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The Best Episodes of Atypical

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

Binge this in 19h 49m•Peaking at 8.7/10

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.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Atypical Season 2 Episode 10 - Ernest Shackleton's Rules for Survival
    8.7/10(19 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.

    Director:Ken Whittingham
    Writers:Robia Rashid, Bob Smiley

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  2. Atypical Season 3 Episode 9 - Sam Takes a Walk
    8.3/10(13 votes)

    #2 - 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.

    Director:Robia Rashid
    Writers:Robia Rashid, Annie Mebane

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  3. Atypical Season 2 Episode 9 - Ritual-licious
    8.2/10(20 votes)

    #3 - 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.

    Director:Ryan Case
    Writers:Michael Oppenhuizen, Bob Smiley, D.J. Ryan

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  4. Atypical Season 3 Episode 8 - Road Rage Paige
    8.2/10(14 votes)

    #4 - 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.

    Director:Ken Whittingham
    Writer:Robia Rashid

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  5. Atypical Season 3 Episode 10 - Searching for Brown Sugar Man
    8.2/10(13 votes)

    #5 - 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.

    Director:Ken Whittingham
    Writer:Robia Rashid

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  6. Atypical Season 2 Episode 4 - Pants on Fire
    8.1/10(23 votes)

    #6 - 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.

    Director:Geeta Patel
    Writers:Michael Oppenhuizen, Bob Smiley

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Atypical

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  7. Atypical Season 2 Episode 7 - The Smudging
    8.1/10(20 votes)

    #7 - 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.

    Director:Pam Thomas
    Writers:Robia Rashid, Dennis Saldua, Bob Smiley

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  8. Atypical Season 3 Episode 6 - The Essence of a Penguin
    8.1/10(14 votes)

    #8 - 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.

    Director:Michael Medico
    Writers:Michael Oppenhuizen, Lauren Moon

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  9. Atypical Season 3 Episode 7 - Shrinkage
    8.1/10(15 votes)

    #9 - Shrinkage

    S3:E7

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

    Director:Annabel Oakes
    Writers:Bob Smiley, Nicole Betz

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  10. Atypical Season 1 Episode 8 - The Silencing Properties of Snow
    8.0/10(24 votes)

    #10 - 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.

    Director:Michael Patrick Jann
    Writer:Robia Rashid

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  11. Atypical Season 2 Episode 1 - Juiced!
    8.0/10(25 votes)

    #11 - 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.

    Director:Joe Kessler
    Writers:Robia Rashid, Bob Smiley

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  12. Atypical Season 2 Episode 2 - Penguin Cam and Chill
    8.0/10(25 votes)

    #12 - 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.

    Director:Ryan Case
    Writers:Robia Rashid, Bob Smiley

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  13. Atypical Season 2 Episode 6 - In the Dragon's Lair
    8.0/10(20 votes)

    #13 - 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.

    Director:Silver Tree
    Writers:Robia Rashid, Bob Smiley

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  14. Atypical Season 2 Episode 3 - Little Dude and the Lion
    7.9/10(23 votes)

    #14 - 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.

    Director:Silver Tree
    Writers:Bob Smiley, Theresa Mulligan

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  15. Atypical Season 2 Episode 5 - The Egg Is Pipping
    7.9/10(21 votes)

    #15 - 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.

    Director:Wendey Stanzler
    Writer:Bob Smiley

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  16. Atypical Season 4 Episode 8 - Magical Bird #2
    7.9/10(12 votes)

    #16 - 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.

    Director:Robia Rashid
    Writer:Robia Rashid

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  17. Atypical Season 2 Episode 8 - Living at an Angle
    7.8/10(20 votes)

    #17 - 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.

    Director:Pete Chatmon
    Writers:Jen Regan, Bob Smiley, Theresa Mulligan

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  18. Atypical Season 1 Episode 7 - I Lost My Poor Meatball
    7.7/10(24 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.

    Director:Joe Kessler
    Writer:Robia Rashid

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  19. Atypical Season 4 Episode 3 - You Say You Want a Revolution
    7.7/10(16 votes)

    #19 - 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.

    Director:Rebecca Asher
    Writer:Michael Oppenhuizen

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  20. Atypical Season 1 Episode 1 - Antarctica
    7.6/10(36 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.

    Director:Seth Gordon
    Writer:Robia Rashid

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  21. Atypical Season 3 Episode 5 - Only Tweed
    7.6/10(15 votes)

    #21 - 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.

    Directors:Victor Nelli, Jr.
    Writer:D.J. Ryan

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  22. Atypical Season 1 Episode 3 - Julia Says
    7.5/10(27 votes)

    #22 - 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.

    Director:Michael Patrick Jann
    Writer:Brian Tanen

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  23. Atypical Season 3 Episode 4 - Y.G.A.G.G.
    7.5/10(15 votes)

    #23 - 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.

    Director:Wendey Stanzler
    Writer:Michael Oppenhuizen

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  24. Atypical Season 4 Episode 1 - Magical Bird #1
    7.5/10(13 votes)

    #24 - 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.

    Director:Tom Magill
    Writer:D.J. Ryan

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  25. Atypical Season 3 Episode 2 - Standing Sam
    7.4/10(15 votes)

    #25 - 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.

    Director:Rebecca Asher
    Writer:Theresa Mulligan

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Best Episodes Summary

"Ernest Shackleton's Rules for Survival" is the best rated episode of "Atypical". It scored 8.7/10 based on 19 votes. Directed by Ken Whittingham and written by Robia Rashid, Bob Smiley, it aired on 9/7/2018. This episode scored 0.4 points higher than the second highest rated, "Sam Takes a Walk".