North of the Border (Atlanta)
Earn's poor decisions strain his bond with Alfred.
"North of the Border" is the ninth episode of the second season of the American comedy-drama television series Atlanta, and the 19th overall episode. It was written by Jamal Olori and directed by executive producer Hiro Murai, first broadcast on FX in the United States on April 26, 2018. The episode follows Earn, Alfred, Darius, and Tracy as they travel to a college for a concert, where Earn's attempts to avoid spending money lead to conflict with students and strain his relationship with Alfred.
- Series
- Atlanta
- Season
- 2
- Episode
- 9 (overall 19)
- Air date
- April 26, 2018
- Network
- FX
- Writer
- Jamal Olori
- Director
- Hiro Murai
- Viewers (households)
- 0.487 million
- Rating (18-49)
- 0.2
Quick Facts
- Series
- Atlanta
- Season
- 2
- Episode
- 9
- Director
- Hiro Murai
- Writer
- Jamal Olori
- Photographer
- Christian Sprenger
- Editor
- Kyle Reiter
- Production
- XAA02009
- Airdate
- 2018-04-26
- Length
- 31 minutes
- Guests
- Khris Davis as Tracy / RJ Walker as Clark County
- Prev
- Woods
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
In the episode, Earn, Alfred, and Darius prepare to leave for Statesboro, where Alfred is set to perform at a college campus. Tracy, despite being on probation, convinces them to let him join. Earn reveals they will stay with a fan named Violet, frustrating Alfred. At the concert, Violet dumps beer on Alfred for talking to another girl, leading Tracy to push her down the stairs; Earn catches her, but she slaps him and falsely claims they tried to touch her. The group flees from students and takes refuge in a frat house displaying a Confederate flag and antique guns, where pledges are hazed. Alfred tells Earn he is responsible for the trip's bad decisions and has considered hiring Lucas as his manager, admitting Earn is not a good manager. The next morning, they find their car damaged and belongings stolen; Earn tries to retrieve his laptop by activating a fire alarm but is forced to retreat. On the drive back, Tracy mocks Earn and reveals he stole a flintlock from the frat house. Earn demands to fight Tracy; Alfred stops the car, and Tracy quickly beats Earn into submission. The group continues driving in silence.
Reader's Guide
"North of the Border" is a pivotal episode in Atlanta's second season, marking a turning point in the relationship between Earn and Alfred. The episode received critical acclaim, with a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 11 reviews. Critics praised Donald Glover's performance, writing, character development, and directing. The episode's serialized story, hidden among seemingly standalone episodes, was highlighted by reviewers. It was watched by 0.487 million household viewers and earned a 0.2 rating among adults aged 18-49, a 19% decrease from the previous episode. With DVR, viewership rose to 1.20 million with a 0.7 rating. The episode's unedited version, containing frontal nudity, aired only on FX+.
Did You Know?
- The episode was written by Jamal Olori and directed by executive producer Hiro Murai.
- The silk pajamas worn by Earn, Alfred, and Darius resemble those worn by TLC in the music video for 'Creep'.
- The unedited version of the episode, with frontal nudity, aired only on FX+.
- The episode was seen by an estimated 0.487 million household viewers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plot of North of the Border (Atlanta)?
Earn, Alfred, Darius, and Tracy travel to a college campus for a concert performance. Earn's reluctance to spend money sparks friction with the students and creates tension with Alfred.
Who wrote and directed North of the Border (Atlanta)?
Jamal Olori penned the script, while Hiro Murai handled direction in his role as executive producer.
When did North of the Border (Atlanta) air on FX?
The episode first broadcast on April 26, 2018, serving as the ninth entry in Atlanta's second season and the nineteenth overall.
Why does Earn clash with the college students in North of the Border (Atlanta)?
Earn tries to avoid spending money during the concert trip, and his stingy decisions put him directly at odds with the students at the venue.
How does North of the Border (Atlanta) affect Earn and Alfred's relationship?
Earn's poor judgment calls during the college concert outing put real strain on his bond with Alfred, underscoring the growing friction between the two.
More in Atlanta episodes 1-24
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