Show cover for Atypical

The Best Episodes of Atypical

Every episode of Atypical ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Atypical!

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.
Genres:DramaComedy
Network:Netflix

Best Episodes Summary

"Ernest Shackleton's Rules for Survival" is the best rated episode of "Atypical". It scored 9.1/10 based on 1689 votes. Directed by Ken Whittingham and written by Robia Rashid, Bob Smiley, it aired on 9/7/2018. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Essence of a Penguin".

  • Ernest Shackleton's Rules for Survival
    9.1/101,689 votes
    Loading...

    #1 - Ernest Shackleton's Rules for Survival

    Season 2 Episode 10 - Aired 9/7/2018

    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.

    Director: Ken Whittingham

    Writer: Robia Rashid, Bob Smiley

  • The Essence of a Penguin
    8.9/101,365 votes
    Loading...

    #2 - The Essence of a Penguin

    Season 3 Episode 6 - Aired 11/1/2019

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

    Director: Michael Medico

    Writer: Michael Oppenhuizen, Lauren Moon

  • The Silencing Properties of Snow
    8.8/101,693 votes
    Loading...

    #3 - The Silencing Properties of Snow

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 8/11/2017

    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.

    Director: Michael Patrick Jann

    Writer: Robia Rashid

  • Dessert at Olive Garden
    8.8/101,107 votes
    Loading...

    #4 - Dessert at Olive Garden

    Season 4 Episode 10 - Aired 7/9/2021

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

    Director: Michael Medico

    Writer: Robia Rashid

  • Road Rage Paige
    8.7/101,148 votes
    Loading...

    #5 - Road Rage Paige

    Season 3 Episode 8 - Aired 11/1/2019

    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.

    Director: Ken Whittingham

    Writer: Robia Rashid

  • Searching for Brown Sugar Man
    8.7/101,210 votes
    Loading...

    #6 - Searching for Brown Sugar Man

    Season 3 Episode 10 - Aired 11/1/2019

    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.

    Director: Ken Whittingham

    Writer: Robia Rashid

  • Ritual-licious
    8.4/101,227 votes
    Loading...

    #7 - Ritual-licious

    Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 9/7/2018

    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.

    Director: Ryan Case

    Writer: Michael Oppenhuizen, Bob Smiley, D.J. Ryan

  • Sam Takes a Walk
    8.4/101,015 votes
    Loading...

    #8 - Sam Takes a Walk

    Season 3 Episode 9 - Aired 11/1/2019

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

    Director: Robia Rashid

    Writer: Robia Rashid, Annie Mebane

  • Magical Bird #2
    8.4/10870 votes
    Loading...

    #9 - Magical Bird #2

    Season 4 Episode 8 - Aired 7/9/2021

    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.

    Director: Robia Rashid

    Writer: Robia Rashid

  • Pants on Fire
    8.3/101,199 votes
    Loading...

    #10 - Pants on Fire

    Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 9/7/2018

    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.

    Director: Geeta Patel

    Writer: Michael Oppenhuizen, Bob Smiley

  • In the Dragon's Lair
    8.3/101,206 votes
    Loading...

    #11 - In the Dragon's Lair

    Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 9/7/2018

    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.

    Director: Silver Tree

    Writer: Robia Rashid, Bob Smiley

  • Only Tweed
    8.3/101,053 votes
    Loading...

    #12 - Only Tweed

    Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 11/1/2019

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

    Director: Victor Nelli Jr.

    Writer: D.J. Ryan

  • A Nice Neutral Smell
    8.2/101,530 votes
    Loading...

    #13 - A Nice Neutral Smell

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 8/11/2017

    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.

    Director: Seth Gordon

    Writer: Annabel Oakes

  • Y.G.A.G.G.
    8.2/101,082 votes
    Loading...

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

    Season 3 Episode 4 - Aired 11/1/2019

    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.

    Director: Wendey Stanzler

    Writer: Michael Oppenhuizen

  • Shrinkage
    8.2/101,107 votes
    Loading...

    #15 - Shrinkage

    Season 3 Episode 7 - Aired 11/1/2019

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

    Director: Annabel Oakes

    Writer: Bob Smiley, Nicole Betz

  • That’s My Sweatshirt
    8.1/101,463 votes
    Loading...

    #16 - That’s My Sweatshirt

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 8/11/2017

    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.

    Director: Michael Patrick Jann

    Writer: Dennis Saldua

  • The D-Train to Bone Town
    8.1/101,406 votes
    Loading...

    #17 - The D-Train to Bone Town

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 8/11/2017

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

    Director: Michael Patrick Jann

    Writer: Michael Oppenhuizen, Jen Regan

  • I Lost My Poor Meatball
    8.1/101,402 votes
    Loading...

    #18 - I Lost My Poor Meatball

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 8/11/2017

    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.

    Director: Joe Kessler

    Writer: Robia Rashid

  • The Smudging
    8.1/101,155 votes
    Loading...

    #19 - The Smudging

    Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 9/7/2018

    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.

    Director: Pam Thomas

    Writer: Robia Rashid, Dennis Saldua, Bob Smiley

  • Antarctica
    8.0/101,960 votes
    Loading...

    #20 - Antarctica

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 8/11/2017

    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.

    Director: Seth Gordon

    Writer: Robia Rashid

  • Juiced!
    8.0/101,281 votes
    Loading...

    #21 - Juiced!

    Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 9/7/2018

    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.

    Director: Joe Kessler

    Writer: Robia Rashid, Bob Smiley

  • The Egg Is Pipping
    8.0/101,173 votes
    Loading...

    #22 - The Egg Is Pipping

    Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 9/7/2018

    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.

    Director: Wendey Stanzler

    Writer: Bob Smiley

  • Living at an Angle
    8.0/101,138 votes
    Loading...

    #23 - Living at an Angle

    Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 9/7/2018

    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.

    Director: Pete Chatmon

    Writer: Jen Regan, Bob Smiley, Theresa Mulligan

  • Penguin Cam and Chill
    7.9/101,207 votes
    Loading...

    #24 - Penguin Cam and Chill

    Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 9/7/2018

    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.

    Director: Ryan Case

    Writer: Robia Rashid, Bob Smiley

  • Little Dude and the Lion
    7.9/101,192 votes
    Loading...

    #25 - Little Dude and the Lion

    Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 9/7/2018

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

    Director: Silver Tree

    Writer: Bob Smiley, Theresa Mulligan