Atlanta - Robbin' Season

It truly is the Golden Age of Television. Online streaming platforms, binge-worthy content, and positive audience reception for long-form storytelling have encouraged directors, actors, writers, and producers to create unique shows. One such show is Atlanta.

Synopsis: The series follows Earn (Donald Glover) during his daily life in Atlanta, Georgia, as he tries to redeem himself in the eyes of his ex-girlfriend, who is the mother of his daughter, as well as his parents and his cousin Alfred, who raps under the stage name "Paper Boi".

Season 1 sets up Alfred aka Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry), a small-time weed dealer, who releases his own mixtape, which gets popular in the hood. Earn, cousin of Alfred, is homeless and barely makes his ends meet. He starts managing Alfred, bribes an RJ to play his song on the radio. We see Earn tackling parenthood, friendship, relationship, financial problems and racial tensions.

Season 2 is Robbin' Season. Goofier, more surreal, Lynchian to an effect. Every episode features at least one robbery as Darius (Lakeith Stanfield) says, "It's Robbin' season. As Christmas approaches, everybody's gotta eat".
There's an alligator and tales of Florida Man right in the first episode:

The first feature that instantly stands out is its cinematography. Every scene looks well composed with a certain visual richness. This could be because Hiro Murai (Director of most Atlanta episodes) hails from music videography. Subjects are slightly off center, following the golden ratio. One particular thing that's easily noticeable is the modified 180° rule. The subjects are on the same side of the frame when they converse, like this:

The series is mostly shot in real locations, with beautiful wide shots and close-ups only when necessary. 

Each episode starts with a cold open and then follows the lead characters, Earn, Alfred, Darius or Vanessa (Zazie Beetz). The writing is natural with crude slangs with weird stories and character motives. In Episode 3 (Money Bag Shawty), Earn's only motive is to stunt on others (meaning: demean, restrict from growing). The weirdness of the stories, having punchlines with empty reactions feels more real and funnier. The humor is slapstick, visual but mostly dark and mature. 

The music for the show heavily consists of rap songs. The Spotify playlist for it is here:

Awards: 

• Golden Globe Awards
  Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy
  Best Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy: Donald Glover
• Primetime Emmy Awards
  Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Donald Glover
• Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series Donald Glover (for "B.A.N.") 

Read more about it: 

• http://www.indiewire.com/2017/06/atlanta-legion-hiro-murai-fx-director-1201835082/ - IndieWire
• https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/03/05/donald-glover-cant-save-you