Flawed yet endearing. Those are the words I’d use to best describe this coming-of-age Netflix dramedy. ‘Atypical’ is a TV show which began airing on Netflix mid-2017 bringing to the table the age old premise of following an oddball protagonist in his efforts to try and find love in high school. But this time it comes with an unconventional twist.
Sam, played by Kier Gilchrist, the 18 year old this show is mainly centered upon is on the autism spectrum. Along with his primary goal of finding love, other aspects of Sam’s life are also explored and how those around him are most affected because of his condition. And from this simple concoction we get a surprisingly progressive show unlike any other currently on air.
‘Atypical’ might not be as polished or well-made as some of the other shows Netflix has produced, but the substance it puts forth more than compensates for its somewhat lackluster presentation. It brings light to a subject not often tackled in a medium as light-hearted as comedy TV and one must give it props for trying to do something different. My first impression of the show was how ironic the name ‘Atypical’ was considering how it felt like any other run-of-the-mill television program but I was pleasantly surprised when I opened my mind to the show and actually watched the entirety. Drama TV shows set in the modern day were never really my cup of tea, period pieces were almost always made better than ones set in the 21st century and were therefore a wiser investment of time. Partly the reason why modern dramas may be looked down upon are the clichés that are associated with the genre. But what makes this drama a breath of fresh air is that it breaks from the norms of what makes similar shows stale. All the actors were truly giving it their all, particularly Brigette Lundy-Paine who plays Sam’s younger sister Casey. And for someone NOT on the autism spectrum, Gilchrist does a convincing job portraying such a character. His performance is charming enough that audiences are sympathetic but alienating as well so we don’t forget what he is supposed to have.
The relationship between Sam and his sister is an admirable one with many layers. Casey often 'bullies' her older brother, playfully, but she always sticks up for him. Though she may not always show it, she actually does care for Sam deeply and is a genuinely moral person. Casey’s character is complex and the two actors manage to accurately portray the chemistry which is typically present between a brother and his (overly protective) sister. And so, we get a multi-dimensional glimpse into how Sam being on the spectrum has affected his entire family. Like any other drama, ‘Atypical’ had its fair share of heartfelt moments where the music was used as a tool to help build the audiences’ mood rather than how music is often used to force sentiment, outright telling the viewer how to feel. The comedy might not hold up at times, though that may be left upon subjectivity, ‘Atypical’ more than makes up for this by the drama it presents.
The creator of ‘Atypical’, Robia Rashid (who is of Indian heritage), made the effort to make her show inclusive of different races. But besides the obvious representation this shows is based around, it lacks some of what she set out to do in the first place. One must acknowledge her attempts at bringing different peoples together in this but the recurring characters of color are either antagonized at some point or reduced to mere caricatures. For instance, Zahid, Sam’s best friend at work is a prominent character of color who could have been done better, though there are times when his efforts to help Sam are endearing, it would’ve been better to explore more of his personality. Other than how these characters were developed this show is not short of its flaws. Some dialogue may seem off, unnatural or not appropriate for the situation.
The camerawork and editing comes off as awkward in more than a few instances. More precision and care into the production would have helped solve this issue. When it comes to the story, it is simple and enjoyable but the plot sometimes deviates to different directions with little resolution or importance to the overarching narrative of the show. This wouldn’t have been an issue if the entire season did not have one continuous plot – but it did.
Overall, ‘Atypical’ is a generally enjoyable experience you should definitely check out if they have the time and are willing to dispense it. But the show isn’t something you should actively make time out of your day just to watch. It's interesting and brings new perspective to life but with a little more effort and care going into the production ‘Atypical’ would’ve been a far better TV show than it already is. Despite that, this is still a show unlike any other currently on Netflix.
Rating: 7/10
ZAYAAN ALAMGIR
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