best episodes of Atypical poster

Sam, an 18-year-old on the autism spectrum, takes a funny, yet painful, journey of self-discovery for love and independence and upends his family.

4 Seasons
38 Episodes
Ended
Drama Comedy
Cast & Characters
episode image Ernest Shackleton's Rules for Survival
9.1/10 (1678 votes)

#1 Ernest Shackleton's Rules for Survival

S2:E10

Cruel yearbook comments show Sam who's got his back, a favor he repays at graduation. Feelings for Izzie confuse Casey. Elsa asks Doug a key question.

episode image The Essence of a Penguin
8.9/10 (1363 votes)

#2 The Essence of a Penguin

S3:E6

Sam’s art assignment inspires an impromptu field trip. Casey navigates a fight with Izzie. Evan works hard for a second chance with Doug.

episode image The Silencing Properties of Snow
8.8/10 (1682 votes)

#3 The Silencing Properties of Snow

S1:E8

After a disastrous dinner with Paige's family, Sam makes amends at the school dance. Casey's fury at her mom affects her relationship with Evan.

episode image Dessert at Olive Garden
8.8/10 (1105 votes)

#4 Dessert at Olive Garden

S4:E10

Sam deals with a big disappointment, Casey clashes with Elsa over college plans, and a recurring dream vexes Doug.

episode image Road Rage Paige
8.7/10 (1141 votes)

#5 Road Rage Paige

S3:E8

A hard truth keeps Casey up at night. Sam experiences a rough season with Zahid -- and Paige. Elsa and Doug brace for their next chapter.

episode image Searching for Brown Sugar Man
8.7/10 (1205 votes)

#6 Searching for Brown Sugar Man

S3:E10

A rogue plan for Zahid leads to a last-minute mission for Sam, Casey, Paige and Abby. Meanwhile, Doug faces a major test and makes a pivotal choice.

episode image Ritual-licious
8.4/10 (1217 votes)

#7 Ritual-licious

S2:E9

Ignoring Casey's wishes, Elsa throws her a big birthday party, while Sam insists on following a decade-old birthday ritual. The bartender haunts Doug.

episode image Sam Takes a Walk
8.4/10 (1011 votes)

#8 Sam Takes a Walk

S3:E9

As Sam gets political with his art, Elsa and Doug explore a (not-so-normal) weekend away. Casey and Izzie re-examine their relationship.

episode image Magical Bird #2
8.4/10 (868 votes)

#9 Magical Bird #2

S4:E8

As Casey reaches a crossroads, she finds herself questioning a lot of things. But in the meantime, she helps Sam get over a hurdle of his own.

episode image Pants on Fire
8.3/10 (1186 votes)

#10 Pants on Fire

S2:E4

Zahid teaches Sam to lie, while Elsa practices being honest. Evan helps Casey get over an embarrassment. A doctor visit forces Julia out of denial.

episode image In the Dragon's Lair
8.3/10 (1197 votes)

#11 In the Dragon's Lair

S2:E6

To prepare for college life, Sam sleeps over at Zahid's. Sam's $700 loss reunites Doug and Elsa with Arlo's parents, former friends of theirs.

episode image Only Tweed
8.3/10 (1048 votes)

#12 Only Tweed

S3:E5

As Paige makes a plan in the face of adversity, Sam awaits a crucial academic update. Elsa endures an uncomfortable encounter.

episode image A Nice Neutral Smell
8.2/10 (1511 votes)

#13 A Nice Neutral Smell

S1:E4

When a classmate shows interest in him, Sam makes a list of pros and cons to see whether she's girlfriend material. Casey gets a prestigious offer.

episode image Y.G.A.G.G.
8.2/10 (1078 votes)

#14 Y.G.A.G.G.

S3:E4

Casey and Evan take to the open road for a tense reunion. Back home, Sam and Zahid get ready to party, and Elsa bids farewell to the past.

episode image Shrinkage
8.2/10 (1100 votes)

#15 Shrinkage

S3:E7

While Sam and Casey face friendship dilemmas, Elsa uncovers a charming surprise, and Doug makes an unexpected decision.

episode image That’s My Sweatshirt
8.1/10 (1444 votes)

#16 That’s My Sweatshirt

S1:E5

Sam becomes rattled after Paige invades his bedroom. Casey visits Clayton Prep and gets a taste of what life away from her brother would be like.

episode image The D-Train to Bone Town
8.1/10 (1391 votes)

#17 The D-Train to Bone Town

S1:E6

Paige proposes having an autism-friendly school dance to the PTA. Sam makes preparations for losing his virginity. Doug and Julia help each other.

episode image I Lost My Poor Meatball
8.1/10 (1386 votes)

#18 I Lost My Poor Meatball

S1:E7

When Paige makes a confession to Sam, he creates a checklist to figure how he feels. Things with Nick suddenly get too real for Elsa.

episode image The Smudging
8.1/10 (1147 votes)

#19 The Smudging

S2:E7

Casey tells Izzie what Nate did. Sam tries to figure out which colleges to apply to. Doug discovers a need to educate first responders about autism.

episode image Antarctica
8.0/10 (1936 votes)

#20 Antarctica

S1:E1

Interested in having a girlfriend, Sam researches dating advice and puts it to the test. Meanwhile, his overprotective mom Elsa must learn to let go.

episode image Juiced!
8.0/10 (1269 votes)

#21 Juiced!

S2:E1

Sam's frustration at being unable to find a therapist and Casey's anxiety about going to a new school spark a blowup between the two.

episode image The Egg Is Pipping
8.0/10 (1163 votes)

#22 The Egg Is Pipping

S2:E5

In peer group, Sam realizes he needs to manage his own money. Doug gets advice from Megan on dealing with Elsa. Evan meets Casey's new friends.

episode image Living at an Angle
8.0/10 (1127 votes)

#23 Living at an Angle

S2:E8

Sam loses his portfolio for his art school application and panics. Megan gets flirty with Doug, who makes a decision about Elsa. Julia calls Miles.

episode image Penguin Cam and Chill
7.9/10 (1193 votes)

#24 Penguin Cam and Chill

S2:E2

Casey feels less than welcome at Clayton. Sam asks Paige to spell out the rules of their "casual relationship," while Doug sets boundaries with Elsa.

episode image Little Dude and the Lion
7.9/10 (1180 votes)

#25 Little Dude and the Lion

S2:E3

A peer group meeting leads Sam to an important decision. Detention with Izzie shows Casey they have more in common than she thought.

episode image Standing Sam
7.9/10 (1062 votes)

#26 Standing Sam

S3:E2

Sam makes a bold move amid the buzz of orientation day. Casey crosses paths with Nate. Elsa and Doug unpack the hazards of half-truths.

episode image Cocaine Pills and Pony Meat
7.9/10 (1032 votes)

#27 Cocaine Pills and Pony Meat

S3:E3

An ethics professor pushes Sam to his limits. Elsa keeps an eye on Doug ... and Megan. Casey considers her future and encourages Evan to do the same.

episode image Player's Ball
7.9/10 (731 votes)

#28 Player's Ball

S4:E9

Casey and Sam fume about their parents meddling in their lives. Zahid hosts a big send-off for something near and dear.

episode image Julia Says
7.8/10 (1517 votes)

#29 Julia Says

S1:E3

Sam decides to update his look. Casey learns a family secret. Feeling like her family no longer needs her, Elsa seeks attention elsewhere.

episode image Best Laid Plans
7.8/10 (1111 votes)

#30 Best Laid Plans

S3:E1

Paige invites Sam to redefine their romance, Casey struggles with complicated feelings, and Elsa attempts to find a new normal with Doug.

episode image Channel the Cat
7.7/10 (745 votes)

#31 Channel the Cat

S4:E7

Elsa makes a meaningful reconnection. Paige plans a romantic night with Sam. Pressure mounts on Casey ahead of a big track meet.

episode image A Human Female
7.6/10 (1599 votes)

#32 A Human Female

S1:E2

When Sam learns his crush is already taken, dad Doug helps him woo her. A lost credit card sends Elsa back to the bar. Casey hears rumors about Evan.

episode image Master of Penguins
7.6/10 (808 votes)

#33 Master of Penguins

S4:E2

Casey's demanding schedule starts affecting her grades, while Sam seeks out some extra credit himself. A chance run-in revives old suspicions for Elsa.

episode image You Say You Want a Revolution
7.6/10 (813 votes)

#34 You Say You Want a Revolution

S4:E3

A change at work leaves Sam scrambling for cash. When Izzie fights the school dress code, Casey feels conflicted. Paige discovers a knack for management.

episode image Starters and Endings
7.6/10 (773 votes)

#35 Starters and Endings

S4:E4

Casey and Izzie face fallout from the protest. Paige tries to prove her mettle to Casey through strange tasks. Doug avoids dealing with a painful loss.

episode image Dead Dreams
7.6/10 (758 votes)

#36 Dead Dreams

S4:E5

As Sam gets ready for an adventure, Elsa thinks about ways to discourage him. Casey gets an up-close look at Izzie's tense home life.

episode image Are You in Fair Health?
7.6/10 (753 votes)

#37 Are You in Fair Health?

S4:E6

Sam seeks a worthy caretaker for Edison. Casey tries to be supportive of Izzie, but her plan backfires. Zahid shares tough news with Sam.

episode image Magical Bird #1
7.4/10 (890 votes)

#38 Magical Bird #1

S4:E1

Sam's living situation with Zahid gets off to a rocky start, while Elsa struggles with her son's departure. Casey weighs telling Doug about Izzie.

Cast & Chracters

character image Elsa Gardner

Elsa Gardner

Actor: Jennifer Jason Leigh
character image Sam Gardner

Sam Gardner

Actor: Keir Gilchrist
character image Casey Gardner

Casey Gardner

Actor: Jack Haven
character image Doug Gardner

Doug Gardner

Actor: Michael Rapaport

The highest rated episode of Atypical is "Ernest Shackleton's Rules for Survival" (S2E10) with a rating of 9.10.

This episode received 1,678 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Magical Bird #1" (S4E1) with a rating of 7.40.

This episode received 890 votes.

The highest rated episode is "The Silencing Properties of Snow" (S1E8) with a rating of 8.80.

This episode received 1,682 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "A Human Female" (S1E2) with a rating of 7.60.

This episode received 1,599 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Ernest Shackleton's Rules for Survival" (S2E10) with a rating of 9.10.

This episode received 1,678 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Penguin Cam and Chill" (S2E2) with a rating of 7.90.

This episode received 1,193 votes.

The highest rated episode is "The Essence of a Penguin" (S3E6) with a rating of 8.90.

This episode received 1,363 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Best Laid Plans" (S3E1) with a rating of 7.80.

This episode received 1,111 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Dessert at Olive Garden" (S4E10) with a rating of 8.80.

This episode received 1,105 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Magical Bird #1" (S4E1) with a rating of 7.40.

This episode received 890 votes.

Name Department Job
Truman Hanks Camera Camera Loader
Mojdeh Daftary Costume & Make-Up Costume Design
Jennifer Jason Leigh Production Producer
Robia Rashid Production Executive Producer
Seth Gordon Production Executive Producer

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