season "a black fairytale" now. This was like Scandinavian folklore (terrifying stuff) through the lens of being black. Every bit as disturbing as Teddy Perkins, but with a happier ending. Beyond sad this is based on true events. Just proof reality can be far more surreal and frightening than any book, movie or show. Powerful way to start off the season. Even more impressive is the little moments of bleak comedy that come when you least expect them.
Tragic true story
kawrynn26 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Truly Powerful Episode. Based on the horrible tragic true story of the Hart family murders. The story is equal parts outrageous and devastating.
Glover in the episode has one of the evil mothers ask the crucial question "Why didn't anyone stop us?" It is a pleading question. I remember reading the story when it happened, and I asked why then, WHY didn't anyone stop them? That pleading question echoes through the whole episode.
But the question also ACCUSES, why weren't they stopped? Was it apathy for underprivileged kids in foster care? Was it the racism of believing white women over repeatedly abused black kids? Did the womens' progressive political affiliations shield them from interrogation? - Maybe it was some combination of these things, but what I'm sure of is we failed these kids. They were taken from their black families by the government and given to these monsters. Their many pleas for help were ignored. We cannot allow this to happen to another family.
The creators of this episode changed the ending of this tragedy - Reminding me of Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" - so that, at least in fiction, these kids could be helped. I'm glad that Glover decided to give the kids a happy ending, the ending these kids deserved. It is just so sad they weren't saved in real life. My heart breaks for them and their real families. A powerful episode.
Glover in the episode has one of the evil mothers ask the crucial question "Why didn't anyone stop us?" It is a pleading question. I remember reading the story when it happened, and I asked why then, WHY didn't anyone stop them? That pleading question echoes through the whole episode.
But the question also ACCUSES, why weren't they stopped? Was it apathy for underprivileged kids in foster care? Was it the racism of believing white women over repeatedly abused black kids? Did the womens' progressive political affiliations shield them from interrogation? - Maybe it was some combination of these things, but what I'm sure of is we failed these kids. They were taken from their black families by the government and given to these monsters. Their many pleas for help were ignored. We cannot allow this to happen to another family.
The creators of this episode changed the ending of this tragedy - Reminding me of Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" - so that, at least in fiction, these kids could be helped. I'm glad that Glover decided to give the kids a happy ending, the ending these kids deserved. It is just so sad they weren't saved in real life. My heart breaks for them and their real families. A powerful episode.
Based on a True Story
andrepayne-3506425 March 2022
Fire opening standalone.
braydenherzka25 March 2022
I think this season will be my favorite yet, and solidify Atlanta as my second favorite show of all time. It's like a Jordan Peele horror flick, hope Donald and Hiro do more like this later, and maybe make it it's own series of standalone horror films. With great child stars and great talented writers that care about what they're doing, ATL season 3 doesn't disappoint.
Incorporates a true story into the theme
srmonin-1578128 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It's a story of a boy who seems to think he's getting a rough shake of a home life, only to be removed by CFS and quickly realize the grass isn't always greener.
For the people calling it "racially charged nonsense", it actually happened - it's based on a true story of the Hart family. "These white people, they gonna kill you" sounds like the mom is being dramatic until it comes to fruition.
There are things I don't understand about the episode. The opening scene is barely, if not loosely, related to the rest of the episode. I also don't quite follow the connection between the couple feeding the kids "healthy" versions of foods if their intention was to k*ll them. And finally, while I get the comedic side of it, who truly doesn't own a wash cloth?
For the people calling it "racially charged nonsense", it actually happened - it's based on a true story of the Hart family. "These white people, they gonna kill you" sounds like the mom is being dramatic until it comes to fruition.
There are things I don't understand about the episode. The opening scene is barely, if not loosely, related to the rest of the episode. I also don't quite follow the connection between the couple feeding the kids "healthy" versions of foods if their intention was to k*ll them. And finally, while I get the comedic side of it, who truly doesn't own a wash cloth?
Atlanta is back!!!!
riteshjshekar26 March 2022
Oh boy this episode is so damn good. Honestly didnt expect the first episode to be this intense. This episode had "Teddy Perkins" vibes. Cant wait to watch rest of the season. Donald Glover and Hiro Murai have crafted one of the greatest shows of all time.
Reality and anguish
LePapillion25 March 2022
A mastery of storytelling; I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I knew what this was based-a bonafide true life horror story. This is how the original news story *should* have ended. This is an elegy for those lost children.
All hail Atlanta. We really missed you.
All hail Atlanta. We really missed you.
Thank you
wongk92924 April 2022
If you don't understand this episode do your
research or go back to sleep. At first watch I
thought it was a very good episode/story. Then I did research and found out it was based on a true story. Then I thought it was a great piece of art and necessary. Truly a gift. Thank you.
Amazing but cornpop deserved more
crabrockmonsta1 April 2022
Get Out...but with lesbians.
rocafellaceo25 March 2022
I loved this episode.
rmdd-2374215 April 2022
Brilliant episode. My only complaint is that this is such a stand alone episode .. I find myself reflecting back on it often. I can't help but wonder if this was the right use for it. A pro is that it will definitely reach a larger audience being the season opener of Atlanta.
The con is that I think it could be more. I think it would have made for one of the best short films I've ever seen. An Oscar contender perhaps? It was stunning and I would love to see more like this from him.. with our without its use on his current show.
The con is that I think it could be more. I think it would have made for one of the best short films I've ever seen. An Oscar contender perhaps? It was stunning and I would love to see more like this from him.. with our without its use on his current show.
This is so Amazing *Spoilers
gsantonas29 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
What a fabulous episode and start of the season. Every scene was masterfully flowed into the next. That story about the women who adopted the Black children because they were Black and gave them a terrible life then committed suicide was on that haunts me to this day. The way they told it and how the boy got there is genius. It got all the complex issues between how different groups of people are raised and how we are brought up. The not having a hand cloth cracked me up. Being a White woman, it was a good lesson of always assuming you know what is better.
I wish the child in this story had the same effect as real life.
This show is so, so good.
I wish the child in this story had the same effect as real life.
This show is so, so good.
Keep my wife's name outcho f-in mouth!
Harry_Cany0n28 March 2022
Confusing but Great Get Out-esque Episode
Peanutman202025 March 2022
This is another black horror type episode, which is great to see as the genre is still somewhat niche. I would say it is weaker than both Get Out and Teddy Perkins but it is still a good episode from a great show. I understand that it was probably confusing on purpose, but I feel like a FEW questions could have been answered while maintaining the overall mystery. Maybe as the season progresses the metaphor will unveil itself, so who knows.
True Story
tbkamala11 September 2023
If you are a Social Worker like me and met and been around all types of various foster parents, I bet this was a true story. Brilliant episode. I have seen all kind of walks of life foster parents and heard all of the excuses and of course from the parents also.
Wonderful acting by everyone and love the way it was told wish it could have been longer but showed what it had to show. Danny G. You did a great job with this episode and so much more. I finally finished watching all 4 seasons and so glad I finally did. I see why all of you guys are successful and glad everyone's career is taking off🤗
Wonderful acting by everyone and love the way it was told wish it could have been longer but showed what it had to show. Danny G. You did a great job with this episode and so much more. I finally finished watching all 4 seasons and so glad I finally did. I see why all of you guys are successful and glad everyone's career is taking off🤗
Definitely wasn't what I was expecting
nickventura-9889625 March 2022
As much as I wanted to see the cast back in action it's not what I got but what I did get was a really well done story of an orphan. I'm glad that the show released with 2 episodes for its opening week because this one I wouldn't consider an episode of "Atlanta" but I still enjoyed it. The thing that bothers me though is that it seems like glover is going really hard on the "white people are evil" vibe which I understand but think is a bit unnecessary. As long as it doesn't go on the entire season I won't mind but I definitely got that vibe this episode. Still enjoyed it a bunch and can't wait for episode 3.
Kombucha
dannylee-780829 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
1. Loquareeous dances
2. Loquareeous gets adopted
3. Loquareeous runs away
Welcome back, Atlanta. Season 3 kicks off strong with this episode, which does not include any of the main casts but instead is formatted as a dream sequence (multiple of them actually), adding to the show's trademark surrealism. Its monologue in the beginning about what it means to be "white" was haunting and captivating but the ensuing story about Loquareeous was also very fun. While there were moments that were definitely funny (e.g. Cop interaction), it was kind of hard to believe that it was based on a true story (Hart Family Murders, which was a lot more brutal than the show). What the showrunners did was extract racial themes out of that incident and evolved into a TV episode. I thought it was very clever that it highlighted the contrast of race utilizing the environment of broken adoptive homes. It's challenging to articulate the episode's "message" but it does evoke lots of feelings and thoughts as it perfectly balances the creepiness of the family and excellent satire. The fact that they could produce an episode of this quality and this level of intrigue without the main cast shows how capable the showrunners are. Can't wait for the rest of season 3!
Welcome back, Atlanta. Season 3 kicks off strong with this episode, which does not include any of the main casts but instead is formatted as a dream sequence (multiple of them actually), adding to the show's trademark surrealism. Its monologue in the beginning about what it means to be "white" was haunting and captivating but the ensuing story about Loquareeous was also very fun. While there were moments that were definitely funny (e.g. Cop interaction), it was kind of hard to believe that it was based on a true story (Hart Family Murders, which was a lot more brutal than the show). What the showrunners did was extract racial themes out of that incident and evolved into a TV episode. I thought it was very clever that it highlighted the contrast of race utilizing the environment of broken adoptive homes. It's challenging to articulate the episode's "message" but it does evoke lots of feelings and thoughts as it perfectly balances the creepiness of the family and excellent satire. The fact that they could produce an episode of this quality and this level of intrigue without the main cast shows how capable the showrunners are. Can't wait for the rest of season 3!
disgustingly faux-progressive
ryand-6470228 March 2022
Just because you're (rightfully) uncomfortable watching black children reenact enslavement doesn't mean that Donald Glover is bold. It doesn't take a genius to realize that this is not based on a true story, but rather based on many true stories. Stories that do need to be discussed, but not to fulfill Childish Gambino's fetishizations of satirical racism.
Sucks
GhostReturns26 March 2022
Not my cup of tea, but it bodes well for the future
Criticalstaff10 May 2022
It is the first episode of a season that was on hiatus for a while. It is amusing/jarring to see that right of the bat it ignores all our regular characters and veers completely into a self contained horror episode. It is very reminiscent of Jordan Peele's films like Get Out, and it reminded me a bit of Shazaam also.
This first episode is very bold technically. There are some interesting choices in the camera angles, the length of the sequences and the cinematography in general is enjoyable. It is almost refreshing to see a TV show devote care and effort in those areas. And it bodes well for the rest of the season because it signals that there some thought and effort that went into making these little stories.
In general, I am not really a fan of the horror genre so I did not really engage with this episode as much as I wanted to. I believe that Atlanta already brilliantly executed on the premise of satire/homage of horror trope in the Teddy Perkins episode. Not only was it brilliant in the grammar of horror, that impact was real and genuine. But it was also so out of the blue that the surprise and the subversion worked for it. Here, it feels like we have seen this before and there is not the same feeling of novelty.
It is not to say that there is nothing interesting about this episode. There are some clever jokes and this show (as a whole) if anything is an exploration of white guilt. In that regard it works, but it does leave the feeling that it is taking shots at superficially woke leftist lesbians more than anything. I have a hard time believe that kombucha-loving hippie-leaning women are also suburbanites and Instagram-addicts. It does feel like a joke in itself or like a commentary on something. But it feels like the social commentary is disjointed. There is something contradictory about it, but I can't really put my finger on it. And maybe it is the point, maybe it plays into the surreal-ness of it. However, I preferred when the show was a bit more grounded.
I love the idea that it is a dream inside a dream inside a dream, but I am not sure if there is meaning in it. I could be that it matters later on in the season, and I will just have to watch to see if it does.
This first episode is very bold technically. There are some interesting choices in the camera angles, the length of the sequences and the cinematography in general is enjoyable. It is almost refreshing to see a TV show devote care and effort in those areas. And it bodes well for the rest of the season because it signals that there some thought and effort that went into making these little stories.
In general, I am not really a fan of the horror genre so I did not really engage with this episode as much as I wanted to. I believe that Atlanta already brilliantly executed on the premise of satire/homage of horror trope in the Teddy Perkins episode. Not only was it brilliant in the grammar of horror, that impact was real and genuine. But it was also so out of the blue that the surprise and the subversion worked for it. Here, it feels like we have seen this before and there is not the same feeling of novelty.
It is not to say that there is nothing interesting about this episode. There are some clever jokes and this show (as a whole) if anything is an exploration of white guilt. In that regard it works, but it does leave the feeling that it is taking shots at superficially woke leftist lesbians more than anything. I have a hard time believe that kombucha-loving hippie-leaning women are also suburbanites and Instagram-addicts. It does feel like a joke in itself or like a commentary on something. But it feels like the social commentary is disjointed. There is something contradictory about it, but I can't really put my finger on it. And maybe it is the point, maybe it plays into the surreal-ness of it. However, I preferred when the show was a bit more grounded.
I love the idea that it is a dream inside a dream inside a dream, but I am not sure if there is meaning in it. I could be that it matters later on in the season, and I will just have to watch to see if it does.
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