Watch Atypical

Atypical is a Netflix original series that premiered in 2017 and ran for four seasons until 2021. The show revolves around the life of Sam Gardner, played by Keir Gilchrist, a 19-year-old boy on the autism spectrum who lives with his family in Los Angeles. The show is a dramedy, striking a balance between moments of heartfelt emotion and laugh-out-loud humor.

The show is primarily about family, and Sam's relationships with his family members are a central focus. Jennifer Jason Leigh plays Sam's mother, Elsa Gardner, whose life is deeply intertwined with her son's. Elsa is a stay-at-home mom who has dedicated her life to taking care of Sam, which has left her feeling unfulfilled and at loose ends. Meanwhile, Sam's father, Doug Gardner, played by Michael Rapaport, tries to navigate the complexities of raising a son with autism while also balancing work and family life.

Brigette Lundy-Paine plays Sam's younger sister, Casey Gardner. Unlike Sam, who struggles with social interactions, Casey is outgoing and athletic, and she is a star on her high school's track team. Throughout the show, we see the ups and downs of Casey's life as she tries to balance her own desires with her responsibilities to her family.

The show is not only a family drama but also a coming-of-age story. Sam is on the cusp of adulthood, and he is grappling with what that means for his future. He has a keen interest in Antarctica and penguins, and he dreams of becoming a scientist who studies them. Sam's journey to adulthood is complicated by his struggles with social interaction, which are portrayed with great empathy and understanding.

The show features a diverse cast of characters, including Sam's best friend, Zahid, played by Nik Dodani, and Sam's girlfriend, Paige, played by Jenna Boyd. Graham Rogers plays Sam's peer and potential love interest, while Amy Okuda and Fivel Stewart play Casey's girlfriends. Ra, played by Tal Anderson, is a recurring character throughout the series and a friend of Sam's from his autism support group.

Atypical explores a range of themes and issues related to autism, including social interaction, sensory processing, and communication. The show depicts these issues in a way that is both informative and respectful, and it does so without sacrificing entertainment value. The characters are all multidimensional and relatable, and their struggles and triumphs are portrayed in a way that is truly moving.

Throughout the show, we also see the characters face a range of other issues, including infidelity, sexual orientation, and parental expectations. Each character brings their own unique perspective to these issues, and the show does an excellent job of exploring them from a variety of angles.

Overall, Atypical is an excellent show that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The characters are relatable, the writing is strong, and the performances are outstanding. The show does an excellent job of shining a light on the challenges faced by people with autism and their families, while also exploring issues that are relevant to all of us. If you're looking for a show that will make you laugh, cry, and think, Atypical is definitely worth checking out.

Atypical is a series that ran for 4 seasons (38 episodes) between August 11, 2017 and on Netflix