What I’m Watching: Atypical

Atypical: Season 1, Episode 7 “I Lost My Poor Meatball” (B+)

This show has caught me by surprise a bit since I’m not sure I expected there to be as much drama not related to Sam and his particular approach to life, and this episode dove deeper than any of the previous ones into the way that those connected to him deal with important realizations and revelations. That’s not to suggest that Sam was in the background for this episode, since he got a rather quick challenge from Paige to determine whether or not he loves her by the time he goes out with her parents to Olive Garden. I enjoyed his visit to the restaurant ahead of time so that he could rattle off all of his questions to the hostess and become more comfortable with his surroundings. Connecting the dots when he wanted to tell Paige something as soon as he heard it seemed like a step in the right direction towards pure scientific love, but dancing in the parking garage with Julia was a far surer sign that he’s still head over heels for his therapist. She did seem to be crossing a bit of a line after showing up looking disheveled to get a new TV, and so some of this is on her too. Elsa just wants to use her relationship for the thrill of it, and after she didn’t want to be there for a more serious moment, she couldn’t disconnect in the way that she really should. Casey had quite the response to seeing her mother kissing another man, which was to jump into bed with Evan, a decision that she doesn’t look to be too happy about. At least this show has been renewed for a second season, which is comforting news ahead of my reaching the season finale.