Atlanta shifted its focus back towards the dangers of fame with its sixth episode of season four: “Crank Dat Killer.” Earn, played by the show’s creator Donald Glover (Solo: A Star Wars Story, Community), starts a conversation about the rumored murderer killing all people who made “Crank Dat” dance videos. He and Darius, played by LaKeith Stanfield (Sorry to Bother You, Knives Out), laugh about it. In contrast, Alfred (“Al”), played by Brian Tyree Henry (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, If Beale Street Could Talk), sits uncomfortably and transitions from his normal confident self to uneasiness. Al shows them the video online of him dancing with his friend J-Berg, played by Vin Hill (On the Come Up, Dirty Grandpa), who he doesn’t want to call. He asks Earn to find a way to get it wiped from the internet and claims not to be worried about the killer.
In the studio, Earn complains about his inability to get new Nike sneakers due. The resellers buy them out too quickly, and he can’t even use his connection to Paper Boi to acquire them. Al finishes a song in the studio, and a rapper called Some Guy Named Doug, played by Wisdom Allah (Atlanta Justice, Southern Gothic), comes to visit. Al pours alcohol over the equipment and makes any and every excuse not to get on a song with him. Some Guy Named Doug is exceptionally kind, but his music is supposedly awful. Just before heading home, Al notices the comment of a skull emoji under his “Crank Dat” dance video.
A failing employee arrives for work at the local mall with his partner and daughter. They are both shockingly young. He reaffirms to her that she needs patience because all it takes is one opportunity for him to make it big. In the same parking lot, Earn and Darius enter a van to meet with Shoeman, played by Terence Rosemore (The Suicide Squad, True Detective), who has the last two pairs of the specific sneakers they are looking for in their size. Instead of money, he wants them to kiss in the backseat while he watches. Darius is unopposed, but Earn refuses. Al, at home alone, calls Soulja Boy, playing a fictionalized version of himself. Soulja boy is going to his “safe farm,” a hilarious parody of State Farm, and advises Al to leave his domicile too. Al hears thumping upstairs and leaves home.
Earn and Darius haggle with Shoeman about the details of the kiss. After they are left alone to discuss it, Earn makes a speech to Darius about not sacrificing their dignity for these shoes. Darius still wants to do it and invites Shoeman back into the Van. Al orders a pretzel while wearing shades and a hat at the same mall, thinking he is disguised. Ironically, his attire to blend in gives him away to the server. The failing rapper hears Al is in the mall and leaves his shift to find him, recognizing it as his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Al eats his pretzel outside as an ominous and loud car arrives right next to him. Al presumes him to be the “Crank Dat Killer,” especially after he shouts his name and recognizes him. Al tries to walk into hiding in the mall but is followed by the man. As he tries to buy a belt, the man shoots at him with a pistol. He hides while others around him bring out firearms and shoot back at the man. He is shocked by how many people are shooting. He makes for his escape, and the failing rapper approaches him, rapping. Al shoves him out of the way and into a glass shop window which shatters – the episode’s funniest moment. Meanwhile, Earn and Darius agree to a three-second kiss. Shoeman turns up the volume to some romantic music, and they begin. Shoeman watches until he hears commotion coming from the mall and is shot by a stray bullet. Darius notices. Earn comments on how they are already implicated, and they take the shoes before fleeing. Al is still hiding from the shooter, who is still firing at him and others when Some Guy Named Doug pulls up in his car and rescues Al. Al is grateful to the man who saved his life, who says he was there because of fate. Al owes him one, and Some Guy Named Doug takes advantage of the situation and asks Al to record a track with him after playing a genuinely awful beat that he made that day.
At home, Al doesn’t fully report back on the day’s events. The “Crank Dat Killer” has been caught, and it is not the guy who shot at Al in the mall. Al compliments Darius’ shoes and then receives a text with the track that he and Some Guy Named Doug made – it is terrible – and receives awful reviews.
There was a welcome balance of suspense, action, and comedy in this sixth episode of the season. Atlanta hasn’t focused as much on the lifestyle of its main rapper since the first couple of seasons, but here it did, and “Crank Dat Killer” was incredibly entertaining. The inclusion of the failing rapper and his search for a special moment was hilarious and dark. The idea for the killer was as amusing as it was frightening. Earn and Darius’ scenes in this brought some laugh-out-loud moments. The comedy in this episode was excellent.
Rating: 9.0/10