The Old Man and the Tree

"**The Old Man and the Tree**" is the third episode of the third season of *Atlanta*. It is the twenty-fourth episode of the series overall. It was released on March 31, 2022 on FX.

## Premise

This one was cool. Going to rich parties and meeting weirdos. Season 1 was better.

## Plot

In London, Earn, Alfred, Darius, and Van go to a party hosted by a billionaire and possible investor, Fernando. When they arrive at the location, they are confused to see that the party is being held at a shabby flat. They are then led through the flat to the real party, which is a luxurious space inside and used the flat as a "decoy house".

As Earn and Van go meet an artist, Alfred and Darius visit a Nando's restaurant inside the property and meet Fernando. Fernando shows Alfred a tree, one of the oldest in the city, from which he built the house around it. Fernando states he used the place to get people to get comfortable, before taking Alfred upstairs for a poker game. Somewhere, Darius approaches an Asian woman named MK, who thinks that Darius was trying to flirt with her. They then exchange a conversation where they question their different perspectives and cultures. After she leaves, Darius is approached by a man named Socks, who apologizes for the woman's racial behavior and states he will protect him.

Earn and Van meet the artist, TJ, who is interested in them due to their relationship to Alfred. He then shows them his artwork, leaving them both uneasy at the lack of imagination and "sad" state of the work. Earn talks with the investor, Will, and questions if the amount of money they spent on him will be worth it. TJ then explains that he intends to turn the place into a "Influencer incubator" with the art as a subscription to pay for everything, worrying Earn that he is taking advantage of Will. At the poker room, Alfred joins Fernando and some of his friends. Fernando then claims that one night, a naked black man entered into his house and he was certain that it was a ghost before proceeding to have sex with him. As Alfred wins some money, everyone leaves the table.

Darius is approached by Socks and more white people, with Socks referring to the incident as "some real *12 Years a Slave* shit", making him even more uncomfortable. Socks then exaggerates the story, claiming the woman said "All Lives Matter". MK then arrives, wanting Darius to meet her fiancé, Will, and is cornered and insulted by the partygoers. Earn finds Alfred, who had his hat stolen by a girl running through the house. Alfred complains about Fernando while Earn also shares his frustration to TJ's art. TJ approaches them to tell them that Fernando left, angering Alfred as he didn't pay him. Earn then sees Van talking with a man and approaches her, questioning if she is mad at him for anything, which she denies. As she leaves, she pushes a woman towards a pool.

Earn then convinces Will to let him manage TJ, which he accepts. He is then approached by Darius, who wants to leave for all the events that happened. Alfred confronts Fernando outside his bedroom, demanding the money. When Fernando refuses to face him, Alfred takes a chainsaw and starts cutting the tree while Fernando stares. As Earn calls for a drive home, Darius is approached by Will, who apologizes for MK's "behavior" and states he is calling off the wedding. Alfred then takes some of the items of the house and the three leave the property. Darius sees MK crying outside but Alfred forces him to enter their car. They then laugh, until Socks is revealed to be in the front seat and gives Alfred his hat back.

In a mid-credit scene, Van is seen at a deli. She is called by Earn but she ignores his call.

## Gallery

### Videos

S3E3 Trailer - The Old Man and the TreeVan and Earn Talk PoolsideWhite Guilt