Atlanta returns home for another anthology-style episode after a few of episodes following Earn and his friends on their European adventures. “The Big Payback” has a lot in common with the season’s first episode, “Three Slaps.” Not only does it reintroduce Tobias Segal as the white Earnest (who reveals that his friends simply call him “E”), but it also introduces new characters and tells a dark-comic horror narrative about America’s entrenched racism.
This one, though, doesn’t work as well as “Three Slaps,” and implies that even this fantastic show’s ability to do and be anything from one episode to the next has a limit. Even when Atlanta deviates from the standard formula, it still feels like Atlanta. This one, on the other hand, seemed more like a rerun of BJ Novak’s terrible social satire anthology The Premise on FX.
where that stimmy at tho #atlantafx pic.twitter.com/iEhfgDGbnJ
— AtlantaFX (@AtlantaFX) April 7, 2022
Written by Francesca Sloane;
directed by Hiro Murai.
The fourth episode of ‘Atlanta‘ season 3 returns to the titular city for another unsettling standalone episode in the manner of the season opener, after following Earnest, Alfred, Darius, and Van on their European adventures. In addition, the fourth episode introduces a new protagonist, Marshall Johnson (Justin Bartha), an Atlanta-based white guy who finds himself in terrible circumstances after a restitution statute requires him to pay for his ancestor’s role in slavery.
The episode illustrates numerous uncomfortable socio-economic developments in society while looking at the long-term impact of slavery on the African-American community and how society has dealt with slavery in the years since it was abolished. So, if you’re wondering what happens to Marshall in the midst of the chaos, here’s all you need to know about the season 3 episode 4 of ‘Atlanta’ tv show !
Recap of Atlanta Season 3 Episode 4 ‘The Big Payback’
‘The Big Payback,’ the fourth episode, begins with Marshall Johnson, a white American man, going about his daily routine. He goes to a coffee shop to have a cup of coffee before picking up his daughter from her mother’s house and putting her off at school. Marshall finally makes it to his office.
However, a mystery automobile is following Marshall at all times. Marshall listens to the news on the radio on his walk to work. A black man has won a lawsuit over his ancestors’ slavery against a wealthy businessman. The black man said that the businessman owed him money for slavery and exploiting his forefathers.
The case caused a stir across the United States, and several members of the African-American community begin to demand money on identical grounds. While the rest of the firm panics and prepares for layoffs, Marshall goes about his business as usual, unconcerned about the situation.
Marshall brings up his daughter from school, and she inquires about the issue with her father. Marshall assuages her fears by assuring her that everything is alright. However, later that night, a woman named Sheniqua Johnson shows up on Marshall’s doorway demanding $3 million for the enslavement of her ancestors by the Johnson family.
Marshall begs Sheniqua to leave him alone, but she persists in demanding money. Sheniqua sets up a scene at Marshall’s office the next day. Marshall, who is distressed, seeks assistance from his coworkers but cannot find a clear solution to the problem. He tries to talk to his wife, Natalie, about the problem.
On the other hand, Natalie is adamant about declaring their separation by completing the divorce process. Marshall is also forbidden from seeing his daughter, according to her. Marshall returns home depressed, only to be greeted by Sheniqua and her companions. Marshall exits the scene and spends the night in a hotel debating whether or not to compensate Sheniqua.
Does Marshall Pay Sheniqua in Atlanta Season 3 Episode 4?
Marshall finds himself in a modest hotel in the closing section of the episode, where he encounters Earnest, another man in a similar circumstance to him. Although what his forefathers did was horrible, Marshall believes it was a long time ago. Marshall believes he had no involvement in his forefathers’ conduct and should not face the burden of the consequences. Furthermore, Sheniqua’s demand for money is bold, and it will have an impact on his and his daughter’s financial stability in the future.
Earnest, on the other hand, argues that they must each play a role in making things right. Slavery was a brutal system that, despite being abolished, had a significant impact on the African American community’s possibilities. As a result, Earnest creates a case for Marshall to pay Sheniqua his debt. Earnest also tells Marshall that, despite the fact that he appears to be losing everything, he will be alright.
Marshall eventually chooses to pay Sheniqua despite not having the funds she requires. Marshall sells his house and loses his job as a result. He starts working as a server in a restaurant. Marshall gives Sheniqua a small amount of his wages every month as reparation for his ancestors’ wrongdoings. Marshall eventually finds solace in the notion that others in his circumstance are in the same boat as him.
As Marshall serves several visitors in his restaurant, the episode concludes with a look at the show’s depiction of an economically equal society. A huge section of the American people has been robbed of their wealth, which has been redistributed throughout society, as a result of their ancestors’ role in slavery. People who are paying reparation, on the other hand, are doing OK, signalling that society is heading toward a future in which everyone has equal possibilities regardless of their financial or economic circumstances.
