I think many of us can relate with this ep. being broke at some point in your life and not being able to pay for a date night is about the most humiliating thing that could happen, especially for earn who was areadly on thin ice with van. Paper boi still doing drug deals for his main income.
7 Reviews
It's Hard to Be Broke...
lassegalsgaard-4528413 February 2018
I am very good at relating to fictional characters (that might say a lot about me, actually), and I know how much it sucks to be broke. Actually, it sucks very much. This show has done such a beautiful work of making these characters relatable and put them in very realistic situations that engage with the audience. The first two episodes have done a great job of setting up this world and setting up these characters to the point where we know so much about them. We know that Earnest is not the best at making money, but that he still has a good sense for business, which is something that Paper Boi (who makes a fair amount of money) could really use. I have a rule that I won't quit a show before I watched three episodes of it, because I believe that a show really needs three episodes in order to get going. Not in the meaning that I wouldn't continue to watch the show if this episode wasn't any good, but I would still like to have three episodes before I decide. While this episode isn't as good as the first two, it was still a very enjoyable episode with great writing.
Once again, Stephen Glover is behind writing the episode, and he is proving hmself as real force when it comes to comedic writing. What he does in this episode is that he uses the chemistry to pair up the right people. It's no question that Donald Glover and Zazie Beetz have amazing chemistry together, because they really do, but he also gives Brian Tyree Henry and Lakeith Stanfield their own little subplot, because they have great chemistry too. It's the perfect mashup of characters that this show could possibly have, so this episode felt very confined in that episode, which I really enjoyed. A comedy doesn't have to have a straight narrative through all the episode, and this show is really using that to create some memorable standalone episodes.
There is also a great balance in the writing, because it is very clear that Glover gives the comedic moments to Henry and Stanfield, because their story calls for the more funny moments, while Glover and Beetz' story already has that lighthearted element going in. And the banter between Henry and Stanfield is so hilarious and they have some great and subtle moments together. They have always had some great lines, but I feel like they really got to give something in this episode that they hadn't in the last two.
This episode also addresses something that I have been thinking about during the last two episodes. These are very stereotypical characters in some ways, and while I didn't know if that was on purpose or if it just came to be like that, I always noticed it and let it go. However, in this episode, Beetz' character comments on the notion that she is being shown as the "stereotypical black woman," which I thought was a great way to address the fact that the writers are fully aware that these are stereotypical characters and has nothing against it. It might be easy writing in some ways, but it also works.
I think that Zazie Beetz stole this episode with her performance. It wasn't that showy, but it was just enough that she managed to steel the show from Donald Glover, which is not an easy thing to do, because Glover is amazing. There is one scene towards the end of the episode where Glover has a very cliché monologue, and instead of doing the expected thing, Beetz has the best comeback that I could have imagined and that made me really appreciate her performance.
This episode, however, did get a bit confusing at times, and I think it was a little bit tonally uneven. It didn't become a straight-up drama, but it did feature some very dark things that left me a little confused. But, when you think about it, that really isn't that big of a deal when the rest of the episode was kind of amazing.
Once again, Stephen Glover is behind writing the episode, and he is proving hmself as real force when it comes to comedic writing. What he does in this episode is that he uses the chemistry to pair up the right people. It's no question that Donald Glover and Zazie Beetz have amazing chemistry together, because they really do, but he also gives Brian Tyree Henry and Lakeith Stanfield their own little subplot, because they have great chemistry too. It's the perfect mashup of characters that this show could possibly have, so this episode felt very confined in that episode, which I really enjoyed. A comedy doesn't have to have a straight narrative through all the episode, and this show is really using that to create some memorable standalone episodes.
There is also a great balance in the writing, because it is very clear that Glover gives the comedic moments to Henry and Stanfield, because their story calls for the more funny moments, while Glover and Beetz' story already has that lighthearted element going in. And the banter between Henry and Stanfield is so hilarious and they have some great and subtle moments together. They have always had some great lines, but I feel like they really got to give something in this episode that they hadn't in the last two.
This episode also addresses something that I have been thinking about during the last two episodes. These are very stereotypical characters in some ways, and while I didn't know if that was on purpose or if it just came to be like that, I always noticed it and let it go. However, in this episode, Beetz' character comments on the notion that she is being shown as the "stereotypical black woman," which I thought was a great way to address the fact that the writers are fully aware that these are stereotypical characters and has nothing against it. It might be easy writing in some ways, but it also works.
I think that Zazie Beetz stole this episode with her performance. It wasn't that showy, but it was just enough that she managed to steel the show from Donald Glover, which is not an easy thing to do, because Glover is amazing. There is one scene towards the end of the episode where Glover has a very cliché monologue, and instead of doing the expected thing, Beetz has the best comeback that I could have imagined and that made me really appreciate her performance.
This episode, however, did get a bit confusing at times, and I think it was a little bit tonally uneven. It didn't become a straight-up drama, but it did feature some very dark things that left me a little confused. But, when you think about it, that really isn't that big of a deal when the rest of the episode was kind of amazing.
Earn and Alfred are broke, but while Alfred decides to just deal drugs Earn decides he is just going to bank on Alfred's career taking off.
Amari-Sali14 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Overview
"Go For Broke" arguably is about fighting becoming broke. For in the pursuit of dreams and all your ambition, there are bills to pay, children to feed and, in Earn's case, a woman to try to not lose the respect of. Though, little by little, even if she loves him, his inability to compromise for at least the sake of their daughter is getting to her.
Main Plot (with Commentary)
Topic 1: The Meetup (Alfred & Darius)
Be it that money is running low or the rap game ain't paying how Alfred expected, he and Darius decide to take a brush to their guns and meet up to buy some supply. Thus leading to both shivering like children in trouble as they face a drug dealer who kills someone in front of them like they were hunting a deer. Yet, in the end, they get their drugs and perhaps get a fire under their behinds about making this rap thing become profitable.
{Commentary}
Before I noted how I wondered if Alfred is really as hard as he makes it seem. With this episode, I officially think that the Paper Boi persona, even if Alfred did shoot someone, is a false identity. Looking at him and Darius be so nervous in front of Q (Quavo) and the Migos gang proved that even with a gun in his pocket, when faced with real gangsters, people who have committed to that lifestyle, Alfred can't compare. Darius can't either, but let's be real, Darius is just loyal. Speaking of Darius though, once again he presents a moment which makes you want to look at him and maybe even think the boy is special. However, his and Alfred's conversation about the problem of calling something or someone daddy I must admit I wish was dedicated more time to. Granted, it could be taken as borderline sexist, yet there was something weirdly Tarintino-esque about two people about to do some gangster stuff starting a weird conversation over one questioning something most would consider insignificant.
Topic 2: It Is Hard to Love Someone You're Starting To Not Respect (Vanessa & Earn)
$96. That is how much Earn's check is thanks to him working on commission mostly. So, with Vanessa ebbing and flowing between being in love with Earn to it being difficult to respect him, he is trying to solidify his place in her life. Granted, despite all the dates she goes on he still is usually in her bed, but that's not enough. Vanessa is tired of doing everything for Lottie while Earn doesn't feel like compromising and going from one job he hates, which pays nothing, to another, even if it is for his kid.
Though what really messed things up is during their date, he ended up at a fancy restaurant which damn near broke his bank. So all this effort he planned to make to perhaps get on Van's good side, maybe get some booty, was wasted. On top of that, he hits a low blow questioning her dreams since she questioned his. Oh, and lest we forget, to recoup all he paid for that night he reports his debit card stolen.
{Commentary}
One of the main features of Vanessa and Earn's segment is being a stereotype. She doesn't like how he makes her feel like an angry black woman nor how he accepts being a Black deadbeat dad. It bugs her and even if Earn is our protagonist you have to see things from Vanessa's point of view. She is paying all of the bills, more than likely, and Earn hangs out at the airport with his friend. Based on his interactions with his parents, he is probably eating more out of the fridge than he puts in and then, icing on the cake, he isn't really doing much for Lottie.
Leading you to understand why she mentions she is going on dates with other men, why she brings up jobs he can do and even talks bad about his rap dreams. She needs him to step up and stop being stuck in his ways. Can she survive on her own? Maybe. But it doesn't seem Lottie was born because of the pull out method or anything like that. Plus, even if she was, it seems Vanessa wants to at least try to really give Earn the chance to be the man she fell in love with. Hence why he keeps trying to say "You know me Van" because she likely knew him when he was a Princeton or pre-Princeton big shot. But now, she is living off memories of possible potential. Of which ain't doing much but leading her to question her decisions and almost coercing her to remind him that her love and loyalty doesn't come for free and there are other people interested in her. But I guess his pride may not be worth compromising for the sake of his relationship with Vanessa or maybe even Lottie.
Highlights
Darius' conversation with Alfred about calling things and people daddy, as well as starting to realize how loyal Vanessa is trying to be to Earn despite him being stubborn and perhaps a little too comfortable with the idea she is going to stick around and support him.
Low Points
Q's talkative cousin, who was a bit too friendly and weird during the drug deal segments, honestly felt so out of place. Like, Darius is weird, and worth a side eye, but whoever was Q's cousin just seemed a bit too over the top. To the point, you can only hope they won't appear again.
"Go For Broke" arguably is about fighting becoming broke. For in the pursuit of dreams and all your ambition, there are bills to pay, children to feed and, in Earn's case, a woman to try to not lose the respect of. Though, little by little, even if she loves him, his inability to compromise for at least the sake of their daughter is getting to her.
Main Plot (with Commentary)
Topic 1: The Meetup (Alfred & Darius)
Be it that money is running low or the rap game ain't paying how Alfred expected, he and Darius decide to take a brush to their guns and meet up to buy some supply. Thus leading to both shivering like children in trouble as they face a drug dealer who kills someone in front of them like they were hunting a deer. Yet, in the end, they get their drugs and perhaps get a fire under their behinds about making this rap thing become profitable.
{Commentary}
Before I noted how I wondered if Alfred is really as hard as he makes it seem. With this episode, I officially think that the Paper Boi persona, even if Alfred did shoot someone, is a false identity. Looking at him and Darius be so nervous in front of Q (Quavo) and the Migos gang proved that even with a gun in his pocket, when faced with real gangsters, people who have committed to that lifestyle, Alfred can't compare. Darius can't either, but let's be real, Darius is just loyal. Speaking of Darius though, once again he presents a moment which makes you want to look at him and maybe even think the boy is special. However, his and Alfred's conversation about the problem of calling something or someone daddy I must admit I wish was dedicated more time to. Granted, it could be taken as borderline sexist, yet there was something weirdly Tarintino-esque about two people about to do some gangster stuff starting a weird conversation over one questioning something most would consider insignificant.
Topic 2: It Is Hard to Love Someone You're Starting To Not Respect (Vanessa & Earn)
$96. That is how much Earn's check is thanks to him working on commission mostly. So, with Vanessa ebbing and flowing between being in love with Earn to it being difficult to respect him, he is trying to solidify his place in her life. Granted, despite all the dates she goes on he still is usually in her bed, but that's not enough. Vanessa is tired of doing everything for Lottie while Earn doesn't feel like compromising and going from one job he hates, which pays nothing, to another, even if it is for his kid.
Though what really messed things up is during their date, he ended up at a fancy restaurant which damn near broke his bank. So all this effort he planned to make to perhaps get on Van's good side, maybe get some booty, was wasted. On top of that, he hits a low blow questioning her dreams since she questioned his. Oh, and lest we forget, to recoup all he paid for that night he reports his debit card stolen.
{Commentary}
One of the main features of Vanessa and Earn's segment is being a stereotype. She doesn't like how he makes her feel like an angry black woman nor how he accepts being a Black deadbeat dad. It bugs her and even if Earn is our protagonist you have to see things from Vanessa's point of view. She is paying all of the bills, more than likely, and Earn hangs out at the airport with his friend. Based on his interactions with his parents, he is probably eating more out of the fridge than he puts in and then, icing on the cake, he isn't really doing much for Lottie.
Leading you to understand why she mentions she is going on dates with other men, why she brings up jobs he can do and even talks bad about his rap dreams. She needs him to step up and stop being stuck in his ways. Can she survive on her own? Maybe. But it doesn't seem Lottie was born because of the pull out method or anything like that. Plus, even if she was, it seems Vanessa wants to at least try to really give Earn the chance to be the man she fell in love with. Hence why he keeps trying to say "You know me Van" because she likely knew him when he was a Princeton or pre-Princeton big shot. But now, she is living off memories of possible potential. Of which ain't doing much but leading her to question her decisions and almost coercing her to remind him that her love and loyalty doesn't come for free and there are other people interested in her. But I guess his pride may not be worth compromising for the sake of his relationship with Vanessa or maybe even Lottie.
Highlights
Darius' conversation with Alfred about calling things and people daddy, as well as starting to realize how loyal Vanessa is trying to be to Earn despite him being stubborn and perhaps a little too comfortable with the idea she is going to stick around and support him.
Low Points
Q's talkative cousin, who was a bit too friendly and weird during the drug deal segments, honestly felt so out of place. Like, Darius is weird, and worth a side eye, but whoever was Q's cousin just seemed a bit too over the top. To the point, you can only hope they won't appear again.
Migos
dannylee-7808213 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
1. Earn is broke
2. Earn takes Vanessa out and overspends
3. Alfred does drug deal
Great episode. I love that this show has many faces. It's sometimes just comedy (Alfred's interaction with Quavo) and sometimes family drama (Earn's strained relationship with Vanessa). Earn struggles a lot as he tries to make ends meet, even in a restaurant where he takes out Vanessa. He is at a period of change where he is looking for ways to provide for her daughter while trying to follow what he wants to do. I guess Alfred would step out of the drug business too because of the whole incident of seeing somebody die right in front of him. Guessing that they would try to take music more seriously because their needs align. Honestly, efficient storytelling. Love how they are able to progress the story in just 20 minutes.
Darius is hilarious.
Great episode. I love that this show has many faces. It's sometimes just comedy (Alfred's interaction with Quavo) and sometimes family drama (Earn's strained relationship with Vanessa). Earn struggles a lot as he tries to make ends meet, even in a restaurant where he takes out Vanessa. He is at a period of change where he is looking for ways to provide for her daughter while trying to follow what he wants to do. I guess Alfred would step out of the drug business too because of the whole incident of seeing somebody die right in front of him. Guessing that they would try to take music more seriously because their needs align. Honestly, efficient storytelling. Love how they are able to progress the story in just 20 minutes.
Darius is hilarious.
I Smell a Society!.. (Love.Is.Needed.)
hamidullahgenc15 January 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I give this episode a "8,5." Yep.
The scenes as well as the soundtracks are of good quality. Really.
The overall acting is satisfying, too.
In America, there are all kinds of law. Yeah, it is advanced nearly to the fullest for this day and age.
But what it cannot give is strong family ties with strong intentions. E.g. We see Earn on his own without the necessary help from his mother and father.
More to that, we see that Earn cannot even make sure that the mother of his child stays with him out of love for her daughter, to raise up the kid properly.
Another thing we see that many people do drugs and Paper Boi and his right-hand man Darius get their hands on "the evil stuff" to sell it on the streets. Those scenes were, in a way, good.
Therefore, America needs more love more than law... First between husbands and wives; then the neighborhoods... Otherwise it can't always be the government to keep the order in the society and then restore it...
And this series points out this fact so well!.. Keep it better, guys!..
"And of His signs is this: He created for you helpmeets from yourselves that ye might find rest in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Lo! herein indeed are portents for the people who reflect."
The Gracious Koran speaks on the matter. (The 30th Verse of the Chapter called "The Romans.")
The scenes as well as the soundtracks are of good quality. Really.
The overall acting is satisfying, too.
In America, there are all kinds of law. Yeah, it is advanced nearly to the fullest for this day and age.
But what it cannot give is strong family ties with strong intentions. E.g. We see Earn on his own without the necessary help from his mother and father.
More to that, we see that Earn cannot even make sure that the mother of his child stays with him out of love for her daughter, to raise up the kid properly.
Another thing we see that many people do drugs and Paper Boi and his right-hand man Darius get their hands on "the evil stuff" to sell it on the streets. Those scenes were, in a way, good.
Therefore, America needs more love more than law... First between husbands and wives; then the neighborhoods... Otherwise it can't always be the government to keep the order in the society and then restore it...
And this series points out this fact so well!.. Keep it better, guys!..
"And of His signs is this: He created for you helpmeets from yourselves that ye might find rest in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Lo! herein indeed are portents for the people who reflect."
The Gracious Koran speaks on the matter. (The 30th Verse of the Chapter called "The Romans.")
Business and no business
AvionPrince1611 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I dont really know what to think about the episode but i still like the way it show the reality how is it . Pretty nice episode anyway and still pleasant to see despite the problems of Earn (money ) and Paper Boi (business )
Go for Broke
Prismark1021 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Rap is not yet paying for Paper Boi. He needs to do a drugs deal. Accompanied with his right hand man Darius, they meet a dealer who shoots someone right in front of them.
Earn wants to impress Van, so he takes her out for a date with what little money he has. Unfortunately the restaurant he has gone to has recently changed hands, got rid of their special offers and the waitress never stops upselling. Earn leaves the restaurant broke.
An uneven episode which is more darker in tone.
Earn wants to impress Van, so he takes her out for a date with what little money he has. Unfortunately the restaurant he has gone to has recently changed hands, got rid of their special offers and the waitress never stops upselling. Earn leaves the restaurant broke.
An uneven episode which is more darker in tone.
See also
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