The preceding episode "Snipe Hunt" indicates that Earn, Van, and Lottie are headed west to Los Angeles, whereas "Andrew Wyeth. Alfred's World." finds Alfred embracing a quieter existence living on a farm. We have a clear sense of where the crew is headed after the curtain falls except for Darius, whose presence has been tertiary this season. "It Was All a Dream" puts Darius front and center, focusing on a series of dreams — and, possibly, one reality — he experiences in a sensory deprivation tank treatment before meeting up with Van, Earn, and Alfred.
Darius' fantasies range from a dangerous encounter with an old friend London (Naté Jones) to a tender scene with his brother Chi (Kevin Iso). He learns to discern reality from fantasy by turning on "Judge Judy" — if she appears to be physically normal, it is real; if she is "thick Judge Judy," it is a dream.
Meanwhile, Van, Alfred, and Earn wait for Darius to join them for a meal at a new Black-owned sushi restaurant in an old Blockbuster, but the experience proves uppity and off-putting, with Alfred wanting nothing more than Popeyes across the street. Darius saves the day, rescuing the group in a stolen Maserati with Popeyes. They go back to Alfred's, get stoned, and eat. When Darius sneaks away to turn on "Judge Judy" to see if this is real or a dream, the episode cuts on his emotional smile, leaving us unsure ourselves. It is a clever, distinctive series finale that recalls the infamous last shot of "The Sopranos."
With "It Was All a Dream," "Atlanta" sticks the landing by staying true to its rebellious spirit, delivering a satisfying conclusion on its own, surrealist terms.
