The multi-talented Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino, creates and stars in the new comedy-drama, Atlanta. The show follows Earn, played by Donald Glover, trying to stabilize a career for his cousin, Alfred, who uses the alias “Paper Boi” as a local rapper. The show highlights and discusses the socioeconomic and racial struggles of being black in America.

Even though the show follows the same group of people, every episode tackles different social issues.

This show is worth watching because it’s not your average comedy series. The show unconventionally uses a direct yet comedic approach to effectively relay a message of social consciousness.

Donald Glover uses an all-black writing staff and leading cast to construct this innovative approach to significant subject material.  Atlanta approaches topics with a profound mindset and unorthodox circumstances to frame thematic concepts.

The audience is introduced to Earn originally as a poor, struggling father looking for a way out of his compromising situation. Earn doesn’t necessarily fit a stereotype as America’s perception of a black male.

He encounters a situation early in episode one that proves this when a white friend of his uses the N-word. His friend uses the word nonchalantly with Earn, whose stature and demeanor are not necessarily threatening. By Earn’s reaction, the viewer can tell that his friend’s use of the word was unacceptable, yet his friend’s disconcern with it presented a conflict that leaves viewers unsettled.

Also in episode one, Paper Boi’s song gets locally recognized. Paper Boi then discovers an internal conflict he may have with his potentially negative influence on Atlanta’s youth which presents the intricacy of rap culture. He witnesses children emulating his rap persona and discourages it, which presents a moral dilemma for the viewer to dissect.

The rap persona Paper Boi portrays is often stereotyped as a violent male perpetuating toxic behavior. However, Paper Boi in real life, or Alfred, is actually socially aware and disproves of people’s perception of him and black males in general.

The show continuously presents incisive ideas but does not give a singular message as to how one should feel which leaves room for audience involvement.

The pressure of social constructs are exemplified consistently throughout the show. The show is very dense and overwhelming to put into a single review because of the intricately intermingled topics that it tackles.

But to put it simply, through Atlanta, Donald Glover is essentially saying, “something is wrong with the status quo.”

Atlanta airs Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. on FX.