Review: Netflix’s ‘Atypical’ tells sweet and enjoyable tale of boy with autism…

The lead of  Netflix’s Atypical isn’t normal. But neither is anyone else. And the series would really like you to know that. Big dramas likes House of Cards and the Marvel shows are massive investments that are making Netflix think twice before cutting them loose. Therefor, it is harder for comedies like Atypical, to make an impact, but the new show, which premiered on Friday night, is the story of a “normal” boy, in a normal home, at a normal school… and it’s great.

The new series, created by Robia Rashid (The Goldbergs), follows Sam (Keir Gilchrist), a teenage high school senior with autism who decides it’s time to start dating. As one would expect, nothing about this process goes smoothly. The show is a coming of age and dealing with the same issues as his peers: fears about dating and growing up.

His mother Elsa (Jennifer Jason Leigh) has trouble stepping back and letting Sam take more control of his life, while his father Doug (Michael Rapaport) finds new ways to connect to his son. His sister Casey (Brigette Lundy-Paine) tries to carve out her own life apart from  the family’s focus on Sam.

Atypical is at its strongest when it focuses on Sam and his unique view of the world. Gilchrist is strong and appealing in the role, offering voiceover narration that explains Sam’s actions and words, leading the viewer to take his point of view when the rest of the world only sees its own. At one point, Sam asks a girl who gave him a Valentine in elementary school (which he saved) on a date.  She can’t figure out why he’s so persistent, but we know it’s because she was once kind and expressed an interest.

Brigette Lundy-Paine as Casey on ‘Atypical.’

As strong as the Sam-focused story is, the series does have trouble in the first few episodes developing the storylines of his family members.

Elsa starts the series on a self-destructive path because Sam has begun to outgrow her influence, which makes sense on the surface, as Sam is 18. Despite Leigh’s appeal, Elsa — who’s the most knowledgeable about autism and has done the most to help Sam — is unlikable,

Doug is a clueless husband, with not much dimension to him, but is likeable in the role. He’s more a heroic and sympathetic figure. His ignorance is not presented as a parenting weakness but rather as an endearing quirk. When he gets frustrated by what he sees as “PC” language at a support group, (we’re meant to see them as unreasonable for correcting him). But if that language helps kids and parents, why shouldn’t Doug learn. But on the otherhand, (it’s good to see two completely different points of view), and is entirely believable.

Casey’s rebellious and protective nature isn’t fully fleshed out right away, so when she punches a classmate in defense of a bullied peer, it’s more random than charming (but has severe consequences later in the show, and serves as a reminder that karma is a bitch! and will return sometime in it’s full-force!)

Michael Rapaport as Doug and Jennifer Jason Leigh as Elsa in ‘Atypical.’ Brigette Lundy-Paine and the wonderful Keir Gilchrist (Photo: Adam Rose, Netflix)

The series has a problem, and it’s the trouble is just letting the story and characters stand on their own, and is focused on its “importance” too often. The moral of the story, that nobody is “normal,” is spoken out loud in moments that make it feel like an afterschool special.

Every choice Atypical makes in how it tackles the subject matter of autism in young adults is the right one. This isn’t the story of Sam getting laid, or even his first kiss; it’s the story of a kid growing up. That’s it.

This isn’t a show that relies on nudity or swearing or silliness to hammer in the story or the funny. It relies on reality. It relies on the things we already know to be true about a story like this. Characters… that we care about.

Atypical… presents a point of view and a lead character that are, well, atypical. It’s sweetness and predictability makes it a little too typical to be great, but, with a cliffhanger at the end, we will (fingers-crossed) see a second season of this extremely, funny, TV show.