Helen (Atlanta)

Lore & Background

The episode opens with Earn performing cunnilingus on Van before they leave Lottie with a sitter. They drive to Helen for a Fastnacht celebration tied to Van's German connection. During the trip, they stop when a pig appears on the road. At the festival, Earn feels uncomfortable as the only black person and is mistaken for a white man in blackface, leading him to wear a white mask. He becomes confused by a game called "Hootz Kutz" and jealous when Van speaks fluent German with a bartender. They agree to a best-of-three ping-pong game: if Van wins, Earn stays without complaining; if Earn wins, they leave. Van wins, but Earn accuses her of rubbing it in, sparking a discussion. Van later talks with her Afro-German friend Christina, who refers to her as "Lottie's mom" and says Van "chose black." After losing her phone, Van searches for it, punches a Schnappviecher, and finds it in a dumpster. She meets Earn in an empty room, where she asks for more commitment. Earn is content with their current status. Van proposes a best-of-five ping-pong game: if she wins, Earn sees her only for Lottie or money; if he wins, she agrees to his terms. They play, each winning one round. The next morning, they drive back to her house. Earn says he will pick up Lottie later, and Van shuts the door, implying she won the game.

Reader's Guide

"Helen" is a pivotal episode in Atlanta's second season, focusing on the strained relationship between Earn and Van. The episode uses the setting of a German-themed festival to explore themes of alienation, racial identity, and emotional exhaustion. Critics praised Amy Seimetz's direction, which employed 100mm and 200mm lenses to create a sense of being watched, and Taofik Kolade's writing. The performances of Donald Glover and Zazie Beetz were highlighted for their emotional depth. The episode received critical acclaim, with a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It was watched by 0.499 million household viewers. Zazie Beetz was named an honorable mention as "Performer of the Week" by TVLine and earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. The episode's ambiguous ending, with Van shutting the door on Earn, underscores the unresolved nature of their relationship and the series' refusal to provide tidy resolutions.

Did You Know?

• The episode was written by Taofik Kolade, his first writing credit for the series.
• Director Amy Seimetz used 100mm and 200mm lenses to create a feeling of being spied on.
• The episode was watched by an estimated 0.499 million household viewers.
• Zazie Beetz earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance.