Teddy Perkins Atlanta FX Explained, Teddy Was The Dad?

comedyhype.com - Spoiler Alert We take a crack at 2 theories on Atlanta FX's Teddy Perkin's episode. Was Teddy really the dad? Follow us at Twitter: @ComedyHype_ & Instagram: @ComedyHype.

[@mostmost1]

Darius was tripping for not leaving immediately after seeing Teddy eat that ostrich egg.

[@anteluka6743]

GET OUT!

[@Stoneyhilly]

I'll be gone keep that God dam piano fuck that I'm out.

[@nancyhahn4182]

I nearly barfed and had to turn away when he broke the egg open.

[@TiltheEndoftheDay]

yup

[@franfran6152]

I felt like the girl in the movie theatre screaming at the screen "get out! " ever since Teddy pushed the button and said "Please get Darius some water" --- sidenote: I wouldn't drink the water unless it was in a bottle!

[@AT-qd2cv]

Am I the only one that was genuinely sad Darius didn’t get his piano?

[@seshseshseshsesh]

facts! it was his only drive throughout the entire episode

[@JonesyFit]

amanda T after what he went through smh

[@geminikid609]

It was a good piano

[@cheyennerose2177]

Me too, he went through all of that and he walked out with a loss of innocence and no damn piano

[@lairbox]

Meee too! Oh man!!!

[@WanderKrew]

This episode is straight up Emmy worthy.

[@harvestmoon1033]

WanderKrew its a classic piece. It’s like watching a movie in one single episode.

[@TheRealBeatMaster]

Not just an Emmy, give them all the awards, television has peaked

[@sherylsmallwood-valdivia5375]

Donald Glover submitted this episode for his Emmy nomination.

[@HQBacon]

It won nothing. Most nominated comedy show and got 3 specific and technical awards. SMH

[@TbYolo]

HQBacon Just shut the fuck up

[@nikohall3346]

Teddy also had Dementia, showing the fact he is older than he appears. Remember in the beginning he needed the recorder to remember to get Darius water. I think it’s the father.

[@DJY30DSmoove]

Very good point

[@zuperkid93]

“Benny, your alive👀” the way he looked when he said that was creepy asf

[@RETROGEMS]

If Teddy is actually poor Benny's father, he's f--kin evil. Which is why his creepiness is so strongly represented in specific scenes. He is literally disfigured and destroyed on the inside as well as the out. He's become this dark, almost demonic shell of a human being, which is what any father would be perpetrating so much torture against their own child. The way certain scenes were filmed almost seemed to emphasize this evil seeping out of Teddy, which made him look terrifying. Even the end song by Stevie Wonder, "Evil", solidifies the palpable evil coursing throughout these two men's dark, broken home. Brilliant episode.

[@alejandrorobles1343]

*you're

[@Nsinger998]

Nobody seems to notice the bloody wound on Benny's chest.

[@OGxGoku]

@@Nsinger998i noticed

[@Pumaboy2000]

Man there is no way I was the only one who nearly mind blown when I found out teddy was played by Donald

[@justmoi169]

I was just like WTF...the guy really is a genius

[@nrgao]

I'm tripping. I knew it right away from the voice and teeth and didn't really say anything. Then, halfway in, I said something to my girl and her whole world came apart. Lol I went to get something to drink and came back to a damn FBI level analysis in the living room😂 she got the phone out Googling, comparing facial features and shit. I went to bed. Lol

[@tygottafeelin9753]

I picked up on it by the time he extended his hand(s) in greeting. D.Glover repurposed a lot of the mannerisms he used during his time on community. It was like 70% Abed, 25% MJ esq. & 5% too much eye contact.

[@josephmorales652]

Pumaboy 2000 yeah, he deserves an award of some kind. Really incredible

[@thequarrywoman1]

when theyre sitting at the parlot teddy says "benny just played what he knew" and i thought that sounded very familiar. only after knowing it was glover i realized i had just watched an episode on community where his character would tell his friend if he was batman bc he "didnt understand why batman cared who knew" and the way glover said those two senteces with the emphasis on the 'knew' were identical

[@aaronmedina182]

Donald Stayed in character the entire time they we're shooting this. The crew said it was one of the frightening days of their lives he went Jared Leto/Daniel Day Lewis on them. They we're concerned about his mental health. Honestly I knew it the second he screamed at Darius. It was Donald's Community Scream Lmaoo.

[@reduXstereo]

I would go method too if I was an actor who is constantly called a genius and dolled up in creepy makeup.

[@Tjeansoul]

Not only that but they kept Donald’s identity a secret even to the rest of the cast. Only certain producers and Hiro Murai himself knew who it was under all the makeup. The told the cast and shooting faculty that they “got the real Teddy Perkins”.

[@luispanzar4764]

MY EMOTIONS!!!

[@xpeter1000]

Apparently the cast didn't even know he was teddy, so it makes sense that he went method

[@flamingstallion]

Even before the screaming his voice sounds super similar to donald

[@lonewolfnh89]

Donald will never explain this. He doesn't explain his art. But the first theory makes a lot of sense. Because the man in the wheelchair was so eager to kill himself. He was so distraught that he turned his son into a monster.

[@freddymain6910]

haile 89 Imo, it’s good for artists like Glover to leave their work open to interpretation - that’s what makes work like his so special

[@babiboy181]

Best episode of the season so far. The mind of Glover is ridiculous. I wish that was a full film

[@Ayplus]

Yip

[@Fmoneyspreadluv]

It’s like get out part 2... or sum shit

[@islandgaming3230]

I swear I felt like I was watching "Get out 2" for half this episode..DG is proving that he is a true artist with this one. The man basically wrote and shot an episode of The Twilight Zone!!!

[@Fmoneyspreadluv]

yeah shit was crazy af. im just watching waiting for the jokes and shit jus keeps going left lol. bruh needs another emmy for this show.

[@AmirAng10]

That barbershop was good to

[@OldSlyEyes]

This episode stays with you for awhile...

[@mynameis______392]

OldSlyEyes fr

[@ansemthewise4000]

I know the way

[@HerbalQueen]

OldSlyEyes it does... that is the mark of great art... it haunts you

[@FLValentino]

OldSlyEyes It does. It’s saddens but also intrigues you.

[@parisraquel1140]

fr tho , even though it was kinda creepy , i still thought about what everything meant in this episode

[@DanielRamirez-iq3rt]

I knew it was going to be fucked up when Teddy extended both hands to Darius when they first met lol. Donald Glover should get an award for his creepy ass stare/ eye bugging alone. I love this show.

[@denmark555]

Facts. As soon as he broke out that egg, I knew shit was about to go left. This episode could have been a horror movie, shit was way darker then get out lol

[@AIRBEASTLY]

Fuuuuuck dude the ostrich egg did it for me

[@DanielRamirez-iq3rt]

You all ain't lying.The way that liquid bubbled and leaked out the egg made me glad I wasn't eating while watching

[@ojtyler9626]

You are all wrong your nigga spidey senses should've kicked in, as soon as he crept from the shadows after he unlocked the door.

[@wbhurt01]

Wait...that’s Donald as that creepy little dude wtf??

[@MrShabindigo]

I don't think it's either of these. I think the house represents MJ's mind. Teddy and Benny represents battling parts of his consciousness (Teddy was the idealized version of himself that he thought looked good even though everybody else didn't and Benny was the part he hated of himself because Joe Jackson taught him to hate himself that's why that part was locked in the basement). The piano represented Michael's talent. That's why when they were killed, the coroners took the piano, too cause Michael's talent died with him. The shotgun was the propofol that killed Michael. Darius represented us, the public. He just wanted the piano (Michael's talent), didn't care about what Teddy and Benny had gone through and when they died, ultimately, he lost the piano (i.e. we lost Michael's talent). Paper Boi, was almost like a narrator when he talked about it on the phone with Darius. Either that or Darius represented Dr.Conrad Murray who ended up going down for Michael dying from the propofol overdose he would've only gotten from another doctor if it hadn't been him. Notice he told him, "You're my sacrifice." Also, dually notice when he said that, it looked like he was facing his old self playing the piano on the screen. So, he could've also been saying that to his old self. Michael completely altered who he was effectively killing his old self, as well.

[@arslanamir7601]

this is the correct theory dog

[@Flyest90]

BRUH!! YOU KILLED THAT!

[@MrShabindigo]

I've watched the episode like 3 times (it was THAT good), and each time, I see something new that stands out to me. Also, I read an article in Complex that says this fits right in with the "Robbin Season" theme. Everybody lost something in all these episodes (i.e. Vanessa's phone and a happy relationship at Oktoberfest. Paperboi's time with Bibby. Earn's dignity with the $100 bill ) MJ was robbed of his childhood

[@sharingiscaring53]

MrShabindigo and Darius lost a regret or the piano

[@MrShabindigo]

shamir fisher Hadn't thought about that. Maybe that was the reason he was so adamant about getting the piano in the first place cause I swear, as soon Teddy answered that door, I would've been like, "No, thanks!" And left

[@Skysthelimit212]

I loved this episode and i want more Teddy Perkins. The theme was childhoods can be robbed too. I was literally on the edge of my seat the whole time. The mj undertones, the suspense, i could watch a whole teddy perkins horror movie. This episode had 110% of my attention. I didnt know that was Donald Glover either and the credits said Teddy Perkins as Teddy Perkins i was shook. This episode was AMAZING. Donald Glovrr better be drowning in emmys for this

[@kpopfan246]

Skysthelimit212 Michael Jackson did come to mind when I watched this, but I was also thinking about "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?".

[@officialkinxg693]

This was obviously a realistic idea of how MJ life could’ve possible been. That’s definitely his biggest source in this episode. He’s really coming for them abusive fathers through this seemingly dark humor. Donald is smart.

[@aamirbasir5464]

The name of the season is called “ Robbin’ season “ each episode is a metaphor ep. 1: "alligator man" - the drive-thru scene explains it all ep. 2: "sporting waves" - paper boi's plug pulls a robbery & tracy robs the shoes ep. 3: "money bag shawty" - earn & van are robbed of their dignity by racism ep. 4: "helen" - earn & van rob each other of a potential future together ep. 5: "barbershop" - bibby robs everyone of time, honesty, money, lumber, trust ep. 6: "teddy perkins" - a father robs his kids of their childhood, ends up with deadly consequences Ep. 7. Champagne Papi- Van and all the other girls at the party temporarily robs themselves of reality for one night but at the end “ It’s all fake “ Ep. 7. “ Woods “ Al is robbed of everything , his time, jewelry, pride , ego , life stripped that away from him and humbled him thus the meaning of the old man saying “ you’re stubborn, you’re stubborn and you’re black “

[@theYear_project]

Interesting

[@isaiahflores3411]

Explain the alligator man metaphor. And what about the last four episodes of season 2

[@darraghobrien4754]

@@isaiahflores3411 the first scene of alligator man, two young men are at a drive thru and one hops through the window and robs them while the other is a get away driver. In the episode the characters talk about robbin season and say it's 'that time of year' (Christmas time). They don't have the last 4 episodes because the comment was from before they were released

[@mechashoujo]

@@isaiahflores3411 North of the Border- Earn loses his manager job due to his cutting corners. Loses his laptop and the fight at the end (his pride). FUBU- Earn and Al inadvertently robs a young man of his life by calling him a liar when he was wearing a certain brand of shirt. Crabs in a Barrel- Luke can't go to Europe with the guys cause of Earn and no one told Tracy that they was leaving. Interestingly a lot of this episode literally had to do with moving on and seeing brighter things since the Lottie might go to a better school, Van is moving back with her mother, Darius' and Al's home is literally being packed up and Earn decides to change and play the game of taking risks.

[@ronthemogul]

Darius would like a glass of water when you have a moment

[@eddiesmith1707]

😀😀😀

[@mattthompson9395]

Wash your hands. IMMEDIATELY

[@stumpu96]

@@mattthompson9395 And remember that wierd hand shake they did when Darius got in the house

[@Pandabearmadness]

I did not realize benny was Donald Glover i couldn't believe it when i googled after the episode. I got so into the episode it never dawned on me while watching it was Glover. I'm still shocked

[@mervekara9875]

Pandabearmadness same I was like damn whut....??

[@nrgao]

I knew it from the voice and them teeth when he did T words. He has a very unique bite that makeup can't hide. Him and 50 both make perfect smiles when they said long I words. Lol

[@mervekara9875]

Dru Owen do you think it was on purpose? I really liked the short scene of Glover & co in the car, where Glover was sitting in the back and wasn't really talking. It was a nice twist after you realize it

[@basil33]

I didn't at first either until in one scene I noticed his dimples. I was like this fool! I was just complaining about how crazy Donald Glover was for writing this and then I figured out he was even crazier for playing the role the way he did. Definitely a sign of genius though!

[@mervekara9875]

Lisa Riv so true.

[@MylesBolt]

I think the theories can go either way. The reason y Glover(while playing teddy) talked about Joe Jackson and Marvin Gaye. This could be a what if Michael Jackson went crazy and abused his dad or how on Marvin Gaye dad killed Marvin Gaye. Lmao Donald is a genius.

[@JetPakJeff]

Preston Plair I almost agreed with you but do you remember when he slapped the piano? They showed the video of him slapping it training his son the same way. Teddy is actually the dad

[@Anthonycheesman33]

Honestly the show isn't that deep its a show about nothing lol

[@JetPakJeff]

anthony cheesman you know damn well that's not true.

[@Hyde1415]

anthony cheesman if you think that you really can't watch this show man. It's not for you.

[@Anthonycheesman33]

Jeff Sylvain even Donald Glover was asked what the meaning of the show is and he said its a looney tunes cartoon this show is pretty much the black Seinfeld a show about nothing I like the show a lot but stop trying to read into something that's not there lol

[@jnyerere]

So I guess I'm the only one who got PTSD after watching this episode.

[@Anondez]

Nope I'm shook af. Donald was right about us not being ready.

[@jilliemacks3867]

Czar JuliusIII No, many are still pondering this creeped-out, weird episode. I watched it again last night. I'm sure I'll watch it again.

[@nazsalabarria860]

I’m in counseling now .

[@HerbalQueen]

CzarJuliusIII Naw I was catching up because I had only watched the first episode...after this one I just turned the TV off... I needed a minute

[@freesica]

CzarJuliusIII no u not the only I was legit scared to g2 sleep all weekend bc I didn’t want teddy to wake up waving at me

[@carlingnugent]

When Darrius takes the piano outside and sees his car blocked in... you can hear Teddy shoot Benny. That's why he gets that horrible look on his face when he sees Benny coming out of the elevator "Benny... you're still alive" I think they really were bothers. Teddy wanted to be great but wasn't, and admired his father pushing him toward that greatness. Benny was great but didn't care about it. Teddy wasn't Jealous of Benny, he wanted to celebrate the greatness their father gave them; Benny didn't. Teddy worked on his face to look "better", Benny got a disease and looked awful. They were same-same but tragically different, and they drove each other insane. The whole thing is very "What ever happened to baby Jane?" in the style of Michael Jackson.

[@major_vibeskelley2925]

Yesss because of the wound he had when he was coming out of the elevator!!!!! I didn't even notice that at first

[@alexanavarro1353]

Makes sense. It was like jermaine vs micheal kind of thing. Jermaine who still had more childhood bc he started getting trained by joe later in life saw his dad’s investment as gift but micheal lost his entire childhood. So micheal would of course see joe as a monster. Jermaine was also very jealous of micheal

[@ericwilliams-hc1vu]

Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Brilliant call. One of the houses down the block is having construction done, and one of our dogs was barking and making noise the whole episode. I totally missed that. I did wonder, however why Benny had blood on his shirt when he rolled out of the elevator. Thank you so much.

[@LilSeven]

What a creepy ass fucking episode bruh, never again.

[@MrParis215]

ALI - 777 😆😂😂Right ... I was like ummmm I’m sleeping wit the lights on from now on lol

[@LilSeven]

richard mcilwaine I had to sleep with music on nigga fuck u meen 😂😂

[@LilSeven]

Julio Serrano 😂

[@jamalspoon2705]

ALI - 777 imo one of the best episodes lol it was classic and hilarious

[@actionscott8033]

This episode was whack i rolled a fat blunt thinking i was gonna see a good episode. Yes l get it it’s a think piece I’m all for thinking but come on this show is all over the place sometimes it’s annoying. Throw this whole episode away. Even theses theories are corny. More paperboy less fuck shit.

[@thebigpat799]

Darius buys a red Confederate-flag trucker hat and changes the embroidered phrase “SOUTHERN MADE” into famous Cam’ron meme “U MAD” with a Sharpie. This episode was wild, I’m definitely watching it over and over. Donald and his team better win a bunch of Emmy awards again💯🔥👏🏽

[@jamalspoon2705]

Ross Geller is black it’s a genius episode

[@actionscott8033]

Wow -Owen Wilson voice.

[@emmamay7453]

Ross totally agree with you. I had to go back and pause. I thought the hat said Southern Man... The brother, cast and crew ......AMAZING....

[@camredmond1161]

that username haha

[@user-iu9dr3fp4o]

Ross Geller is black Does anyone know where to get one or those so I can do the same thing?

[@SuuperSonicSam]

Seeing everyone comment what they think about the episode and actually talk about it makes me happy. It’s cool to see people acting speak about the show instead of just cussing at people or being rude. And. Atlanta is a great show. This episode was unbelievable!

[@jilliemacks3867]

Awesome Nerd Reviews I, too, find it to be a great conversation piece...thanks, Donald G....

[@TGFLdn24]

Agreed, all these theory’s are brilliant mark of a brilliant show. It feels like a whole new episode after watching it and coming in here.😂

[@BlackLionGriotMedia]

Wow. Love the theories. I am the fortunate one who was blessed to play Teddy's Dad. When I auditioned they told me to freestyle a Joe Jackson rant. I wish you all could see my audition. I wish I could see it. Thank you Donald and Hiro (director).

[@c-tology]

I just watched this episode. Mind blowing! It wasn't until about 17 minutes in where something clicked in my head and I realized "THAT"S DONALD GLOVER??!" Totally unlike any other Atlanta episode, loved it!

[@MrNewView]

I think Teddy was Benny. Darius is pretty good at picking up vibes (like when he knew the dog would be thereat the shooting during the first episode of the first season) and Darius told Alfred on the phone that he felt like Benny made up Teddy. I think Benny ended up having split personality disorder because of all the pain and trauma he went through and ended up coming up with Teddy to cope with it. That's why he has to record things to remember them and why he'd forget what he was doing and do something random (like leave to get water then start playing the piano). It's also why there's no pictures of Benny and Teddy together and why we only see one kid practicing piano in the video. Although we can't really confirm if the guy in the wheelchair is Benny's father, we know that Teddy suppresses him by keeping him down in the basement with the elevator turned off which can be a physical interpretation on what he does with his personalities mentally. It also gives Teddy a clear motive to kill Benny because Benny is basically a representation of his pain. "Your brother plays pain better than anyone. Benny just played what he knew." Teddy wouldn't be able to talk about Benny's piano playing like that unless he was Benny.

[@MrNewView]

Everything in this episode had meaning, even when he was eating the soft boiled egg. The egg was suppose to be a a representation of Benny and what he went through. Teddy starts banging it with a hammer and eventually cracks it and starts to eat from it. Later in the episode when Teddy and Darius are talking about what Benny's dad put him through, he says "You have to crack a few eggs to make an omelet."

[@nadineoliver-reid9324]

But 2 bodies we're carried out!!

[@MrNewView]

I never said the guy in the wheelchair didn't exist, but to be honest, how do we know that Darius isn't just seeing 2 bodies when there might of only been one? The episode description is "Darius trips" so he could of just been imagining them as 2 separate people.

[@2126Eliza]

Slim Baby This is the correct meaning. It's based on the tortured life of Michael Jackson.

[@gabrielmatheus18]

I agree with you. In addition to all the facts you have said have simple details in the episode that were not mentioned in this video here and neither by you and also make me think that Teddy is Benny. 1-When Dariu arrives to ask Teddy to take the car that was preventing the truck from leaving, it is possible to see the father giving the piano lesson to someone called Teddy. Benny Hope may simply be the stage name of Theodore, Teddy and it shows that Teddy really is Benny. 2- When Darius talks to Teddy that there is no Benny, referring to the man he found in the basement is not Benny, Teddy confirms. "Exaclty, exaclty" I've noticed these two details and now I'm going to have to watch the episode once more to see if any more detail has gone unnoticed.

[@MrIplaybaseball]

There are 2 more pieces of evidence suggesting Teddy was the dad. 1) He had to set small reminders for himself on a recorder suggesting he was elderly and forget things easily (like Darius’s water). 2) He was particularly critical of hip hop which we see among older black people. It’s possible that Benny was old enough to share that opinion, but they went out of their way to imply Teddy was old

[@ComedyHype]

Good ones, We also felt he walked a bit slow! like someone older!

[@bobbyfalkenberg7374]

Yo I know I’m way late to this show (season 3 just came out so I’m getting into it) but I saw a comment saying that the recorder thing showed evidence of Benny’s split personality, meaning he was teddy. I personally would like to believe that they’re both brothers teddy and Benny. The concept that one of them could be the father is insanely thought provoking tho I didn’t even think of that

[@captainninjax7561]

This episode was creepy AF

[@seandafny]

Captain Ninja X creepy FX

[@mtdubdachamp6917]

Scared tf out of me and I'm in my 30s smh 😂

[@imazani22]

Another point to make in regards to the theory Teddy is the father is when he states that hopefully the pain Benny is in will help him create one more masterpiece... this could be Teddy stating that he is pushing his son to create one more work of art inspired by his pain

[@Three_Diamonds]

I found the playbacks of him reminding himself to do things hilarious.

[@SkeetabooTV]

Atlanta needs to be an hour long.

[@arandomguysshh8614]

Agreed

[@NYCKZ360]

Basically u want a movie which would be fire ass idea

[@SkeetabooTV]

@@NYCKZ360 they should sign a deal with hbo or STARZ,.. hour long, more raunchy content

[@undergoundinstrumentals]

@@SkeetabooTV the thing that makes Atlanta so unique is how they can fit so much stuff in a short period of time while leaving many things unexplained

[@SkeetabooTV]

@@undergoundinstrumentals true

[@nezmo1522]

The Confederate flag hat scene is connected to the theme of this episode and the theory of Teddy being the dad . So the confederacy lost the civil war--they felt robbed of their "states rights". the ability to succeed from the Union and own slaves. After the war the flag became a symbol of white supremacy,hate, pain, racism. From jim crow era to civil rights era it was a symbol of hate. Fast forward to now...it's become this mask of "southern pride" or "southern made" like on the hat but in reality U Mad. When Darrius concealed the words on the hat to reveal the real feelings of the south its symbolic of Teddy concealing his real identity but in reality he too is mad.

[@Basseyworld]

oh damn...

[@Nohandle1125]

Nisreen Moore Omg. You’re a genius. That makes perfect sense.

[@LordDarthReaper13]

nice.

[@Nohandle1125]

Ben Harper Calm down. Nothing she said was ignorant or generalising. Everything she said was spoken from history and not even white southern Americans can dispute that because it’s simply the truth. The south lost the Civil War. The South is angry about having lost the Civil War. Southern Pride/ the Rebel Flag is symbolic of the Antebellum South they believe they are still entitled to. While the highest number of black Americans live in the south, that doesn’t mean our population is exclusive to the south. It also doesn’t imply that *most* live in the south. Out of 50 states, the highest number of blacks live in five southern states. Which is not a significant number. Ever heard of the Great Migration? Well that refers to flocking numbers of blacks fleeing from the south to get away from the racism this country has never protected them from. But guess what? They weren’t entirely received in too many of those other states either. Who’s complaining? Not Nisreen. You sound more bitter than she *supposedly* does. If you’re not from America and even more so specifically not from the south, then you are really in no position to speak on American or African American issues.

[@josephmorales652]

Nisreen Moore ur smart. Didn't figure that out

[@KDances]

I think the guy in the wheel chair is the real benny and teddy is the father because teddy wanted to stage it like a home invasion where Darius killed Benny. This way the tragedy would make the benny story into something that ends with a tragedy and possibly more famous so the museum would be famous. I don't know what teddy would do after but he gets his wish of everyone recognizing Benny's talent that "he" created, he wants that recognition. So many other reasons but it just makes the most sense to me. The biggest proof to me is Teddy's obsession with Benny's talent. There are endless themes and theories in this episode its just masterfully done.

[@TGFLdn24]

Kurtis C I will go with this theory too.

[@KDances]

Thanks :). Also the way that Teddy hits the piano in front of Darius is the same in the old video when he says, "I love this song"

[@2KGrind09]

the acting in this episode was top notch and that's what really had me on the edge on my seat ..... I shouldn't have smoked that LouD before this episode HA

[@AhmadUsufzy]

Insane episode. I feel like the first theory is more plausible. Both are solid.

[@msgeniab]

Shit was mad creepy, and I'm still spooked.

[@_yesjas]

I really enjoyed all the theories that were presented, I am definitely leaning on the 1st. I keep asking my friends if they have seen the episode and many haven’t, I’m like WTF? I have watched it 3 times already just trying to wrap my mind around the sounds, the frames I may have missed, paying special close attention to the scenery. There is such an overall uniqueness and depth to this episode... I love it! Such great acting! Also, I knew it was Donald Glover by his head shape...I know weird and his voice (tho clearly masked) I could hear some of his inflections. Lol 😂 great video comedy hype 👏🏾

[@cjsmooth318ify]

jasmine ikr

[@ComedyHype]

Yes! this episode was crazy! Thank you, had us glued to the screen like detectives LOL

[@HorrorbleCWalt]

jasmine Did you see the hat Benny was wearing? It was in the background in one of the rooms Teddy walked into

[@_yesjas]

Brother Walton I saw the fedora on the wall when Darius went upstairs to tell Teddy that the car is blocking the UHAUL. I’m telling you frame by frame, lol there was something. In the beginning of the show, the paint cans say “Ben”

[@sanoflight15]

show is kinda corny tho

[@sashav1842]

I just like when teddy yelled Flamez 😩😂😂

[@RETROGEMS]

Okay, lemme tell you: my blood literally runs cold at the thought of Teddy being poor Benny's actual FATHER. IT WOULD MEAN SO MANY HORRIBLE, DISGUSTING THINGS, the biggest being a man who's been sadistically torturing his own son practically from the cradle to the grave, and at the same time, is battling his own psychosis via intense disfigurement of his face. That would tie in to the white mannequin of the 'revered' father figure...maybe he hates himself so passionately, that his hatred for his features, his race, was transferred to his son Benny (who's used as a target), a man who is/was a natural reflection of the physicality he wishes to destroy, conceal and mutilate. Might also connect w/the fact that as Benny's skin became paler because of his disease, so did his father's, an action done also so that his despised son, despised for his Blackness, would not (in Teddy's sick mind), "one-up" him. I also noticed something about his style of dress...it almost seems like the way someone with image problems would possibly envision a rich White man as wearing, but coming off as fraudulent and creepy because it is all a charade, an impersonation. It was very retro with the smoking jacket, ascot, and even 70's hair. Indication that Teddy is a much older man? His true age masked by extensive plastic surgeries? For all the audience knows, he could be a man in his late 60s, early 70s. All of this, the abuse, the lies, the torture and isolation, would mean that 'Teddy' is practically a demon in human form, a villain of such darkness that on top of traumatizing his son as a child, would perpetrate the ultimate form of violence on him, all for personal gain. It would mean Teddy's a wicked sociopath with not an ounce of humanity in him, which would mean that a lot of people could rewatch the episode with a fresh perspective on the context of this house of horrors. DEEP.

[@nrgao]

I'm trying to remember the exact line near the beginning, but I was like, this seems like the prequel to Get Out. Then dude took the picture of Darius. I was almost convinced. Wish it would have went in that direction. Still one of the best tv episodes I've ever seen.

[@Native_tay]

Dru Owen shoot it was close enough. At least with this we can feel secure the lakieths character made it out of this situation unlike last time

[@Native_tay]

But the part where he was outside on the phone with al talking about the whole thing reminded me of the opening scene of get out

[@LevelUpAsh]

The whole time I was saying Darius needs to GET OUT of there lol

[@bryanlabady9825]

Dru Owen whats funny is that Lakeith was in GET OUT tho

[@ryannehall4707]

It was supposed to be a nod towards Get Out. I’m glad it was only that moment. It would’ve been kind of corny if they did an episode that extremely close to being like Get Out.

[@cuddlymole]

My mouth was on the floor the whole episode. When I realized it was Donald (right after he broke the egg), I had to pause the TV to collect myself because it was so genius and so creepy the way you could see his mannerisms peeking through. When he walked, he walked like Donald (sort of duck-footed). Your theories make sense. I'm enjoying going down the rabbit hole learning all I can about this episode. I can't shake it. There's a part of me that believes that Darius would have become friends with Teddy if things hadn't gone so wrong, because Darius is open like that and I bet he's got a handful of eccentric friends he sees now and then. There was a sweet, misunderstood energy that Teddy gave off. I felt bad for him (until he started getting violent at the end).

[@justsaiyan8678]

Donald Glover is a genius!!!! The show is OUTSTANDING!!!

[@SierraDeeTV]

he really is. this was an extraordinary episode.

[@KDances]

I'd go to university just to be in a class that studies this episode. Or to be a psychologist so I can understand what the hell Donald was thinking

[@jdbxhxbsbsbsjxhd1825]

Donald Glover is a genius.

[@jdbxhxbsbsbsjxhd1825]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6WqfGedlsiHiNk

[@denmark555]

I think on some levels, this episode is an ode to the movie Get Out, Paper Boy even tells Darius to Get Out at one point. Either way the episode was brilliant, and will go over the head of most people, I've actually seen people say it was the worse episode of the series.

[@mellochello921]

denmark555 to be fair I was confused at first but than I realized the genius of Donald by doing my own homework I realize this episode is both awesome and intriguing

[@nasirjones9149]

I honestly believe that the blood on the piano was from Benny and that Teddy Perkins is indeed the father. Darius hears music, goes up the stairs to find a very suspicious Teddy, we also see an empty wheelchair. Perhaps Teddy shoved Benny out of the chair in rage because Benny didn't play the piano properly..

[@Rosquilliam2]

Im with the first theory. Teddy is just nuts.

[@AdityaSharma-me6je]

Alfred's text, U dead yet? - cracked me up. And also when the wheelchair man points to the wheelchair as to why he himself can't go and get the gun

[@dreface2]

No.... Teddy is a man who admired his abusive father but hated his unappreciative brother. I think that their father killed himself because Teddy said that they were his sacrifice when him and Darius was in that room dedicated to dads. Teddy, I believe, hated his brother because he didnt appreciate any of it. From the nonchalant look on Benny's face in pics with celebrities and his brother saying that "Benny hated people" I think Teddy beat Benny's ass to the point where he is wheelchaired bound and face unrecognizable. BUT Benny still had his talent to play and Teddy would still make him practice in order to stay alive or not get beaten. I think Teddy was going to set Darius up out of pure annoyance because: 1. He didnt know who Benny was. 2. He didnt know how to play piano. 3. He tried to sympathize with Teddy but Teddy clearly felt Darius didnt know what he was talkin about. 4. Darius was roaming the house 5. Darius was the next sacrifice. Meaning if this set up was a success... when the police would come. They would have to roam the house and they would see all the Benny memoribilia making Benny relevant again. Fallen stars make more money dead than alive. 6. He also feels that Darius is a dumb-ass. Because he answered an ad for a colored key piano.. that he obviously colored the keys himself.

[@seandafny]

DreSully u are a smart person

[@thrillcutz2162]

No,man,Teddy Perkins is not real both “brothers” don’t even share same surname,plus there aren’t photos together,chance is that benny is teddy,plus is an MJ reference that Teddy Had Skin Bleached and he says that his brother has an strange skin problem which makes the viewer instantly think of him,with that MJ look .All i know is teddy is not real.

[@quelwinmorillo9176]

The first time watching this episode my mind was so deep in shock then I was like "watch Darius act like nothing happened next ep"

[@Ce2014Ce]

Donald Glover looked like a Who from whoville in this episode lol

[@manb4war]

The father angle is a stretch for several reasons. One, if the brother collaborated with artists such as Al Jarreau, assuming he was around the same age as Al Jarreau, he would easily be in his early seventies. Al Jarreau died last year at the age of 76. That means the father would have to be in his nineties at least. Two, if the museum to Teddy's father is filled with articles belonging to his father such as the suit on the mannequin, his father was much larger, much taller in stature than Teddy. Seems like Teddy had always been a bit crazy but later became his brother's caretaker which he took as an opportunity to abuse him, with the power of attorney he spent the bulk of his money on plastic surgery and ridiculous stuff like ostrich eggs (currently retailing online for $42 each) The horrible disfigurement of the plastic surgery, the isolation sent him over the edge and the plot to kill himself and his brother is born.

[@SierraDeeTV]

at first, when i heard the comment "ill go turn the elevator on" from Teddy (so Darius could move the piano downstairs) I was under the impression Teddy was keeping Benny in the basement and keeping the elevator turned off to ensure he kept Benny right where he wanted him. Then after watching the episode back, i realized Benny already had a bunch of blood on his shirt when he came upstairs to kill Teddy.. *if it is true that Teddy was "killing" Benny when Darius walked up the stairs, he obviously didn't use the shot gun cause we woulda heard it. * SOOO Teddy chose to kill Benny when Darius was there so he could frame Darius? Why was teddy so insistent on showing Darius so many things? explaining things about they're life etc? and Teddy immediately watching old videos of his father right after he THOUGHT he killed him is also pretty crazy. It was an extremely confusing episode. i loved it and i hope more things are answered for us in the future. its funny cause i recorded like 35 minutes of myself talking and was gonna post it on my channel but now seeing these theories, i def cant post my review cause i legit was totally lost and didn't understand lol but thanks for this awesome video @ComedyHype i appreciate you.

[@danielsalerno8532]

Dude totally missed that the Benny (wheel chair guy) was bleeding out. This totally explains why Teddy (the son) turned the elevator back on and was surprised to see Benny - he thought he was dead because he stabbed him or something while playing the piano. The son wanted the murder to take place while playing piano to complete the role reversal revenge. Thanks so much for this comment - was the missing piece I needed to complete this episode.

[@yelogrl]

Daniel Salerno Teddy couldn't have stabbed him while he was playing the piano because afterward Darius saw him in the basement and he wasn't bleeding out yet

[@norapeace6526]

I think Teddy shot Benny when Darius was trying to take the piano outside because he did hear a gunshot while he was on the phone with paperboy

[@onishlatt2843]

wait he did.

[@danielsalerno8532]

Sherrell J. There was blood on the piano!

[@GETROBDTV]

My question was why didn't Darius just pull his truck up some then load the piano? Furthermore why didn't he take someone with him? He's picking up a piano! Granted, from what the episode shows he didn't need help with it but what if he would have?

[@jfinc005]

GETROBDTV someone had pointed out that it was a gated drive that you had to be buzzed into and presumably out of though I had the same thought

[@Thaddeussupreme]

Teddy looks like Smokey Robinson today.

[@jezza420k2]

first theory makes alot of sense

[@kysonmartin77]

I just binge watch seasons 1 and 2 over the weekend. I am hooked. I love the show. Donald Glover is a very fine actor and director. The whole cast is awesome. Can't wait for season 3.

[@unofficialwolfgang]

SonnyLives77 season 2 not even done yet😂

[@troythemakyr]

march 24th my friend, get reasy

[@rasheed1346]

The part when he went up to see who was playing the piano and Teddy comes to the door right before he opens the door #Scared The Shit Outta Me

[@mafia8500]

You did really forget to mention that Teddy (THE SON) did shoot his DAD while Darius was trying to bail out and you can hear the shotgun sound the moment Darius left the house, and yeah ... Teddy did shot his dad with the shotgun but didn't kill him and that's why he was all surprised when his dad showed up after he used the elevator (YOU CAN SEE THERE IS BLOOD ON HIS DAD SHIRT) and said "You still alive" then the DAD made the decision to kill his psychopath son and then suicide, knowing that he been ruthlessly tortured by his SON for years.

[@EpicGamer-dj7dm]

The episode was so different from the others I thought I wasn't watching Atlanta

[@csteplight1]

“Darius finally has sense enough to leave”.... dude should’ve left way before it got to that point...

[@lostribesamurai7927]

This episode could be interpreted so many different ways and all interpretation would be correct.

[@AgentMcQueen]

I watched this before I went to bed last night. What a haunting, stunningly sad episode.

[@Iden_Elihio_1999]

I never saw Atlanta, I just randomly felt like seeing this episode for some reason and I was just so mesmerized and creeped out at the same time.... I just kept being pulled in......

[@cm39anime]

Only thing I got to say is the episode was dark

[@profoundmusic6922]

Am I the only one still shocked and kinda freaked out after watching the episode.

[@norapeace6526]

My theory was that I thought they really were brothers and Teddy was just jealous of his brother Benny who is better than him at the piano and wanted to kill him to kind of take his place 🤔

[@ssippilandelta4365]

My first thought was Teddy is the dad battling with Alzheimer’s but I wasn’t for sure but when I watched for a second time, when he slammed the pen on the piano like he hit the piano in the video, I’m like ok he’s the father.

[@IldivinCodino1996]

I'm HERE !!

[@mikelsales3599]

Teddy Perkins teddy how are you 🤟🏾

[@tochukwuudu7763]

Teddy Perkins teddy I know what you're going through

[@EliasX]

Darius would like a glass of water when you have a moment

[@corrupt_insomniac]

Sup teds! How’s Benny? :)

[@teddyperkins2302]

You are a LIAR!

[@aprilvanillasunshine8408]

Found your channel by chance, just wanted to say that I really enjoyed listening to you speak, and present your theory. Your ideas were well organized, and you're very well spoken and easy to listen to, I really enjoyed this 👌 😎

[@thewalkingmic5]

Here’s something I’ve never heard anyone mention/explain: When Teddy unexpectedly takes Darius’ picture, Darius looks down and flinches. But when Teddy shows him the picture, Darius is making an “X” with his arms. I can’t find an explanation

[@nemomortis1866]

Oh it's been explained in the first season. Darius doesn't like his picture taken cause he doesn't want the government to have his image. Its a joke that he is so prepared that it's like millisecond actions. But mostly it's a joke lol. Like the invisible car lol

[@thewalkingmic5]

@Nemo mortis ohhh ok. I’ve only seen this episode of Atlanta so I know virtually nothing about it. Thank you!

[@deshaunmuhammad52]

I didn't know that was Donald, he did an amazing job. I just watched this episode last night and was completely puzzled

[@acarouselofantics]

This was quite an analysis. Good job! This episode was crazy, but the killing at the end straight up surprised.

[@shaebuttababy8511]

I had NO IDEA that was CG playing the role of Teddy😳😳😳😳😳😳😳 this man is a genius! This episode definitely made me have a few nightmares and I definitely got an MJ vibe from it but couldn’t put my finger on the actual message

[@GrayAcre]

I feel 10/10 this was about Michael Jackson

[@tortugabug]

If anyone is watching this now, the Director confirmed Teddy Perkins is Benny's brother. He went crazy from the abuse of their father and living under Benny's shadow.

[@acbou7934]

Link?

[@Edwinvet420]

Third theory: They could both be true. Benny could've changed his name to teddy but somehow took the role of the father like in the movie psycho, so when alone, Benny/Teddy act like his father while treating Benny/his father like he was treated growing up. So in this scenario Benny is so hurt that he started dissociating and thinking that his old father that needs him to get around was himself when he was young and needed his father to get around. Benny changed his name to Teddy to try to get away from the pain of being raised with so much pressure, but when the roles reversed and the dad couldn't speak nor walk anymore, this confused him to the point that he started covering his dad's face like he needed to when growing up. But he's still sane enough to act like Teddy, his new moniker, when people are around and not call himself papa whatever, because deep down he despises his dad too much. So for him, he's still Teddy, but his dad is Benny.

[@Edwinvet420]

Glover made a hidden Hitchcock homage and no one noticed

[@brewaters96]

This episode was trippy as hell.

[@julianedgar7491]

"Benny... Your alive!"

[@livly9]

This episode reminds me of an episode of "Sanford n son" and the film "what ever happend to baby jane"

[@chocolatebabyy4094]

Ok !!!! I've had enough of these clips!!!!!!... I'm gonna watch season 1 !!!!

[@Lamedvavnik]

Well Teddy was clearly the one playing the piano and sat in the wheelchair. I noticed they also have the same attire, the red smoking jacket and the black wig. I think Teddy is Benny and that the mental separation is played out literally right at the end. Why did Teddy reference the attic, right after Benny told him there was a gun in the attic? Teddy was a created character to separate himself from the torturous upbringing that Benny had. We know he had a skin condition and was bleached white with a high pitched voice (just like Michael) you can also see under the Balaclava that “Benny” is also white. I think what we witnessed is Benny committing suicide killing both parts of himself. But fuck me I could be wrong. Genius episode either way.

[@tombjork2360]

I can see this. given the ridiculous shit that happens in Atlanta, it doesn't seem crazy that they might actually be the same person

[@MrLasveguinhas]

I seriously do fucking hope Atlanta gets every single Emmy possible this year, including best actor, best supporting actor, and best writing for this episode. This was sooo good! I can't get over it...

[@nicolasbeck8687]

Great stuff, great analysis, great episode

[@M7MD-X10]

Teddy was playing the piano perfectly and no one was at the chair, i totally believe that teddy is benny 100% And they only showed 2 people in the theater room so that’s another hint

[@M7MD-X10]

And the other theory is also perfect because ge slamed the piano just like he did in the theater room footage 👀

[@cmccaig247]

*Pauses video the second mans says Teddy was Donald Glover*

[@henrypeterson8337]

This episode kind of reminded me of the move “get out”

[@gabriel1095]

Henry peterson could be the actor who played Darius

[@solace2001]

This episode honestly seemed like a horror/thriller movie

[@joshualeon3223]

My takeaway: As people of color we can't continue to beat ourselves up for not living up to the ideals set by white people (of the past in particular). I say this with no resentment toward all good hearted white people. It's just that many of us grew up thinking that if the language we spoke, the food we ate, the way we expressed ourselves through music and fashion, or even the way we looked wasn't similar to that of the white person then we should be ashamed of ourselves. That was (and in many places still is) the attempt to try and tear us away from our roots and I'm glad that many of us have aWOKEn to this realization. The beauty of mankind is in our differences and those differences SHOULD be accepted and celebrated, not hated by anyone. This episode is a perfect example of the mentality of those POC that have sadly fallen prey to the aforementioned white standards. I know this is a long winded analysis of a TV show but imo it's SO MUCH MORE than just an episode of just another show. It's truly an introspective and meta observation of society and culture that deserves ALL of the praise it gets. BIG UPS to EVERY person that had a hand in making "Atlanta". It's the voice of a generation. God bless y'all.

[@tracylee4451]

Why does Teddy look like Michael Jackson with a storyline of father/son issues omg. I wrote this before you made the Joe Jackson connection. I haven't seen this show at all. I need to watch wow

[@CryptoRapUp]

When Darius first goes to the upstairs door where the piano is playing, the piano stopping and teddy opening the door just enough to peek out happens instantly. Teddy was not playing the piano. “Benny” was. The piano stopped the millisecond Teddy opened the door. There is no way Teddy could have gotten up from the piano and ran across the room fast enough to have been playing the piano. So, the guy in the wheelchair was playing the piano and there was a drop of blood on the piano. But it also looks like his entire shirt had red blood all over it. The question isn’t if the character Benny was playing the piano. It’s “Is Benny actually Benny?” And is teddy actually teddy. I think benny is Benny, as he was able to play the piano. He was also bleeding. And then who is teddy? He was definitely making excuses for over aggressive parents and also moved like an old person. I think it is the father. And he hopes to “get another classic” out of the the pain. But Benny is able to cease his suffering by killing teddy aka dad

[@tmagmfpp7885]

Teddy is the father the museum was the dead giveaway before the blood on the piano. But that's why he didn't let him come in the room while the music was playing.

[@LordDarthReaper13]

...well done sir...WELL DONE

[@wowhowbizarre8176]

The outburst Teddy had at Darius is the main reason I don’t believe he could have been the father.

[@liorkantor7952]

Theory 3: Teddy put something in Darius's water and Darius was high all the time

[@stunnaboycodotcom]

👀 👀 👀

[@babiboy181]

I think the drop of blood actually came from either darius's nose or teddy's once he got angry during that scene, not from just having abused benny.

[@LordDarthReaper13]

JusBeeChannel ....agreed.

[@MrMuskyJunk]

That blood was not from Darius

[@2126Eliza]

JusBeeChannel maybe it represents all MJ's butchering of his body.

[@jesuscampos9038]

this episode had more suspense than any current horror film.

[@Libra_Strings]

This was crazzzzyyyyy af. It reminds me of the movie Tusk 😱😱😱

[@dreface2]

That Ostrich egg man...... 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 #Atlanta

[@jamalspoon2705]

DreSully that scene had me in tears lmbo

[@citychicatl7948]

Wow!?! The best episode to me thus far!! RIP Teddy P and Benny👥😱👀