Atlantatakes a small detour this week to explore the long-standing issues in Van and Earn’s relationship, in what is a rare episode for the show lacking most if not all of its usual traits. There is no bizarre humor, no unexpected twists and no eccentric characters, instead, “Snipe Hunt” is all about family.
And whilecomedymay be absent in this family camping trip,Atlantastill manages to shine thanks to an endearing portrayal by Austin Elle Fisher, who again excels playing Lottie in the show. Van and Earn’s daughter is just turning 6, and the occasion serves for Earn to tackle the one issue that’s been on his mind since this final season’s second episode, the big move to Los Angeles and how that could impact his family life forever.
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Funnily enough,in Atlanta’s double-header premiere “The Homeliest Little Horse”lies one of the best reminders Earn has grown to become incredibly manipulative and a shrewd negotiator, which is why it’s no surprise to see him come up with this type of setup to ask Van the big question.Atlantais no longerAtlantaonce its protagonist is looking forward to moving to another city, and that’s something “Snipe Hunt” makes very clear, as the opening shots don’t even feature the series’ signature logo.
As it turns out, that’s not the only waythis episode is different from mostAtlantaentries. WithHalloween getting closeand Van and Earn casually thinking about the chances that the camp’s host might turn out to be a murderer, it’s hard to do away with the show’s proclivity to go from 0 to 60 in an instant, but that’s not the case. This is a heartfelt episode, one that deeply examines the dynamics of the family in a very sincere way.
That doesn’t mean Van isn’t Van or Earn is not his usual self either, it’s just a limited representation of what they’re like around each other and Lottie, as opposed to how they behave when other people are around.Atlantagoes to the lengthsof choosing a specific aspect ratio for this episode because Hiro Murai and Francesca Sloane want the audience to know it’s very different from the rest.
As wholesome as it is, “Snipe Hunt” is not tension free, as some rough edges can be felt from the way Van talks to Earn, or even how Lottie addresses her dad sometimes. Ever since season 1, Earn has prioritized Al, work and his career far more than his family life, that tends to be Van’s role, and it really does show here, even if she’s always hated being referred to simply as “Lottie’s mom.”
As seen in this season’s “Work Ethic!” episode, Van is a fantastic and loving mother, she’s great with Lottie and her teaching experience is self-evident — that’s part of the reasons why Earn loves her so much. Both parents fulfill the archetypical mom and dad roles in a relationship, as Earn is more careless and sometimes completely aloof to games Van plays with their daughter, however, whatever his initial intent, it’s obvious he craves to be closer to them, especially now that he’s got most things figured out in life.
The dialogue makes it pretty self-explanatory that this is not the first time Earn and Van are having the L.A. conversation, but there are some subtle signs that Lottie knows about it too, even if she’s not supposed to. The differences between Van and Earn are part of what makes them a great couple, regardless that the audience has barely seen them together at all, withseason 3’s trip to Amsterdambeing the last time they hooked up.
That one night seems to be stuck in Earn’s head, who decides to have a midnight chat with Van about the thought of moving, and he does so by revealing a rare emotional side to him, so therapy did him well. Earn has always been quite evasive about his feelings towards Van, yet it’s here when he finally feels ready to tell her he loves her not only as Lottie’s mom, but as the woman she wants to be with — it’s clear Van has been the one waiting for him, which is something that goes back all the way to season 2, and was even referenced inher Parisian escapade for last season’s fantastic finale.
As the camping getaway draws to a close, the family leaves behind their poorly setup tent, perhaps as a symbol for Earn and Van deciding to abandon their attempt at a makeshift family now that they are ready to be together. The cinematography throughout the whole episode is great, it emphasizes nature really well, but the best part might be the final shot of Lottie looking at her parents from the backseat of the car.
This is a quintessential viewpoint for so many people, it’s a familiar sight because many of us grew up with it, and Lottie can’t help but smile that she gets to have that for the first time. Episode 7 is bookended by Sade’s “Your Love is King” and “Love Is Stronger Than Pride”, and one would have a hard time thinking of two better songs for both the romantic love between Van and Earn or the family love this entry gives off. No laughs are to be found here, thoughthis isAtlantaat its best nonetheless.
