Contrary to the suggestion of the episode’s title, “Snipe Hunt,” Atlanta’s seventh episode diverged from ordinary proceedings by focusing on family matters. Earn, played by the show’s creator Donald Glover (Solo: A Star Wars Story, Community), takes Vanessa (“Van”), played by Zazie Beetz (Joker, Deadpool 2), and their daughter Lottie, played by Austin Elle Fisher, camping for her birthday.
The family arrives at the campsite and greets the owner. The title may have the viewer on edge, and the warnings about driving slow, discussions of the owner killing them, and the isolated nature of their stay misdirect the viewer into believing that some dangerous and bizarre situations are about to occur. They are not. Earn brings out a costly twelve-person tent, not realizing those larger tents get cold without enough people. Lottie doesn’t want to help set up the tent and is in a bit of a mood. Earn brings up the conversation surrounding his move to L.A., but Van would prefer to discuss it later.
When asked, Lottie says that she doesn’t enjoy her birthday. To cheer her up, Van tells her they will go snipe hunting. She describes the fictional animal and promises that she will do it later. Van learned it from girl scouts. Earn then comments on how its name sounds like a “racist mob,” perhaps poking fun at the viewer’s expectation too. Lottie catches a frog and is told to set it free. They walk around and go fishing; it is calm and intimate. Lottie wishes her grandparents were with them.
While eating dinner, Earnest brings up L.A. again. Lottie interrupts, noting how it is optimal conditions for snipe hunting. Van suggests she do it tomorrow, but Lottie appears upset. So, Van shows her what to do in an elaborate routine using a marshmallow. They leave her to the supposedly futile activity. Earn again brings up L.A., asking if she’s going to come with him. Van asks if he rented out the entire campground solely to get her to move with him. He says he wanted her birthday to be special. Van is reluctant because she doesn’t want to be his security blanket. To both of their surprise, Lottie claims to actually have caught the snipe, describing its red eyes and long body. Lottie follows instructions and leaves the bag on the floor before fleeing. Earn inspects, and a mysterious creature that matches the description of a snipe hisses away. They give Lottie her cake.
Earn shivers in the cold tent, and his teeth chatter. Van notices. He gets in with her and Lottie. He checks to see if Lottie’s awake and asks if she wants more smores. She doesn’t respond. Earn then explains to Van how he wants her to move with him. He wants to be a proper family. She doesn’t want to move just because Earnest loves her as a mother. He professes his love for her for more than just that. It is an emotional scene with touching, intricate dialogue, and Glover and Beetz produce wonderfully powerful performances. Eventually, Van says that she’ll move with him. Their vulnerability is touching. They pack up and abandon the tent in the morning before driving away as a family. Mission accomplished for Earn.
There was tremendous satisfaction in what seemed like a final resolution between Van and Earn and the aging Lottie. Ever since the first episode, there has been an apparent disconnect between them and their lives. Only now does it feel as if they are on the same page. Let’s hope it stays that way. Tender, heartfelt drama.
Rating: 8.5/10