Atlanta’s fourth season just premiered, and it’s just as relatable, beautiful, and absurd as the seasons before it. Much of that is thanks to Atlanta’s strong main cast. Earn, Van, Darius, and Al are such different people, who develop in fascinating ways throughout the three seasons.
They also happen to be very quotable, as the dialogue in the show is well-written and authentically human. It’s just people being people, and that’s what makes the main characters of Atlanta so relatable.
"Could I Measure Your Tree?"
Darius (Season 1, Episode 1)
Darius is by far the funniest of the main cast, and that’s thanks to his charmingly quirky personality, which is best exemplified by this simple quote. The type of guy to ask something so strange unprompted towards a stranger is a guy that’s fun to hang around with.
Al being the straight man to Darius’ weirdness makes for some memorable dialogue scenes. In addition, this quote showcases Darius’ natural curiosity. He has a fascination with the world that most of the other characters simply don’t. He seems happier about it.
"I Don't Believe In Time As A Concept So I'm Just Going To Say We Always Met."
Darius (Season 2, Episode 1)
Another aspect of Darius’ personality is how deeply philosophical he is. He may say unusual things, such as “I would say nice to meet you, but I don’t believe in time as a concept, so I’ll just say we always met.e has genuine beliefs and says these things with such firm confidence that confuses people. It’s what makes Darius so likable.
This mindset of “we always met” probably explains why Darius is so sociable. He seems to have an easy time talking with people. He treats everyone like he’s already met them. It shows why he’s so easygoing, even when stressful things happen in life.
“Naija Means Nigerian. This Is A Nigerian Restaurant...”
Darius (Season 3, Episode 6)
Although it doesn’t show up often, Darius is very fond of his Nigerian heritage. He loves the food, the music, and the culture, and while it was only mentioned offhand in the first two seasons, this episode brings it to the forefront. It’s a part of Darius’ identity and one he loves.
That’s why it hurts so much more when he sees the restaurant gentrified. He feels partially responsible for getting the one connection he has to home bought out by white people. It’s a depressing truth that many white people see foreign culture as an “aesthetic”, not as something to be respected.
“For People Like Me, There’s A Gray Area.”
Van (Season 1, Episode 6)
Van is introduced as the more “stable” half of Lottie’s parents. She has a decent job and pays for most of the rent. However, a huge chip on her shoulder, especially when with friends, is how she’s “wasting” her potential on Earn. This comes to a head during an argument over dinner with her friend.
While her friend was out of line, there was a nugget of truth in her harsh words. Van was starting to be stagnant and directionless. She is a woman with many talents and doesn’t have much time for herself outside of her job and Lottie. Still, she has the awareness to know that her situation doesn’t invalidate her “worth” as a woman.
“We Can Be Good Together, But Only When We Really Have To Be.”
Van (Season 2, Episode 4)
This sums up Earn and Van’s relationship depressingly well. They’re both intelligent, talented people who love their daughter, and in the best of times, nobody would doubt their compatibility. When problems arise, they separate, and they learn they’re just two different people.
The episode is a breakdown of their relationship, both figuratively and literally. In the ping pong game that concludes the episode, audiences see how much Van tries in the game while Earn just doesn’t. It’s a sad moment, but a fantastic setup for Van’s internalized issues.
“Earn Knows Who He Is. Lottie Knows Who She Is. But Who The Hell Am I?”
Van (Season 3, Episode 10)
After being absent for most of the third season, Season 3’s tenth episode finally focuses on Van. The episode is unhinged, even by Atlanta standards, yet wonderfully weird and hilarious as always. All of a sudden, Candice asks her what she plans to do about Lottie.
This sends Van into hysterics, and she breaks down then and there. The surreal episode is hit with a dose of reality. The quote above is the climax of her development. Van needed to find something that was hers. Not Earn’s, not Lottie’s, but hers. Sadly, she wouldn’t find it this season, but at least she has a friend by her side.
"Poor People Are Too Busy Trying Not To Be Poor."
Earn (Season 1, Episode 4)
Earn is in poverty, and has to take odd jobs and minimum wage positions to provide for his family. As a result, Earn is representative of the working class that get stepped on by society. Despite his talents and intelligence, Earn isn’t respected.
Now, he’s being told advice that doesn’t help him right now. While Darius isn’t wrong about the investment advice long-term, he failed to recognize the immediate situation his friend was in. Thankfully, they make up, but Earn’s outburst informs his decisions throughout the show.
“Nothing Was About To Happen Until Something Happened.”
Earn (Season 2, Episode 9)
Earn acts like the universe is against him, and considering the show he’s in, his worries aren’t unfounded. It seems at every opportunity, Earn’s life is turned upside down by something he had no control over. It happened in Princeton, and it happened to him all throughout Season 2.
People like to think that something “would never happen to them” out of a false sense of security. When something does happen, they lash out and feel the universe is against them. Earn keeps this in mind so that he can stay grounded, even when he’s downtrodden.
“Like A “Reinvest In Your Hood” Campaign. Something That Might Actually Help People.”
Earn (Season 3, Episode 6)
After his epiphany in the Season 2 finale, Season 3 has Earn finally put himself together. A year has ed and Paper Boi has become a big enough act on his own. Earn is doing well for himself, and is no longer going through the poverty that had defined most of his life.
The quote above shows that his optimism is returning to him. Not only that, he finally gets to use his intelligence for other people. He gives Al genuine advice on how to better his community. While Al laughs it off at first, he eventually does turn around and does just what Earn advised. Earn is one of Donald Glover’s best roles, by far, and this season cements it.
“People Ain’t Just Nice, Earn.”
Al (Season 1, Episode 1)
This is one of the first things Al (played by Brian Tyree Henry) says in the entire series. This attitude is present in all of Al’s episodes, and he believes that everybody wants something out of him. Many times, this belief is vindicated, especially as his Paper Boi persona starts to gain more fame.
People are always giving him free stuff, but it’s never actually ‘free”. People always expect something from him, whether it's a shout-out on social media or a feature on his albums. Al hates the feeling of being used, but unfortunately, people don’t see Al as a person. They see him as an opportunity.