There's two stories here, the first being what we see happening to paper boy. But the second story is about the actor behind paper boy who lost his mother shortly before this aired. The entire episode acts as a metaphor for losing a parent. The woods are the unknowing future filled with frightening and unknown terrors. I thought this episode was beautiful and somehow pushed the story along while also being totally disconnected from the plot.
6 Reviews
Why this ep is a pure 10?
UnderdogLef8 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
"Woods" is dedicated to mothers. The ep starts with Al's mum talking aggressively to him, like every mother does when her child lays lazy at bed at noon.
Al is at a crosspoint. Should he act like a celeb or like an ordinary man, not knowing where to go, but also not being able to do both.
Similar to the forrest scene, Al is lost, and he does nothing to change it. He just stands there, at his mum's house, waking up late and eating garbage. As the mystirious man suggests, this will eventually kill him (metaphorically and literally).
Al finally understands why his mother was yelling at him at the first place. This is a cruel world. Mothers just do what they are supposed to: taking care of their children no matter the cost..... s2e8 is dedicated to Brian Tyree Henry (Paper Boi) real mother, Willow Dean Kearse.
Al is at a crosspoint. Should he act like a celeb or like an ordinary man, not knowing where to go, but also not being able to do both.
Similar to the forrest scene, Al is lost, and he does nothing to change it. He just stands there, at his mum's house, waking up late and eating garbage. As the mystirious man suggests, this will eventually kill him (metaphorically and literally).
Al finally understands why his mother was yelling at him at the first place. This is a cruel world. Mothers just do what they are supposed to: taking care of their children no matter the cost..... s2e8 is dedicated to Brian Tyree Henry (Paper Boi) real mother, Willow Dean Kearse.
When keeping it real, goes wrong
zacekendahl27 March 2022
deer guts
dannylee-7808221 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
1. Al can't get up
2. Al gets toenail done
3. Al runs in the woods
We haven't gotten an Al-focused episode in a while. I love that season 2 is focusing on character development as they star one main character for each episode. This episode was about Al's journey. In real life, he lost his mother at the time of shooting and that terrible loss is hinted at various mentions of his mother. First, she is seen cleaning and nagging her son but soon disappears. She is mentioned again from Willy who we are not certain he's real or not.
Before stumbling onto the woods, Al spends some time with a friend name Sierra, who seems to be focused on gaining attention with "fake" activities. Al wants to keep himself "real" and their conflict arises from there. This is an interesting commentary on such a common theme in daily life. Like the show touched the superficiality of social media in the previous episode, this episode dives deeper into what that would like against someone who wants to keep it real. Ultimately, the show takes a stab on people like Sierra, who has a different personality than she portrays to be. She's nice to her fans but extremely rude to other people who she considers below herself, mistakenly believing her actions are signs of confidence.
As Al stumbles across the woods, he goes through a journey that changes him. It's exactly hard to pinpoint exactly how - but he is more than enthusiastic to take selfies for a fan, which was something that he disliked doing previously. Has he accepted the idea of "fakeness" for the greater good? What is his identity as a musician changing to? What would his relationship with those who approach him as "fans" be like?
Whatever the answer to those questions are, Atlanta consistently produces thought-provoking episodes, that do not lack in any aspect.
We haven't gotten an Al-focused episode in a while. I love that season 2 is focusing on character development as they star one main character for each episode. This episode was about Al's journey. In real life, he lost his mother at the time of shooting and that terrible loss is hinted at various mentions of his mother. First, she is seen cleaning and nagging her son but soon disappears. She is mentioned again from Willy who we are not certain he's real or not.
Before stumbling onto the woods, Al spends some time with a friend name Sierra, who seems to be focused on gaining attention with "fake" activities. Al wants to keep himself "real" and their conflict arises from there. This is an interesting commentary on such a common theme in daily life. Like the show touched the superficiality of social media in the previous episode, this episode dives deeper into what that would like against someone who wants to keep it real. Ultimately, the show takes a stab on people like Sierra, who has a different personality than she portrays to be. She's nice to her fans but extremely rude to other people who she considers below herself, mistakenly believing her actions are signs of confidence.
As Al stumbles across the woods, he goes through a journey that changes him. It's exactly hard to pinpoint exactly how - but he is more than enthusiastic to take selfies for a fan, which was something that he disliked doing previously. Has he accepted the idea of "fakeness" for the greater good? What is his identity as a musician changing to? What would his relationship with those who approach him as "fans" be like?
Whatever the answer to those questions are, Atlanta consistently produces thought-provoking episodes, that do not lack in any aspect.
An Episode Above and Beyond Before the Rest.
BWTRICKSTER28 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
In the enigmatic Atlanta tapestry, Episode 8, "Woods," unveils a lyrical narrative where Paper Boi finds himself navigating a series of surreal twists. The plot thrusts him into the woods on a bizarre adventure, where the ordinary unravels into the extraordinary.
Paper Boi's journey through these woods is symbolic of his pursuit of success and recognition in the rap game. As he ventures deeper, the woods become a metaphor for the unpredictable nature of the music industry and the challenges he faces.
Amidst the trees and surreal encounters, Paper Boi's character is tested, forcing him to confront his fears and insecurities. This episode delves into his inner struggles, exploring the complexities that come with fame and ambition.
As Paper Boi grapples with surreal scenarios and existential questions. The woods become a metaphorical labyrinth, reflecting the intricate path he treads as an artist.
"Woods" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the ATL's artistic and existential struggles. Paper Boi's journey through this surreal landscape mirrors the challenges and uncertainties he faces in the pursuit of his musical dreams.
Paper Boi's journey through these woods is symbolic of his pursuit of success and recognition in the rap game. As he ventures deeper, the woods become a metaphor for the unpredictable nature of the music industry and the challenges he faces.
Amidst the trees and surreal encounters, Paper Boi's character is tested, forcing him to confront his fears and insecurities. This episode delves into his inner struggles, exploring the complexities that come with fame and ambition.
As Paper Boi grapples with surreal scenarios and existential questions. The woods become a metaphorical labyrinth, reflecting the intricate path he treads as an artist.
"Woods" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the ATL's artistic and existential struggles. Paper Boi's journey through this surreal landscape mirrors the challenges and uncertainties he faces in the pursuit of his musical dreams.
Woods
Prismark102 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Woods focuses on Paper Boi who at the moment wants to keep it real for fans even though he is on the cusp of fame. Al's songs are on the radio and maybe if he had a better manager he would be comfortably living somewhere else.
It is still robbin season. When Paper Boi goes for a walk he meets three young men who claim to be fans but who attack him at gunpoint and try to rob him.
Paper Boi fights the men off and runs into the woods, one of them still pursuing him. Thankfully he survived the encounter, as it gets dark, Paper Boi is followed by a transient black man who he cannot shake off.
The man eventually gets aggressive and you are not quite sure if he is a figment of Paper Boi's imagination.
Maybe the events are a catalyst that even with fame, life can be short and Al needs to gets used to his fame and move on than trying to keep it real.
It is still robbin season. When Paper Boi goes for a walk he meets three young men who claim to be fans but who attack him at gunpoint and try to rob him.
Paper Boi fights the men off and runs into the woods, one of them still pursuing him. Thankfully he survived the encounter, as it gets dark, Paper Boi is followed by a transient black man who he cannot shake off.
The man eventually gets aggressive and you are not quite sure if he is a figment of Paper Boi's imagination.
Maybe the events are a catalyst that even with fame, life can be short and Al needs to gets used to his fame and move on than trying to keep it real.
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