Atypical

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Aug 11, 2017
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
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Critic Reviews

  1. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Neil Genzlinger
    Aug 10, 2017
    50
    Atypical takes a while to get used to. The transitions from humor to heft can be jarring. The voice-overs from Sam are supposed to take us into his world, give his perspective, and they do, but in a surface sort of way.
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Aug 7, 2017
    50
    [Show creator Robia Rashid has] twisted characters and plot elements in service to message first and art or entertainment second. The last of the eight episodes sets up a second season with a completely artificial and manipulative story twist. Fortunately, Gilchrist and several supporting cast members hold our interest and justify a second season for the show in spite of its flaws.
  3. Collider
    Reviewed by: Chris Cabin
    Aug 11, 2017
    40
    In trying to make autism fit into the sitcom formula, rather than the other way around, Rashid and her creative team have essentially just made another mediocre sitcom, which even at its worst isn’t worth getting too riled about.
  5. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Aug 7, 2017
    40
    Gilchrist's performance is so good it can steer away from much of the tone trouble. The same is mostly true for Rapaport. But Atypical keeps backsliding, becoming unbelievable and poorly written and executed faster than you can say "ABC Afterschool Special." Repeatedly wrongheaded decisions, mostly from Elsa, turn Atypical into a contrived mess shockingly fast; you watch it go from potential Netflix gem to no-thanks network hash in roughly four episodes.

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Most Discussed TV Season of 2017
37
#37 Most Shared TV Season of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 163 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 148 out of 163
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 163
  3. Negative: 7 out of 163
  1. 21donuts
    Aug 24, 2017
    10
    I've been searching long and hard for a show that evokes this much feelings in me. I have a brother with autism, and I can relate to this showI've been searching long and hard for a show that evokes this much feelings in me. I have a brother with autism, and I can relate to this show so much. It's cute and funny and unexpected. Like, with other shows you can easily foreshadow what's going to happen but with this... no, there's always twists and turns.
    Honestly, 10/10, I'm so excited for season 2!!!    … Full Review »
  2. bossanova808
    Aug 14, 2017
    8
    A nice balance between drama and comedy (leaning to the comedy end without being overly lightweight) and a blessedly shorter format than manyA nice balance between drama and comedy (leaning to the comedy end without being overly lightweight) and a blessedly shorter format than many such shows. The two lead children and father are particularly well done. The friends are so far (4 episodes in) fairly roughly drawn but provide good foils for the leads.… Full Review »
  3. AmyBenevento
    Aug 13, 2017
    9
    Keir Gilchrist gives a sensitive portrayal as Sam, an 18-year-old high-functioning autistic boy who is in his senior year of high school. AsKeir Gilchrist gives a sensitive portrayal as Sam, an 18-year-old high-functioning autistic boy who is in his senior year of high school. As an amateur screen writer, I understand how enormously difficult it is to write about an autistic child without having clichés. Atypical does not make the viewer suffer through stereotypical clichés, and gives a fresh view on kids who suffer with autism.

    Sam obsesses over penguins; he knows when he's being bullied but doesn't understand why; he feels love but cannot define it. He wants to get laid. Sam speaks in a deadpan emotionless drawl, and is often brutally honest. His best friend looks like a nerd with a mop of black hair and too-big glasses, but he walks around as if he's a super cool stud, and he blows kisses at women who roll their eyes at him, and gives Sam's mother hugs that are too long.

    Sam's mother, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh (who was a teen-actress in 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High') is too tense and uptight, living only to care for her autistic son, often ignoring or taking for granted her healthy 15-year-old athletic daughter. She is taken for granted by her teen-aged kids, which is rather typical, but thus begins an affair, which seems out of character, because she seems to live for her son.

    Sam's father is a big teddy-bear-of a goof. He seems mentally challenged a bit, out of it, sweet but stupid, but over-all a good guy. He "gets" his daughter, where his wife does not.

    The most interesting and unique character is Sam's little sister Casey, a sophomore and an athlete. She can be tender-hearted and cruel. She punches a high school bully, then yells at Sam's friend when she fears this friend may abandon her brother. She tells her mother she's lame, but then confides in her that she is not having sex with her boyfriend. She teases her brother and pushes his buttons to the limit, but lets no one else do this. She's hard to get with her boyfriend, then is so very vulnerable to him. She lets no one walk over her and doesn't take any crap, but then she cries when her friends pull a mean stunt on her. She's convincing in her role. She's tough, vulnerable, kind, brutal, and smart.

    I was immediately drawn into this show due to the depiction of the four family members. I also enjoyed the clingy but endearing and sincere girl that Sam gets close to. I did have a problem with Sam's therapist. She seemed too young to give such advise, and she did a role-reversal half-way through the first season (must omit... no spoilers here).

    All in all, I enjoyed binge-watching 'Atypical.' I started watching it Friday night and finished the first season Saturday around midnight. Finally – a show that wasn't too dark so I could fall asleep, wasn't too dumb like so many shows are, and gave some insight into the world of autism. I anxiously wait for Season Two.    … Full Review »
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