I can’t help but feel sorry for Netflix’s Atypical. When it released in 2017, it tried so hard to spread a positive message about autism. However, despite mostly positive reviews from online reviewers, its depiction of autism was met with a serious backlash from the autistic community – even managing to spark the #ActuallyAtypical campaign on Twitter, where autistic people, online, slated the show for its over the top depiction of autism and offered various suggestions on how Atypical could and should be improved in the future.
Now, just over one year later, Atypical has returned for a second season, bringing with it the hope of an autism show that not only furthers the interesting plot points introduced in season 1, but rights the wrongs from last year by giving us a depiction of autism which has been shaped by the comments of thousands of people with autism on social media.
(The following review is a spoiler-free discussion of Atypical season 2, but beware as spoilers for season 1 are free game)
How is Autism depicted in Atypical Season 2?
When season 1 of Atypical finished, many (including myself) were hungry for more. Not because lead character Sam Gardner had a depiction of autism that was so fantastic we couldn’t get enough (in fact, it was quite the opposite), but because the cliff-hanger ending, in which Sam’s dad discovered his wife was having an affair, set up a gripping plot that made the one year wait feel like a millennium.
Sadly though, if like me, you have spent the last year patiently waiting to see how this story would unfold, then not only is Atypical season 2’s unsatisfying (and quick) resolution going to let you down, but Sam’s descent from quirky autistic teen to full on apathetic jerk is only going to further soil any positive feelings you had towards the show.
Yes, Sam’s depiction of autism has never been anything to write home about but, what frustrates me this time around, is that not only does it appear that the creators of Atypical have taken on board 0% of the feedback from the previously mentioned #ActuallyAtypical campaign, but the show’s portrayal of autism has somehow become worse – turning autistic people into walking punchlines who live to say one rude and intensive thing after the next.
In my season 1 review, this harsh honesty was something I choked up as a characteristic of Sam and not of the autism being depicted itself. However, with the introduction of 8 new autistic characters, all played by autistic actors, this excuse becomes less feasible. What could have been a great opportunity to depict how diverse the spectrum is, is instead replaced with a pointless group of 8 autistic carbon copies – where the only difference between the characters is that each is slightly more offensive than the last.
What Atypical Season 2 gets RIGHT about Autism:
I’m sure by now you can guess where my final verdict is going to fall on Atypical season 2’s less than stellar portrayal of autism. However, before I do rub the show’s face into the ground, I would be remiss if I didn’t highlight some of the things which the second series does well. As when Atypical gets it right, it REALLY gets it right.
What I am referring to is that, throughout season 2 of Atypical, Sam and his family are regularly placed in unique situations which stand to raise awareness of the less explored challenges which autistic people often face and, more often than not, these moments create real tension and could even be considered thought-provoking.
Granted these plots rarely have satisfying endings (especially one early on which involves a policeman mistaking Sam’s autism for being on drugs), but for me, this inadvertently came across as a statement on how in real life events, such as those caused by lack of proper training in the emergency services, rarely do have positive outcomes and as such no resolution is the best resolution we can hope for (but maybe I’m looking far too deep into this).
Unfortunately, not every plot point within Atypical deserves this kind of praise, with a prime example of this being how the show missed the chance to demonstrate how an autistic person could deal with their parents breaking up, instead, having Sam all but shrug it away. Once again, this only sends the message that all autistic people are harsh and apathetic, however, it does provide me with a nice segway to my final thoughts.
Should you watch Atypical Season 2?
Season 2 of Atypical has been a weird one for me, as despite coming away with an overly negative feeling towards it, I distinctly remember laughing out loud and enjoying myself during parts earlier on in the season. The show is clearly written well, the acting is especially solid, and the hiring of autistic actors definitely feels like a step in the right direction. However, it’s a shame then that the storylines in season 2 of Atypical are so BORING:
- This season’s theme of independence is nowhere near as engaging as the previous theme of love on the spectrum.
- Too many uninteresting characters are given far too much screen time (I’m looking at you Julia).
- Even Casey’s narrative (Sam’s sister who was undoubtedly many people’s favourite character from season 1), places her in without a doubt the most unnatural plotline the show has seen so far – which is astounding as despite these rather obscure decisions her scenes couldn’t be less interesting.
As such, it’s safe to say this is where I will be checking out of Atypical, as although I had fun with the original premise, season two’s tease to future events leaves me with the worry that the show will continue to re-tread old ground, instead of exploring the abundance of interesting situations which it has set up for itself and then solemnly ignored.
(Atypical season 1 & 2 is currently available only on Netflix)
Carry on the Conversation
Have you seen Atypical season 2? What did you think? Whether you agree with my thoughts or not, I would love to hear yours in the comments below.
As always, I can also be found on Twitter @AutismRevised and via my email: AutisticandUnapologetic@gmail.com.
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Thank you for reading and I will see you next Saturday for more thoughts from across the spectrum.
(Photo credit for all images: Netflix)
