If you’re on the hunt for a great show to binge, “Atypical” will fill your needs. This Netflix original series is a comedy-drama that follows the four members of the Gardner family and their friends. April is Autism Awareness Month, and what makes “Atypical” separate itself from other shows is that the main character is a high school student dealing with autism.
Viewers will learn about the various ways autism effects people. The show includes writers and actors that have autism, which lends to the credibility of the production. And if you’re like me, anything that deals with parental issues and high school drama is always fun.
Great Acting
The acting is phenomenal from all involved, and it will make you fully invested in the characters and their stories. There are no weak link. Anyone can and will become you’re favorite character at various times throughout the run of the series.
Keir Gilchrist stars as Sam Gardner, a high school senior on the autism spectrum. Sam is fully functioning but has his issues. He loves penguins and Antarctica, and is able to recite memorized facts and data on the subject in an instant. Sam has the same emotions any teen would have; dating, college, fitting in. But his emotions are constantly kept in check by his autism. I recognized Gilchrist from “It Follows” and while this is a totally different role, he is a very capable actor.
Brigette Lundy-Paine plays Sam’s younger sister, Casey. She is a track star and serves as Sam’s protector from bullies and the like. The series opens with Casey and her first real boyfriend, and the character has a great arc from there.
Jennifer Jason Leigh and Michael Rapaport play the Gardner parents. I’ve been a huge Rapaport fan since ‘Boston Public, ‘The War at Home’ and of course, GTA 3. Rapaport rules, and his inclusion in the trailer was what ultimately made me watch the show. I hadn’t seen Leigh in 40 years since “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” Leigh also serves as producer of the series. Both actors are excellent here. They have a natural rapport, and the writing does well by giving them their own issues to deal with.
The cast is filled out by Nik Dodani as Sam’s hysterical best friend. Amy Okuda as Sam’s therapist. Graham Rogers as Casey’s boyfriend. And Jenna Boyd and Fivel Stewart as fellow high school classmates.
Great Series
“Atypical” is a show about relationships. There are various pairs which are explored. Sam and his friends, Sam and his parents. Sam and Casey, Casey and her mother. While the show is centralized on Sam and his autism, everyone has their own detailed and important part to play.
Airing from 2017-2021, this Netflix dramedy is akin to predecessors like ‘Gilmore Girls’ and “Dawson’s Creek.’ But at 38 episodes, it doesn’t overstay its welcome. Each episode features Sam narrating the exposition, often at his therapy sessions, and is a well balanced mix of all the characters.
“Atypical” is an informative and enjoyable watch. Its perfectly paced for binging, and has excellent replay quality.
“Atypical” is available to stream on Netflix
