Atypical Review
Darren Lang
Darren Lang
Now picture this: A teenage boy is trying to get a girlfriend. So far pretty typical, right? Well, from that add in the fact that this teen has autism, making it all the more difficult for him to connect with people, for which romance requires. From that, factor in a tough but ultimately sensitive sister, a caring but unsure father, and a loving but overbearing mother. Finally, add in a bit of humor, drama, complex characters, and most importantly sincerity, and you have got yourself something quite Atypical.
This Netflix original show stars Keir Gilchrist, playing the main character of Sam Gardener, a teenager with autism, who after his therapist suggests that he starts dating, he makes it his goal to get a girlfriend. The show, quite cleverly, then branches out, focusing on the Gardener family showing their own struggles and how Sam’s autism has affected them, both positively and negatively. The sister’s name is Casey (Brigette Lundy-Paine), she is a track athlete who stands up for what she believes in, and whom becomes conflicted between her brother, boyfriend, and school. The mother, Elsa (played by the very famous, and very talented, Jennifer Jason Leigh) is devoted to her son and whom now fears the fact that he wants to start dating. There is finally the dad, Doug (Michael Rapaport), who is kind and compassionate, but finds struggles in dealing with his son’s autism.
What intrigued me most about the show was how they are able to internalize Sam, and in doing so helps us understand what it feels like to have his degree of autism. This is achieved through Sam’s narration, telling us his inner thoughts and reactions, showing how he perceives what happens around him and what it means to him. This is especially effective in a scene where he is getting made fun of by a group, and as the camera lingers on his assumed emotionless face, he tells us that he understands what is happening, but also does not. He does not understand why they are laughing, but he knows they are laughing at him. This scene is incredibly tragic and allows us to relate to the character because, although most of us do not know what it feels like to deal with some form of autism, we understand that defenseless feeling of being made fun of. It was quite clever of them also to make it a romance. What seems to be a conventional theme among movies and TV, changes by allowing a different perspective on it, making this convention all the more unconventional. What this achieves, first off, is even more relatability to our character, for both those who have found love and those who are still struggling to do so. Since it is well done at the a same time, it also creates a sweet sincere romance with the happy, feel good feelings and the unhappy, sad and low feelings. This all allows the show to bridge the audience within two levels of great storytelling and awareness/understanding of other people's differences. “Things like that that are different need to be normalized. The more shows like this are made that give people perspective, who don’t have any relation to that, is such an important part of society.”, states student Kelly Bruce.
As impressive as Sam’s character development and story was, it is even more impressive that they were able to achieve the same complexity for his whole family. They are never put on the side, but instead are always there, sharing the spotlight with Sam and adding much more meaning to the story. As much as I want to, I cannot give away what happens between all them: both together and separately. However, it is fair to say that the actors handle it all amazingly, that the plot lines are layered and complex, that the characters make good choices and just as many bad, and that a deep human connection is sprouted within each character. Also, that the sister is pretty awesome.
This was an incredibly sincere show, allowing us to relate to the characters on a personal level not seen by too many shows nowadays. Walking out of this I felt that I have a gained at least a minor knowledge of autism that I had not known before. This was a show that not only entertained me, but educated me, making me laugh, cry, and think throughout.
This Netflix original show stars Keir Gilchrist, playing the main character of Sam Gardener, a teenager with autism, who after his therapist suggests that he starts dating, he makes it his goal to get a girlfriend. The show, quite cleverly, then branches out, focusing on the Gardener family showing their own struggles and how Sam’s autism has affected them, both positively and negatively. The sister’s name is Casey (Brigette Lundy-Paine), she is a track athlete who stands up for what she believes in, and whom becomes conflicted between her brother, boyfriend, and school. The mother, Elsa (played by the very famous, and very talented, Jennifer Jason Leigh) is devoted to her son and whom now fears the fact that he wants to start dating. There is finally the dad, Doug (Michael Rapaport), who is kind and compassionate, but finds struggles in dealing with his son’s autism.
What intrigued me most about the show was how they are able to internalize Sam, and in doing so helps us understand what it feels like to have his degree of autism. This is achieved through Sam’s narration, telling us his inner thoughts and reactions, showing how he perceives what happens around him and what it means to him. This is especially effective in a scene where he is getting made fun of by a group, and as the camera lingers on his assumed emotionless face, he tells us that he understands what is happening, but also does not. He does not understand why they are laughing, but he knows they are laughing at him. This scene is incredibly tragic and allows us to relate to the character because, although most of us do not know what it feels like to deal with some form of autism, we understand that defenseless feeling of being made fun of. It was quite clever of them also to make it a romance. What seems to be a conventional theme among movies and TV, changes by allowing a different perspective on it, making this convention all the more unconventional. What this achieves, first off, is even more relatability to our character, for both those who have found love and those who are still struggling to do so. Since it is well done at the a same time, it also creates a sweet sincere romance with the happy, feel good feelings and the unhappy, sad and low feelings. This all allows the show to bridge the audience within two levels of great storytelling and awareness/understanding of other people's differences. “Things like that that are different need to be normalized. The more shows like this are made that give people perspective, who don’t have any relation to that, is such an important part of society.”, states student Kelly Bruce.
As impressive as Sam’s character development and story was, it is even more impressive that they were able to achieve the same complexity for his whole family. They are never put on the side, but instead are always there, sharing the spotlight with Sam and adding much more meaning to the story. As much as I want to, I cannot give away what happens between all them: both together and separately. However, it is fair to say that the actors handle it all amazingly, that the plot lines are layered and complex, that the characters make good choices and just as many bad, and that a deep human connection is sprouted within each character. Also, that the sister is pretty awesome.
This was an incredibly sincere show, allowing us to relate to the characters on a personal level not seen by too many shows nowadays. Walking out of this I felt that I have a gained at least a minor knowledge of autism that I had not known before. This was a show that not only entertained me, but educated me, making me laugh, cry, and think throughout.