Atypical

Atypical is an American comedy-drama streaming television series created by Robia Rashid for Netflix. It focuses on the life of 18-year-old Sam Gardner (Keir Gilchrist), who has autism spectrum disorder. The first season was released on August 11, 2017, consisting of eight episodes. The 10-episode second season was released on September 7, 2018. In October 2018, the series was renewed for a third season of ten episodes, which was released on November 1, 2019. In February 2020, the series was renewed for a fourth and final season. The final 10 episodes will premiere in 2021.
The first season received mostly positive reviews, though the show was criticized for its lack of autistic actors and perceived inaccuracies in its depiction of autism. The second season featured more actors and writers with autism, and also received mostly positive reviews. The third season continued this development and received overwhelmingly positive reviews.
Plot.
Season 1.
Sam Gardner, an 18-year-old boy on the autism spectrum, who lives in Connecticut, announces that he wants to start dating girls after some advice from his therapist. His father, Doug, has struggled to connect with his son and is thrilled when Sam approaches him for advice. When Sam wants to surprise his crush with chocolate-covered strawberries, his father drives him to her house only to discover that Sam's crush is actually Julia, Sam's 26-year-old therapist. Doug quickly pulls Sam away and tells him to find a girlfriend his own age. Sam comes around to the fact that he needs a "practice girlfriend", as he puts it, and, with the help of his friends and family, begins to learn the social nuances of dating.
As Sam grows more independent, his mother Elsa struggles to find a life outside of being his guardian. During a night out with friends from a dance class, Elsa meets Nick, a bartender she likes and begins an affair with him. Sam's younger sister, Casey, breaks a track-and-field record and receives an athletic scholarship to a prestigious but distant high school. Although she wants to attend, she is nervous about what leaving will mean for Sam. Her concerns are exacerbated when she discovers that Doug abandoned their family for a while after Sam's diagnosis and that Elsa is having an affair. Meanwhile, Julia finds a chocolate-covered strawberry Sam left behind during his visit. She accuses her boyfriend of cheating on her, which leads him to break up with her. After he moves out, Julia discovers that she is pregnant with his child.
Season 2.
Upon learning of Elsa's affair with Nick, Doug quickly kicks her out of the house, leaving him to complete all household tasks by himself, which proves overwhelming. Doug later allows Elsa back into the house under his guidelines, although he remains distant. Sam, no longer able to see Julia due to a conflict of interest, struggles to find a new therapist he is comfortable with. The school's guidance counsellor, Ms. Whitaker, encourages Sam to apply to university and join her peer group for students on the spectrum, which prepares students for graduation and independence.
Although she feels unwelcome at Clayton Preparatory School, Casey is befriended by the captain of the track team, Izzie, who is initially mean to her. The two develop a close relationship, and Casey develops romantic feelings for Izzie towards the end of the second season–leaving her wondering what it means for her and her boyfriend, Evan. Without Casey being in Sam's school, he begins to express the changes in his life by sketching in his notebook more frequently. After his drawings are discovered by Ms. Whitaker, Sam applies to Denton University's Scientific Illustration program and is accepted. Meanwhile, Julia deals with frustrations regarding a lackluster proposal, as well as her pregnancy.
Season 3.
In season three, Sam begins college and has to figure out what success means to him while dealing with the pressures of growing up. He needs to figure out what the essence of a penguin is while also dabbling into politics with his art, a small mishap happens that has the power to change Sam's life forever. Meanwhile, Casey and Izzie develop a relationship.
Background, production, and release.
The coming-of-age series, originally known as "Antarctica", was created and written by Robia Rashid, who previously worked on "How I Met Your Mother" and "The Goldbergs" as a producer. For a more accurate portrayal, she consulted with Michelle Dean, a California State University professor who worked at UCLA's Center for Autism Research and Treatment. Gilchrist said in an interview for "Vulture", "[Rashid] wrote the script. We talked a ton and I did research and I watched movies and I read books". The supporting character Christopher is played by Anthony Jacques, who is autistic.
Season 1 was released on August 11, 2017, and consisted of eight episodes. On September 13, 2017, "Atypical" was renewed for a ten-episode second season. David Finch, who is autistic, joined the writing team. Eight autistic actors from The Miracle Project have supporting roles in the second season as members of a peer support group which Sam joins, and other autistic actors play neurotypical characters. Executive producer Mary Rohlich also said the show was "bringing in more female directors and female diversity": seven of the ten episodes were directed by women and half of the writing team were female.
The second season was released on September 7, 2018, and consisted of 10 episodes. On October 24, 2018, "Atypical" was renewed for a third season of 10 episodes. In May 2019, it was announced Eric McCormack and Sara Gilbert would appear in the third season. The third season was released on November 1, 2019, and consisted of 10 episodes. On February 24, 2020, "Atypical" was renewed for its fourth and last season. The season will consist of ten episodes and is set to premiere in 2021.
Reception.
Season 1.
At the review aggregator Metacritic, the first season received a score of 66 from 20 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". 74% of 42 critics have given the season a positive review on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 5.36 out of 10. The website's consensus is: "Great performances and a likable, realistic family dealing with autism lift "Atypical" above its alarming tonal shifts and predictability." The acting was generally well-received, although Gilchrist's portrayal received criticism for being "inaccurate" and "stereotypical". The lack of autistic people in the cast was also questioned.
Season 2.
Sara Luterman of "The New York Times" wrote that the second season improves on the first. Sam's decision to go to art school deviates from common depictions of autism, and his autism is no longer "the source of [his family's] misery". Luterman praised the involvement of more autistic people as writers and actors, but criticized that Sam's misogyny is unaddressed and that he is "still portrayed as more of a checklist than a person". Lorraine Ali of the "Los Angeles Times" lauded the show's continuing "unique perspective, sharp humor and empathy", and described the show as a "wonderfully atypical family drama" with "many moving and awkward moments".
In a negative review, Jen Chaney of "Vulture" wrote that the show "loses some of its focus" in the second season, such as with the "unnecessary side plot" of Julia, an "underdeveloped side character", or by attempting to make Zahid a "lovably wacky sidekick". Chaney stated that the show's situations "often seem contrived or aim blatantly for the easy joke", and criticized scenes between Doug and Elsa which "don't seem reflective of actual human behavior". However, Chaney praised Lundy-Paine's acting, which switches between "understanding" and "exasperation", and Gilchrist's "yard-stick straight" acting.
Season 3.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, all of the six reviews for season 3 have been positive, and the average rating is 7/10. Merrill Barr of "Forbes" wrote, "Season three of "Atypical" is the show's boldest to date and truly feels like it has reached its stride. [...] Now, the show just gets to live and breathe as it explores its unique story in ever-evolving and fascinating ways." Holly Edwards of "Film Inquiry" concluded that "the dramatic and comedic beats almost always hit the right notes and know when a shift in tone is required." She called the show a "step up from many shows of the same variety and a worthwhile viewing experience."