It will be difficult to discuss much about the most recent episode of What We Do in the Shadows beyond the absolute, sterling brilliance of the guest stars. The good news is that the plot is relatively streamlined to best showcase those guest stars. The bad news is none bad news. It’s all good news….
It seems a bit absurd to make this qualification, given that What We Do in the Shadows is a show about vampires – subject matter that usually falls readily into the macabre territory – but damn, the latest episode is a dark twenty minutes of television. A thoroughly enjoyable twenty minutes to my sensibilities, but…
If you can divorce yourself emotionally, there is a sort of pleasure in watching the growing pains of a freshman show. Sometimes it’s the unmitigated delight that we as humans – perverse critters that we are – feel watching a chain reaction train-wreck. But often it is the charm of watching a doe find it’s…
Midway through what was an all together very enjoyable and absurd fourth episode of What We Do in the Shadows, I found myself wondering if the shows are being aired in the order they were initially intended to, or if there has been a bit of a shuffle, cementing myself as clearly a very cool…
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty (clever code, here, for “Kelly’s continued pure, unmitigated delight”) of episode 2, I have done a little bit of pro bono digging, and found that the name of the What We do in the Shadows theme song is called “You’re Dead” by Norma Tanega, and I highly recommend Youtube-ing…
To turn any beloved cult property – a book, a movie, a video game – into a tv show is an act that falls squarely between needlessly risky and wildly arrogant. There is so much that can go wrong. You are already assuming the participation of fans who are traditionally more militant than most, and…
Atlanta S2E11: “Crabs in a Barrel” Often, human beings describe a feeling of deep, kneading anxiety in their chests. Sometimes it can feel like shattering bones, car crashes, or gunpoint robbery. As if your nerves, all on high alert, skidded to halt as soon as they raced off faster than light. The beam of dread seeps…
Atlanta S2E10: “FUBU” After last week’s events on Atlanta, “FUBU” throws another curve ball with a flashback episode. The writers of the show make it clear that they can wear many hats, and wear them well. From “Teddy Perkins,” to “Helen” and “Woods,” Atlanta continues its trend of genre-defying and incredibly impactful television. In “FUBU,” we’re treated to a…
Atlanta S2E9: “North of the Border” “North of the Border” touches on many of the hints season two has scattered throughout the episodes thus far. With only two episodes left in the season, the loose ends start to tie up. Al finally addresses Earn about his management skills (or lack of) and makes it clear…
Atlanta Season 2 Episode 8: “Woods” Box Cutter Madness If last week taught us anything, Atlanta can keep it chill and nuanced while breaking philosophical ground. This week’s episode, “Woods,” hits hard. In the same way “Teddy Perkins” left us shaken and stirred, “Woods” takes Paper Boi from mani-pedi’s to box-cutter madness. Okay, not as extreme as…
Atlanta S2E7: “Champagne Papi” The episode starts with Van’s friend Candice (Adriyan Rae) hosting an Instagram live feed as she promotes products and poses for the camera. Candice brings Van into frame, who consequently glares at the smartphone. Van is preparing to go out for the night with her friends. Tammi (Danielle Deadwyler) does lines…
Atlanta Season 2 Episode 6: “Teddy Perkins” U Mad? Thursday’s latest entry in Atlanta‘s second season may be the best yet. “Teddy Perkins” is a solo tale starring the king of vibes, Darius. The episode opens with him at a convenience store. “Do you got any dehydrated mango? Ginger?” Darius asks to no avail. Soon after,…
Let’s Get Weird Episode four of Atlanta is markedly weirder than those before it. If you thought season one had plenty of bizarre, surreal imagery, season two, especially last Thursday’s “Helen,” promises a departure into dreamlike territory. Think Raymond Roussel’s Locus Solus and Andre Breton’s Manifesto of Surrealism. Back when Donald Glover and company were promoting…
Money Bag Shawty Back in 2016, a video of a white mother crying over Vince Staples’s song “Norf Norf” went viral. Vince had a couple of things to say about it, and so in “Money Bag Shawty’s” intro, we see a clip inspired by that. Same situation, but this crying white mom is ranting on…
Paper Boi Got Robbed Episode two of the current season of Atlanta sees Alfred, aka Paper Boi, getting most of the spotlight. “Alligator Man” was a more Earn and Darius heavy episode so it’s good to see Alfred play catch-up with the audience. We can assume by now that Alfred is off house arrest, and…