“Someone wants to buy my canoe!”
Wow. What a finale. What an ending. What a bromance.
I think we can say that most threads end on a note not of certainty, but of hope- because plot threads life never wrap up: life goes on until we die. So yes, Doug breaks up with Megan and returns to Elsa, and it looks like they’re intimate again- things look up, but we can’t be sure their marriage will survive. And Izzy, with her deprived and chaotic background and confusion about her sexuality, has the self-realisation to apologise to Casey. Their relationship looks hopeful, at least. And a nice chat with Evan means they part as friends- and it’s nice that, because of her, he’s getting somewhere in his life. Ironically, she accepts his advice which parallels hers to her long ago, and decided to push herself by trying for a sprint scholarship to UCLA. Even if she had to “drop the drama”. Like that’ll happen.
But the core of the episode is the race to find Zahid and stop him marrying Gretchen and jeopardising his future. It’s a fun adventure, interestingly involving Sam’s uni mate Abby- a more prominent character for the future? Gretchen turns out to have dumped him at the altar, and the reunion of the homies is touching. All is right with the world, to the point of Elvis blessing their refound homiedom and the two of them moving in together. It’s nice to see a close friendship being given the weight normally only given to a romance.
Things very much end on a high, with even Paige getting a better job and selling the canoe that symbolises her failure. It’s worrying that the series could potentially end here- let’s hope it doesn’t. This third season, after a slow start, has been easily as good as the first two. Top telly.
Showing posts with label Atypical. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Atypical. Show all posts
Saturday, 21 March 2020
Atypical: Sam Takes a Walk
“I had sex so I’m not angry!”
The penultimate episode, then, and there are many character threads coming to the boil, I think more so than either previous season, yet this short episode does not feel overloaded.
Casey is still devastated after letting go of Evan. Sam is struggling with parallel feelings about being un-homied by Zahid, despite the fact that his relationship with Paige is going swimmingly. Again we have an art assignment- a piece of angry, political art- as a metaphor for the episode.
But much of the episode is about Elsa and Doug, away in a hotel to watch Casey with her athletics, finding themselves reconnecting with nostalgia over an old board game made by Sam as a child. Other developments are less promising- Izzy has dumped Evan for her, but Izzy seems to be getting nervous, wanting to “take it slow”. And Casey is shocked to see her kissing a boy at the party later. Things are as complicated, and no better, than they were. This is very good, nuanced writing.
Everything is up in the air, then. And, to link to an exciting finale, Sam learns that Zahid is off to elope with Gretchen on the day of his final nursing exam. Penultimate episodes don’t get much better than this.
The penultimate episode, then, and there are many character threads coming to the boil, I think more so than either previous season, yet this short episode does not feel overloaded.
Casey is still devastated after letting go of Evan. Sam is struggling with parallel feelings about being un-homied by Zahid, despite the fact that his relationship with Paige is going swimmingly. Again we have an art assignment- a piece of angry, political art- as a metaphor for the episode.
But much of the episode is about Elsa and Doug, away in a hotel to watch Casey with her athletics, finding themselves reconnecting with nostalgia over an old board game made by Sam as a child. Other developments are less promising- Izzy has dumped Evan for her, but Izzy seems to be getting nervous, wanting to “take it slow”. And Casey is shocked to see her kissing a boy at the party later. Things are as complicated, and no better, than they were. This is very good, nuanced writing.
Everything is up in the air, then. And, to link to an exciting finale, Sam learns that Zahid is off to elope with Gretchen on the day of his final nursing exam. Penultimate episodes don’t get much better than this.
Friday, 20 March 2020
Atypical: Road Rage Paige
"Sometimes there’s no good answer.”
Time to finish Atypical- at first we wanted to savour it and not let it finish as the new season won’t be for ages. But it’s been longer than we intended, and there’s a new streaming series we want to see next week. So here’s the first of the final three episodes in quick succession.
The start is cute and heartwarming, as Casey and Izzy kiss; Casey has finally realised her feelings are serious and, for once, she can put Evan out of her mind... and then along comes Evan’s sister to remind her of the awkward love triangle she finds herself in. And then things get tied up in knots even more as she arranges to meet Evan to dump him, but is hugely relieved to be spotted leaving the house at 2am and grounded by Doug, spared from having to do it. And it’s clear how much she’s beginning to compare herself to Elsa. Everything is a huge mess, and she’s really young.
Meanwhile there’s another difficult relationship, with Sam having been “un-homied” by an angry Zahid. At first we get a flashback to how their awesome friendship started... and they we are brutally brought back to the present. And it’s awful.
Then there’s Elsa and Doug, with Doug finding it difficult to accept Elsa’s decision to go for separation. And Paige is still feeling a failure after dropping out of university, something manifesting itself in hilarious road rage incidents. Fortunately Evan gives some sound advice to Sam and gets him to ask her what’s wrong... and when she pours out her heart he’s able to tell her, straightforwardly and truthfully, that he still loves her, and she knows he’s being honest. Never has his autism been more helpful. So, finally, they have sex, and it is good. That’s the one good thing that happens to anyone in this downbeat episode.
Unfortunately Evan is unable to be Sam’s new Zahid, though, as Casey has just tearfully dumped him in a gut-wrenching scene, and both of them are heartbroken. But Doug is made to realise that perhaps some of the blame for his and Elsa’s relationship breaking down is his.
This is just masterful writing and acting. Having started less strongly than other seasons this final stretch is more than making up for it.
Time to finish Atypical- at first we wanted to savour it and not let it finish as the new season won’t be for ages. But it’s been longer than we intended, and there’s a new streaming series we want to see next week. So here’s the first of the final three episodes in quick succession.
The start is cute and heartwarming, as Casey and Izzy kiss; Casey has finally realised her feelings are serious and, for once, she can put Evan out of her mind... and then along comes Evan’s sister to remind her of the awkward love triangle she finds herself in. And then things get tied up in knots even more as she arranges to meet Evan to dump him, but is hugely relieved to be spotted leaving the house at 2am and grounded by Doug, spared from having to do it. And it’s clear how much she’s beginning to compare herself to Elsa. Everything is a huge mess, and she’s really young.
Meanwhile there’s another difficult relationship, with Sam having been “un-homied” by an angry Zahid. At first we get a flashback to how their awesome friendship started... and they we are brutally brought back to the present. And it’s awful.
Then there’s Elsa and Doug, with Doug finding it difficult to accept Elsa’s decision to go for separation. And Paige is still feeling a failure after dropping out of university, something manifesting itself in hilarious road rage incidents. Fortunately Evan gives some sound advice to Sam and gets him to ask her what’s wrong... and when she pours out her heart he’s able to tell her, straightforwardly and truthfully, that he still loves her, and she knows he’s being honest. Never has his autism been more helpful. So, finally, they have sex, and it is good. That’s the one good thing that happens to anyone in this downbeat episode.
Unfortunately Evan is unable to be Sam’s new Zahid, though, as Casey has just tearfully dumped him in a gut-wrenching scene, and both of them are heartbroken. But Doug is made to realise that perhaps some of the blame for his and Elsa’s relationship breaking down is his.
This is just masterful writing and acting. Having started less strongly than other seasons this final stretch is more than making up for it.
Tuesday, 17 December 2019
Atypical: Shrinkage
"Hi, Bob. You look silly."
An interesting episode, cleverly structured as always- but there's no doubting that things end up as something of a downer for all involved. Friendships and relationships are broken apart, ready for the final stretch of the season.
For Elsa, it's the realisation that Doug bought Fleetwood Mac tickets not for her, even though the band were always "their" thing, but for Megan, a devastating blow. The cruelty, as ever, is the hope. So she's probably doing the right thing in telling Doug that they need to separate. He's shocked, dumbfounded and upset, of course, but at this point he can hardly complain.
Then there's Casey, who is depressed and struggling for motivation, avoiding Izzy and constantly irritable- as well as not training, something really rather essential to her future. It all comes to a head when Izzy confronts Casey over giving her the cold shoulder treatment- and Casey kisses her. So the love triangle is back on.
Finally, there's Sam, who we see early on in an ethics seminar learning about Kantian versus utilitarian approaches to moral dilemmas which, this being drama, promptly appears in his own life as he realises that Gretchen has been shoplifting from Techtropolis. After much agonising- not the case for the abstract dilemmas in the tutorial- he decides to do what's right and report her, at the cost of his friendship with Zahid, a crushing moment. This is the first episode that Zahid, the rebel with a heart of gold, acts like a dick. We now want Gretchen to go away as much as Sam. We love to hate her.
Good stuff, then, yet again. Even if it does end with a bizarre cover of Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now".
An interesting episode, cleverly structured as always- but there's no doubting that things end up as something of a downer for all involved. Friendships and relationships are broken apart, ready for the final stretch of the season.
For Elsa, it's the realisation that Doug bought Fleetwood Mac tickets not for her, even though the band were always "their" thing, but for Megan, a devastating blow. The cruelty, as ever, is the hope. So she's probably doing the right thing in telling Doug that they need to separate. He's shocked, dumbfounded and upset, of course, but at this point he can hardly complain.
Then there's Casey, who is depressed and struggling for motivation, avoiding Izzy and constantly irritable- as well as not training, something really rather essential to her future. It all comes to a head when Izzy confronts Casey over giving her the cold shoulder treatment- and Casey kisses her. So the love triangle is back on.
Finally, there's Sam, who we see early on in an ethics seminar learning about Kantian versus utilitarian approaches to moral dilemmas which, this being drama, promptly appears in his own life as he realises that Gretchen has been shoplifting from Techtropolis. After much agonising- not the case for the abstract dilemmas in the tutorial- he decides to do what's right and report her, at the cost of his friendship with Zahid, a crushing moment. This is the first episode that Zahid, the rebel with a heart of gold, acts like a dick. We now want Gretchen to go away as much as Sam. We love to hate her.
Good stuff, then, yet again. Even if it does end with a bizarre cover of Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now".
Sunday, 8 December 2019
Atypical: The Essence of a Penguin
“There are no rules!”
It’s an interesting problem for Sam this time- he can draw an anatomically perfect penguin, but how does someone so literally minded manage to capture the essence of a penguin? Some of his fellow students are excited by the assignment, but Sam’s response- to set about recording in great detail the daily habits of his favourite penguin- shows, as ever, his capacity to miss what’s in front of him by being distracted by the little details. That is, perhaps, the essence of Sam. And yet he succeeds brilliantly, saving a penguin’s life while he’s at it.
Paige, on the other hand, has hit rock bottom. She’s suffered a massive knock in dropping out of uni, something which happened to me- but failure is often the secret of success. A few years later, after a while working in a factory amassing savings and playing at being working class, I got into a slightly better uni and thrived- propelled onwards by a great fear of my own potential laziness and procrastination. I’m sure the same will happen to Paige- that horrible waitress job isn’t her future; it’s something which will spur her to future awesomeness. And yes, Elsa is being quite brilliant in her meddling by telling Paige that. Meddling can sometimes be a good thing.
This is so for poor Izzy, too- it’s Elsa’s suggestion that leads Casey to lift the lid on her chaotic home life. And it’s clear that Izzy’s feelings towards Casey are more than just platonic... but not reciprocated.
Fortunes elsewhere are mixed. Evan impresses Doug on his ambulance practice. But Zahid is besotted with a nightmare of a woman in Gretchen- someone who wears her ignorance smugly and is a conspiracy theorist- and conspiracy theorists are a real beet noir of mine. Yes, the Moon landings happened. Yes, Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Both of those things are clear and obvious. And no, I could never be in a relationship with someone who insisted on changing my dress style and that the “joie” as in “de vivre” was pronounced “joy”....
This is a particularly strong episode. The writing in particular is superb.
It’s an interesting problem for Sam this time- he can draw an anatomically perfect penguin, but how does someone so literally minded manage to capture the essence of a penguin? Some of his fellow students are excited by the assignment, but Sam’s response- to set about recording in great detail the daily habits of his favourite penguin- shows, as ever, his capacity to miss what’s in front of him by being distracted by the little details. That is, perhaps, the essence of Sam. And yet he succeeds brilliantly, saving a penguin’s life while he’s at it.
Paige, on the other hand, has hit rock bottom. She’s suffered a massive knock in dropping out of uni, something which happened to me- but failure is often the secret of success. A few years later, after a while working in a factory amassing savings and playing at being working class, I got into a slightly better uni and thrived- propelled onwards by a great fear of my own potential laziness and procrastination. I’m sure the same will happen to Paige- that horrible waitress job isn’t her future; it’s something which will spur her to future awesomeness. And yes, Elsa is being quite brilliant in her meddling by telling Paige that. Meddling can sometimes be a good thing.
This is so for poor Izzy, too- it’s Elsa’s suggestion that leads Casey to lift the lid on her chaotic home life. And it’s clear that Izzy’s feelings towards Casey are more than just platonic... but not reciprocated.
Fortunes elsewhere are mixed. Evan impresses Doug on his ambulance practice. But Zahid is besotted with a nightmare of a woman in Gretchen- someone who wears her ignorance smugly and is a conspiracy theorist- and conspiracy theorists are a real beet noir of mine. Yes, the Moon landings happened. Yes, Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Both of those things are clear and obvious. And no, I could never be in a relationship with someone who insisted on changing my dress style and that the “joie” as in “de vivre” was pronounced “joy”....
This is a particularly strong episode. The writing in particular is superb.
Saturday, 7 December 2019
Atypical: Only Tweed
“I saw Zahid’s penis.”
Another beautifully constructed episode this time as Sam struggles with the concept, in ethics at uni, of a “Socratic seminar” where one researches a topic and discusses it in class- up preparing from 3.49am but failing the assignment through not speaking. There’s a different but equally stressful morning for Casey as the and Evan wakes up together and she resorts to rather amusing extremes to get him out of the house unseen.
And then there’s Elsa- after that revelation last time to Izzie about her shitty childhood she randomly meets her mum in the street and random small talk ensues, leaving her in shock. There’s a story there which will, I’m sure, emerge. And we also now know that Paige has serious problems- so her suggestion of a dinner party into which she Skypes is the much needed comfort of someone in a very brittle place- and it goes badly. Zahid’s new girlfriend Gretchen clashes with Sam and is an annoying know-nothing know it all who thinks she knows what she needs to know from YouTube, that uni is a waste of time that produces “drones”, and other such very wrong things. Also, Izzie and Evan clash badly, and Evan chickens out of ambulance practice with Doug because of nerves about potential failure arising from his dyslexia- something he hasn’t even told Casey about until now.
No one is having a happy episode. Until Sam realises that debating with Gretchen is exactly what he needs to do in the seminar- and he passes, returning home in triumph... to a teary Paige, who has dropped out, her dreams shattered. This is an episode where most of the characters are in difficulty of some sort, and it’s a masterly crafted episode. Superb
Another beautifully constructed episode this time as Sam struggles with the concept, in ethics at uni, of a “Socratic seminar” where one researches a topic and discusses it in class- up preparing from 3.49am but failing the assignment through not speaking. There’s a different but equally stressful morning for Casey as the and Evan wakes up together and she resorts to rather amusing extremes to get him out of the house unseen.
And then there’s Elsa- after that revelation last time to Izzie about her shitty childhood she randomly meets her mum in the street and random small talk ensues, leaving her in shock. There’s a story there which will, I’m sure, emerge. And we also now know that Paige has serious problems- so her suggestion of a dinner party into which she Skypes is the much needed comfort of someone in a very brittle place- and it goes badly. Zahid’s new girlfriend Gretchen clashes with Sam and is an annoying know-nothing know it all who thinks she knows what she needs to know from YouTube, that uni is a waste of time that produces “drones”, and other such very wrong things. Also, Izzie and Evan clash badly, and Evan chickens out of ambulance practice with Doug because of nerves about potential failure arising from his dyslexia- something he hasn’t even told Casey about until now.
No one is having a happy episode. Until Sam realises that debating with Gretchen is exactly what he needs to do in the seminar- and he passes, returning home in triumph... to a teary Paige, who has dropped out, her dreams shattered. This is an episode where most of the characters are in difficulty of some sort, and it’s a masterly crafted episode. Superb
Sunday, 17 November 2019
Atypical: Season 3, Episode 4: Y.H.G.G.
"Sorry, would you mind turning down your backpack?"
Right. You know how I started off blogging this season by suggesting that something was missing, that it was still very good but, perhaps because of the sheer amount of necessary early-season exposition, it wasn't quite catching fire in the way the two previous seasons had.
Well, forget that. At this point the season has fully reached peak Atypical. This is an episode that mixes perfect plotting and pacing with heart and humour in exactly the way this show does at its best. I think the jitters are over.
The use of Paige is as clever as it is sad- we begin with her on Skype to Sam describing her uni social life to Sam, encouraging to make friends or suffer the terrible social death that a friend of hers did. The fact that Sam does indeed have a good time at some kind of drawing jam party is nice but, more importantly, the final reveal is devastating- the "Burrito lab rat" is Paige herself, and she's miserable, bullied, and at the end of her tether.
Things are more bittersweet for Izzie, hanging around Elsa in a blatant attempt to escape her clearly dysfunctional family- and the two of them bond over their shit childhoods. Both of them are suddenly much deeper characters.
But there's happiness for Zahid who, after an excruciating party experience, randomly meets a girl by a rubbish skip and falls in love. And there's more bonding after the recent rough patch for Casey and Evan as they visit his shit estranged dad with his sister and they, er, kidnap a dog. And Casey's magnificent bollocking of a shamefaced Evan's dad is a wnder to behold- no wonder Evan kisses her.
THAT is how to do character drama.
Right. You know how I started off blogging this season by suggesting that something was missing, that it was still very good but, perhaps because of the sheer amount of necessary early-season exposition, it wasn't quite catching fire in the way the two previous seasons had.
Well, forget that. At this point the season has fully reached peak Atypical. This is an episode that mixes perfect plotting and pacing with heart and humour in exactly the way this show does at its best. I think the jitters are over.
The use of Paige is as clever as it is sad- we begin with her on Skype to Sam describing her uni social life to Sam, encouraging to make friends or suffer the terrible social death that a friend of hers did. The fact that Sam does indeed have a good time at some kind of drawing jam party is nice but, more importantly, the final reveal is devastating- the "Burrito lab rat" is Paige herself, and she's miserable, bullied, and at the end of her tether.
Things are more bittersweet for Izzie, hanging around Elsa in a blatant attempt to escape her clearly dysfunctional family- and the two of them bond over their shit childhoods. Both of them are suddenly much deeper characters.
But there's happiness for Zahid who, after an excruciating party experience, randomly meets a girl by a rubbish skip and falls in love. And there's more bonding after the recent rough patch for Casey and Evan as they visit his shit estranged dad with his sister and they, er, kidnap a dog. And Casey's magnificent bollocking of a shamefaced Evan's dad is a wnder to behold- no wonder Evan kisses her.
THAT is how to do character drama.
Wednesday, 13 November 2019
Atypical: Season 3, Episode 3- Cocaine Pills and Pony Meat
"I forgot to check the anal fins."
This episode is, thankfully, much better and more in line with the first two seasons. Perhaps it's because it gets more of a chance to breathe but a lot of it, I suspect, is that it's heavily based on Sam navigating his first few days at uni, as narrated by him with the requisite (and genuinely interesting) references to Ernest Shackleton.
We're introduced to a suspiciously abrasive ethics professor who is, I suspect, going to gradually soften and become more likeable as the episodes can't go by. Personally I find it impossible to dislike anyone who is a fellow Nirvana fan and teachers her seminars whilst wearing an In Utero t-shirt just like we all had back in '93-'94. But it's all a shock to the system for Sam, who nonetheless copes with a lot of organisation and a huge reserve of resilience. So far this season he hasn't had any meltdowns at all. That's real progress.
Things aren't going well for Evan, who is helplessly seeing himself pushed out of Casey's life by Izzy, who shares dreams, horizons and yes, education levels with Casey that he can't hope to match. There's some real social class angst here and, while the episode finishes with a touching reconciliation, I think there's trouble ahead.
Also not good is Doug, not usually a dick, pulling the dick move of bringing Megan into the house in front of Elsa- and poor Elsa tries and fails to confront Megan. She's also anxious about backing off and giving people space as requested by Julia- who has a cute new baby.
We end with Sam finally getting help at uni for his disabilities, meeting Sidney who, in spite of having a man's name, is an obvious love interest. I notice Nice Bloke Sam is still turning up too. This season has twists and turns to go, and I'm enjoying it.
This episode is, thankfully, much better and more in line with the first two seasons. Perhaps it's because it gets more of a chance to breathe but a lot of it, I suspect, is that it's heavily based on Sam navigating his first few days at uni, as narrated by him with the requisite (and genuinely interesting) references to Ernest Shackleton.
We're introduced to a suspiciously abrasive ethics professor who is, I suspect, going to gradually soften and become more likeable as the episodes can't go by. Personally I find it impossible to dislike anyone who is a fellow Nirvana fan and teachers her seminars whilst wearing an In Utero t-shirt just like we all had back in '93-'94. But it's all a shock to the system for Sam, who nonetheless copes with a lot of organisation and a huge reserve of resilience. So far this season he hasn't had any meltdowns at all. That's real progress.
Things aren't going well for Evan, who is helplessly seeing himself pushed out of Casey's life by Izzy, who shares dreams, horizons and yes, education levels with Casey that he can't hope to match. There's some real social class angst here and, while the episode finishes with a touching reconciliation, I think there's trouble ahead.
Also not good is Doug, not usually a dick, pulling the dick move of bringing Megan into the house in front of Elsa- and poor Elsa tries and fails to confront Megan. She's also anxious about backing off and giving people space as requested by Julia- who has a cute new baby.
We end with Sam finally getting help at uni for his disabilities, meeting Sidney who, in spite of having a man's name, is an obvious love interest. I notice Nice Bloke Sam is still turning up too. This season has twists and turns to go, and I'm enjoying it.
Monday, 11 November 2019
Atypical: Season 3, Episode 2- Standing Sam
“You punched a milkshake?”
We get to see Sam navigate his first day at uni this episode and, really, he does awesomely. There’s a scene early on where he seems due for a meltdown... and it doesn’t happen. He’s prepared for everything. He makes friends. Yes, they turn out to be douches but that’s ok; he makes a friend who seems nice. And is called Sam too.
Otherwise things are ominous. Casey’s feud with Nate is ongoing. Elsa and Doug are not going well- and Megan sends him a flirty text. And then there are the ongoing worries with Zahid and his self-destructive streak and Casey not feeling like she fits in at private school. And are she and Evan really ok?
This episode is better. It’s wittier, the characters are well written and acted... but something is lacking, an extra little spark. Season Three so far is good, very good. But it’s not reaching its previous heights. but let’s see what happens: Mrs Llamastrangler and I will be zooming through this.
We get to see Sam navigate his first day at uni this episode and, really, he does awesomely. There’s a scene early on where he seems due for a meltdown... and it doesn’t happen. He’s prepared for everything. He makes friends. Yes, they turn out to be douches but that’s ok; he makes a friend who seems nice. And is called Sam too.
Otherwise things are ominous. Casey’s feud with Nate is ongoing. Elsa and Doug are not going well- and Megan sends him a flirty text. And then there are the ongoing worries with Zahid and his self-destructive streak and Casey not feeling like she fits in at private school. And are she and Evan really ok?
This episode is better. It’s wittier, the characters are well written and acted... but something is lacking, an extra little spark. Season Three so far is good, very good. But it’s not reaching its previous heights. but let’s see what happens: Mrs Llamastrangler and I will be zooming through this.
Atypical: Season 3, Episode 1- Best Laid Plans
“Can you please pick up a fire extinguisher on the way home?”
The plus side of getting into a series late is that sometimes, as here for Mrs Llamastrangler and I, you don’t have to wait long for a new season to come along and here it is- the further adventures of the characters we’ve come to know and love, picking up from last time.
And this is a good opening episode to a season that promises to be enjoyable. It’s funny and it has heart. But I am, perhaps, a little less wowed this time. I wonder whether that’s just familiarity on my part of there perhaps isn’t quite so much sparkle?
This is good stuff, though- we pick up with Paige getting back together with Sam, with Casey overwhelmed by the awkward triangle between Evan and Izzie, with Elsa and Doug still awkwardly falling to communicate after what happened. And Doug is being tempted by Megan.
There’s a lot about Sam preparing for uni, and how far he’s come as an autistic person. There’s some comedy about Paige wanting sex but them never seeming to find the time, and some touching stuff about his autism. But the monologues aren’t as sharp or as relevant, and the whole thing doesn’t sing quite so much as it did.
This is still very good by the standard of lesser shows, but I’m left ever so slightly underwhelmed.
The plus side of getting into a series late is that sometimes, as here for Mrs Llamastrangler and I, you don’t have to wait long for a new season to come along and here it is- the further adventures of the characters we’ve come to know and love, picking up from last time.
And this is a good opening episode to a season that promises to be enjoyable. It’s funny and it has heart. But I am, perhaps, a little less wowed this time. I wonder whether that’s just familiarity on my part of there perhaps isn’t quite so much sparkle?
This is good stuff, though- we pick up with Paige getting back together with Sam, with Casey overwhelmed by the awkward triangle between Evan and Izzie, with Elsa and Doug still awkwardly falling to communicate after what happened. And Doug is being tempted by Megan.
There’s a lot about Sam preparing for uni, and how far he’s come as an autistic person. There’s some comedy about Paige wanting sex but them never seeming to find the time, and some touching stuff about his autism. But the monologues aren’t as sharp or as relevant, and the whole thing doesn’t sing quite so much as it did.
This is still very good by the standard of lesser shows, but I’m left ever so slightly underwhelmed.
Sunday, 25 August 2019
Atypical: Season 2, Episode 10- Ernest Shackleton’s Rules for Survival
”Die slowly, you shitbirds!”
It’s graduation day, a more than usually meaningful moment to Sam; it’s an achievement he’s never been able to take for granted, as well as a symbolic moment leading towards uni and the challenges of greater independence. So it’s lovely to see Sam inviting a very pregnant Julia, and the two of them getting to chat normally again after all that earlier awkwardness. Less lovely, but at the same time cathartic, is Doug driving to the bar to punch barman Nick but, well, at least Nick has the decency to admit he deserves the punch.
There’s some amusement value in that Sam asks everyone in his life to stop helping him, with comical results, but the core of the episode is deadly serious. On Sam’s last day it takes him considerable courage to ask his classmates to sign his yearbook- yet he gets called a freak, and worse, on what’s supposed to be a special document. Paige is damn right in her furious denunciations.
And yet Sam does something amazing, in front of all his friends and loved ones. When Paige freezes up and is unable to deliver her valedictorian speech, Sam actually delivers it for her, and does it so well. This moment has really been earned, and we are left in no doubt what a wonderful thing has just happened. It’s a brilliant scene. Ernest Shackleton famously spurned the chance at glory so he could get all of his crew out alive, unlike that stupid wanker Scott, and Sam is a real Shackleton here.
With Casey there’s a sudden triangle with Evan (she gets her second first time) and Izzy, but that’s for next season. So is Elsa’s firm insistence, after finding out about the punch, that she and Doug talk about whether or not there’s any chance of him forgiving her... and then he blows her off to confide in Megan. I fear, next season, that the roles are to be reversed. And next season is probably a long way away. Ouch. Watching in real time sucks.
Another awesome season, then. How long do we have to wait now...?
It’s graduation day, a more than usually meaningful moment to Sam; it’s an achievement he’s never been able to take for granted, as well as a symbolic moment leading towards uni and the challenges of greater independence. So it’s lovely to see Sam inviting a very pregnant Julia, and the two of them getting to chat normally again after all that earlier awkwardness. Less lovely, but at the same time cathartic, is Doug driving to the bar to punch barman Nick but, well, at least Nick has the decency to admit he deserves the punch.
There’s some amusement value in that Sam asks everyone in his life to stop helping him, with comical results, but the core of the episode is deadly serious. On Sam’s last day it takes him considerable courage to ask his classmates to sign his yearbook- yet he gets called a freak, and worse, on what’s supposed to be a special document. Paige is damn right in her furious denunciations.
And yet Sam does something amazing, in front of all his friends and loved ones. When Paige freezes up and is unable to deliver her valedictorian speech, Sam actually delivers it for her, and does it so well. This moment has really been earned, and we are left in no doubt what a wonderful thing has just happened. It’s a brilliant scene. Ernest Shackleton famously spurned the chance at glory so he could get all of his crew out alive, unlike that stupid wanker Scott, and Sam is a real Shackleton here.
With Casey there’s a sudden triangle with Evan (she gets her second first time) and Izzy, but that’s for next season. So is Elsa’s firm insistence, after finding out about the punch, that she and Doug talk about whether or not there’s any chance of him forgiving her... and then he blows her off to confide in Megan. I fear, next season, that the roles are to be reversed. And next season is probably a long way away. Ouch. Watching in real time sucks.
Another awesome season, then. How long do we have to wait now...?
Atypical: Season 2, Episode 9- Ritual-licious
“You’ve been smooching! Under my tutelage! I love it!”
The penultimate episode, and this one is again framed by a theme introduced by a Sam monologue, in this case that rituals are important, being an ongoing reassurance that everything is ok. And Casey’s birthday (she’s 16) is a day full of rituals for Sam- but are those rituals about her, or about himself? That’s a lesson Sam has to learn, gradually, with a lot of time-consuming and amusing rituals punctuating an episode dealing with a fair bit of serious stuff.
There’s a parallel with Elsa too; Casey wants to keep her birthday low key with just a few people, not least so that she can have her “second first time” with the rather lovely Evan. But Elsa arranges a large party, ostensibly for Casey but in reality because of her own need to be seen to be doing something to reconnect with her. These parallels are rather clever.
On top of this Zahid inadvertently blurts out to Paige that Sam has been smooching with someone else, and the party comes to an unhappy end when Casey’s “friends” from her new school, including Izzy, turn out to have been invited by Elsa in a clumsy attempt to get them to make up.
Still, all’s well that ends well, sort of. Izzy makes up with Casey, having never cared about her douchebag boyfriend anyway and being terrified of losing Casey- and they kiss. Most touchingly, though, Sam learned that day that he got into his chosen uni- but keeps quiet about it as the day is all about Casey. It’s a touching, funny, brilliantly structured episode. Aren’t they all, though?
Roll on season finale...
The penultimate episode, and this one is again framed by a theme introduced by a Sam monologue, in this case that rituals are important, being an ongoing reassurance that everything is ok. And Casey’s birthday (she’s 16) is a day full of rituals for Sam- but are those rituals about her, or about himself? That’s a lesson Sam has to learn, gradually, with a lot of time-consuming and amusing rituals punctuating an episode dealing with a fair bit of serious stuff.
There’s a parallel with Elsa too; Casey wants to keep her birthday low key with just a few people, not least so that she can have her “second first time” with the rather lovely Evan. But Elsa arranges a large party, ostensibly for Casey but in reality because of her own need to be seen to be doing something to reconnect with her. These parallels are rather clever.
On top of this Zahid inadvertently blurts out to Paige that Sam has been smooching with someone else, and the party comes to an unhappy end when Casey’s “friends” from her new school, including Izzy, turn out to have been invited by Elsa in a clumsy attempt to get them to make up.
Still, all’s well that ends well, sort of. Izzy makes up with Casey, having never cared about her douchebag boyfriend anyway and being terrified of losing Casey- and they kiss. Most touchingly, though, Sam learned that day that he got into his chosen uni- but keeps quiet about it as the day is all about Casey. It’s a touching, funny, brilliantly structured episode. Aren’t they all, though?
Roll on season finale...
Saturday, 17 August 2019
Atypical: Season 2, Episode 8- Living at an Angle
"I wouldn't want them to mistake me for a wizard."
This is another splendidly crafted episode, as I keep having to say, but a much lighter one than usual, and certainly than last episode, no doubt as a last bit of lightness before we head towards the finale. Yes, I know; Sam's anxiety about going to uni is a serious thing. So is Casey's unhappiness at Clayton and her apparent subconscious desire to fail. But the serious themes are allowed to unfold in a light and humorous way, at least for now. That's a sure sign that the last two episodes, while unlikely to be humourless, are set to be pretty damn intense.
Sam's stress about art school leads to, as well as the palaver about losing his art portfolio, the epiphany that what seems to be the perfect uni is close to home- and the fact that he has a wonderful sister who would do anything for him even when she has a big scary biology test coming up is the icing on the cake. And Casey, while under said intense pressure, at least has a really supportive boyfriend.
Meanwhile there's Elsa and Doug slowly moving together, their meeting with Julia about autism training for emergency services being sidetracked somewhat while they have a moment of bonding over bad puns. Doug's date with the rather lovely Megan is awkward precisely because there's the question of Elsa, but the episode ends on a hopeful note as he holds out the olive branch of couples counselling and the end up in the shower together. Mmm. Surely something is going to go very wrong very soon to drive them apart again?
All in all that was a very calm episode. There's definitely a storm coming.
This is another splendidly crafted episode, as I keep having to say, but a much lighter one than usual, and certainly than last episode, no doubt as a last bit of lightness before we head towards the finale. Yes, I know; Sam's anxiety about going to uni is a serious thing. So is Casey's unhappiness at Clayton and her apparent subconscious desire to fail. But the serious themes are allowed to unfold in a light and humorous way, at least for now. That's a sure sign that the last two episodes, while unlikely to be humourless, are set to be pretty damn intense.
Sam's stress about art school leads to, as well as the palaver about losing his art portfolio, the epiphany that what seems to be the perfect uni is close to home- and the fact that he has a wonderful sister who would do anything for him even when she has a big scary biology test coming up is the icing on the cake. And Casey, while under said intense pressure, at least has a really supportive boyfriend.
Meanwhile there's Elsa and Doug slowly moving together, their meeting with Julia about autism training for emergency services being sidetracked somewhat while they have a moment of bonding over bad puns. Doug's date with the rather lovely Megan is awkward precisely because there's the question of Elsa, but the episode ends on a hopeful note as he holds out the olive branch of couples counselling and the end up in the shower together. Mmm. Surely something is going to go very wrong very soon to drive them apart again?
All in all that was a very calm episode. There's definitely a storm coming.
Thursday, 15 August 2019
Atypical: Season 2, Episode 7- The Smudging
"Your wall is ringing..."
It seems that my blog of every episode consists of effusive praise about how perfectly crafted it is, which is getting quite repetitive. That’s awkward, because I’m going to do so again. This is awesome, and masterfully dine.
The slow outrage of Sam’s treatment at the hands of the police is simmering here. We learn that Sam has been sending Julia messages in place of his old appointments, something she has seen as harmless, but she is appalled at what happened to Sam. So, naturally are his parents, but this is also bringing them together. They agree that Doug, with his having a police mate, is the person to confront the police- but, while he makes it clear he’s not happy, all he achieves is an assurance that they will keep a photo of Sam to check in case it should happen again, which is clearly not good enough. But by the end Elsa suggests they both produce autism training for emergency services, not a bad idea. I like this; it’s a clever combination of building on their ongoing reconciliation while highlighting a real issue.
On a happier note, Sam has agreed to be with Paige in her lock-in, although she uses the worrying word “platonic”. On a distressing note, though, Casey does the right thing and tells Izzy about Nate’s move on her- only to be blamed and victimised when Izzy believes her skanky, creepy boyfriend. He’s a twat, of course, and I understand Izzy isn’t thinking straight, but isn’t she being incredibly stupid here? After all, why on Earth would Casey have said anything if she had anything to hide? Still, at least the whole incident with the trainers helps her to bond a bit with her mother.
We also get Sam stressing about choosing which uni to attend, and Paige sees him (single now, let’s remember!) getting a kiss from the cute and gothy girl. So many balls in the air yet it all makes total sense. This is good telly.
It seems that my blog of every episode consists of effusive praise about how perfectly crafted it is, which is getting quite repetitive. That’s awkward, because I’m going to do so again. This is awesome, and masterfully dine.
The slow outrage of Sam’s treatment at the hands of the police is simmering here. We learn that Sam has been sending Julia messages in place of his old appointments, something she has seen as harmless, but she is appalled at what happened to Sam. So, naturally are his parents, but this is also bringing them together. They agree that Doug, with his having a police mate, is the person to confront the police- but, while he makes it clear he’s not happy, all he achieves is an assurance that they will keep a photo of Sam to check in case it should happen again, which is clearly not good enough. But by the end Elsa suggests they both produce autism training for emergency services, not a bad idea. I like this; it’s a clever combination of building on their ongoing reconciliation while highlighting a real issue.
On a happier note, Sam has agreed to be with Paige in her lock-in, although she uses the worrying word “platonic”. On a distressing note, though, Casey does the right thing and tells Izzy about Nate’s move on her- only to be blamed and victimised when Izzy believes her skanky, creepy boyfriend. He’s a twat, of course, and I understand Izzy isn’t thinking straight, but isn’t she being incredibly stupid here? After all, why on Earth would Casey have said anything if she had anything to hide? Still, at least the whole incident with the trainers helps her to bond a bit with her mother.
We also get Sam stressing about choosing which uni to attend, and Paige sees him (single now, let’s remember!) getting a kiss from the cute and gothy girl. So many balls in the air yet it all makes total sense. This is good telly.
Monday, 12 August 2019
Atypical: Season 2, Episode 6- In the Dragon’s Lair
“Stop sitting on me like an egg. I’m not an egg.”
More masterful plotting and character this episode as Elsa and Doug confront the parents of Arlington, Sam’s bully. It’s a nuanced scene, with both sets of parents being old friends until the friends couldn’t be bothered with Sam’s autism as a child. Things go well until it becomes clear that they still have no appreciation at all that Sam’s autism was not a childhood phase. Most significantly, I think, this enables Elsa and Doug to bond once again.
Casey, too, while ignoring Graham’s texts, bonds even more with new best friend Izzy but her boyfriend Nate makes a pass at her, which she firmly rejects- but what to do now? Should she tell Izzy? And why on Earth should this be her responsibility?
The sweetest scene, though, is Paige being unable to be angry at an apologetic Sam- and her request for him to be with her at the graduation lock-in thingy, which sounds terrifying, leads him to try and stay at Zahid’s as practice. This doesn’t go well, as spending a night at a police station isn’t usually seen as a proper sleepover, but it’s nice to see Zahid get some proper development as someone who has all ambition knocked out of him by a teacher calling him a “loser”- and he finally applies to nursing school. He’d be very good as a nurse.
This is all superb. I think now I can confidently predict that Elsa and Doug will get back together, and so will Sam and Paige, but I think Casey may have trouble ahead.
More masterful plotting and character this episode as Elsa and Doug confront the parents of Arlington, Sam’s bully. It’s a nuanced scene, with both sets of parents being old friends until the friends couldn’t be bothered with Sam’s autism as a child. Things go well until it becomes clear that they still have no appreciation at all that Sam’s autism was not a childhood phase. Most significantly, I think, this enables Elsa and Doug to bond once again.
Casey, too, while ignoring Graham’s texts, bonds even more with new best friend Izzy but her boyfriend Nate makes a pass at her, which she firmly rejects- but what to do now? Should she tell Izzy? And why on Earth should this be her responsibility?
The sweetest scene, though, is Paige being unable to be angry at an apologetic Sam- and her request for him to be with her at the graduation lock-in thingy, which sounds terrifying, leads him to try and stay at Zahid’s as practice. This doesn’t go well, as spending a night at a police station isn’t usually seen as a proper sleepover, but it’s nice to see Zahid get some proper development as someone who has all ambition knocked out of him by a teacher calling him a “loser”- and he finally applies to nursing school. He’d be very good as a nurse.
This is all superb. I think now I can confidently predict that Elsa and Doug will get back together, and so will Sam and Paige, but I think Casey may have trouble ahead.
Wednesday, 7 August 2019
Atypical: Season 2, Episode 5- The Egg Is Pipping
"The egg is pipping!"
A pivotal episode this time, I think, in the wake of Doug's panic attack as it becomes clear he's struggling to cope. Elsa is finally back, and here to stay, it seems- the family needs her. But Doug is getting close to Megan and the two of them are getting on rather well. Does Elsa, still wanting her husband back, have a rival? I think that's the main question here although of course we also have the big row between Casey and Evan, which is interesting for all sorts of reasons. She and Izzy are genuinely friends now, and she's connected with the gang, but there's still a lot of snobbery directed towards her, which Evan spots immediately. Is he being over sensitive, defensive about his class background? Is Casey going too far to fit in? There's a lot going on here.
Sam is bullied by Arlo, too, although at least he makes a new friend. But he makes a big step towards financial independence with his own bank account- and immediately shows himself vulnerable to exploitation. Is this foreshadowing bad stuff due to happen now the season is halfway through? Are Casey and Evan about to split angrily and later reconcile? Is Elsa going to spend the rest of the season wooing Doug again, with Megan as a threat? Let's see. I suspect things are about to get serious.
A pivotal episode this time, I think, in the wake of Doug's panic attack as it becomes clear he's struggling to cope. Elsa is finally back, and here to stay, it seems- the family needs her. But Doug is getting close to Megan and the two of them are getting on rather well. Does Elsa, still wanting her husband back, have a rival? I think that's the main question here although of course we also have the big row between Casey and Evan, which is interesting for all sorts of reasons. She and Izzy are genuinely friends now, and she's connected with the gang, but there's still a lot of snobbery directed towards her, which Evan spots immediately. Is he being over sensitive, defensive about his class background? Is Casey going too far to fit in? There's a lot going on here.
Sam is bullied by Arlo, too, although at least he makes a new friend. But he makes a big step towards financial independence with his own bank account- and immediately shows himself vulnerable to exploitation. Is this foreshadowing bad stuff due to happen now the season is halfway through? Are Casey and Evan about to split angrily and later reconcile? Is Elsa going to spend the rest of the season wooing Doug again, with Megan as a threat? Let's see. I suspect things are about to get serious.
Atypical: Season 2, Episode 4- Pants on Fire
"I'm like your hair cutting pimp."
Another splendidly constructed episode, developing both plot and character with masterful aplomb and centring it all around the theme of lying. It's brilliantly bookended by Sam's two essays, the first criticised for being too literally truthful and the concluding essay showing a less literal, and thus more truthful, kind of truth about his friendship with Zahid.
This conceit leads to some magnificent drama- Sam telling Elsa that she's the biggest liar he knows, and practising the lying techniques he's learned from the magnificent Zahid on poor Paige, making her believe he's with someone else, with, er, bloody consequences. Yet, as ever, the humour has pathos lying behind it.
We also get Casey being endearingly shy with Evan about her drunken exploits, though- it leads to lots of adorable banter but, I think, shows a real vulnerability to Casey. We also see her concern for Doug, who insists he's coping but ends up collapsing. And Sam's most triumphantly successful lie also saves Zahid from losing his job. Most endearingly of all, Julia slowly comes to terms with the fact that she's pregnant.
This is at once a particularly funny episode and, underneath, a particularly dark one, showing how fragile our lives are and how close we are to disaster.
Another splendidly constructed episode, developing both plot and character with masterful aplomb and centring it all around the theme of lying. It's brilliantly bookended by Sam's two essays, the first criticised for being too literally truthful and the concluding essay showing a less literal, and thus more truthful, kind of truth about his friendship with Zahid.
This conceit leads to some magnificent drama- Sam telling Elsa that she's the biggest liar he knows, and practising the lying techniques he's learned from the magnificent Zahid on poor Paige, making her believe he's with someone else, with, er, bloody consequences. Yet, as ever, the humour has pathos lying behind it.
We also get Casey being endearingly shy with Evan about her drunken exploits, though- it leads to lots of adorable banter but, I think, shows a real vulnerability to Casey. We also see her concern for Doug, who insists he's coping but ends up collapsing. And Sam's most triumphantly successful lie also saves Zahid from losing his job. Most endearingly of all, Julia slowly comes to terms with the fact that she's pregnant.
This is at once a particularly funny episode and, underneath, a particularly dark one, showing how fragile our lives are and how close we are to disaster.
Thursday, 1 August 2019
Atypical: Season 2, Episode 3- Little Dude and the Lion
“Was that a brag or an apology?”
More superb character development this week as Sam recognises his “pack” is falling apart, leaving him vulnerable to predators. His mother has left the family home after an affair; his girlfriend has left him but with the door confusingly ajar; his sister is at another school; his former therapist has other clients. And yet he’s coping well- even after running out of class after too much stimulation he copes rather well- and he finishes the episode determined to go away to college and determined to get there.
Coping much less well are his parents, who struggle to communicate the parenting stuff, leading Doug to finally admit that, while it may have been Elsa having the affair, he needs to cooperate more with her on Sam’s appointments. Julia is in denial about the baby and unsure whether to marry her boyfriend; it was, I think, unfair of him to spring it on her like that but the whole thing is a mess of gender expectations. The door to being with Paige is opened a little, though, as she agrees to walk with Sam at busy periods. And Casey, in detention, gets to bond a little over vodka(!) with her tormentor Izzy, who turns out to be ether less upper class than thought. But she’s still confused and, perhaps, guilty about how she lost her virginity, wanting to dial things down a bit until the “second first time”.
But she’s in trouble with her mum about the vodka. Oops. I suspect Elsa will be rather less understanding than mine was at that age.
Oh, and it seems this is all set in Connecticut, not Texas?
More superb character development this week as Sam recognises his “pack” is falling apart, leaving him vulnerable to predators. His mother has left the family home after an affair; his girlfriend has left him but with the door confusingly ajar; his sister is at another school; his former therapist has other clients. And yet he’s coping well- even after running out of class after too much stimulation he copes rather well- and he finishes the episode determined to go away to college and determined to get there.
Coping much less well are his parents, who struggle to communicate the parenting stuff, leading Doug to finally admit that, while it may have been Elsa having the affair, he needs to cooperate more with her on Sam’s appointments. Julia is in denial about the baby and unsure whether to marry her boyfriend; it was, I think, unfair of him to spring it on her like that but the whole thing is a mess of gender expectations. The door to being with Paige is opened a little, though, as she agrees to walk with Sam at busy periods. And Casey, in detention, gets to bond a little over vodka(!) with her tormentor Izzy, who turns out to be ether less upper class than thought. But she’s still confused and, perhaps, guilty about how she lost her virginity, wanting to dial things down a bit until the “second first time”.
But she’s in trouble with her mum about the vodka. Oops. I suspect Elsa will be rather less understanding than mine was at that age.
Oh, and it seems this is all set in Connecticut, not Texas?
Sunday, 14 July 2019
Atypical: Season 2, Episode 1- Juiced!
"I never met anyone who committed adultery before..."
This episode sees the fallout from last season’s finale as Elsa confesses her adultery to a furious Doug, who leaves for a while- hence the 2004 flashback, reminding us he hasn’t always had the moral high ground. Elsa tried hard to be a good mother and keep things together but she’s falling apart, and Casey is furious with her. When Doug returns a couple of days later it’s him who bonds with a highly strung Casey- and rather harshly throws a meek Elsa out of the house. This is nothing if not dramatic, and removes Doug’s halo somewhat. Is the rest of the season going to show Doug trying to manage as pretty much a single parent while Elsa is all alone?
There’s a hole in the family, and the metaphor with Sam’s hole in Antarctica is very cleverly handled all the way through until Sam realised what has happened after an upset Casey blurts it out- and actually copes rather well, considering, especially as Paige is away in Maine and their relationship is currently ambiguous after the, ahem, magical experience in the igloo. But he copes well, as Julia says when he naughtily meets her as a one-off for what should really be the last time. Hopefully he will find a decent new counsellor with, er, acceptable eyebrows...
Incidentally, Paige has a “mee-maw” as in Young Sheldon, and Sam goes past a “Denton University”. I Googled this, and apparently they all live in the Dallas area of Texas, which is not what I expected. Wherever they are, this is a strong start.
This episode sees the fallout from last season’s finale as Elsa confesses her adultery to a furious Doug, who leaves for a while- hence the 2004 flashback, reminding us he hasn’t always had the moral high ground. Elsa tried hard to be a good mother and keep things together but she’s falling apart, and Casey is furious with her. When Doug returns a couple of days later it’s him who bonds with a highly strung Casey- and rather harshly throws a meek Elsa out of the house. This is nothing if not dramatic, and removes Doug’s halo somewhat. Is the rest of the season going to show Doug trying to manage as pretty much a single parent while Elsa is all alone?
There’s a hole in the family, and the metaphor with Sam’s hole in Antarctica is very cleverly handled all the way through until Sam realised what has happened after an upset Casey blurts it out- and actually copes rather well, considering, especially as Paige is away in Maine and their relationship is currently ambiguous after the, ahem, magical experience in the igloo. But he copes well, as Julia says when he naughtily meets her as a one-off for what should really be the last time. Hopefully he will find a decent new counsellor with, er, acceptable eyebrows...
Incidentally, Paige has a “mee-maw” as in Young Sheldon, and Sam goes past a “Denton University”. I Googled this, and apparently they all live in the Dallas area of Texas, which is not what I expected. Wherever they are, this is a strong start.
Tuesday, 9 July 2019
Atypical: Season 1, Episode 8- The Silencing Properties of Snow
“I just got a hand job in an igloo!”
So we teach the dramatic end of this magnificent season, a meditation about love, where Sam’s quirks stop just being funny and start to hurt people- and where Elsa starts to experience consequences.
Sam, being Sam, tells Paige he doesn’t love her and immediately dumps her while in a restaurant with her entire family, a terrible thing to do to someone, and understandably she’s heartbroken and angry- you can hardly blame her for the angry demonstration on the family lawn. That he manages to partly atone for this is more because of her saintliness than anything else, and it’s right that she doesn’t fully take him back as her boyfriend. He’s very lucky to get, er, what happens in the igloo.
What he does to Julia in confronting her at home and declaring his love, with chocolate strawberries, is if anything worse, especially as the gift immediately reveals to her that Sam cost her her fiancé. Yes, she yells at him and causes an incident on the bus but no, she is not in anyway unjustified or unprofessional. Sam trespassed into her house and violated her privacy, with potentially life ruining consequences. Her right to that privacy is absolute. Doug is wrong to assign any blame to her. The conclusion for her is inconclusive, too; will she accept her fiancé ‘s crass new proposal?
Casey, at least, gets over her avoidance of Evan and the two of them finish in a good place- but she’s still damaged by knowledge of Elsa’s affair, something that isn’t her responsibility. Elsa gets over the affair, deleting Nick from her phone and forgiving Doug for leaving fifteen years ago- and then Doug catches a little lie. And, in the final scene, finds out in the most hilarious way possible which is so very Casey. This is brilliant, brilliant telly.
I would say I can’t wait until the next season. But I can, of course, watch it at any time...
So we teach the dramatic end of this magnificent season, a meditation about love, where Sam’s quirks stop just being funny and start to hurt people- and where Elsa starts to experience consequences.
Sam, being Sam, tells Paige he doesn’t love her and immediately dumps her while in a restaurant with her entire family, a terrible thing to do to someone, and understandably she’s heartbroken and angry- you can hardly blame her for the angry demonstration on the family lawn. That he manages to partly atone for this is more because of her saintliness than anything else, and it’s right that she doesn’t fully take him back as her boyfriend. He’s very lucky to get, er, what happens in the igloo.
What he does to Julia in confronting her at home and declaring his love, with chocolate strawberries, is if anything worse, especially as the gift immediately reveals to her that Sam cost her her fiancé. Yes, she yells at him and causes an incident on the bus but no, she is not in anyway unjustified or unprofessional. Sam trespassed into her house and violated her privacy, with potentially life ruining consequences. Her right to that privacy is absolute. Doug is wrong to assign any blame to her. The conclusion for her is inconclusive, too; will she accept her fiancé ‘s crass new proposal?
Casey, at least, gets over her avoidance of Evan and the two of them finish in a good place- but she’s still damaged by knowledge of Elsa’s affair, something that isn’t her responsibility. Elsa gets over the affair, deleting Nick from her phone and forgiving Doug for leaving fifteen years ago- and then Doug catches a little lie. And, in the final scene, finds out in the most hilarious way possible which is so very Casey. This is brilliant, brilliant telly.
I would say I can’t wait until the next season. But I can, of course, watch it at any time...
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