I have to admit that I loved this series. It is just perfect, I don't know what Netflix is doing, but most of their programming has been high quality, totally worth the cost of admission. This series is about a family going through life with their son being autistic but high performing. We pick up as Sam, the protagonist with a touch of autism has become obsessed with the opposite sex, as we all do, around 17-18 (well us beaners start much younger, about 13-14). Part of his therapy is seeing a therapist who happens to be young and cute as can be. He, of course, over time falls in love with her, and that arc goes through a couple episodes before he adjusts himself. He has a mad obsession with Antarctica and everything related to it, starting with the penguins. He relates everything in his head to Antarctica somehow or other.
The funny is in his interactions with the world. He is brutally honest, he does not have societal filters which make people say things carefully or not at all, he just blurts out, one girl for example makes out with one guy and then the next day she is with her "boyfriend". He goes up to the guy and asks if he can give him pointers on dating a "skank" who has no trouble making out with different guys. He also has a younger sister who has his back and protects and watches over him in her own way. She does tend to bully him in a sisterly way, never to be mean, just to keep him on his toes.
Another great character is his best friend who he works with at an electronics store. Zahid knows everything about women and he is only too happy to help get his friend closer to boob land. At one point, Sam realizes he can't have sex with his "practice girlfriend" until he sees boobs, so Zahid, having a cousin who manages the food at a titty bar, attempts to take him in. Sam cannot handle the lights and music, so he runs right out, but after explaining to a stripper his problem, she gives him some advice and then flashes her boobs at him. He is left mesmerized, it was awesome.
He has a "practice girlfriend" so he can figure things out as he gets closer to attempting to date his therapist. He starts dating this little rocket of a girlfriend. She is a total type A and she starts figuring out what and how to help Sam, she is perfect for him, although a little overwhelming. They have their ups and downs but overall, they are good together.
The one messy relationship is the parents. The dad is played by Michael Rapaport who I have always liked, and the mother is Jennifer Jason Leigh. The mother is a mess, she has been consumed by Sam, but now he is trying to outgrow her and she is having a hard time finding her new role in the family. She starts an affair with an idiot bartender and only makes things worse for herself. The mom is the one character that is hard to like throughout the show. The dad is doing the best he can to connect with his son and as he is interested in girls, Sam finds himself needing dad more than mom, for advice. This doesn't help mom any as she feels out of place every time she tries to help.
Overall, the show is awesome. The sister is struggling with the notion that she is really good at track and now a private school wants her, which is great, but will cause her to leave Sam alone in the public school they go to. He insists he doesn't need her anymore, and does well enough, except when he gets overwhelmed, occasionally.
I liked it so much, I stayed up Friday night until 5:30am watching the first two seasons back to back. Wife liked it and has been watching 3-4 episodes at a time. Even 13 year old Javalina couldn't leave the room, he got caught up in it. To top it off, Boy left in the afternoon and came back late. I was talking to him about school and stuff and casually asked him what he was up to and he said they were watching this show called Atypical. I said "no shit, we've been watching it all weekend."
No comments:
Post a Comment