If you’re into Netflix's original series, you’re probably familiar with the quirky and charming dramedy known as Atypical (2017-present). Following the high school life of Sam Gardner (Keir Gilchrist), a highly intelligent, artistic, yet awkward and adorable young man on the Autism spectrum who is fixated with arctic animals (especially penguins!), this show is full of surprises as you get to enter into his world.
But it isn’t just Sam that the viewers get to know. We also get introduced to his family, including his mom Elsa (Jennifer Jason Leigh), father Doug (Michael Rapaport), and his sister Casey (Brigette Lundy-Paine), who will be the focus of this article. This show is laugh-out-loud funny, endearing, heartfelt, and above all else, relatable!
Come along as we go for a deep dive into Casey and Izzie’s (Fivel Stewart) budding relationship, and beware because there will be tons of spoilers along the way!
Buckle up, buttercup, you’re in for a wild ride, and if you need a refresher, check out the Unicorn Scale guide here.
What I Liked:
As with many Netflix originals, the overall cast is diverse and inclusive. Even though the main protagonists are Caucasian, they come from a lower-middle-class background, and there are many characters of color and characters with disabilities represented. Casey and Izzie are the first LGBTI characters who emerge and develop a relationship on Atypical.
Casey is an energetic, all-star athlete with a sporty style. Though she is the younger sister, she is her brother Sam’s keeper. Being a track star affords her a spot at a private school called Clayton Prep, where her life unravels just before getting good.
In season 2, we are introduced to Izzie, one of Casey’s classmates at Clayton. Izzie is sure to make Casey feel incredibly unwelcome at first, giving her the nickname “Newton” after her former high school, and later on, there was the “slut/ho” shoe incident when Casey told Izzie in confidence that her jerk of a boyfriend, Nate, kissed her. So they did not get off to a good start. But it gets much better later.
Casey has an amazing boyfriend, Evan (Graham Rogers), the infamous tuba thief who got expelled from Newton. Their relationship seems quite healthy and happy. But Izzie stirs up Casey’s feelings. They get rather hot and bothered around each other shortly after Izzie apologizes to Casey over her ex-boyfriend Nate’s actions and make a “forehead promise” that almost leads to a kiss before Casey’s mom interrupts. (Freakin’ Elsa! But you gotta love her, though!)
Casey and Evan’s relationship takes a minor dip when she brings up the opportunity to go to UCLA and pressures him to figure out what he wants to do with his life. However, the lovers' spat is short-lived after Casey sticks up for Evan on a road trip to see his estranged father. Though they managed to resolve their conflict, Casey ends up having a pretty intense make-out session with Izzie on the track after she can no longer avoid her and hold her feelings back.
Casey is outspoken, brave, and an adamant protector of everyone she cares about. I really like her fearless attitude and the hilarious snarky quips she makes. It’s actually quite beautiful how she and Izzie start to fall in love through all of the commonalities they share, both attending a private school on scholarship and taking parental roles in their families. After seeing them kiss, Sam even gives Casey a drawing of penguins “Sphen and Magic” who have a same-sex relationship and an adopted baby! So not only do we get two strong, bi, and bold female characters, but we even get queer penguins with a same-sex family too!
It’s perhaps even more refreshing that Casey is still able to remain friends with Evan after their breakup. They are seen still supporting each other’s achievements in the last episode of season 3, a testament to their persisting love and respect for one another.
What I Didn’t Like:
With well-written shows like Atypical, it’s really hard to find anything to dislike. But there is the fact that Casey did technically cheat on Evan with Izzie. Many fans may even disapprove of Casey’s actions more vehemently because she gave her mother, Elsa, such a hard time for cheating on her father, but then followed in her footsteps and cheated on Evan herself. Not only does this fall under the “unhealthy intergenerational patterns” category, but it’s also a negative bi trope. However, it’s important to note that, unlike her mother, Casey did come clean to Evan and ended their relationship before pursuing anything serious with Izzie. This further cemented the integrity of her character.
Izzie is also seen to be very ashamed of her relationship with Casey at first, telling her not to “advertise her private life” when she finds out that Sam knows about their kiss and distancing herself from dancing with Casey at a party. She then ends up kissing a strange guy at the same party, leaving Casey upset and confused.
Though the two reconcile, it can feed into another derogatory stereotype of bis being hypersexual, promiscuous, and confused. But I think both of these characters deserve a pass considering that they’re teenagers! Where we leave off in the 3rd season, they’re in their junior year of high school, preparing for life after graduation. So I think it’s only fair that they get to make mistakes. They’re still exploring and coming to terms with their new identities.
Rating:
If Atypical is anything, it’s a coming-of-age story. Not only do we get to watch Sam come of age as a young man with Autism, but we get to watch Casey and Izzie come of age as talented athletes, fiercely protective sisters to their siblings, and beautiful bi besties turned partners! It’s a show that has something for everyone, and watching Casey and Izzie develop such a sweet friendship that blossoms into a romance just makes the series even better! I can’t wait to see what happens next as the new season airs this July 2021. So stay tuned!
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